Cleveland, Ohio----Kelly Holcomb's broken leg mysteriously healed as he replaced an ineffective Tim Couch, and Holcomb sparked the Browns to 2 third quarter touchdowns. However, the Browns still lost 26-20. It was another long walk up West 3rd for 73,618 fans.

 

Facing the formerly winless San Diego Chargers, the Browns were ineffective on both sides of the ball at the most inappropriate times. The Browns offense was flat most of the game, plagued by dropped passes and interceptions (Couch threw 2) and on defense, the sometimes stingy group allowed San Diego back LaDainian Tomlinson 200 yards on 26 carries.

 

In the fourth quarter, after Holcomb replaced Couch and drove the Browns to close to 23-20, the Browns defense simply could not stop Drew Brees and the Chargers offense, allowing the Chargers to get a field goal. On the subsequent drive, the Browns went 3 and out, the Chargers effectively ran out the clock and Marty Schottenheimer got his first win of the season.

 

 The Browns offensive line, already banged up, suffered yet another loss as Barry Stokes left with a ankle injury and was replaced by Joaquin Gonzalez in the second half. Center Jeff Faine and Guard Shaun O'Hara already were injured and replaced by Melvin Fowler and Chad Beasley.

 

On a good note, the 2003 class of Browns legends were inducted yesterday at halftime. This class included Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure, Bob Gain, Dick Schafrath and, "The Top Dawg", Hanford Dixon. In addition, the Browns 1980 Kardiac Kids team was also honored as 34 members of that team including Coach Sam Rutigliano, were recognized by the fans.

 

Up next, the Browns travel to New England for a tilt with the Patriots. The Pats defeated the Dolphins in OT yesterday 19-13