The Browns' offense might have been slow getting out of the starting gate in training camp, but it's running at full stride now.
At least that's the way it looked on the only possession the first-team offense had Thursday at Cleveland Browns Stadium in a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets in a preseason game. Quarterback Derek Anderson led the way on a nine-play, 62-yard march that concluded with an outstanding one-handed catch of a 2-yard touchdown pass by Braylon Edwards.
Anderson was 4-of-5 on the drive for 20 yards. Edwards turned 180 degrees and pulled in the ball with his left hand on the touchdown play as the Browns took a 7-0 lead.
"We did some good things to put ourselves in a position to win, but we didn't make plays,"
coach Romeo Crennel said. "Overall, offensively there were some good things. Braylon made a nice catch for a touchdown and Travis Wilson made some nice catches."
"We got the first one in. Now we have a stretch (of 11 days) before the next game. We can hone in on some things and work on situations to get the team better."
The first-team offense was expected to get one more chance, but a one-hour rain delay forced a change of plans by coach Romeo Crennel. The second team, led by quarterback Brady Quinn, entered after the delay - with 4 minutes, 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Quinn was 7-of-8 in the first half, including a pass that bounced off the hands of receiver Syndric Steptoe and was intercepted by linebacker Eric Barton at the Jets' 27. Quinn completed 4-of-4 passes for 42 yards on a nine-play, 65-yard scoring march. Jason Wright ran 1 yard for a touchdown.
Quinn played two possessions into the third quarter. He finished 13-of-17 for 133 yards and directed a 16-play, 81-yard drive in the third quarter that led to a 26-yard field goal by Jason Reda to give the Browns a 17-10 lead.
"I think Quinn did a nice job, particularly on the long drive,"
Crennel said. "It came after he threw the interception. He came back and led the team down the field for a score. That's what you need your quarterback to do after a bad play."
Wilson was one of Quinn's favorite targets. Wilson, who's contending for the third receiver position, caught three passes for 58 yards.
"He's trying to take advantage of the opportunity that's been given to him,"
Crennel said.
Among rookies playing well was tight end Martin Rucker, who caught five passes for 70 yards. He had a 28-yard completion on a drive that ended with a 39-yard field goal by Reda that extended the Browns' advantage to 20-10.
The first-team defense had only one possession because of the weather. The Jets picked up two first downs. Starting quarterback Kellen Clemens was then stopped short on a fourth-and 1 sneak at the Browns' 37.
Jerome Harrison was given plenty of opportunities in his bid to earn the backup running back spot. He had eight carries for 31 yards.
The Jets struck quickly to tie the score after Barton's interception. Quarterback Brett Ratliff connected with a wide open David Clowney on a 71-yard touchdown play in the second quarter. Clowney beat the coverage of cornerback AJ Davis and safety Nick Sorensen.
New York added a 20-yard field goal by Mike Nugent on the last play of the second quarter to reduce the Browns' lead to 14-10.
Clowney and Ratliff struck big again in the fourth quarter. Clowney slipped by cornerback Mil'Von James and hauled in a 70-yard touchdown pass to cut the Browns' lead to 20-17. Safety Steve Cargile was late in picking up Clowney on deep coverage.
"Sometimes guys get distracted, and when they get distracted they get in a foot race against a good receiver with speed,"
Crennel said.
The Jets took the lead on a 62-yard punt return for a touchdown by Dwight Lowery. Lowery took the ball near the left sideline and broke open as he crossed the field. He maneuvered easily by punter Dave Zastudil.
Lowery intercepted a Ken Dorsey pass for Rucker in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Hank Poteat sealed the win for the Jets when he intercepted a Dorsey pass for Steve Sanders at the Jets' 15.
The Browns play at the New York Giants Monday, Aug. 18.
