INTERIM BROWNS COACH NOT AFRAID TO BRAG

Williams says he turned down several NFL head-coaching jobs over the years

News and views from around the NFL, with Week 9 underway:

Interim Browns head coach Gregg Williams says he has turned down multiple NFL headcoaching offers.

News: At his first news conference this week as interim head coach of the Cleveland Browns (replacing the fired Hue Jackson), the not-lacking-for-ego Gregg Williams volunteered this info: that since being fired in Buffalo after a failed stint with the Bills from 2001-03, on four occasions he has been offered a say-yes-and-it’s-yours headcoaching job in the league. “Since I left Buffalo, I have had 11 letters sent in to interview for head-coaching jobs,” Williams said. “In four of them I did not even have to show up. Just sign the contract and come.” That was a precursor to Williams explaining why he wouldn’t directly answer a question as to whether he hopes to have the “interim” tag removed from his new job title come season’s end. View: Browns beat writers better always have backup audiorecorder batteries in pocket or purse at Williams news conferences. Unlike most head coaches, this man loves to talk. Or at least hear himself brag. After an 824word opening statement, the 60-year-old used 2,708 words to answer 12 questions. Bless him, as long as it’s never on deadline. If what Williams says is true, he’s a foolish man. It’s mighty difficult to land an NFL headcoaching job. There are upwards of 500 assistant coaches in the NFL at any given time, and nearly 1,800 head or assistant coaches in the top level of NCAA football — plus thousands more at lower levels.

Do the math. Getting an NFL head-coaching job is akin to winning his profession’s lottery. To turn down four such opportunities without so much as having to interview? Well, if that doesn’t strain believability, it sure strains sensibility.

Terrell Owens says the New York Giants should bench Eli Manning.

News: Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens told TMZ that Manning, the two-time Super Bowl MVP in his 15th season of starting for the Giants, is holding back star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and should be benched. “I mean, if it was anybody else, any other quarterback, he would have already been replaced. So, at this point, give someone else an opportunity,” said Owens, who caught 153 touchdowns from 1996-2010 with San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, Buffalo and Cincinnati. Owens acknowledged that Manning “has accomplished a lot, but at the end of the day, the writing ’s on the wall.”

View: It no doubt is. Many believe Manning is done.

But although this could wind up as the 37-year-old’s final NFL season, he’s not as washed up as his harshest critics contend. For instance, three times in the past four weeks Manning has thrown for more than 300 yards and is on pace for the secondmost yards (4,754) of his career. Plus, he’s averaging 7.5 yards per attempt and is completing 68.3 per cent of his passes — on pace for his best season by far in the latter statistical category (his best is 63.1 per cent in 2014). Any of this year’s four rookie quarterbacks — Baker Mayfield of Cleveland, Sam Darnold of the New York Jets, Josh Allen of Buffalo and Sam Rosen of Arizona — would love to have any of those numbers. Of the four, only Mayfield is on pace for more than 4,000 yards, or a completion percentage as high as 58 per cent. And only Darnold is on pace for a yards-per-attempt average as high as 6.8.

Still, Manning has never seemed as fast to check down as this year, with pressure on him so fast, so much of the time. He has especially had trouble finding Beckham both down the field and in the end zone, or making anything happen outside of a play’s design.

“You have special (quarterbacks) that are behind those not-so-great lines that can make something out of nothing. Eli’s not one of those types of quarterbacks,” Owens said. “Odell can’t perform because the quarterback is not performing. (Manning ’s) skills are pretty much eroding and he’s not really (giving) the guys an opportunity.”

But who are the Giants supposed to play? Rookie screw-up Kyle Lauletta?

This numskull on the way to work in his Jaguar on Tuesday allegedly drove so recklessly in full view of police, then refused to co-operate with police, that he was charged, according to ESPN, with “eluding police, obstructing administration of law, resisting arrest, reckless driving, disregarding an officer’s directions, an improper turn in a marked traffic lane and failure to remain in a marked lane.” So no.

The Giants’ other QB is Alex Tanney — an occasional NFL backup in four seasons since 2013 with New York, Cleveland and Tennessee who, like Lauletta, has yet to start an NFL game. The Giants now more or less have to stick with Manning. Or it would get far worse before it could get better.

Buffalo Bills QB Nathan Peterman says, “I’m ready to go win a game.”

News: With rookie QB Josh Allen still unable even to practise let alone play with his throwingelbow injury, with emergency signee of three weeks ago Derek Anderson still in concussion protocol, and with Matt Barkley signed only on Wednesday, the interception machine otherwise known as Nathan Peterman probably will start for Buffalo on Sunday against the visiting Chicago Bears.

He told reporters Wednesday he understands the immense criticism and cynicism that’s out there, but said he believes he can lead the Bills to victory over the Bears.

View: That’s an admirable and necessary thing for Peterman to say. What else would ya expect: “Oh, the Bills have no chance with me?”

In 1 ½ NFL seasons, Peterman has thrown nine interceptions — on just 81 throws — for one of the NFL’s all-time-worst career interception percentages (11.1). Peterman has appeared in eight career games. Buffalo has lost seven. The only victory, and his only win in three previous career starts, occurred in half a foot of snow last December vs. Indianapolis. And Peterman left that game early, injured in the third quarter, and never returned. This would be just his fourth start. Look, Buffalo’s defence is good enough — and Chicago’s offence sputters enough — that this game might play out like the Bills’ Week 5 victory over visiting Tennessee, 13-12.

So, sure, if Peterman doesn’t completely muck it up as in his previous non-wintry starts, Buffalo could win.

But you’re not gonna bet on that, are ya?