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Missing many key players, Browns can't find end zone
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Sunday, Aug 24, 2008
DETROIT: If Browns fans wanted evidence that quarterback Brady Quinn is ready to start in the NFL, they'll have to wait.
In a little more than two quarters, Quinn played inconsistently, had his share of missed throws and could only drive the Browns to two field goals in his first pro start, a 26-6 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Saturday.
Quinn completed just 14-of-24 passes for 106 yards.
It wasn't completely his fault because he didn't have the weapons that would normally be available at the start of the season. Without wide receiver Braylon Edwards and running back Jamal Lewis, the first-team offense sputtered. And without them, Browns fans might have reason to worry.
Although Quinn said missing players do affect a team and that his timing with receivers was a bit off, he took the blame for the lackluster offensive performance.
''I'm disappointed. I didn't throw as well as I liked today and it didn't go as well as I would have liked,'' he said. ''My role is to jump in and make it as if nothing's changed. That's something I'm going to have to do a better job of as
this year goes along.''
More often than not, Lions pass rushers attacked Quinn, forcing errant throws and knocking him to the turf a few times.
''What happened today is that I think you saw the classic NFL approach to a young quarterback,'' coach Romeo Crennel said, ''pressuring to see if he can handle it and if he can't handle it, keep pressuring him. At times he did the right thing and the people he was throwing to were not on the same page with him.''
Quinn said that the Lions' rush didn't surprise him.
''That's something as a young quarterback that you can expect in this league. We really didn't do anything to hurt them too bad with it, so they're going to keep putting pressure on me,'' he said.
This isn't just a case of the offense looking bad, but the Browns' defensive backfield looked suspect as well.
Playing without safeties Sean Jones and Brodney Pool didn't help, but that doesn't explain why Lions receivers were often three to five yards behind Browns defensive backs, and pass yards came in substantial chunks.
The only thing really missing was a long pass like the New York Jets beat them with twice in the first preseason game. In all, Lions passers connected on 22-of-31 passes for 265 yards, one touchdown and an interception.
There were a few moments for Quinn and the Browns. A couple of times he came close to putting together sustained drives for touchdowns, seemingly developing a rhythm.
One drive stalled on offensive blunders, including a Quinn fumble, and the other because Quinn missed wide receiver Steve Sanders on a third-and-9 play. Kicker Phil Dawson's leg bailed the Browns out of those situations.
Crennel was in no mood to justify the loss because of injured players. What mattered was what happened — or in this case, didn't happen — on the field.
''We didn't play well enough,'' he said. ''Hopefully we can get some of those guys back, and this team has to understand that everybody has to be at their best and play their best game for us to have a chance.''
Rogers hears it
Defensive lineman Shaun Rogers, acquired from the Lions in an offseason trade, heard the boos from Detroit fans every time he made a tackle, at one point even welcoming the catcalls. Rogers finished the game with five tackles. He said he wouldn't have expected anything less from Detroit fans.
''They're Detroit fans and if they're not rooting for the home team, what are they doing here?'' he said. ''It's expected. But I don't play for the Lions anymore, I play for the Browns. Maybe if I was a Lion I'd be a little bit disappointed, but I'm not.''
Injury update
Wide receiver Kevin Kasper can't catch a break. He got to play in his first preseason game and eventually left with an injured head and neck, suffering a mild concussion.
Inactives
The Browns placed 15 players on the inactive list for Saturday's game. Most notable: Quarterback Derek Anderson, kick returner Joshua Cribbs, receiver Edwards, safeties Pool and Jones, tight end Kolomona Kapanui, running back Lewis, linebacker Willie McGinest, linebacker Antwan Peek, linebacker Beau Bell, offensive lineman Ryan Tucker, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, tight end Martin Rucker and defensive lineman Louis Leonard.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/sportsblitz/.
DETROIT: If Browns fans wanted evidence that quarterback Brady Quinn is ready to start in the NFL, they'll have to wait.
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