BALTIMORE — Notes, observations and some facts on the first quarter …

• Browns use tight end Dan Gronkowski in first short-yardage situation. Peyton Hillis converts third-and-1 — just barely.

• Evan Moore makes nice grab for 11 yards with Wallace being chased to the right. Hillis follows with an 11-yard blast up the middle to the Ravens’ 39.

• On third-and-1, Mohamed Massaquoi lines up in a deep slot to the right. Wallace throws weakly for him while backpedaling. Lardarius Webb intercepts at the Ravens’ 32. Even if he catches it, it’s 2 yards short of first down.

• Joe Flacco rears back and throws long for Torrey Smith, who beats Joe Haden. Underthrown ball. Mike Adams interferes. Sixty-yard penalty to Browns’ 4.

• On third-and-goal from the 5, Flacco beats a blitz and connects with Ed Dickson, who beat D’Qwell Jackson in the end zone.

• Greg Little with a nice high grab for a first down. Then Wallace goes deep for Massaquoi and it’s not even close to far enough. No air.

• Massaquoi runs 8-yard out route on third-and-10. Punt.

• After one first down by Ray Rice, Ravens get 29 yards on Flacco dumpoff to Smith crossing. Moved from own 8 to Browns’ 47 in five plays.

• Ricky Williams with a 14-yard run.

• Ahtyba Rubin follows with a 10-yard sack.

• Shayne Graham 48-yard field goal is good.

There is the quick update of the day.

The Browns will not be disciplined by the NFL for their handling of the Colt McCoy concussion injury in Pittsburgh on Dec. 8, according to league spokesman Greg Aiello.

The Browns put McCoy back in the game without testing for a concussion.

The NFLPA has not decided whether to file a grievance against the club, said union spokesman Carl Francis in an email reply.

The incident spurred two changes in league protocol. Teams were notified on Wednesday that starting with this weekend’s games:

* A certified athletic trainer paid by the NFL will monitor the game from an upstairs booth and will notify both teams’ medical staffs if it feels an injured player needs special attention. The trainer will not have the authority to remove a player from a game, but will provide information to a medical staff that might not have seen the hit or injury absorbed by a player.

The Browns contended McCoy was not given the sideline concussion test because he displayed no symptoms and their overtaxed medical staff did not see the hit by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison.

* Team medical staffs will be able to use cell phones during games to obtain information relating to the care of an injured player. This will not be limited to concussion injuries.

McCoy has not been cleared to practice 13 days after suffering the concussion on the hit.

Harrison returned to practice on Wednesday and delivered another shot on the Browns. He believes they should be disciplined for their handling of McCoy. 

“If he was hurt so bad I don’t know why they let him back in . . . two plays later,” Harrison told the Associated Press. “Something should be done to them I would think. I got a game, what should they get?

Another sit-down: Quarterback Seneca Wallace had a sit-down with running back Peyton Hillis last week.

“We had a long talk,” said Wallace. “I just told him don’t get discouraged and don’t ever lose the happiness you got from playing football. Don’t let the media, whatever else, take away from what you love to do. Just make sure you come out and have fun with it.”

Hillis went on to have the highest-yardage rushing game of his star-crossed season. Hillis ran 26 times for 99 yards and one touchdown in Arizona.

He said he felt healthier than at any point since Week 2, in which, coincidentally, he produced similar numbers — 27 rushes for 94 yards and two touchdowns — against the Colts.

Wallace and Hillis have bonded because if the Browns are going to make anything of the remaining games at Baltimore and home against Pittsburgh, they are going to have to be the main cogs on offense.

Wallace will make his second start on Christmas Eve in place of McCoy.

“I don’t want to overstep my boundaries,” he said. “I understand if somebody has to step up and speak their mind and say what they have to say, if it’s for the best of the team, you’ve got to do it.”

Hillis said the Wallace talk hit home. It was: “Just go out and enjoy football, enjoy the game, the guys you’re around, because any game can be your last. Every game’s precious.”

Hillis might have only two games left in a Browns uniform. His contract expires after the season. General Manager Tom Heckert recently said of re-signing Hillis, “That’s another one we’ll have to decide once the season’s over.”

Injury roundup: Besides McCoy, six other Browns did not practice on Wednesday — linebacker Ben Jacobs (concussion), receiver Jordan Norwood (concussion), safety T.J. Ward (foot), receiver Mohamed Massaquoi (foot), defensive lineman Scott Paxson (hand, foot) and cornerback Joe Haden (thigh). . . . Coach Pat Shurmur said the team has discussed shutting down Ward, who will miss his seventh consecutive game.

Now batting: Josh Cribbs’ recurrent groin injury will result in possibly more kickoff return opportunities for Buster Skrine, Shurmur said. Skrine had a 32-yard return in Arizona after Cribbs’ injury acted up.

Skrine was the lone returner when Arizona kicked off in overtime, but Jay Feely’s kickoff sailed into the end zone and went as a touchback.

Skrine is hoping to have some returns in Baltimore. The Ravens signed veteran Shayne Graham as a temp for Billy Cundiff, who has a calf injury and hasn’t practiced for the third week in a row. Cundiff is second in the AFC with 42 touchbacks.

Cribbs, who still may get some returns in Baltimore, has not had a return over 37 yards in six games. He hasn’t had a kickoff return for touchdown in 32 games.

“We’re doing what we can to get him blocked up so that we can get those,” Shurmur said.

Precinct report: Fan voting for the Pro Bowl ended on Monday. Joe Thomas finished fifth among AFC tackles, D’Qwell Jackson placed third among inside linebackers, and Cribbs was third among kick returners. Voting among coaches and players — which comprises the other two-thirds of the vote total — is completed today. Pro Bowl teams will be announced on Tuesday.

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Browns running back Montario Hardesty still hopes to salvage what’s left of his lost season.

“I definitely want to finish out these two games strong,” said Hardesty, who’s carried the ball in one of the past seven games because of his torn calf muscle. “I’ve been really frustrated with this calf injury. It really hindered me a lot this year, but I have two more chances to go out and play.”

Hardesty made the trip to Arizona and was active for the game, but stood on the sidelines and didn’t play. Meanwhile, Peyton Hillis rushed for 99 yards.

“The calf was sore last week,” said Hardesty. “I was ready if they needed me, but they didn’t.”

On Tuesday, Hardesty practiced full-go, and is hoping to see the field in Baltimore — against the Ravens’ second-ranked run defense.

“It feels a lot better” Hardesty said of the calf. “I got a lot of reps [Tuesday] and it felt good. Hopefully it will continue to improve throughout the week.”

Hardesty said he never dreamt the calf would cost him most of his season when he felt a twinge on Oct. 30 in San Francisco. He carried the ball 11 times for 24 yards at Pittsburgh on Dec. 8. But he emerged sore from that game and had to rest again.

“I’d love to have a chance to play against Baltimore and Pittsburgh,” he said. “Both are great defenses. We have to find a way to win these games.”

Two new players: As expected, the Browns placed linebacker Titus Brown on injured reserve with his right knee injury and tight end Alex Smith on IR with his shoulder injury.

To replace them, the Browns signed linebacker Brian Smith off their practice squad and signed tight end Dan Gronkowski as a free agent.

Gronkowski is the brother of Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has set the NFL record for TD receptions by a tight end with 15 this season. Their other brother, Chris, is a fullback for the Colts. Dan Gronkowski spent five games with the Patriots this season, with one start. He was waived Nov. 8.

“I stayed in Foxborough,” said Gronkowski. “I had an apartment with my brother and was training. It paid off I guess, I felt pretty good out there. I didn’t feel like I’d been out that long.”

Gronkowski (6-5, 255 pounds) a seventh-round pick of the Lions in 2009 out of Maryland, said he used his time off to get bigger, which should help his blocking.

“I definitely can help in that area,” he said. “I’m definitely built to be a blocker, a little heavier. In the next two games I’ll do what I can.”

Gronkowski said he’s happy for Rob, who’s having blockbuster season.

“My brothers and I, we’re all best friends and we root for each other,” he said. “When he does good, it makes us all feel good and I mean, he’s a great player and I say that he’s learned everything from me. He set records this year and stuff and he’s an amazing player and he’s just going to get better.”

Brian Smith was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, but waived at the end of camp. In Week 12, he was signed to the practice squad.

“It’s a blessing to be back and I’m just the kind of guy that stays resilient, keeps working at it, and when I get my shot I’m going to take full advantage of it,” said Smith.

Concussion update: Browns fullback Owen Marecic practiced Tuesday and is expecting to play in Baltimore despite suffering his second concussion in four weeks on Dec. 8 in Pittsburgh. He said no one has discussed shutting him down for the season.

“It never really came to my mind,” he said. “I can’t speak for anybody else, but it never came up in conversation.”

Marecic said he changed helmets in hopes of preventing another concussion. Eight Browns players have suffered 11 concussions this season.

In other concussion news, receiver Jordan Norwood and linebacker Ben Jacobs both sat out Tuesday with theirs. With Norwood likely to sit, Carlton Mitchell figures to get some playing time.

“I think there’s definitely a chance,” said Mitchell.

Other injuries: Cornerback Joe Haden sat out practice with a thigh bruise, but said he’ll play in Baltimore. . . . Safety T.J. Ward (foot) also sat out, but is still hopeful he can play Saturday.

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Professor Reporter Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com gives out his latest grades when it comes to the Cleveland Browns’ performance last Sunday at Cincinnati.

And after Sunday’s loss, Ulrich makes it clear that the Browns (4-7) have plenty to work on as they prepare for their home game Sunday against Baltimore (8-3).

When it comes to the offensive line, Ulrich gives it a D. Ulrich writes how McCoy took two sacks and six quarterback hits. Right tackle Tony Pashos and right guard Shawn Lauvao gave up the sacks.

McCoy absorbed a blow from defensive tackle Geno Atkins as he threw his interception into the hands of safety Reggie Nelson.

The defense received a C- overall with the secondary earning a D plus.

Cornerback Joe Haden should have had tighter coverage on rookie wide receiver A.J. Green when he made catches of 35 and 51 yards. The latter led to the Bengals’ game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter. Rookie strong safety Eric Hagg was beat in coverage during tight end Jermaine Gresham’s 22-yard touchdown reception. Free safety Mike Adams was involved in tackling Benson to put the finishing touches on the Browns’ goal-line stand.

More Cleveland Browns

Little was more than a little upset (The News-Herald).

The Cleveland Browns could use a few more playmakers (CantonRep.com).

Scott Fujita out with a broken hand (The Chronicle-Telegram).

Greg Little knows dropped balls will hold him back (Cleveland.com).

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Ohio.com reporter Nate Ulrich gives out his grades when it comes to the Cleveland Browns. And the Browns did well. 

Ulrich gives the offense a B (minus) and an A to the running backs. That’s easy because Chris Ogbonnaya had 21 carries for 115 yards. And it was the first 100-yard rushing performance by a Browns player since Peyton Hillis ran for 108 yards in December of 2010.

Wide receivers: B. Rookie Greg Little led the team with five catches for 59 yards. Cribbs had three receptions for 20 yards, including the team’s lone touchdown catch. Jordan Norwood made the play of the game when he caught an 8-yard pass over the middle, then broke free and used a juke move on safety Chris Prosinski to turn it into a 51-yard gain. Norwood’s 43 yards after the catch helped set up Obonnaya’s 1-yard touchdown run. Mohamed Massaquoi came back after missing two of the previous three games with symptoms related to a concussion and added two catches for 19 yards.

The defense earned a grade of B (plus). The secondary played well. Cornerback Joe Haden dropped two interceptions in the third quarter, and cornerback Sheldon Brown dropped another in the fourth quarter.

Coach Pat Shurmur earned a B.

More Cleveland Browns

This time close was enough for the Browns (The News-Herald).

A meaning to meaningless games for the Browns (CantonRep.com)

The Cleveland Browns are ready for AFC North battles (Cleveland.com).

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman says Browns will have to pay (Cincinnati.com)

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

CLEVELAND (AP) —
Colt McCoy
took a knee on Cleveland’s sideline, closed his eyes and the young quarterback asked for some help from above.

This week, the Browns got it.

“There’s nothing wrong with praying,” McCoy said.

Jacksonville rookie quarterback
Blaine Gabbert
‘s pass into the end zone on the game’s last play was incomplete, allowing the Browns to escape with a 14-10 win over the
Jaguars on Sunday.

As McCoy watched helplessly, Gabbert rifled a 3-yard pass high over the middle that was off the mark and caromed off wide
receiver
Mike Thomas
‘ outstretched hands, and the Browns (4-6) celebrated a win they nearly gave away.

“We deserved this one,” McCoy said. “Our team deserved this.”

Last week, the Browns lost 13-12 to the St. Louis Rams when Cleveland botched a snap and reliable kicker
Phil Dawson
missed a 22-yard field goal try. This one nearly ended under similar circumstances as Jacksonville’s final drive was set up
by Dawson missing a 38-yarder that sailed over the top of the right post.

“Everybody played their hearts out and it’s about time it went our way,” said Browns linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, who covered
Thomas tightly on the final play. “We knew it was up to us. Right there. We had to make the play and we did.”

McCoy shook off an apparent shoulder injury and threw a 3-yard TD pass to Josh Cribbs in the fourth to give Cleveland a 14-10
lead. But Dawson’s stunning miss with 2:49 left gave the Jaguars (3-7) a final chance and Gabbert, who had some good and bad
moments, nearly pulled off the comeback.

“It’s not the ending we were looking for,” said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who defended his use of the clock in the final
minute. “It’s not the first time this year we’ve had the opportunity. We’re really looking for that breakout, game-winning
drive. We had a chance for our quarterback to take us down. He took us down. We were knocking on the door. We just couldn’t
close it out.”

Chris Ogbonnaya
rushed for 115 yards and scored on a 1-yard run for Cleveland, ending a TD drought at home that lasted more than 158 minutes.
The Browns had scoring drives of 87 and 85 yards, rarities in the offense’s first season under coach Pat Shurmur.

But Shurmur knows he can count on his defense, and the Browns’ didn’t disappoint.

“I did trust that we would get them stopped,” Shurmur said. “I trust our defense.”

The Browns appeared in control when Dawson booted his 38-yarder toward the goal post. However, the officials standing directly
under the uprights ruled the high kick went wide right. Dawson argued that his kick should have counted, but referee Terry
McAulay announced the attempt could not be reviewed because it sailed above the post.

“The way we saw it was part of the ball was outside of the outside edge of the upright,” said McAulay, whose crew had a few
other tough calls to make.

Gabbert then drove the Jaguars down the field and Jacksonville caught a break when Browns cornerback
Joe Haden
was called for interference in the final minute on third down.

Maurice Jones-Drew was stopped twice inside the 5, and the Browns were fortunate when Gabbert’s pass on second-and-goal went
off wide receiver
Jason Hill
‘s chest in the back corner of the end zone with 3 seconds left. Haden believed he got a hand on Gabbert’s throw.

That set up a dramatic finale, and this one went Cleveland’s way, giving the Browns a much-needed win before their schedule
gets rougher.

Jackson said he was ready for the pass.

“I anticipated the play and that’s a tough route to cover because he’s kind of going away,” Jackson said. “He came into my
zone and I went with him. His arms went up, I saw that. I put my arms up. He didn’t catch it, that’s all I know and all that
matters.”

Del Rio was asked why he didn’t hand the ball to Jones-Drew on the last play.

“You can make a case for doing that,” Del Rio said. “You can guess any number of plays when you don’t connect. We had two
guys with the ball in the air in the vicinity – missed opportunities.”

McCoy completed 17 of 24 passes for 199 yards. And while his numbers were efficient, the second-year QB again showed he’s
a gamer by staying in despite hurting his right shoulder. Afterward, McCoy said his shoulder was “OK” but didn’t know if he
would need an MRI.

Shurmur doesn’t need any proof that McCoy, who was down on himself following a key interception near Jacksonville’s end zone
in the third, can handle himself physically.

“Colt has taken some licks this year,” Shurmur said. “He bounced back well. He is learning to forget a bad play and move on.”

Gabbert was 22 of 41 for 210 yards, and Jones-Drew rushed for 87 yards on 21 carries.

Josh Scobee
kicked a 42-yard field goal to bring the Jaguars within 14-10 with 5:39 left.

The Browns finally found their way into the end zone in the second quarter, when Ogbonnaya’s first career TD, a 1-yard run,
tied it at 7.

It was Cleveland’s first touchdown at home since Oct. 2, a drought of 158 minutes, 15 seconds – or 2 hours, 38 minutes and
15 seconds, nearly the length of time it takes to play an entire NFL game.

“We’re starting to do things right,” McCoy said.

Jones-Drew powered up the middle for a 6-yard TD run, capping Jacksonville’s 92-yard scoring drive that devoured 9:32 off
the clock. Jones-Drew dragged two defenders into the end zone and followed with a celebration designed to irk Cleveland fans
by imitating the powder toss NBA superstar LeBron James started while he played for the Cavaliers.

Notes: Browns rookie WR
Greg Little
had 5 catches for 59 yards. … Browns WR
Mohamed Massaquoi
had 2 catches after missing the previous two games with a concussion. … Jaguars LBs
Clint Session
,
Matt Roth
and RB
Kevin Rutland
left with head injuries. Del Rio provided no details on the injuries.

© 2011 STATS LLC

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Just another Cleveland Browns game decided in the final minute of play. Browns fans are certainly feeling much happier than they were exactly one week ago.

The Browns defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 14-10 on Sunday afternoon. A full game recap and box score can be found here.

The game was over: When Jags QB Blaine Gabbert(notes) threw two incomplete passes inside the Browns two-yard line during the final eight seconds of the game. The first, a ball thrown toward the left portion of the end zone, was broken up by Joe Haden(notes). Then, with just three seconds remaining, Gabbert dropped back to pass rather than handing the ball off to star RB Maurice Jones-Drew(notes). Gabbert had MJD relatively open near the right sideline, but instead chose to throw the ball over the middle. The pass was broken up, and the Browns had a much-needed win.

Inexcusable errors: Before praising the Browns (and I will), I must first mention two terrible mistakes made during the final drive of the game. Facing fourth and one with under 90 seconds remaining, Browns defensive tackle Phil Taylor(notes), who was otherwise great throughout the afternoon, jumped the gun and was correctly called for a five-yard penalty that gave the Jags the first down. Three plays later, the previously mentioned Joe Haden was flagged for pass interference inside the Cleveland 15-yard line. It was a needless penalty, as the ball was going to fall incomplete regardless of Haden’s miscue.

Both played very well outside of these moments, and both are still works in progress. These mistakes during the game’s most crucial drive just cannot happen, though, and you can be sure the team’s coaching staff will let the guilty players know exactly that on Monday.

Bounce back: Browns quarterback Colt McCoy(notes) was guilty of potentially the worst interception of his NFL career during the third quarter. With the Browns inside the Jacksonville six-yard line, McCoy threw a terrible ball directly at Jacksonville’s Dawan Landry(notes), who collected the interception and killed the drive. McCoy, like a veteran quarterback, put the mistake out of mind and took the Browns right down the field on the very next drive. The 12-play, 85-yard touchdown drive was capped off by a perfectly placed short pass to Josh Cribbs inside the right portion of the end zone.

McCoy and company are going to make mistakes during the final month and a half. There’s no question about it. Forgetting such mistakes immediately and moving on is exactly what winners do, and McCoy’s performance during this drive reminded those watching the game that he has thus far won at every level.

Browns MVP: Peyton who? Cleveland RB Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) finished with 115 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. He also, unlike a certain running back, fought through what appeared to be an injured hamstring during the fourth quarter. At this point of the campaign, I honestly see no reason to bring Peyton Hillis(notes) back. Once Montario Hardesty(notes) fully heels, the Hardesty-Ogbonnaya duo is one I want to see in the Cleveland backfield.

Overall: Fans could obviously complain about Pat Shurmur again handcuffing his own offense during a pivotal fourth quarter drive, or argue that the fourth quarter Phil Dawson(notes) FG ruled to be no good was actually inside the upright. There’s no reason for such discussions early Sunday evening. The Cleveland Browns have ended the three-game slide and, in all fairness, they should be 5-5.

I’ll take it.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Notes, observations and some facts on the fourth quarter …

• Browns enter red zone on Greg Little 11-yard catch. A touchdown here is imperative.

• Little throws good block on swing pass to Owen Marecic.

• Chris Ogbonnaya’s 6-yard run takes it to the 3. But Marecic is helped off the field with injury.

• On third down, Josh Cribbs scores TD by doing a quick 2-step hop to get both feet in just inside right pylon. Really good drive by McCoy to atone for his interception.

• Pumped up Phil Dawson drills ensuing kickoff out of the end zone for touchback.

• Sheldon Brown drops an interception. Joe Haden had one of those earlier.

• Great third-down throw by Blaine Gabbert. Twenty-eight yards on a line to Jason Hill to the Browns’ 37.

• Montell Owens bounces off Haden for 8 yards and first down at Browns 11.

• Gabbert misses Hill in end zone after Brown falls. Wide, wide open. Ball out of the end zone.

• Jags have third-and-8 at Browns 9. What to do? Gabbert desperately throws backwards out of bounds with Jabaal Sheard on his back. Josh Scobee’s 42-yard field goal makes it 14-10, Browns.

• The game could be iced by … Ogbonnaya? His 40-yard dash down the left sideline ends when he cramps up, but suddenly the Browns are in position to put the outcome out of doubt.

• Ogbonnaya sits out for a play, then returns to keep moving the pile. All those who thought he would outgain Jones-Drew and average nearly six yards a carry … yeah, sure.

• McCoy is sacked by Tyson Alualu and Russell Allen. Drive in trouble now.

• Jags are calling timeouts to try to force a field goal and a last-ditch chance to tie. They get their wish, and then some, when Phil Dawson is just wide right from 38 yards.

• Gabbert swings one to Drew Coleman for nine yards and Jones-Drew converts the first down as the two-minute warning arrives.

• Mercedes Lewis gathers in a 12-yard reception to get the Jags in Browns territory. Good pressure forces Gabbert to throw one away, but on second down he finds Lewis again on a crossing pattern to the 37. Third and four.

• Jarrett Dillard is stopped a yard short of first down, but Phil Taylor eases the pressure on the Jags by jumping offside on fourth down.

• From the 29, Browns blitz and Gabbert is short and inside to Lewis, who is be shadowed well by Scott Fujita. Third down with 57 seconds left.

• Jason Hill can’t make the grab over the middle, but Joe Haden is flagged for interference. There was a lot of contact on the play.

• Now at the 14, there’s plenty of time for Jacksonville. Pressure forces a throw out of bounds. Chastin West gets a square-out in front of Sheldon Brown at the five, and nearly breaks free for the score.

• Jones-Drew moves the entire pile three yards for first and goal at the 2.

• With clock running, Jones-Drew gets the ball again and this time the tackles form a wall he can’t break through. Last Jaguars timeout with eight seconds left. Do they dare run MJD again?

• Hill has Haden beat in the left corner, but Haden grabs his left hand and the ball comes free. Last play.

• Jones-Drew is the best option, right? But he’s in a wheel route and Mike Thomas is man-to-man on D’Qwell Jackson over the middle. The pass is a little behind and Jackson keeps pushing as the ball falls to the ground.

• Had them all the way.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

BEREA, Ohio — The Browns are hoping Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew doesn’t do Sunday what he did against them last season.

It was almost exactly one year ago — on Nov. 21, 2010 — when Jones-Drew racked up a career-high 220 yards (rushing and receiving) against the Browns — including 75 yards on a backbreaking screen pass that helped finish off the Browns. Late in the fourth quarter with the Browns ahead, 20-17, Jones-Drew took the seemingly innocuous short pass and darted through a flurry of flailing arms until Joe Haden ran him down at the 1-yard line.

Jones-Drew plowed in from the 1 on second down for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:30 left and the Jaguars won, 24-20.

“Looking back on last year, we just didn’t make tackles,” Browns tackle Ahtyba Rubin said. “He kind of got away from us and had great vision and took it to the house. We have to get MJD to the ground this game and then we’ll be all right.”

Easier said than done for the Browns’ 30th-ranked run defense. The 5-7, 208-pound dynamo is fourth in the NFL this season with 854 yards rushing and first with 191 attempts.

“He’s a very rare combination,” defensive coordinator Dick Jauron said. “He’s got a body type that you don’t see a lot in this league. He’s definitely not small — that is not a small person. He’s short, very compact and very powerful. When you’re trying to tackle him, he doesn’t give you a lot of surface to hit. He has great pad level. He runs with a low profile, great balance and great power. Whenever you watch tape of him you see him run over linebackers, see him run over defensive linemen and come out the other side running.”

Jones-Drew rushed for 133 yards against the Browns last season, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Of course, many of the Browns’ defensive starters from that game have been replaced, but the new crew is struggling, too. The Browns have allowed 568 yards rushing over the past three games, an average of 189 yards per game.

“[Jones-Drew] is a tremendous challenge,” Jauron said. “They do a real nice job scheming for him in the run game. He’s not just a runner, he’s a very big part of their passing game and he’s a terrific protector. This is an all-around football player. This is a real pro, this guy. He’s got the numbers to prove that he really plays well. We’ll have a tough time. We have our work cut out for us with this one.”

Linebacker Scott Fujita, who was out for the season with a knee injury last year when Jones-Drew lit up the Browns, is gearing up for the player Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano described earlier this month as “a rolling ball of butcher knives.”

“He’s one of my favorite backs in the league because he’s so good,” Fujita said. “I enjoy watching him play and I have for his career. He’s powerful, he’s explosive, extremely athletic and he’s difficult because he can hide. He’s hard to see over the pile, locate where he is. He’s got such great vision so he can stay hidden and then find the hole and just burst through it.”

Another thing Jones-Drew does well is run low — “lower than an ant’s belly” — Steelers defensive end Ziggy Hood said earlier this season.

“I’ve seen a few clips where his shoulder pads are literally a foot off the ground,” Browns linebacker Chris Gocong said. “You’ve got to get really low, too. He’s just a load.”

Jones-Drew is 7 inches shorter than last week’s featured back, St. Louis’ Steven Jackson, but cornerback Dimitri Patterson says that contrast is overrated.

“I don’t know why people call Jones-Drew little because he’s not little,” said Patterson. “He’s just short. He’s built like a ball. It’s hard to get your arms around him, and he runs so strong, with such confidence and with a purpose. He’s very explosive. He feels like he can score every time and that type of guy doesn’t come around a lot. He’s one of the most unique backs in the league.”

With the Browns’ troubles against the run, teams have running the ball an average of 37 times per game — and they’re expecting no less from Jacksonville.

“Until we get that fixed we’re going to keep having problems there,” Fujita said. “We’ve got to get as many hats on him as possible.”

Jones-Drew, whose running backs coach is former Browns running back Earnest Byner, doesn’t let up on the road. Over the past three seasons, Jones-Drew leads the NFL with 94.8 yards rushing per road game. This season, two of his three 100-yard games have come away from Jacksonville.

“He’s definitely the main focus for us,” said Usama Young, who will again replace strong safety T.J. Ward (foot). “As a defensive back, you’re looking and you don’t even see him sometimes. He just bursts out of there. He’s one of those backs you’ve got to wrap him up and we’re going to have to swarm to tackle him.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — On the surface of it, the Cleveland Browns’ AFC North might qualify as the NFL’s premier division.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 6-2; the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, each 5-2; the Browns, 3-4.

That makes the division teams a combined 19-10. Subtract the two games played thus far within the division — the Bengals’ 27-17 win over the Browns and the Ravens’ 35-7 rout of the Steelers, both in Sept. 11 season openers — and the teams are 17-8 in games played against foes outside the division.

Don Banks of Sports Illustrated’s SI.com, in his “NFL Midseason Report: 2011,” writes that the AFC North is tops, but… 

• BEST DIVISION — AFC North: The Steelers, Ravens and Bengals are all dangerous two-loss teams, and even last-place Cleveland is a competitive 3-4. The secret to the division’s success? It drew the weak NFC West and AFC South in the league’s scheduling format this year.

The Browns get a chance to enhance the AFC North’s reputation when they visit the AFC South-leading Houston Texans (5-3) on Sunday.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Browns coverage includes Jodie Valade’s story that Browns running back Peyton Hillis says this season has “been a humbling experience;” Tony Grossi’s Browns Insider; the Browns Insider weekly video show, with Dennis Manoloff, Tony Grossi and Mary Kay Cabot talking about the Browns; a Starting Blocks Browns vs. Texans poll; and, much more.

Post patterns

Defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin is playing at a Pro Bowl level, Steve Doerschuk writes for SportingNews.com.

Browns cornerback Joe Haden against Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson. By Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

How about the Browns running a hurry-up offense? That, and Browns notes, by Fred Greetham for Scout.com’s Orange and Brown Report.

The Browns are second in the NFL in dropped passes, writes Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.

Getting the football to the Browns’ playmakers. By Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

What the season has been like for Peyton Hillis. By Bob Finnan for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal.

Colt McCoy is playing better than he’s given credit for, writes Brian Murtaugh for the Bleacher Report.

Browns injuries update, by Scott Petrak for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram and Medina County Gazette.

Facing Houston’s zone blocking, by Matt Florjancic for clevelandbrowns.com.

What do you want to see from the Browns against the Texans? By Craig Lyndall for WaitingForNextYear.com.

How the Browns-Texans game will play out, by John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.

Gary Kubiak isn’t a lock to remain as the Houston Texans coach, writes Steve Doerschuk of the Canton Repository.

That’s all for today.

The Cleveland Browns became another victim of the surprisingly successful San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, October 30 losing by a score of 20-10. The Browns fell to 3-4 on the season while the 49ers improved to 6-1.

Quarterback Colt McCoy(notes) finished the day completing 22 of 34 pass attempts for a total of 241 yards. He threw one touchdown and was picked off once.

While McCoy’s numbers looked mostly positive he struggled maintaining control of the football fumbling four times during the game. Of the four only one was lost, which occurred on the opening drive, leading to a San Francisco touchdown.

With running back Peyton Hillis(notes) missing his second straight game due to a hamstring injury, the bulk of the ground game was to go to Montario Hardesty(notes). Unfortunately for the Browns, Hardesty got injured early in the game. Recent addition Chris Ogbonnaya(notes) was forced into the role of the primary back carrying the ball 11 times for 37 yards. Ogbonnaya also recorded five receptions for 24 yards.

Ogbonnaya may have been a smart pickup after all. He surely has had an impact in the last two games he has appeared in.

Leading the way for Cleveland receivers was Benjamin Watson(notes) with three grabs for 64 yards. Joshua Cribs logged 56 yards on two receptions including a 45-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Greg Little(notes), who had been making his presence known on the team in the prior weeks, netted four receptions for 28 yards. He is still in search of the elusive first professional touchdown.

On defense D’Qwell Jackson(notes) led the team with 10 solo tackles, while Ahtyba Ruben recorded eight of his own. Joe Haden(notes) netted 5 solo tackles, one assist, and a pass deflection.

Despite giving up 177 yards to 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and 134 yards to running back Frank Gore(notes), the Browns defense played a great game, especially in the second half, holding the 49ers to only three points.

It was definitely a tough loss for the Browns who are still struggling to learn an entirely new offense scheme. Their running game was limited to their third string running back that started the season on the practice squad for the Houston Texans. Their passing game still lacks a No. 1 receiver, yet they still managed to stay competitive with one of the better teams in the league.

The Browns may not become Super Bowl champions this season but they are gaining valuable experience that will surely enable them to be competitive starting next year. They will just need to fill in pieces to the puzzle through both the draft and free agency during the offseason to get them there.

More NFL Commentary from this Contributor:

Cleveland Browns’ future in the hands of McCoy, Little, and Hardesty: A fan’s look

Cleveland Browns squeak by a victory against Seattle Seahawks: A fan’s reaction

Cleveland Browns’ season rests on performance against Seahawks: A fan’s look

Sources:

All stats provided by NFL.com

Paul Rados is an avid Detroit Red Wings fan and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Dismal as the offense was all day, ineffective at moving the ball into the end zone or even advancing to within 20 yards of the goal line, the Browns’ defense didn’t notice.

Why worry about something you can’t control? The philosophy of this young and rapidly improving unit is to single-mindedly focus on its own objective — prevent the opposition from scoring.

So the fact that the Browns couldn’t manage a touchdown in Sunday’s 6-3 victory over Seattle meant little. So, too, did the fact that the Seahawks were down to their backup quarterback and lost their starting running back to a pregame injury.

Three points is still just three points. A goal-line stand, as the Browns had in the third quarter when Seattle failed to score from the Cleveland 2 on three consecutive plays, are still the kind of plays that win games.

“If the offense scores 100 points, we want it to be 100 to zero,” safety T.J. Ward said. “Every time we go out there we’re looking for a shutout. Defensively, we want people to fear us and know it’s going to be tough against Cleveland. You’re not going to get no easy points. We’re one of a kind.”

Rookie receiver Greg Little called his defense the “best in the league,” after holding Seattle to 137 yards in total offense.

According to the raw numbers, the Browns were seventh in the NFL before Sunday, and they lowered their average for yards allowed to 308.3 after their stifling performance. It’s a defense littered with youth — rookies Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor are line mainstays, while second-year players Joe Haden and Ward anchor the secondary — that improves each week.

Against Seattle, the key goal-line stand came at the end of the third quarter when the Seahawks had a first down at the Cleveland 2. First, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson stuffed running back Justin Forsett. Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst failed to connect with Michael Robinson on second down, and with Ward broke up a third down attempt to tight end Cameron Morrah.

“As a defense, we really thought they couldn’t score on us,” Haden said. “No matter what the score was, as long as they were out of field-goal range, we felt they weren’t going to score on us.”

The Seahawks did have their chances. Leon Washington returned a punt 81 yards to the end zone, only to have an illegal block bring the ball back to the Seattle 45.

Two series later, Whitehurst finally connected on a big play, a 38-yarder to Sidney Rice along the right sideline. Rice had a wide-open field ahead of him, but lost his balance and stepped out of bounds at the Cleveland 9.

“I didn’t realize how close I was to the sideline,” Rice said. “I was trying to get some extra yards and I went out of bounds.”

Minus starting linebacker Scott Fujita (concussion) and with Haden playing for the first time in two weeks because of a knee injury, the Browns will take it.

“When you hold a team in the NFL to three points, that’s outstanding,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. “Outstanding.”

For more Cinesport video, go here.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Notes, observations and some facts on the fourth quarter …

• Chris Ogbannaya takes a dump-off and leaps through a defender for the first down. Then Montario Hardesty receives a flare pass and rumbles 16 yards to the Seahawks’ 36.

• On third-and-9, Brian Robiskie slips before Colt McCoy’s pass arrives.

• Phil Dawson from 53 yards. It’s up … it’s floating … it’s good. First time in his career Dawson has two field goal over 50 yards in same game.

• Browns defense forces punt in three plays. Josh Cribbs has made some tackles in kick coverage, but hasn’t been able to impact the game on returns.

• McCoy just gets the ball to Evan Moore for a first down. Moore jumps up and flashes a demonstrative “first down” signal.

• McCoy’s finest play of the day: escapes massive pressure, picks way through traffic and slides to a first down — 12 yards.

• Browns get another first down on 6-yard carry on third down by Ogbannaya.

• Now Montario Hardesty runs for 15 to the Seahawks 13. Kam Chancellor wraps up Hardesty, lifts him up and plants him to the ground. But Hardesty holds on.

• Seahawks burn all three timeouts before Dawson 24-yard field goal try. Seahawks block another won. Still 6-3, Browns.

• Two ineffective plays set up third-and-10 for Seahawks, and Joe Haden is called for interference on Sidney Rice at the Seattle 31. Whitehurst may have to rely on penalties … he has 92 yards passing at this moment.

• A overthrow on first down is followed by a screen to Washington for five yards. Three-man rush on third down and a first-down catch is dropped by Ben Obomanu. Fourth-down pass is caught by Doug Baldwin, but he’s called for a push-off. Another call in favor of the Browns. Fourth again and 15 with 2:27 left. Pass for Mike Williams is deflected by Joe Haden — Williams was triple-covered on the play.

• With 2:22 left, the Browns can’t run the clock out without a first down. Hardesty for three more yards … he has 95 yards on 32 carries — a full day’s work. Two-minute warning.

• A third-down personal foul by Red Bryant — who blocked two field goals — puts the game out of reach. Browns go to 3-3 before next Sunday’s trip to San Francisco.

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