In what can only be described as a pathetic performance, the Cleveland Browns Defense made quarterbacks Joey Harrington( 15/20 for 184yds.and a TD) and Mike Mc Mahon(10/17 for 114yds. and a TD) look like Dan Marino and Joe Montana incarnate Saturday night as the Detroit Lions picked apart the Browns 38-17.

After repeated promises all week by defensive players and coaches that the fans would see "vast improvement" in tackling this week, the Browns were once again torched on drives by Harrington of 78, 68 and 64 yds.respectively for 13 points. The only good thing about the Lions first drive was that, unlike the first game in Tennessee and the second with Green Bay, the score and the end of the drive was only as field goal. The tackling was again abysmal. Players were wildly out of position, not covering their lane assignments and the result was that Lion skill players were able to move at will. Even the presence of Courtney Brown (finally) and improved penetration (finally) from Gerard Warren, could not stem the Detroit onslaught.

Butch Davis was pleased with the fact that the Browns Defense held Detroit to just 34yds. rushing in the first half, but that hardly is salve to the wound of giving up 184yds. in the air during the same first half.

In his first official start since the decision by Davis to bench Couch, Kelly Holcomb had a solid first half. Holcomb (14/21 for 130yds.and a TD), moved the offense smoothly and efficiently guiding the Browns to a 10-10 tie with Detroit until Harrington sent the Lions on a 64 yd drive in just 30 seconds to give the lions a 13-10 lead at the half. On the drive, Lions receiver Scotty Anderson caught a 36 yd. pass. Defender Kalvin Pearson never even turned to look for the ball as Anderson raised his arms to catch Harringtons perfectly thrown ball. A hand in the air certainly would have broken up this pass, but perhaps not playing even the most basic portions of defensive football is part of this "Preseason Vanilla" we are being force-fed.

Coach Davis said last week that he was "disgusted" with the defensive performance, yet, wasn't nearly as perturbed by Saturday's performance, although this was supposed to be a "dress rehearsal" for the regular season. Call it personal opinion if you want, but if this defense doesn't improve, and I mean radically, we're going to make the Cincinnati Bengals look like the old Steelers "Steel Curtain". Believe me, that hurts even to write, but its true.

Undrafted rookie C.J. Jones again made a great case for himself to make the team, with a kick return of 78yds., and a touchdown catch of 17yds. from Tim Couch in the 3rd. quarter. With Andre Davis and Frisman Jackson injured, this rookie is making the most of his opportunities.