| Bills' C.J. Spiller is averaging more than 10 yards a carry (US Presswire) |
It's not often a defense prepares for a running back averaging more than 10 yards a carry. But the Browns will indeed try to contain one boasting that gaudy statistic Sunday in Bills new featured back C.J. Spiller.
Spiller assumed control of that job after Fred Jackson went down in Week 1 with a knee injury. He has exploded for 292 yards and three touchdowns on just 29 carries. Jackson could return in as early as two weeks, but will be hard-pressed to regain his starting spot.
Browns coaches and players all mention the same attribute when asked about Spiller -- speed. Spiller has been clocked at 4.3 in the 40 and is equally quick, which makes him dangerous hitting holes between the tackles and cutting outside.
"He's fast and he's small," said Browns defensive end Jabaal Sheard. "He can get lost behind his blockers and if he gets outside he can go a long way. The key against him isn't just setting the edge. It's staying disciplined in your gaps and trying to get as many bodies around him as possible to make him uncomfortable."
Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron echoed those sentiments, but took it a step further.
"You're going to have to hit your fits, there are a certain number of gaps and you have to defend them," he said. "[The Bills] do a very good job of trying to confuse your gap control with their offensive scheme and they do a nice job of blocking it. Then, he has got great speed once he gets to the second level. It's hard to keep him off that level because he's so fast to the edges too. ... You have to really play fast."
That brings into question the Browns linebackers. None of the starters -- Scott Fujita, D'Qwell Jackson and Kaluka Maiava -- is known for his speed. Young, more athletic linebackers Craig Robertson and L.J. Fort played well with extended reps in the season opener against Philadelphia. But the return of Fujita from injury last year resulted in Robertson playing little and Fort being limited to special teams. Asked if the speed of Spiller and the other Buffalo skill position players had him hesitating to play Fujita, Browns coach Pat Shurmur replied quickly and decisively.
"I thought Scott played well last week [in Cincinnati] and I'm going to play the guys who give us the best chance to win," he said.
The Browns have improved their run defense, though it still cannot be considered stellar. They did limit Bengals featured back BenJarvus Green-Ellis to 75 yards on 21 carries last week.
Legend returns to Cleveland: The relationship between the Browns and legendary running back Jim Brown, arguably the greatest player in NFL history, has sweetened. The 76-year-old Brown had been estranged after he was offered a lesser role as an adviser with the team upon the hiring of team president Mike Holmgren. But he said he will be meeting with owner-to-be Jimmy Haslam on Saturday and he will be back in Cleveland on Sunday as part of the ceremonies that will place former teammate and running back Ernie Green into the team's legends class.
"I'm stuck with being No. 32 of the Cleveland Browns," Brown told the media during an alumni golf outing on Friday. "I can't do anything about it, and I don't want to do anything about it. ... We are married because of the history. If I can be a part of the development of a new winning attitude and help get some victories, man, that would be fantastic. Can you imagine having a championship team here again?"
Brown added that he doesn't feel current owner Randy Lerner ever wanted to be an NFL team owner, but it was foisted upon him after the death of father Al, who owned the team upon its return to Cleveland in 1999 and died in 2002.
Bubba is back: Browns defensive back Ray (Bubba) Ventrone has returned to the practice field after missing time with a hand injury that required surgery. Ventrone will probably continue playing little in the secondary despite its lack of depth, but he is critical to the special teams units.
"He had a really good week of practice," Shurmur said.
Stay dialed in on the Cleveland Browns on Twitter @CBSBrowns throughout the season with on-site updates from CBSSports.com RapidReports correspondent Marty Gitlin.