Clevelands QB carousel stops in Los Angeles and the Rams hope to capitalize on the uncertainty

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) The Cleveland Browns will have their fourth starting quarterback of the season when they face the Los Angeles Rams.Four quarterbacks started a game for the Rams last season. Sean McVay wouldn't recommend it.The coach also realizes the adversity of 2022 played a role in this year.You cant establish grit unle s you Adam Shaheen Jersey go through real challenging experiences, McVay said. I cant speak for other people, but I do know that I was spoiled with a lot of the good things (early in my career), and (adversity) forces you to continue to grow and mature as a leader.ADVERTISEMENT That might not be much comfort to Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski and the Browns (7-4), on Sunday after a week of training in the Southern California sun. Cleveland will attempt to avoid that's going remarkably well, considering the turmoil at quarterback.Acro s the league, and this year is no different, theres a lot of backup quarterbacks that are playing, Stefanski said. Were no different, and we have a certain standard that we play by as an offense, as a team, and it doesnt really change based on whos in there.With the 38-year-old Flacco making his first start since closing out the 2022 season for the New York Jets, Cleveland will lean on its powerhouse defense to shut down the Rams (5-6), whose hopes of an unlikely playoff Akiem Hicks Jersey run probably hinge on the health of Matthew Stafford. The veteran's injured thumb is getting better, and he's excited by LA's two-week surge into the postseason conversation.Cleveland's defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz, was Stafford's head coach for his first five NFL seasons in Detroit.Really all phases on (Cleveland's) defense make it an uncomfortable day for the quarterback, both in what theyre giving to you look-wise and also just the challenges they present personnel-wise as well, Stafford said.JJ'S REUNIONSafety John Johnson is back with the Rams after spending the past two seasons with Cleveland, which cut him last March. Johnson was drafted by the Rams, and he has reclaimed a prominent role this month.The hard-hitting Johnson's role changed when he changed teams, and many observers thought he wasn't suited to his coverage-heavy responsibilities in Cleveland.I felt like I stayed stagnant, if anything, Johnson said. I didnt really take off. My game didnt elevate. I was just like in limbo, kind of. I just did what Im told, you know. ... Just me thinking about it now, I feel like I probably could have did some things differently, but the past is the past.BANGED-UP BROWNSThe Browns have spent the entire season on crutches.But while the offense absorbed most of the major early injuries, Clevelands top-ranked defense has been feeling it the past two weeks.All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett played much of last week with one arm after hurting his left shoulder, which he originally hurt last year when he flipped his Porsche following practice.Fortunately, Garrett, who is having his best season, didnt sustain any new structural damage. His teammates are confident hell be on the field with them on Sunday.Hes Superman," cornerback Greg Newsome II said. Were never too worried about Myles.Before last weeks game, Garrett joked that everything hurts this time of the season Cody Whitehair Jersey and the 28-year-old blamed his aches on being just old.The Browns won't have star cornerback Denzel Ward for the second straight week because of a shoulder injury. Wards absence was felt from the outset as Clevelands secondary seemed out of sorts without him.KYREN'S FRIENDSRunning back for the Rams with three 100-yard performances in the past four games, including the last two.Williams is appropriately wary of Cleveland's vaunted defense, even if it gave up 169 yards rushing to Denver last week. He's looking forward to the chance to fight off tackle attempts by Newsome, a close friend, and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, his teammate for two seasons at Notre Dame.And no matter how the game goes, Williams William Perry Jersey is planning a postgame jersey swap with Owusu-Koramoah.Im gonna let him know early, before I start getting to him, Im gonna need that jersey,' Williams said with a grin.THE LOGODuring their extended stay in Los Angeles, the Browns met with some local basketball royalty. No, not LeBron James.Legendary Lakers guard and Hall of Famer Jerry West spoke with Clevelands players, who were struck by the 85-year-olds presence and pa sion.It was great, said All-Pro left guard Joel Bitonio, a California native who grew up rooting for the Lakers. His illustrious career as a player, coach and executive in the NBA is second to none.He said he hates losing more than he loves winning, said Newsome. So a guy like that, you definitely learn a lot from.Beyond being a 14-time All-Star, one of the NBAs all-time best players, and the silhouetted image for the leagues iconic logo, West was also the architect of the powerhouse Showtime Lakers teams Prince Amukamara Jersey in the 1980s.Wests visit with the team at UCLA was made po sible through Stefanskis father, Ed, a longtime NBA executive. West told the players he grew up in West Virginia as a Browns fan.Bitonio said Wests me sage centered on togetherne s.The overall picture was just being a good teammate, playing for your guys, executing and having a bigger purpose out there, Bitonio said. It was very cool. Hes getting up there in age, but hes still sharp and still really cool to hear a legend.___AP Sports Writer Tom Withers and freelancer Dan Greenspan contributed to this report.___AP NFL: