Cleveland Browns News

Nashville, Tennessee

"We wanted to play a hell of a lot better than we played" Butch Davis said. Perhaps the understatement of the day, as the Browns looked ugly in defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans 24-3.

The Browns, hoping to set the tone for the season quickly, were humiliated in every aspect of the game. Noting that the score really isn't important in a Pre-Season game, Davis also noted "It's really how you play. Its about competition and how efficient you are". By that scale the Browns neither competed nor were efficient.

In his Browns debut, Jeff Garcia was sacked on 2 of his first 3 plays under center, as the lauded Offensive Line was just that, offensive, in giving up jailbreak rushes early and often.

On a positive note, the Running Back battle between William Green( 3 rushes for 23yds.) and Lee Suggs( 5 rushes for 24yds.) continues to percolate, as both backers had good productive games, with Green gaining a slight advantage. Regardless of whom wins this battle, it'll be nice to have 2 equally productive Running Backs, to relieve each other, and/or to be in the backfield together (Can you say Mack and Byner?).

Other players looked sharp, particularly Kelly Holcomb( 8/12 94yds.), whose surgically repaired shoulder looks better than ever. Holcomb threw some nice touch passes, and made good reads. Wide Out Andre King made a couple of good catches (2 for 56 yds.) but was removed with a slight concussion after dropping a sure TD pass.

The "Chosen One", Kellen Winslow Jr., had one catch for 10 yds., but more importantly cost the Browns a possible scoring chance with a really stupid 15yd personal foul penalty in the second quarter. Davis advised him to "continue to play your game, but maintain your composure".Yeah, ya think? Overall, the Browns were penalized 15 times for 165 yds. "We played horrible pass defense" Davis said. "We gave up way too many big plays, two passing touchdowns and one big pass interference penalty and those things are hard to overcome".

Daylon McCutcheon had a pick on a deflection that led to a 50 yd. Phil Dawson field goal, but other than that, the Browns could muster no offense of note inside the "Red Zone". Defensively, the same problems that plagued this team in 2003, have reared their ugly heads again this season: Penalties, Poor Tackling, and an total inability to stop the run, seemingly without regard to the back running the ball.

It was a practice game for all intents and purposes, but with a new QB and the "Chosen One", at least for this game, nothing has changed.

Photos Courtesy of John Reid III

Cleveland---

The Browns confirmed today that representatives of 1st round draft choice Kellen Winslow Jr. are very close to announcing that the Tight End has signed a contract with the Browns. As of this writing, the terms have not been disclosed, however, a source close to the Browns said it was just a matter of dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s. Winslow is due to arrive in Cleveland tonight from Houston, Texas where he has been working out.

It was previously thought that negotiations had broken down as the reps for Winslow, the Poston brothers left town last night, although they did say that they were "still talking".

Rochester, NY---

New Browns QB Jeff Garcia showed some of his trademark ability to scramble to give himself time to find receivers and William Green and Lee Suggs continue their highly publicized battle for the starters job as the Browns battle the Buffalo Bills in Rochester, New York.

Garcia is impressing Bills GM Tom Donahoe, "He is a great competitor, excellent for your team, makes quick decisions, which is what you want out of a QB". Davis echo's this sentiment, "I thought Jeff looked very sharp, he has good command and is very good at changing protections". "With Garcia, you really have to stay in your rush lanes, or he'll make you pay for it" said Bills coach Mike Mularkey.

Barring any unforeseen injuries, Suggs will be the starter for Pre-Season games, but Coach Butch Davis believes that "Green has had some really good runs" and is "making the steps necessary to regain the starting running back job". Green said that his first runs since last season are very important. "I'm in competition with another back, but its very healthy and we're pushing each other to get better."

Dennis Northcut grabs a pass from Jeff Garcia

New fullback Terrelle Smith has proven to be a very positive addition, making great blocks and blowing open holes in the morning session.

Punters Ryan Dutton and Derrick Frost continue their battle at punter and holder for Phil Dawson. In the first day against the Bills, Frost clearly was superior, his punts were deeper and had greater hang time than Duttons.

All in all, not a bad first day of scrimmage against Buffalo. Ross Verba noted, "We're right where we want to be".

Saturday, July 31st is our Browns Backers Day at Training Camp in Berea! This is the first weekend of our “Dawg Days of Training Camp” and we want you to join us for all of our festivities!

Come and watch our team practice in the morning between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and also between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the Training Facility in Berea. During the day there will also be a festival on the grounds of Baldwin Wallace College beginning at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m.

Because it is our Browns Backers Day at Training Camp, we will be recognizing the BBW throughout the day and I will also have a BBW table set up outside the gates so please stop by and say hello! In addition, after the afternoon practice we may be visited by a few special guests of the Cleveland Browns organization inside the gates. Please visit me at the BBW table during that day for more information on that great possibility!

If you plan on attending Browns Backers Day at Training Camp in a large or small group, please contact me via email and let me know how many people you are expecting to attend. I would love to be visited by as many Backers as possible!

Please also note that the Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive is the same day, Saturday, July 31st. For more information on the Blood Drive and how you and your Club members can participate, please visit the calendar on www.brownsbackers.com .

If you have any questions concerning Browns Backers Day at Training Camp or the Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive, please contact me at the below information.

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend! GO BROWNS!!!