NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium 1PM

Weather: High of 26 with flurries (beautiful day for football)

The Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders will enter into battle at Cleveland Browns Stadium for the second time since 1999 this Sunday, when Raidernation comes into Cleveland, looking for its 6 win of the Season. The Raiders hold a 10-7 advantage over the Browns with the first meeting dating back in 1970 in Oakland.

The Raiders are coming off there biggest win of the season against the Denver Broncos last Sunday, while the Browns are winners of two straight looking to win three straight overall and win two in a row at the Stadium. Derek Anderson once again will be the starting Quarterback of the Cleveland Browns with Brady Quinn going on the IR on Tuesday.

Josh Cribbs and Jerome Harrison are coming off historic performances and looking to put on a show in Cleveland. Charlie Frye makes his return to Browns stadium for the first time since being traded to Seattle and will be looking for a little revenge against his former team.

Oakland Raiders
Heyward-Bey Darrius WR Foot Out
Miller Nick WR Shin Out
Fargas Justin RB Knee Doubtful
Gradkowski Brad QB Knee Doubtful
Ellis Greg DE Knee Questionable
Miller Zach TE Concussion Questionable
Myers Brandon TE Concussion Questionable
Carlisle Cooper G Knee Probable
Frye Charlie QB Concussion Probable
Johnson Chris CB Ankle Probable

Cleveland Browns
St. Clair John OL Ankle Doubtful
Smith Robaire DL Groin Questionable
Ventrone Ray DB Finger Questionable
Williams Corey DL Thigh Questionable
Bowens David LB Knee Probable
Coleman Kenyon DL Illness Probable
Dawson Phil K Left Hamstring Probable
Hadnot Rex OL Knee Probable
Jennings Chris RB Shoulder Probable
Thomas Joe OL Thigh Probable
Vickers Lawrence FB Hamstring Probable

Key Matchups

Michael Bush Vs Browns Linebackers
Michael Bush is coming off one of his best games of his career against the Denver Broncos last Sunday. The Browns linebacking Core is going to have to make plays to be able to stop him. Jamaal Charles really took advantage of the linebackers last week exploiting there rush defense. If the linebackers can contain Bush it puts the game in Charlie Fryes hands and we have seen that movie before.

Derek Anderson Vs Derek Anderson
D.A really needs to come out strong on Sunday. We have seen D.A. hurt himself with so many throws that have turned into INT or drive killers. D.A. just needs to relax play smart football and manage the football game. If he doesn’t make any mistakes this football team should win another game.

Charlie Frye Vs Cleveland Browns D
Charlie Frye likes to hold onto the football to long and the Browns Defense needs to make him pay for that. Big Ben is another Quarterback who holds onto the football to long and look what the D did to him. I think the Browns defense can have another field day this Sunday.

Prediction:
Browns 27 Raiders 14

The rumors are starting to swirl on if John Fox has done enough to keep his job past the final two games this season. The Bill Cowher factor remains out there, and there are a number of other good coaches that will be available.

Barry Wilner, AP Football Writer, writes the following on this Christmas about Fox, and if his job going into 2010 is safe:

John Fox is an excellent coach who has been hamstrung by some poor contract situations (Julius Peppers) and decisions (Jake Delhomme). Fox was part of those choices by the Panthers, of course.

Carolina has been up and down for most of the decade, going 7-9, 11-5 (and a last-second loss in the Super Bowl), 7-9, 11-5 (and a trip to the NFC title game), 8-8, 7-9 and 12-4 under Fox. That might be too much inconsistency for owner Jerry Richardson and GM Marty Hurney, and if Fox is fired, he easily could wind up with another head coaching position quickly.

The Cowher factor plays heavily here. Does the former Steelers coach and superb TV studio analyst want to leave his comfortable gig? Cowher lives in North Carolina and would be a popular choice.

Just when you thought that the NFL regular and post-season was interesting enough in and of itself, it isn’t hard to forget about what typically happens during the NFL playoffs: coaching changes.

Let’s be clear here: There will most certainly be some coaching changes. Where those changes actually take place is anyone’s guess; however, I have an idea as to who stays and who goes:

Dallas Cowboys – I think that Jerry Jones really wants Wade Phillips to succeed. But I think the bottom line is that if Dallas goes to the playoffs, Phillips stays. No playoffs? Then look for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to finally get his chance. GONE

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Raheem Morris is in the unenviable position of gtetting the shipwreck that is the Buccaneers corrected, which isn’t easy with the injuries and the rebuilding that’s taking place in Tampa. It would be unfair to hire Morris for a year just to let him go as he wouldn’t get a fair shake. But then again, the Glazers are unpredictable. STAYS

Cleveland Browns – It’s official, Mike Holmgren’s in town. And because he will be here for awhile, 2011 should be interesting. I am getting this hunch that if head coach Eric Mangini at least gets the Browns on the road to respectability, he stays. If 2010 mirrors this season, then he’s good as gone. STAYS – FOR NOW

Oakland Raiders – It sucks to be Tom Cable. He has this perenially underachieving football team that he has to coach for 16 weeks – which is more punishment than employment. But I digress. Anyways, because The Cryptkeeper Al Davis runs the show in Oakland, you never know what’s going to happen. GONE

Chicago Bears – It wasn’t that long ago when current head coach Lovie Smithwas untouchable. Fast forward to 2009 and apparently, Smith is feeling the heat. But I am not convinced that the reason the Bears regressed this season is 100% Smith’s fault. If Chicago wants to issue pink slips, perhaps Jerry Angelo and some of Lovie’s staff is a better starting point. STAYS

Carolina Panthers – John Fox is a living example of what happens when the team’s upper management makes some mistakes and the coach, as per custom, gets assessed the blame – unfairly. While the yearly win-loss record is roller coaster-like, Fox is one of the better coaches in the league. And don’t think for one moment that some other NFL team wouldn’t snap him up in a NY minute, should owner Jerry Richardson decide to let Fox go. If anything, general manager Marty Hurney needs to go. STAYS

Washington Redskins – Now that it’s common knowledge that current head coach Jim Zorn is gone after this season, everyone is wondering who the next HC will be. I (and probably you) often hear about Jon Gruden and even Mike Shanahan possibly coaching in D.C. The thing here is that Gruden will probably stay in the broadcasting booth for at least one more year, while Shanny would want some input regarding personnel decisions. Besides, he strikes me as more an AFC kind of head coach.

Buffalo Bills – Like in the case of the Redskins, the Bills current head coach, Perry Fewell, is keeping the sidelines heated for whoever takes over next season. Which should make for interesting speculation around water coolers everywhere. Ralph Wilson has said that he will spend large getting a head coach; with Wilson stating that, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Mike Shanahan get hired by Buffalo during the offseason.

Houston Texans – Bob McNair is one of the more respected owners in the NFL; however, McNair will be tested as to whether he wants to keep head coach Gary Kubiak after this season. Kubiak is 29-33 since his hiring, which is hardly a decent return for his time at the reins. I’m thinking that even if the Texans go 9-7, Kubiak will be released. Which brings us back to Shanahan. This team has the offense and a decent defense (which will get better depending on the next NFL draft). I fully expect Shanny to land here if Buffalo doesn’t snap him up first. And the irony isn’t lost here in saying that should Shanahan wind up here, it’s like the father saying to his son, “Let me show you how it’s done.” That’s right, Kubiak was the OC in Denver while Shanahan coached there. GONE

I have long said that I wouldn't move the Vikings out of the 32 spot in my mock until I had a reason to believe they would be drafting anywhere else.  I almost put them down at the 30 spot.

I elected to keep the faith, however.  Here is my latest mock:

1. Rams – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame:  The Rams get their quarterback of the future in an effort to turn things around as soon as possible.
2. Bucs –  Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska: Right now, Suh is considered the obvious pick to help the Bucs get their defense back on track
3. Lions – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee: It has to be killing Jim Schwartz to see his defense playing this poorly.  He has no patience for poor defense, and I get the feeling he's going to start replacing just about everyone in Detroit's defensive backfield.
4. Chiefs – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma:  The Chiefs have to get their defense fixed ASAP, starting in the trenches.
5. Browns –  Joe Haden, CB, Florida:  The Browns need help everywhere, and Mike Holmgren decides to take the best player available at a position of need.
6. Redskins –  Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State:  The Skins are lucky to have Okung fall this far and they know it.  Their offensive line is in awful shape.
7. Seahawks –  Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland:  The Seahawks are praying that Okung falls to them, but alas they get the guy they figured they'd get.  Campbell will help out an O-Line that needs all they can get.
8. Raiders – Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas:  When it comes to Al Davis, just go ahead and roll the dice.  But one has to think they cannot be happy with their quarterback situation.
9. Broncos –  Earl Thomas, FS, Texas:  The Broncos are thrilled to get a top notch safety in their backfield to learn from Brian Dawkins.

10.  Bills –  Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama:  The Bills have some talent on defense, but now they need that leading presence to take them to the next level.

11.  Niners –  Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma:  The Niners say they're content with Alex Smith and/or Shaun Hill.  But once they realize how low they are drafting despite a very talented roster, Singletary makes a move to finalize his franchise quarterback.

12.  Niners –  Charles Brown, OT, USC:  Now Singletary opts to protect his new quarterback, a theory that has gone untested in San Francisco for quite some time.

13.  Titans – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech:  The Titans have lost their edge on the defensive line and Kyle Vanden Bosch is set to become a very expensive free agent after this season.

14.  Steelers –  Taylor Mays, S, USC:  Mike Tomlin is looking to add a player to his defense capable of unleashing hell.  He's possibly losing two of his safeties to free agency/old age after this season.

15.  Jets –  Donovan Warren, CB, Michigan:  Rex Ryan has to feel a little bit bummed about how this season played out for him.  This pick helps reinforce a defense that appeared to be on the verge of greatness.

16.  Dolphins –  Terrence Cody, NT, Alabama: Jason Ferguson's career is pretty much over.  The Fins need that big run stopper in the middle of their D-Line.

17.  Jaguars –  Tim Tebow, QB, Florida:  Tebow is an icon in Florida and the Jags need to desperately sell tickets.  Tebow could be their only hope.

18.  Texans –  Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia:  The Texans may lose Dunta Robinson after this season and have very little besides him to be excited about in their defensive backfield.  If Robinson stays, Dowling can also play safety.

19.  Falcons –  Greg Hardy, DE, Ole Miss:  The Falcons need to get to opposing quarterbacks.  This will be their next step towards establishing themselves as a top-notch NFC team.

20.  Giants –  Everson Griffen, DE, USC:  For some reason the Giants have taken a year off when it comes to being a scary running team.  But they know the potential is there, so they opt to take the best player available.

21.  Seahawks –  C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson:  The 'Hawks are elated to see Spiller fall to them here.  Adding Spiller to an improve O-Line should do wonders for this struggling offense.

22.  Ravens –  Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State:  Teams keep getting lucky in my mock for some reason.  The Ravens are no exception, as the top vertical threat in this draft class falls to them, and guess what… they need one really badly.

23.  Patriots –  Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU – The Patriots need help on defense, and any defensive back would be a reach at this point.  No harm in boosting the front seven.

24.  Packers –  Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa:  If Thompson and McCarthy don't find help for the offensive line, then they are likely to be run out of Cheeseland.

25.  Cowboys –  Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers: Flozell has generated a lot of negative attention this year, both because of his poor play and his dirty play.  The Cowboys would love to find a potential replacement… though Davis would probably take some time to develop.

26.  Bengals –  Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida:  Take a risk on a player with a bad reputation?  Sure, the Bengals are good for it.  And who could blame them in this instance?  They have a good thing started on defense, and getting a talent like Dunlap this late is awful tempting.

27.  Cardinals –  Jason Fox, OT, Miami: The tackles in Arizona have played terribly this year.  Time for some new blood on the offensive line.

28.  Eagles –  Travis Lewis, OLB, Oklahoma:  The Eagles have gotten hot at the right time, but it could have been sooner if it wasn't for unrest at the linebacker position.

29.  Chargers –  Jahvid Best, RB, California:  Sproles might hit free agency and L.T. is not long for the NFL.  Best is best at this point.

30.  Saints –  Sean Weatherspoon, OLB, Missouri:  The Saints could use some help on defense, and Weatherspoon is the best guy at a position of need.

31.  Colts –  Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma:  The Colts need to keep Peyton Manning healthy for as long as possible, and that means investing high picks and lots of money into the offensive line.

32.  Vikings –  Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU:  Bryant McKinnie could be traded for free tickets on a Minnetonka Cruise and I'd be alright with that.  Time to find a left tackle that isn't a joke.  Barksdale is not as big as Big Mac but he is twice as athletic and would fit our scheme much better.