An increased role for Moore would result in a somewhat scaled-down version of coordinator Greg Blache’s playbook. Horton’s role increased the more he played.

“No question,” he said. “It definitely affects what we can and can’t do.”

If Moore plays, look for the Browns to attack him.

“If I saw a rookie back there I’d take my shots,” Blache said. “When they do, make them pay.”

Meanwhile, RB Clinton Portis (hip) and tackle Chris Samuels (ankle) missed a second day of practice. Both are expected to play. DE Jason Taylor (calf) did not practice.

» The Browns will get creative on both sides of the ball. Defensively, their UFO look means the players don’t line up but instead rush to their assigned spots on the snap. Offensively, they’ll use receiver, and Washington, D.C. native, Josh Cribbs in their version of the Wildcat package. He’ll take a direct snap and either hand off or run. The former college quarterback likely will be asked to pass at some point.

Inside the game

Carlos Rogers » on defending double moves

“It’s real hard to defend it because when I see something I want to attack it. I got beat on double moves earlier in my career so I’m just being patient, knowing there are times in the game you need to jump something and times when you don’t. It’s hard. You can also jump and be in position and if he runs a double move he’ll run into you. That’s what I’ve been doing — getting in position so if he runs a slant and comes up he has to run into me.

“If I have man coverage, my eyes are on my man and in certain formations they do double moves out of it. So I have to be patient. It also depends on if we’re in man or zone and if I can take a chance or not take a chance, knowing that I have help over the top from the safety. Last week I did not know a double move was coming. I just knew we had an all-out blitz and I was sitting inside making sure to keep my eyes on my man. He ran a slant and go and the main thing is keeping focused throughout the down. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve been doing this year.”

Outside the Beltway

» Last year, they went 10-6 against comparative nobodies. This was overlooked, though, in the fans’ euphoria. The slapdown that lasted from the August debacle at the Meadowlands until the surprising reversal Monday severely affected a city with a one-to-one correlation of its feelings of self-worth to the latest sports standings. … Now the search for the “swagger” seems over.

— Bill Livingston (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

» Conventional thinking states that the tough thing about this Sunday’s game for the Browns is that it is on the road. It’s very tough for a team to play on Monday night, then win the next weekend on the road. At least that’s the thinking. So let’s check the stats. This season five teams have gone on the road the Sunday after playing on Monday night, and those teams won all five times. Five-and-oh. So much for conventional thinking.

— Patrick McManamon (Akron Beacon Journal)

» They did look good against the Giants on Monday night, but let’s hold off on saying they’re back. I think that was more of a good team getting caught in a Monday night ambush. The Browns did play better, but one game does not erase the rest of their season, even if Braylon Edwards says it did.

— Pete Prisco (CBS Sportsline)

Player of note » Jon Jansen • RT


Jansen will make his fourth straight start Sunday ahead of Stephon Heyer. The second-year Heyer is healthy, but line coach Joe Bugel said he needs to correct some old habits that popped back up from his three weeks off. Bugel said Jansen is “playing at a high level.” However, Bugel would not say if Jansen had regained his old spot permanently or if they were just waiting for Heyer to shake off the rust.

QB watch » Derek Anderson • Browns


In 23 career starts, Anderson has only beaten two teams with a winning record: Seattle last year and the New York Giants last week. He succeeded against the Giants because he didn’t force passes downfield or in the red zone, two areas of trouble for him. Anderson has a strong arm and will hang in the pocket. But he’s not the most accurate passer: Anderson’s completion percentage this season is 52.1; his career mark is 56.5.