Buffalo
Bills

Fewell's reasoning? Well, the Bills have struggled running the ball and tackling, and they lead the NFL with 22 false start penalties. He believes you play how you practice.

"I just feel Jacksonville is very a physical team and going into this week, we need to have a mindset of being physical," said Fewell, who makes his NFL head coaching debut (and head coaching debut at any level of football) Sunday when the Bills (3-6) face the Jaguars (5-4) in Jacksonville.

"I wanted to put the pads on to send a message that we're going to be physical. We needed to work on the run game (offensively and defensively) and pads are a way to do that."

Fewell takes over for Jauron just as rumors are churning that the Bills are seeking a meeting with former Denver coach Mike Shanahan to gauge his interest in coaching the team next year.

Fewell, though, has been handed a golden opportunity to impress the Bills or another NFL team in need of a head coach.

The well-respected married father of two sons and a native of Belmont, S.C., has worked in the NFL for 12 seasons following a 13-year career in the college ranks. He was secondary coach with the Jaguars, Rams and Bears before Jauron hired him in 2006 to coordinate his defense and coach the Tampa 2 scheme.

Despite myriad injuries and starting numerous rookies at times, Fewell has done commendable work. His Bills defenses ranked 10th (2006), 18th (2007) and 14th (2008) before dropping to 26th this season, including last against the run. His fiery coaching demeanor is the opposite of Jauron's laid-back nature.

"I'm probably a little more fired up. I'm a lot more emotional," Fewell said. "Whether they take on those characteristics or not, I don't know. I just know I'm going to get the team to focus on one game, Jacksonville, get the team to play with a purpose. That's our whole attitude."

Fewell's defensive players greeted the news of his promotion with mixed emotions. Jauron, a former NFL defensive coordinator, was involved in the defensive meetings and was well-liked despite the team's record on the field.

"It's bittersweet," safety George Wilson said.

But Wilson said the team was rallying behind Fewell. The players didn't play well enough to save Jauron's job but they have an opportunity to play well enough to get Fewell hired on a permanent basis. A strong showing by Fewell would certainly give Buffalo owner Ralph Wilson something more to ponder.

"He stepped right into the leadership role. He wasn't hesitant. He wasn't a deer in the headlights," Wilson said. "I could tell when he addressed the team he spent time last night and this morning thinking about what he would say and how he'd convey his message. I think he's off to great start and it would be wonderful if we could go down to Jacksonville this week, on the road, and give him his first victory."

Fewell will continue to coach the defense while trusting Alex Van Pelt and his staff to coordinator the offense. Buffalo's ranks 29th in yards and 28th in points scored. The Bills have been outscored 46-0 in the fourth quarter of their last two games.

Among Fewell's first decisions was to go along with Van Pelt's recommendation to start Ryan Fitzpatrick over Trent Edwards this week. Fewell wouldn't commit to Fitzpatrick beyond this week, however.

"We just feel like Ryan gives us the best opportunity this week against Jacksonville," Fewell said. "He's 2-1 and he's played relatively well."

Fitzpatrick liked the news, of course. But beyond that, he said he liked the fire Fewell brings to the table.

"He addressed the team and was real straight forward," Fitzpatrick said. "He'll tell you how it is. He's here to break us out of our funk and I think he's a good guy to do it. He's got a fire in him."

Fewell isn't promising miracles. Buffalo's talent is marginal and its injury situation is among the worst in the NFL with 11 players on season-ending injured reserve and 11 players on this week's injury report.

"We are who we are," he said. "We're going to try and get a little spark (going with Fitzpatrick) but we are who we are."

SERIES HISTORY: 9th regular-season meeting. Bills lead series 5-3. The teams meet for the fourth consecutive season, with Buffalo winning two of the last three games in the series, 27-24 in 2006 in Buffalo and 20-16 last season in Jacksonville. It was one of benched starter Trent Edwards' better games as he completed 20 of 25 passes for 239 yards with one TD and no interceptions.

WR Terrell Owens applauded the move to Fitzpatrick without disparaging Edwards.

"He'll be able to buy time with that experience," Owens said. "There will be some times where he can assess the defense and really take some shots downfield. We're looking forward to the opportunity with Ryan. He was 2-1 before the bye week. Personally, I feel like it was his job to lose."

--Dick Jauron's 24 victories places him fifth on the Bills career wins list, behind Marv Levy (112), Lou Saban (68), Chuck Knox (37) and Wade Phillips (29).

It's clear Jauron was beloved by his players, and news of his firing, while not totally unexpected, hurt many of them deeply, none more than defensive end Chris Kelsay.

"It's tough," Kelsay told Buffalo TV station WGRZ. "We knew if we didn't start winning some games and winning them quick there would be drastic measures. I feel really badly for Coach Jauron and his family. I have the utmost respect for him and loved playing for him. Ultimately, I feel we let him down as players. It's our job to win games.

"He's a great man. He prepares hard. We as players prepared hard during the week and gave it our all for him but we failed him on Sundays and ultimately, that's what it comes down to. We let him down."

--Jauron's firing managed to jolt some life into a Bills locker room that had grown stagnant. Players are acutely aware that everybody's job is on the line heading into next season and these final seven games amount to an audition for whomever is going to be Buffalo's new head coach. The team is also expected to name a new head of its football operations in the offseason.

"Change started today and it's going to come again in the future so each and every guy in this locker room (needs to realize it)," safety George Wilson said. "We as a team have to be mindful of 'This is your livelihood.' A new coach is going to be very critical of the tape, looking for ballers, guys with the right attitude, a willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done."

--Not all the players were taking the fall for Jauron's firing. Said WR Lee Evans, who is now playing for his third head coach in six seasons: "I don't think it was the team letting him down. A lot went into it. I don't know everything that went into it. Certainly, it wasn't one player, one person, one side of the balls' fault for it happening."

BY THE NUMBERS: 4 -- Number of times the Bills have changed head coaches during the season in their 50-year history. The last time occurred in 1986 when Marv Levy replaced Hank Bullough. Levy coached 12 seasons, led Buffalo to four Super Bowls, and earned a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Play like hell and win." - Bills interim head coach Perry Fewell when asked his football philosophy.

Meanwhile, the Bills tweaked their practice squad yet again, bringing back offensive linemen Christian Gaddis and placing WR C.J. Hawthorne on practice squad/injured.

The Bills now have three linemen on their practice squad (Gaddis, Nick Hennessey, Andre Ramsey). Gaddis is starting his third stint with the Bills.

PLAYER NOTES

--QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter for Sunday's game at Jacksonville, interim coach Perry Fewell announced. Fitzpatrick was 1-1 as Trent Edwards' replacement earlier this year and he came off the bench to earn a win over the New York Jets.

--QB Brian Brohm, a 2008 second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, was signed off the Packers' practice squad and added to the 53-man roster. He could earn a shot to play before the season is over. Gibran Hamdan was waived to make room on the roster.

--QB Gibran Hamdan, a three-year member of the team as a backup, was waived to make room for Brian Brohm, who was signed off Green Bay's practice squad.

--OT Jonathan Scott returned to the team after missing last weekend after the death of his father. Scott's availability could juggle plans for the starting lineup Sunday in Jacksonville.

--DT Marcus Stroud did not practice for a second day with a knee injury. He is expected to play Sunday in Jacksonville against his former team but he remains a game-time decision. Stroud's injury has been described as general wear and tear of a long season.

--LB Keith Ellison did not practice again with a quad injury. He remains questionable for the Jaguars game. The injury is limiting his mobility.

--CB Terrence McGee remains sidelined after bye week knee surgery. He continues to work with trainers on the sidelines and looks to be another week or two away.

--WR Roscoe Parrish returned to work after a day off for sickness. There's a chance he'll return to the lineup under new coach Perry Fewell, who is looking for any kind of spark he can get as interim coach.

--FS Jairus Byrd did not practice for a second day due to his lingering groin problems. He should be OK to play on Sunday in Jacksonville.

--TE Derek Fine went on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury. He appeared in eight games, catching nine passes for 64 yards.

--TE Joe Klopfenstein, a free agent cut by St. Louis coming out of training camp, was signed to the active roster. He replaces Derek Fine who was placed on IR with a knee injury. Klopfenstein has 33 career catches for 386 yards and two TDs.

GAME PLAN: The Bills need to capitalize on the emotional jolt provided by coach Dick Jauron's firing this week and win one for interim head coach Perry Fewell. They're running into a hot quarterback (David Garrard) and a hot running back (Maurice Jones-Drew), but a not-so-hot Jacksonville defense that has allowed 220 points, which are 10 more than Buffalo has allowed. The best way to deny Jacksonville's offensive weapons the ball is to hang on to the ball.

The Bills need to get running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson into an established flow and control the clock. Do that, and they have a chance.

Fewell has readied his players for a physical game. A win would boost the club's confidence coming home for games against AFC East foes Miami and the Jets (in Toronto).

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Bills 32nd-ranked run defense vs. Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who leads the NFL with 12 rushing TDs and is fourth with 860 yards rushing.

Bills CB Jairus Byrd, who leads the NFL with eight interceptions, vs. Jaguars QB David Garrard, who is aiming for his third consecutive game with a 100-plus rating.

Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who will make his third start of the season and has a 49.8 rating, vs. Jaguars secondary that will be missing CB Rashean Mathis (28 career picks), who is out with a groin injury.

Bills RB Marshawn Lynch, who is still looking for his first 100-yard game of the season, vs. Jaguars LB Daryl Smith, who has team-leading 62 tackles.

INJURY IMPACT: Demetrius Bell's knee injury will force the Bills to juggle their offensive line once again. They will go with the lineup that finished last week's game against Tennessee, shifting rookie LG Andy Levitre to left tackle and inserting veteran Seth McKinney at left guard. Levitre, who played left tackle at Oregon State, fared well at the spot last week. Interim coach Perry Fewell doesn't want to hear the excuse that Levitre is inexperienced. "He's not young anymore. He's played nine games in the National Football League so he has experience," Fewell said.

Meanwhile, SS Bryan Scott practiced again at outside linebacker in place of Keith Ellison (thigh). If Ellison can't go, the Bills' 32nd ranked run defense will struggle even more against Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who leads the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns.