Coach Pat Shurmur says he would do it the same way.

APPat Shurmur

Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer writes how coach Pat Shurmur would do it the same way if he had to do it all over again.

Shurmur defended his strategy at the end of Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Rams, running the ball six straight times in the red zone and setting up a field goal instead of trying to pass for a touchdown.

"No. I'll go to the well with what I did," said Shurmur. "And I'll go to the well lining up to kick the field goal, making them use timeouts and leaving them nearing two minutes to try to drive and beat us. I'll do that again."

We know the result, but was that the right move?

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports. Was Sunday's Browns loss as bad as it gets? When will we see NBA basketball again? Terry answers those questions and more today.

Terry Pluto tackles your questions live every Tuesday at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at noon as he talks Cleveland sports.

Was Sunday's Browns loss as bad as it gets? When will we see NBA basketball again?

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Terry's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.

Got a Browns question for Mary Kay Cabot, Terry Pluto or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show? Skype us at clevelanddotcom from 10-11 a.m. or email your video to sports@cleveland.com

We'll be taking your Skype calls live from 10-11 a.m.  Tuesday. Add clevelanddotcom to your Skype contacts.

Got a Browns question for  Mary Kay Cabot, Terry Pluto or Dennis Manoloff? Want to be part of The Plain Dealer / cleveland.com Browns Insider show?

If you're answered 'yes' and 'yes,' then we want to hear from you!

Do you have confidence in Pat Shurmur? Have the Browns lost faith in Colt McCoy? If the Browns can't beat the Rams, who can they beat?  

Get your question ready, fire up your webcam, make sure you have Skype on your computer and then give us call today from 10-11 a.m.

We'll ask you for your name, your hometown and, in under 30 seconds, to pose your question to our panel of Browns experts.

The call will be recorded and played during Thursday's live show.

Once again, lines will be open from 10-11 a.m.

Here's what to do:

1. Log into your Skype account. Don't have one? Create one and download the software here.

2. Add Skype name "clevelanddotcom" to your contacts list and place a video call to us.

3. A cleveland.com producer will answer your call and record it. Selected videos will be played during Thursday's live show, when Cabot, Pluto and Manoloff will answer the questions.

4. Once again, we'll be taking calls from 10-11 a.m. today. If the line keeps ringing or your call is rejected, that means it's busy. Try again in a few minutes.

5. You can also email your videos to sports@cleveland.com or upload them to YouTube or cleveland.com and send us the link.

The Cleveland Browns did not make the grade.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerBrowns linebacker Scott Fujita.

Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com writes how the Cleveland Browns did not make the grade with their performance last Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.

Here is Ulrich's review of the Browns’ most recent absurd letdown:

OFFENSE: C-

Quarterback: B-. Colt McCoy completed 20-of-27 passes (74.1 percent) for 218 yards without a touchdown or an interception. His passer rating was 97.5. Despite playing on a windy day, McCoy’s passes were more accurate than they had been in a while. His 52-yard pass to rookie wide receiver Greg Little was one of his best throws of the season. He helped guide the Browns into the red zone four times, though they failed to score a touchdown.

When it comes to the defense, Ulrich gives out a B grade. He also writes how rookie defensive tackle Phil Taylor had five tackles, including two for loss, the team’s lone sack and two of its three quarterback hits.

Secondary: B. Cornerback Joe Haden had three passes defense and played well for the most part while shadowing standout wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. In the second quarter, Lloyd created separation from Haden in the end zone and caught a 7-yard touchdown pass. However, Lloyd had only four catches and just one after halftime. He was targeted nine times.

Ulrich was not nice to the special teams (F). Can you blame him, especially since Josh Cribbs' fumble led to a score by the Rams. And who could forget Ryan Pontbriand’s snap that ricocheted off the right foot of Alex Mack, and resulted in a miss field goal?

 
More Cleveland Browns

Coach Pat Shurmur is like the past Browns' coaches.

Trick or treat with coach Pat Shurmur.

Are you happy with the West Coast offense?

Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio is tired of talking.

Did Jerry Sandusky's interview change your opinion of him?

AP filePenn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with Jerry Sandusky.

Despite getting arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of young boys, and despite according to claims made by another coach (Mike McQueary), former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky tells Bob Costas that he's innocent.

In a phone interview with Costas that was broadcast Monday night, Sandusky says he is not a pedophile.

But in the same interview, he says:

“I shouldn’t have showered with those kids.”

“I could say that I have done some of those things,” he said of the accusations against him. “I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact.”

He added: “I enjoy being around children. I enjoy their enthusiasm. I just have a good time with them.”

DeVier Posey returns on Saturday.

PDBuckeyes receiver DeVier Posey.

Wide receiver DeVier Posey makes his return to the field this week. That means the Ohio State receiver — suspended by the NCAA for the first 10 games of the season — will get to take part in the Senior Day tradition of being introduced individually, then running down the field to present a rose to his mother, writes Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch.

“I’m probably going to give him the rose back, because he is the one who deserves it,” Julie Posey said. “He has been fantastic through this year.

“He has walked with incredible grace and humbleness, he has grown incredibly, he has been a great teammate and a wonderful son. He has continued to move along in his academics; he’s going to graduate early, in March. So I am very proud of him. That rose belongs to him.”

Receivers coach Stan Drayton said that Posey could be just what the OSU passing game, bereft of playmaking receivers, needs against Penn State, writes May.

Around the Horseshoe

Guess who is on Ohio State's wish list?

Ohio State is still shooting for a title.

A new coach at Ohio State.

Plain Dealer reporter says Browns QB may have had his best performance of the season. Watch video

Cleveland, Ohio - Welcome to today's edition of Starting Blocks TV, hosted by Chuck Yarborough and Branson Wright, who are intent on keeping their voices down toward the end of today's show.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur spent time at Monday's press conference defending his late-game strategy in Sunday's loss to the St. Louis Rams. Do you agree with Shurmur's play-calling and strategy? That's our question in today's Starting Blocks poll.

Today's guest on SBTV is Plain Dealer reporter Dennis Manoloff, who says he 75 percent agreed with the calls Shurmur made. Dman also talks about who had a better game, the Browns' Colt McCoy or the Rams' Sam Bradford; and he weighs in on whether he thinks there will be an NBA season.

SBTV will return Wednesday with Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises checking in from Columbus with the latest on the Buckeyes and Saturday's game against Penn State.

Also, don't miss this week's edition of the Browns Insider show, which streams live every Thursday at 10 a.m. and is archived each week.

Fans should take notice, in person, of talented local college basketball teams.

John Kuntz, The Plain DealerCleveland State's Aaron Pogue is key ingredient for the Vikings' success.

Observations from the local college basketball scene:

First Akron, then Cleveland State, and now Kent State. UPSETS!!!

The nation read about the Zips last week, now it is Cleveland State.

Coach Keith Dambrot and Akron's defeat over Mississippi State was not fluke. They led practically the entire game. Coach Gary Waters and Cleveland State's defeat over then No. 7 Vanderbilt was no fluke. The Vikings led for the entire game. And both drew high accolades.

And today, Kent State upset West Virginia, 70-60, this morning on ESPN in the debut game for first-year head coach Rob Senderoff. CSU plays at Kent State next Tuesday, Nov. 22. Akron plays at Cleveland State, Dec. 10. Should be interesting all around.

All three teams are laden with seniors and juniors who have had a high level of success in recent years . . . and want more. For the uninformed, all three teams are - and have been - NCAA Tournament-caliber teams for most of the last four seasons.

Yes, Thad Matta's Ohio State Buckeyes are justifiably nationally ranked. And the likes of Xavier and Cincinnati and Dayton have some long-standing hoops pedigree. But don't overlook what's happening within 60 miles of downtown Cleveland.

Decide for yourself if Akron's 7-0 junior Zeke Marshall or Cleveland State's 6-9, 265-pound senior Aaron Pogue have pro potential.

Equally important, if these early wins hold up as upsets as the season goes along, the winner of the CSU-Akron-Kent ring of games should be in pretty good RPI shape for NCAA Tournament at-large consideration at the end of the season.

And did we note the locals on these teams?: Tim Kamczyc (Strongsville) and Anton Grady (Cleveland Central Catholic) at Cleveland State with Randal Holt (Glenville) and Robert Johnson (Bedford) at Kent State.
 

For those who are interested, here is my AP Top 25 poll vote for this week.

1. North Carolina

2. Kentucky

3. Ohio State

4. UConn

5. Syracuse

6. Duke

7. Florida

8. Louisville

9. Pittsburgh

10. Vanderbilt

11. Memphis

12. Baylor

13. Kansas

14. Xavier

15. Wisconsin

16. Arizona

17. Michigan

18. Alabama

19. Texas A&M

20. UCLA

21. Cincinnati

22. Marquette

23. Gonzaga

24. California

25. Missouri

Now Mike McQueary is changing his story.

Matt Rourke, Associated PressThe blue ribbons worn by many Penn State students were the first signs of a new attention and understanding for the need to protect our children.

Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary says he 'did the right thing" when he allegedly saw Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulting a young boy in a locker room shower, according to this article on PennLive.com.

McQueary has been criticized since the indictment of Sandusky because when McQueary witnessed the alleged assault, he told the grand jury that he then left to tell his father.

But in emails obtained by NBC News, McQueary reportedly wrote: "I did the right thing…you guys know me…the truth is not out there fully…I didn't just turn and run…I made sure it stopped…I had to make quick tough decisions."

 

More Penn State

Which team has your loyalty?

Penn State trustee searches for answers.

Scandal can't be swept under the rug.

House Democrat not happy with Happy Valley.

Jerry Sandusky doesn't get it.

Flashes open the Rob Senderoff era with a convincing win over the Mountaineers.

Morgantown, W.Va. - Kent State's men's basketball team made the debut of coach Rob Senderoff a happy one this morning, as the Golden Flashes scored a 70-60 win over West Virginia. The game tipped off at 10 a.m. and was shown on ESPN as part of the network's 24-hour college-basketball marathon.

Senderoff moved up to head coach from his assistant job in March when Geno Ford left to become the head coach at Bradley.

Senior Carlton Guyton led KSU with 17 points. Justin Greene, the reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, added 12 points; and guard Randal Holt (Glenville) contributed 13.

The Flashes held the Mountaineers to 37.5 percent shooting from the field; and 16.7 percent on 3-pointers.

KSU plays its home opener Saturday against Alcorn State at 7 p.m.

HBO will team with Sports Illustrated and Endgame Entertainment to produce a new sports documentary series. "Sport in America: Our Defining Stories" is a multipart series scheduled to air in 2013. Sports Illustrated will run editorial packages in conjunction with the programs.

NEW YORK (AP) — HBO will team with Sports Illustrated and Endgame Entertainment to produce a new sports documentary series.

"Sport in America: Our Defining Stories" is a multipart series scheduled to air in 2013. Sports Illustrated will run editorial packages in conjunction with the programs.

The production company Playground also will work on the series. Endgame Entertainment's James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo will be co-directors. Stern, Del Deo, Playground's Colin Callender and SI's Terry McDonell will serve as executive producers.

Will we see NBA basketball this season? Did the Browns hit rock bottom on Sunday against St. Louis? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast,

View full sizeAP fileThe NBA could be in danger of losing the 2011-2012 season.

Will we see NBA basketball this season? Did the Browns hit rock bottom on Sunday against St. Louis?

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Why do Major League Baseball owners cry poor and then never fight for change in their game?

• Have the Browns already made a decision on Colt McCoy?

• Is the creativity they showed Sunday against the Rams sustainable?

• Are NBA fans as angry with the owners as they are the players at this point?

• What would happen to the NBA if they lost a season?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook.

The Rockies are reportedly going to watch Grady Sizemore workout in the near future.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerFormer Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore is drawing interest as a free agent.

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- News and rumors from MLB's GM/owners meetings at the Pfister Hotel.

Outfielder Grady Sizemore, on the disabled list for much of the last three years for the Indians, is drawing interest as a free agent.

The Denver Post reported that the Rockies will watch Sizemore workout in the near future. Sizemore had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee at the end of last season
to correct a bone bruise and was sidelined for six to eight weeks. Given that timetable, it's unclear how much he'd be able show the Rockies in his training session.

It sounds as if the Rockies are interested in Sizemore playing left field. Dexter Fowler is a lock in center field. If Sizemore regains his health and signs a one-year deal with the Rockies, Coors Field wouldn't be a bad place to re-establish his swing and value.. 

ESPN reported several other clubs are interested in Sizemore including Texas, the Yankees, Cubs, Giants, Phillies and Red Sox. GM Chris Antonetti said he'd be interested in re-signing Sizemore after deciding not to renew his $9 million club options for 2012.

When asked about Sizemore's value on the free agent market, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik said, "Any of these markets on players just have a way of developing. . .A team can say this is exactly what we're looking for. Another team might say I want to wait and see what develops."

-Earn it: Theo Epstein, Cubs new president of baseball operations, said high-strung right-hander Carlos Zambrano will have to "earn his way back' to being a Cub. The volatile Zambrano was suspended last year, but has one year left on his $91 million contract.

Zambrano met with Epstein on Monday in Chicago. He's pitching winter ball in Venezuela.

-Decision time: Epstein said he hopes to get closer to making a decision on a manager this week. He said there would be "follow ups' with certain candidates, but not a formal second round of interviews.

Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. is one of the candidates.

-Another name: The Cubs had a phone interview Monday with Boston bench coach DeMarlo Hale. Epstein said there was no need to conduct formal interviews with Hale and Terry Francona because he knows them so well from his time as Boston's GM.

-Still waiting: The compensation the Red Sox will receive from the Cubs for Epstein still hasn't been decided.     

-In the mix: The Brewers, who didn't pick up the option on shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, have some interest in Rafael Furcal, a deadline acquisition who helped the Cardinals win the World Series.
 
-Reason why: Ross Atkins, Indians director of player development, on why former big league manager Edwin Rodriguez would agree to manage the Indians Class A Carolina team. Rodriguez, as recently as last season, was managing the Marlins.

"In the interview, it became clear to us that Edwin was very passionate about baseball and helping young men become better than professional baseball players."

Rodriguez, 51, replaces Aaron Holbert, who left the Indians to manage Atlanta's Class AA club.

The Buckeyes could be without defensive starters Andrew Sweat and Johnathan Hankins on Saturday against the Nittany Lions

 Updates from Ohio State coach Luke Fickell's news conference today:

 * Just as the Buckeyes prepare to get senior receiver DeVier Posey back from his 10-game suspension, Ohio State must be prepared to play Penn State possibly without two defensive starters.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerAndrew Sweat

 Linebacker Andrew Sweat is out for Saturday, and maybe longer, after suffering a concussion in Saturday's loss at Purdue. Sweat was seen unable to walk a straight line as he headed to the locker room after halftime, aided by two members of the OSU training staff.
 
"Don't know if he's going to be available for who knows how long," Fickell said. "The biggest concern is that we make sure he gets OK regardless of the football aspect of things. There are a lot of things there that we don't know about just yet."

Sweat is not listed on Ohio State's depth chart as a starter or backup.

Defensive lineman Johnathan Hankins is listed as a starter, but he is also seen as unlikely to play, according to Fickell, after leaving the Purdue game and not returning with a knee injury.

"Right now it doesn't look probably real good. We'll see as the week moves along," Fickell said, acknowledging that the results of an MRI showed some good news, that Hankins is likely to return at some point this season.

The Buckeyes are also waiting to see if senior right tackle J.B. Shugarts is able to return to the offensive line after sitting out Saturday with a knee injury.

"We don't know exactly on him just yet. We'll have to find out. Tomorrow will be a big part to see if he can do it. He's probably close, but I would say he's very questionable whether he'll be able to make it for Saturday," Fickell said.

Without Sweat, freshman Ryan Shazier will step into the starting lineup at weakside linebacker after taking Sweat's spot on Saturday. On the defensive line, freshman Michael Bennett probably would gain the most action in Hankins' absence, joining other starters John Simon, Adam Bellamy and Garrett Goebel.

If Shugarts can't play, the Buckeyes would do what they did in the second half Saturday, when starting right guard Jack Mewhort slid to tackle and Corey Linsley took Mewhort's spot at guard.

* Ohio State and its student body are taking the initiative to ask Buckeyes' fans to show respect to Penn State fans and players on Saturday. This will be the Nittany Lions' first road game since the abuse allegations against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, and the alleged inaction by other Penn State officials, became public.

"Our visitors are not the people to whom we should direct our anger," Ohio State student body president Nick Messenger said.

Penn State coach Tom Bradley said Fickell called him and assured him that there would be no security problems for the Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. The coaches also discussed having some sort of pregame moment on Saturday.

* Fickell said he wasn't sure if Posey would start at receiver in his first game back after two separate five-game suspensions. Offensive lineman Mike Adams and running back Dan Herron both started in their first games back from suspension earlier this season. 

Joe Paterno wasn't perfect, and neither was another legendary coach.

PD FileJohn Wooden built college basketball's greatest dynasty at UCLA.

Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno is was the poster child of all that is good about college football.

The graduation rate for Paterno's players is among the highest in the country year after year. And Paterno's program has never violated (or been investigated) NCAA rules.

But we certainly found out that no one is perfect, and the recent allegations directed at one of Paterno's former coaches (and how Paterno reacted or didn't react) proved that.

This isn't the first time the public has been hoodwinked by a coach. John Wooden, one of the greatest college basketball coaches, also had the reputation of an honest and upstanding coach.

But it was also learned that there was more to Wooden than many people knew.

"I'm tired of hearing all the cop outs about how we have no offensive weapons. These guys are in the NFL. They are all world-class athletes. The Browns finally showed some creativity in using what they do have Sunday and had some positive results - until they got into the red zone. Shurmur seems to be too afraid to have something go wrong. There's no reason in the world why they couldn't have taken at least one shot at the end zone at the end of the game." - cunxtyr

View full sizeJoshua Gunter | The Plain DealerPat Shurmur has come under fire for his team's offensive struggles this season.

"I'm tired of hearing all the cop outs about how we have no offensive weapons. These guys are in the NFL. They are all world-class athletes. The Browns finally showed some creativity in using what they do have Sunday and had some positive results - until they got into the red zone. Shurmur seems to be too afraid to have something go wrong. There's no reason in the world why they couldn't have taken at least one shot at the end zone at the end of the game."

"If you're a Cavs fan, you want this season to happen. We're going to get screwed in the next, loaded, NBA draft. Just watch." - RedWrite88

View full sizeRobert Willett | MCTWould a cancelled season hurt the Cavaliers' chances at getting a player like Harrison Barnes in next season's draft?

"If you're a Cavs fan, you want this season to happen. We're going to get screwed in the next, loaded, NBA draft. Just watch."

Both teams are 3-6. Browns are on a three-game losing streak. Jaguars are coming off a victory over the winless Colts.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerJacksonville tailback Maurice Jones-Drew (32) after his 75-yard run with a screen pass that set up his 1-yard touchdown run which gave the Jaguars a 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 21, 2010.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at Browns Stadium.

Both teams are 3-6.

For the Browns, it's probably the last time this season that -- should they win -- it wouldn't be considered an upset.

The Browns' wins are over three teams with a combined five wins, and they bungled a chance to defeat another lightweight last Sunday, when they lost to the St. Louis Rams, 13-12.

The Browns' remaining schedule following the Jacksonville game is a load. Of the six games, four are on the road. Five of the games are against the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steeelrs (two), Baltimore Ravens (two) and Cincinnati Bengals (one).

Even what might be considered the least challenging of the remaining games will be difficult. The Browns visit Arizona for Game 14. The Cardinals are 3-6, but have been very competitive for a month and have won their last two games.

The Browns and Jaguars, an AFC South team, have met 13 times: Jacksonville leading the series, 9-4.

The Jaguars joined the NFL as an expansion team for the 1995 season. That was the Browns' final season in Cleveland before owner Art Modell moved them to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens.

Jacksonville went 4-12, but half its wins were over the Browns. Cleveland.com's Browns History Database includes the game stories of all Browns regular season and playoff games in their history through last season. Mary Kay Cabot wrote the game story about the Jaguars 23-15 win at Cleveland on Oct. 22, 1995, making the Browns 3-4 -- after they had been picked to go to the Super Bowl by Sports Illustrated and the Sporting News.

Less than two weeks later, the news broke that Modell was leading the Browns out of Cleveland. The last game for the original Cleveland Browns was on Dec. 24, 1995, in Jacksonville. Cabot wrote the game story about the Browns' 24-21 loss to the Jaguars.

The most recent meeting was last Nov. 21 at Jacksonville. Tony Grossi wrote the game story on the Jaguars 24-20 win over the Browns.

The Browns' game results this season: 27-17 loss to Cincinnati; 27-19 win at Indianapolis; 17-16 win over Miami; 31-13 loss to Tennessee; 24-17 loss at Oakland; 6-3 win over Seattle; 20-10 loss at San Francisco; 30-12 loss at Houston; 13-12 loss to St. Louis.

The Jaguars' game results: 16-14 win over Tennessee; 32-3 loss at New York Jets; 16-10 loss at Carolina; 23-10 loss to New Orleans; 30-20 loss to Cincinnati; 17-13 loss at Pittsburgh; 12-7 win over Baltimore; 24-14 loss at Houston; 17-3 win at Indianapolis.

Plenty of people are to blame for the NBA lockout.

APSurrounded by NBA basketball players, Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association Billy Hunter, right, speaks to the media while Players Association president Derek Fisher listens.

Can you believe ESPN's J.A. Adande writes how the biggest problem with the NBA is that the principal players in this lockout saga weren't selfish enough.

That's how we got to this point, with a season that has yet to begin and might never do so. If the key figures had been thinking of themselves and their legacies, we'd be looking ahead to the Celtics playing the Heat this week instead of staring down at the ashes from a charred league and scorched reputations.

But isn't being selfish the problem fans have with players in the first place? The players, however, are not the only problem. Yes, Adande blames David Stern.

The commissioner who led the NBA's unprecedented growth over a quarter of a century. But what's the point in having television deals from Chicago to China if you don't have any games to show? Twice the league has ground ashore with Stern at the helm; if he were a ship's captain, he'd have his license revoked.

Of course Stern is not alone. Adande writes how Billy Hunter, who will be remembered as the union leader who decided that the best course of action was to remove himself from the equation.

The biggest problem for Hunter is that he came to that realization far too late in the process. What a stunning waste of time and salary. It would be better to go down as the union executive who signed off on a bad deal than one who couldn't get a deal done at all.

More on the lockout

The NBA lockout hurts the little guy.

This is what fans are saying about the lockout.

The NBA players will dissolve the union.

The Jaguars come to town Sunday with a strong defense, an explosive running back and faint hopes for a belated playoff run.

View full sizeSam Riche, MCTWith his job at Jacksonville seemingly hanging on making it to the playoffs, Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio brings a desperate team to Cleveland after a 3-6 start.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled a Houdini act in their game against the Browns last year, escaping with a win despite committing six turnovers. No NFL team had done that in three seasons.

The question in Jacksonville is can coach Jack Del Rio perform a similar illusion by holding his job past this season?

Del Rio has had three winning seasons in nine years as Jaguars coach. He steered his team to playoff appearances in 2004 and 2007. That earned him a contract extension that runs through 2012. But all his assistants are in the final years of their contracts.

Owner Wayne Weaver declined to re-invest in Del Rio until he made the playoffs again. At 3-6, the postseason looked out of reach for Del Rio until news broke on Monday that AFC South division-leader Houston probably has lost quarterback Matt Schaub for the season with a foot injury. It opened a tiny sliver of opportunity for the Jaguars.

They would have to get on a roll, knock off rivals Houston and Tennessee in their remaining meetings, and hope the Texans (7-3) and Titans (5-4) stumble badly.

To hold up their end, Jacksonville has to get continued stellar play from its No. 4-ranked defense and hope the light goes on fast for struggling rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

The defense made a quantum jump from the 28th ranking a year ago. A couple of reasons why:

• Mel Tucker, the former Browns defensive coordinator, was granted full control of the unit after two seasons of basically deferring to Del Rio.

• General Manager Gene Smith loaded up on defensive free agents who have made major contributions. These include former Browns linebacker Matt Roth, now a starting end in Tucker's 4-3 system, linebackers Paul Posluszny and Clint Session, safeties Dwight Lowery and Dawan Landry, and cornerback Drew Coleman.

Now, fixing Gabbert in the midst of learning on the job will be a problem. Considered by some prior to the draft as being a surer thing as an NFL quarterback than rookie sensation Cam Newton, Gabbert was selected 10th overall by the Jaguars.

The original plan was to ease him in. But after veteran David Garrard was shockingly released after a poor preseason and Luke McCown stumbled through two starts, Del Rio made the switch to Gabbert in Week 3.

With Garrard released, Gabbert was left without a wizened veteran to mentor him. Like Colt McCoy, Gabbert also doesn't have an elite receiver. His rocket arm has been all over the place and his inexperience resulted in numerous forced throws. As a result, the Jaguars bring the 32nd-ranked offense to town on Sunday.

But after suffering four losses in a row, the Jaguars' stout defense stabilized things somewhat. It shut down Baltimore and Indianapolis for two wins in the last three games.

Del Rio's trying to rally his team behind the defense and running back Maurice Jones-Drew. It's not much, but it's all he's got.

On Twitter: @TonyGrossi

Tony Grossi's Scouting Report

View full sizeMichael Conroy, Associated PressJacksonville rookie QB Blaine Gabbert has struggled grasping the speed of NFL defenses, with the Jaguars carrying statistically the worst offense in the league.

Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Sunday, 1 p.m. in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Record: 3-6.

Last game: Beat Colts, 17-3, Nov. 13, in Indianapolis.

Coach: Jack Del Rio, 69-71, ninth year.

Series record: Jaguars lead, 9-4.

Last meeting: Jaguars won, 24-20, Nov. 21, 2010, in Jacksonville.

League rankings: Offense is 32nd overall (11th rushing, 32nd passing), defense is fourth (14th rushing, fifth passing) and turnover differential is zero.

Offensive overview: Rookie QB Blaine Gabbert is 2-5 since taking over and has struggled with accuracy and adapting to the pro game. The common problems for a struggling offense are there. Offensive line breakdowns, mediocre receivers not able to make plays. Also troubling to Gabbert has been a sub-par year from tight end Marcedes Lewis. But Gabbert does have mercurial running back Maurice Jones-Drew to lean on. Jones-Drew constantly fights through eight-man fronts to make his yards. When teams are able to contain him and force Gabbert to make plays on third-and-long, the result is usually a punt and sometimes a turnover. First down is vital to this offense. They're worst in the NFL, averaging 4.26 yards on first down. They've made a league-low 15 trips inside the 20 -- about two a game.

Defensive overview: Former Browns defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is in his third season with the Jaguars, but it's his first totally in charge and calling the plays. They've risen from 28th last year to fourth this season. The foundation is homegrown tackles Terrance Knighton and Tyson Alualu. They've been surrounded by productive free-agent pickups -- middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, former Brown Matt Roth, who's starting at left end, linebacker Clint Session and safeties Dwight Lowery and Dawan Landry. Tucker strives to stop the run with his twin 300-pound tackles and then play a two-deep Cover 2 zone to prevent long pass plays. It's a tough unit.

Special teams overview: Kicker Josh Scobee is 15 of 16 on field goals with a long of 55 yards twice. Punter Nick Harris is 28th in gross average (42.4 yards) and 20th in net (38.6). The coverage units are solid, featuring Pro Bowlers Kassim Osgood and Montell Owens as tacklers, but the return game has been ineffective.

View full sizePhelan M. Ebenhack, Associated PressAlmost exactly one year ago, Maurice Jones-Drew rallied the Jaguars to a victory over the Browns with 133 rushing yards and another 87 yards on three receptions.

Players to watch:

• Running back Maurice Jones-Drew: Despite running into constant eight-man fronts, he is fourth in the NFL with 854 rushing yards and has a solid per carry average of 4.5 yards.

• Quarterback Blaine Gabbert: Hailed by some reputable draftniks as a surer pro prospect than Cam Newton, he's struggling with league-lows in completion percentage (47.9) and passer rating (63.6).

• Kicker Josh Scobee: He's made all five of his field-goal attempts from 50-plus yards and 15 of 16 overall, missing only from 45 yards last week. He's their Phil Dawson.

Injury report: CB Rashean Mathis (knee), LB Kyle Bosworth (hand) and OT Eben Britton (back) were put on injured reserve. DE Aaron Kampman (hamstring) missed the last game.

Small world: Receiver Brian Robiskie was a second-round draft choice of the Browns in 2009 and was released after the seventh game this year. ... Quarterback Luke McCown was a Browns fourth-round pick in 2004 and was released after that season. ... Defensive end Matt Roth (2009-10) and defensive tackle C.J. Mosley ('09) played with the Browns. ... Receiver Cecil Shorts attended Collinwood High School and Mount Union College. ... Running backs coach Earnest Byner played with Browns 1984-88 and 1994-95. ... Former Browns coaches include quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard, defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and defensive backs coach Cory Undlin. ... Director of player personnel Terry McDonough was a Browns scout.