PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will be hosting the Cleveland Browns for joint practices at St. John Fisher College this week in advance of Thursday's preseason game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

Here's what to expect from the joint practices, which will be held Monday (10 a.m.-noon) and Tuesday (6-8 p.m.):

It won't be a scrimmage: These practices won't be a scrimmage and there won't be live tackling. Like the Bills' joint practices with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, last training camp, the two teams will conduct joint drills. For example, Bills receivers might run 1-on-1 routes against Browns defensive backs and Bills offensive linemen might conduct blocking drills against Browns defensive linemen. There will also be joint 11-on-11 periods where the Bills' offense practices scripted plays against the Browns' defense and vice versa. It will be a hectic two hours and there will be action on two -- if not three -- fields.

There will not be live tackling: Pettine and Bills coach Rex Ryan want to minimize opportunities for players to fight, so there will be a "quick whistle" to prevent post-play scuffles, Pettine said Saturday. However, Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby said, via Cleveland.com, that he expects "fireworks" and tackle Joe Thomas said he would "be shocked if there weren't more than a few fights." Ryan's response? "We'll conduct business as business is being done to us I can promise you that," he said Sunday. Ryan added that the Bills were "not going to be bullied" in the practices.

Return of Donte Whitner: Bills fans are well acquainted with Browns safety Donte Whitner, who was the Bills' first-round pick in 2006 and played five seasons in Buffalo. The often outspoken Whitner caused a stir last summer when he tweeted "Wonder how you Bills fans gonna feel when the team is moved? LOL" and "Can you say Toronto Bills?!?!?!?!" when the Bills were undergoing a sale process. That led to a spat between Whitner and former Bills linebacker Darryl Talley, and later, when the Bills hosted the Browns in November, strong comments from running back Fred Jackson. Needless to say, Bills fans won't be giving Whitner a Tim Tebow-style ovation Monday.

First meeting between Ryan, Pettine as head coaches: This week will be the first time that Ryan and Pettine square off as head coaches. The two first worked together in 2002 with the Baltimore Ravens, and their relationship led to Pettine following Ryan to the New York Jets in 2009 as defensive coordinator. Pettine split from Ryan in 2013 to join the Bills in the same capacity before departing for Cleveland. The two coaches maintain that there was never a falling out between them, although after joining the Bills, Pettine spoke about how Ryan "casts a large shadow, literally and figuratively."

Return of Thad Lewis: While Johnny Manziel is likely to steal the spotlight for Bills fans keeping an eye on the Browns' side of the field this week, there's another quarterback on Cleveland's depth chart who could interest those watching practice: Thad Lewis. The Bills traded for Lewis nearly two years ago and started five games in 2013 in place of an injured EJ Manuel, posting a 2-3 record. Lewis entered training camp last summer as the Bills' undisputed No. 2 quarterback but struggled mightily and was eventually released, clearing the way for Kyle Orton to sign with the Bills.