It was the Crew's first match since the death of rookie midfielder Kirk Urso on Aug. 5.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Robbie Keane scored in the 64th minute to give the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-1 draw with Columbus in the Crew's first match since the death of rookie midfielder Kirk Urso on Aug. 5.

The Crew (8-8-5) controlled the first half but couldn't score until Jairo Arrieta's skimming 22-yarder eluded goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the 47th minute.

Keane tied it for LA (11-11-4) with a tap-in off a goalmouth pass from the right side by Sean Franklin.

Urso died at age 22 and the team honored him in several ways with a video tribute and a moment of silence as well as armbands and patches on their jersey with Urso's No. 15 before a crowd of 17,019 at Crew Stadium.

Highlights include Browns' exhibition game at Green Bay.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerRookie quarterback Brandon Weeden and the Cleveland Browns play an exhibition game tonight against the Packers in Green Bay. The 8 p.m. game will be televised on WKYC and broadcast on WMMS/100.7-FM.

Howell excelled at cornerback and then safety for the Browns from the mid-1960s into the 70s.

Plain Dealer file photoA cold Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Dec. 29, 1968, when, unfortunately, the Browns were routed by the Baltimore Colts, 34-0, in the NFL championship game. The Browns had upset the Dallas Cowboys, 31-20, the previous week at the Stadium in a playoff game, with the help of big plays by safety Mike Howell, including an interception.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 89, Mike Howell, cornerback-safety, 1965-72

Mike Howell was a Browns' eighth-round draft pick out of Grambling State, where he was a standout quarterback for legendary coach Eddie Robinson.

Howell played as a backup cornerback for the Browns during his 1965 rookie year, became a starter the next season, and was moved in 1968 to free safety, where he played for the rest of his career.

Excellent in pass coverage and solid in run support, Howell was a big-play man in Cleveland's 4-3 defense. It was a savvy move by the Browns to switch Howell to free safety, where he had more freedom to utilize his sideline-to-sideline play-making ability.

Howell was durable, too, playing in all 98 regular season and seven postseason games for the Browns from 1965 to 1971. He intercepted 27 passes, finishing among the NFL's top 10 in picks in three seasons. His one postseason interception helped the Browns upset the Dallas Cowboys, 31-20, in a 1968 divisional playoff game.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: From part 3 of the 1968 Browns' highlight film -- about 1:25 in, Mike Howell (34) on the Browns' bench between Erich Barnes (left) and Ben Davis (right); at about 2:10, Howell forcing a fumble and making the recovery; at about 2:40, two interceptions by Howell:

Josh Cooper, a free-agent signee from Oklahoma State, is hoping his ability to hold on to the ball – something Browns receivers had extreme difficulty doing last season – will help his cause

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer Cleveland Browns linebacker L. J. Fort hauls in an interception during practice at the Browns camp in Berea, Ohio, on August 13, 2012.

L.J. Fort knows his time with the first-team defense won't last forever. He's filling in for D'Qwell Jackson, after all, and the Browns aren't likely to leapfrog the NFL's second-leading tackler last season on the depth chart with an undrafted rookie.

Still, Fort, a 6-foot, 230-pound Northern Iowa product, is faring well while filling in for the injured Jackson.

Fort was physical and prescient during Monday's practice. On the last play of 11-on-11 drills, Fort intercepted a pass from Colt McCoy at the goal line.

“We actually just talked about that in the meeting before practice,” Fort said. “Coach told us to show up on the line of scrimmage and show like we're coming, then drop back on the defensive line so the quarterback doesn't see you.”

Fort beamed and added, “It definitely shows I'm coachable.”

Browns coach Pat Shurmur was already aware of that – as well as the fact that Fort is a solid player, in general. He called Fort's camp “excellent” and said he's done “an outstanding job on special teams.”

“I think he has very good instincts,” Shurmur said. “He's got the right size, the skill and ability to play the position. He has kind of a powerful build, and again, you have to have good instincts to be a linebacker and play in three downs, and I think he has that.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: jvalade@plaind.com, 216-999-4654

Over the summer, there was a report that suggested Bynum might be interested in signing with the Cavaliers when he became a free agent after this season.

Philadelphia 76ers players, Andrew Bynum, left, and Jason Richardson, pose with their new jerseys after being introduced at a news conference in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Bynum was traded to the 76ers from the Los Angeles Lakers and Richardson from the Orlando Magic. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson were formally introduced as the newest members of the 76ers Wednesday in Philadelphia, where Bynum was greeted by hundreds of fans chanting his name and said he’s strongly considering staying in Philly beyond this season.

The Sixers organization did its best to make an event out of the introductions. Player intros are typically held in the bowels of the Wells Fargo Center and opened to credentialed reporters only, Philly.com notes. Wednesday’s was held at the National Constitution Center and was free and open to the public. There was also a special section of seats reserved for season ticket holders.

"To be honest, my first experience here's been so great, I'm really leaning toward to making this my home," said Bynum, who was dealt from the Lakers to the Sixers in a four-team trade centered around Dwight Howard.

"It's the next step in my career," Bynum added, per Philly.com. "It's a lot more exciting and a lot more fun knowing they are going to run (the offense) through you. Looking at the roster, we have a deep team. The sky is the limit."

Bynum said his first thought upon hearing that he was traded to Philadelphia was, "I'm coming home." Bynum grew up outside of Princeton, N.J., but admitted he was a Chicago Bulls fan growing up.

Over the summer, there was a report that suggested Bynum might be interested in signing with the Cavaliers when he became a free agent after the upcoming season.

Richardson, who was moved from Orlando to Philly as part of the Howard trade, added, "I'm excited about this team. Seeing them last year, what (coach) Doug (Collins) did with them. They're a young team with a lot of energy."

Bynum is coming off his best season as a pro, averaging career highs in minutes (35.2), points (18.7) and rebounds (11.8). His sometimes questionable behavior, and his balky knee, however, may be of some concern to Sixers fans.

Bynum addressed one of those issues Wednesday, acknowledging he’ll travel to Germany for a knee procedure that has worked so well for former teammate Kobe Bryant, as well as Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez and NBA veteran Grant Hill.

Former Ohio State running back Daniel "Boom" Herron is Mr. Ohio when it comes to his football career. Watch video

Continuing his dream in the Buckeye state is like a dream come true.

"I was thinking about that the other day," Herron said, following a training camp practice. "I've never lived anywhere else. But that's fine."

Herron, selected in the sixth round, could help his residency status with a solid performance in the Bengals' preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons tonight. Since the Bengals will play without top backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott due to injuries, Herron and other reserve running backs will get an opportunity.

Herron has been slowed by injuries in offseason workouts and earlier in training camp. He did gain 8 yards on four carries in the preseason opener. Herron is expected to get more opportunities against Atlanta.
 
Keep in mind, one solid preseason effort will not mean Herron is a lock to make the roster. But it's a start, and running backs coach Jim Anderson likes several aspects of Herron's game.

"He's got a quick burst up the field, and he's got good hands in catching the football," Anderson said. "And he has a good history of playing football. He was a good player in high school, a good player in college and as he continues to put in the work, he'll be a good player here."

"I think Weeden will be fine this year. From hearing all the negativity after the first preseason game couldn't believe how many people don't know what preseason is and what its for. I personally think Weeden played okay. Since there's no real game plan in preseason games just trying to get the ball in everyone's hands to get them ready for the regular season even if it causes turnovers. I think by mid-season would be a realistic time to measure where Weeden is at skill set wise. To see if he's improving as the season goes on and learning from his mistakes." - ap1987

View full sizeChuck Crow/The Plain DealerCleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur, with quarterback Brandon Weeden, getting ready for the Green Bay pre-season game, during practice at the Browns camp in Berea, Ohio, on August 13, 2012.

"I think Weeden will be fine this year. From hearing all the negativity after the first preseason game couldn't believe how many people don't know what preseason is and what its for. I personally think Weeden played okay. Since there's no real game plan in preseason games just trying to get the ball in everyone's hands to get them ready for the regular season even if it causes turnovers. I think by mid-season would be a realistic time to measure where Weeden is at skill set wise. To see if he's improving as the season goes on and learning from his mistakes."

Plain Dealer Browns reporter Mary Kay Cabot joined Kiley and Booms on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) today to talk Browns.

Mary Kay Cabot

The Giants would probably be interested in Shin-Soo Choo to replace suspended Melky Cabrera, but it would take a near miracle for him to clear waivers.

View full sizeReed Saxon, Associated PressShin-Soo Choo's three-run homer against the Angels on Wednesday may have given a different West Coast team a reason to pursue a trade.

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants were rumored to be interested in the Indians' Shin-Soo Choo and Chris Perez before the non-waiver trading deadline on July 31.

Choo and Perez are still with the Indians, but on Wednesday shock spread through the Giants clubhouse and the Bay Area when All-Star MVP Melky Cabrera was suspended for 50 games for using testosterone, a substance banned by MLB.

Cabrera, the Giants' left fielder, was hitting .346. The All-Star MVP is leading the big leagues with 159 hits and the National League with 84 runs. The suspension could cost the Giants a spot in the postseason.

GM Brian Sabean did add outfielder Hunter Pence before July 31 in a deal with the Phillies. As of Wednesday, he was looking for yet another outfielder. Choo, a free agent after 2013, could certainly help to Giants win the NL West, but such a deal would be nearly impossible. He would have to clear waivers in the American League. A contender would certainly claim him before that happened.

If he did clear waivers in the AL, every NL team with a poorer record than the Giants would have to pass on him. Again the chances of that happening are extremely small.

Choo, who hit a three-run homer in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to the Angels, is hitting .284 (124-for-436) with 70 runs, 35 doubles, two triples, 13 homers, 51 RBI and 13 steals. Teams have until Aug. 31 to acquire a player as long as he clears waivers. Any player obtained after Aug. 31 is not eligible for the postseason.

Wise words: Manny Acta, always a good quote, wants to coin this phrase about the nature of baseball: "You can expect and you can project, but you can never predict."

Here's how he came up with it.

"You're always thinking about your team, right? The other night I was thinking, 'you expect so-and-so to do this. You project with numbers that he'll do this and he'll do this.' But you can never predict."

Somewhere Branch Rickey is smiling.

Finally: Plate umpire Greg Gibson, spiked above the left eye by Angels outfielder Torii Hunter when he slid home in the fifth inning Wednesday against the Indians, is apparently all right. He received X-rays and stitches after leaving the game.

"After the game he said he was OK," said Hunter. It could have been worse if Hunter had been wearing metal spikes instead of plastic.

Hunter tried to score from first in the fifth on Kendrys Morales' double to right. Choo overthrew the cutoff man at second, but third baseman Jack Hannahan retrieved the ball and threw home where Carlos Santana tagged the belly-flopping Hunter in the head.

No call was made as Gibson was treated. Acta and Angels manager Mike Scioscia were on the field waiting, but crew chief Gerry Davis didn't make a call until Gibson left the field.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

The Browns defense was solid against backup QB Graham Harrell, and the offense outgained Green Bay, 181 yards to 118.

View full sizeJeffrey Phelps, Associated PressBrandon Weeden finished the first half 12 of 20 for 118 yards. He didn't have a touchdown pass, but he guided the Browns offense efficiently against the Packers.

GREEN BAY, Wisc. ---- Montario Hardesty capped off his solid first quarter with a 1-yard TD run to start the second quarter for a 13-7 Browns' lead.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden was very steady throughout the half, finishing 12 of 20 for 118 yards. Not only are his numbers better than last week's game (3-of-9 for 62 yards), but so was his poise.

With the exception of one forced throw in the first quarter, Weeden looked off receivers and threw the ball away when he faced pressure.

It was the Browns who pressured quarterback Graham Harrell, who replaced starter Aaron Rodgers. Rookie linebacker James Michael Johnson provided a rush and rookie tackles John Hughes and Billy Winn held their ground.

The penalties continued, however. Lineman Brian Sanford lined up in the neutral zone and that negated an interception and touchdown by Craig Robertson. There were two holding penalties on Oneil Cousins on kicks -- pretty bizarre -- and a block in the back on a punt return by James Dockery.

Weeden began a drive on his own 8 and moved the ball to midfield, switching field position. He may have answered questions about his toughness when he took a shot in the chest following a corner blitz as he completed a first-down pass to Jordan Norwood. Weeden remained in the game.

Phil Dawson nailed his third field goal (52 yards) with 1:19 left. The Browns had a 181-118 edge in total yards in the half.

David Sims' second interception of the preseason helped the Browns put the game out of reach in the third quarter.

GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- The dominance of the Browns' second-quarter performance extended beyond halftime Thursday night.

Benjamin Jacobs' rush on quarterback Graham Harrell forced him to hurry his throw and when Ryan Taylor slipped to the ground, defensive back David Sims made a diving catch and scrambled to his feet for a 38-yard interception return for a 23-7 lead just 2:40 into the quarter. Sims has made some noise after spending last season on the practice squad. This is his second interception in two preseason games.

Quarterback Colt McCoy entered this quarter with the second unit. Since Harrell is not the answer for the Packers as a backup, they got an up-close look at McCoy who led the Browns on a 14-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Brandon Jackson's 1-yard run for a 30-7 lead with 1:15 left in the quarter.

McCoy was 4-for-6 in the quarter, hitting Josh Gordon on a skinny post -- just as Weeden had done in the first half -- and finding Rod Windsor on a third-down play that Windsor did a good job of extending the ball beyond the yardmarker.

cleveland.com's Glenn Moore (@GlennMooreCLE) and The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff (@dmansworldpd) broke down the Browns' win over the Packers Thursday night.

Related coverage:

• Improved Brandon Weeden leads Browns to 35-10 preseason victory over Green Bay

• It's a good night for the Browns defense: Insider

• Quick Slant: What we learned from Browns-Packers

• Browns-Packers box score | NFL scoreboard

• In-game updates: 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q

• More Browns/NFL coverage

In eight first-half possessions, Weeden completed 12 of 20 attempts for 118 yards as the Browns built a 16-7 lead at halftime. Watch video

GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden proved in his dress rehearsal game here at Lambeau Field that he's more ready now to take center stage once the regular season begins.

 He wanted to show progress over his rocky debut in Detroit last week, and he did just that.

 In eight first-half possessions, he completed 12 of 20 attempts for 118 yards, with no touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks for a 76.7 rating. He produced three field goal drives -- thanks to Phil Dawson's booming leg  -- and one touchdown drive that ended on a 1-yard run by Montario Hardesty. He led the team to the locker room with a 16-7 advantage over the Packers.

 By the end, the Browns had won, 35-10, on a night when both the Browns and Packers had 15 or more players on the sidelines in streetclothes.

 "It was definitely an upgrade for me over last week,'' said Weeden. "I just wanted to go out and get better, and I think I did that. There are things that I'll learn as we get going. You know, you watch (Packers quarterback) Aaron Rodgers. He's the best at it. He'll stretch the field, but he's smart and he puts the ball down, he knows where to go withe ball.''

 Once again, the Browns' rookie quarterback faced some adversity, but this time, the mistakes weren't his own.

 Hardesty, starting in place of the injured Trent Richardson, fumbled the ball away on the very first play of the game after a 4-yard gain. It wasn't the best first impression to make on Browns new owner Jimmy Haslam, who attended his first game since agreeing to purchase the team last month.

  "I was mad about it,'' said Hardesty, who started in place of the injured Trent Richardson. "I wanted to redeem myself because I haven't fumbled since high school. I wanted to put the play behind me and forward onto the next play.''

 Hardesty did exactly that, rushing for 26 yards on his next drive and rebounding with 41 yards on his next 11 carries after the fumble. The Browns also scored on their next three possessions after the inauspicious start.

 "We bounced back,'' said Weeden. "I think that's what good teams do. When you do make a mistake, you find a way to bounce back and redeem yourself and put together a few good drives. (We did that) led in large part by Montario. Even though he did put the ball on the ground, he continued to plug it and run the ball really well.''

 Hardesty's fumble marked the second straight game that the Browns' opening play ended in disaster. Last week, starting receiver Mohamed Massaquoi suffered a concussion on the opening play of the game and was lost for the night.

 Massaquoi sat out last night's game as well, as well as six defensive starters and a handful of key offensive players. Also missing were wide receiver Travis Benjamin, and tight ends Ben Watson and Jordan Cameron.

 Weeden wasn't blitzed as much he could've been, but was pressured into several incompletions and had two passes dropped, one by Gordon an easy hitch at the Green Bay 25 and one by Greg Little midfield. He also had a short pass over the middle knocked down by A.J. Hawk.

 "For the most part, Brandon played well,'' said coach Pat Shurmur. "Today, he saw some different things. He played against a lot of pressure. He moved the team and he found a way to drive the ball. He completed a couple of third downs that were important.

 "What comes to mind are a couple of third-downs are plays we're just getting a feel for. He'll do better at those the next time. He's like any of the other young one out there working. He's going to look at the film and say, 'Darn it, I need to do better at that next time.''

Weeden felt he handled the pressure better than he did last week in Detroit, where he failed to sense the rush behind him and was strip-sacked.

 Said Weeden: "They brought a lot of pressure and that's what they do defensively. For me, it was good to see and react to. Our offensive line did a great job of picking things up.''

 Weeden was the beneficiary of favorable first-half field position -- with three of his drives starting in Green Bay territory. He parlayed those three chances, including one that came courtesy of an Emmanuel Stephens fumble recovery, into two field goals and the touchdown.

 He showed some decent chemistry with Greg Little, hitting him with a 12-yarder and a 24-yarder to the 1 to set up Hardesty's TD. Little finished the night with four catches for 45 yards, with the drop his only mistake. He was wide open at the time and just lost his concentration.

 Rookie receiver Josh Gordon, who started opposite Little, had an up-and-down night, with two catches for 38 yards, a 19-yarder from Weeden and 19-yarder from McCoy. But he dropped the little hitch and ran an errant route that nearly resulted in a Weeden interception.

 "He caught two balls, but dropped that little hitch that was a gimme,'' said Shurmur. "Although there was some improvement, he'd be the first to tell you he's got a lot of work to do.''

 If the Packers are looking for a new backup quarterback, which some have speculated, they might've been intrigued by Colt McCoy's second very strong performance of the preseason. Their current backup quarterback, Graham Harrell, completed 12 of 24 attempts for 100 yards and two interceptions for a dismal 26.4 rating.

Playing only one drive in the third quarter, McCoy completed 4-of-6 attempts for 58 yards and a 97.6 rating. His smart 14-play drive, which ended in Brandon Jackson's one-yard TD run off left tackle, included the 19-yard pass to Gordon and a 21-yarder over the middle to tight end Dan Gronkowski. He also completed a 9-yarder to tight end  Brad Smelley on 4th and 1 and a 9-yarder to Rod Windsor to convert a third down.

"We'll take a close look at (Harrell's performance),'' said Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

 Weeden gave the Browns a little scare in the second quarter when he was drilled in the midsection by a blitzing cornerback and got up slowly.

 "It didn't feel good, but it just knocked the breath out of me. It was one of those ones, it was a perfect shot. You've just gotta kind of gather yourself. But I got in the huddle. I could barely get the play out. Fortunately it was a short one. The offensive line was laughing at me after that.''

 What did feel good was completing some passes and scoring some points, even if some came against a mix of first- and second-teamers.

 "For the most part, I think I threw the ball where it needed to be thrown and threw it on time,'' he said. "My guys made plays for me, which is good. So, yeah, I think it was progress. I think I felt really comfortable. I saw things coming. I saw where they were blitzing from. I knew [the blitzes] were picked up. That's a start.''

 The Browns started two rookie defensive tackles in John Hughes and Billy Winn, and Shurmur was pleased.

 "They rattled around in there and did some good things,'' said Shurmur. "It was a night where we got a chance to look at a lot of the younger guys, and it was a pretty good night.''

The defense finishes off a good night with a safety against backup QB Graham Harrell.

View full sizeJeffrey Phelps, Associated PressBrowns defensive back David Sims enjoyed his interception touchdown in the third quarter Thursday night.

GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- As both teams emptied their benches, the Browns continued to cause issues for Packers quarterback Graham Harrell.

Pushed back to the 1 on fine punt coverage work by Ray Ventrone, Harrell was forced into an intentional grounding penalty by newcomer Ronnie Cameron and Austen English which resulted into a safety for the Browns.

The Packers nailed a field goal later in the quarter, and the Browns ended the scoring behind Jeff Wolfert's 34-yard field goal.

The Browns defensive backs collected their second interception of the night when Emmanuel Davis picked off a pass in the final seconds.

Story includes game notes, post-game video and a poll on Brandon Weeden's performance. Watch video

GREEN BAY, Wisc. -- The Cleveland Browns won their second straight preseason game with a 35-10 victory (box score) over the Green Bay Packers.

The Browns haven't been 2-0 in the preseason since 2005.

What did we learn: Quarterback Brandon Weeden is still a work in progress, but he was better than the preseason opener against the Detroit Lions. He made one bad throw (that was almost intercepted) but did not make a habit of rushing his throws.

Weeden finished 12-of-20 for 118 yards. Late in the second quarter, Weeden displayed his toughness when he stayed in the pocket, took a huge hit, and completed a pass for a first down.

Back-up quarterback Colt McCoy (4-of-6 for 58 yards) had another good effort. He led the Browns on a 75-yard touchdown drive at the end of the third quarter.

First team offense: Montario Hardesty is not the starting running back on the depth chart, but until rookie Trent Richardson takes a snap, he's the starter now. Hardesty recovered from a fumble on the first play of the game with solid running for 45 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

First team defense: With the exception of a perfectly-placed Aaron Rodgers TD pass to Jordy Nelson over Joe Haden, the Browns were impressive on defense. Rookie linebackers James-Michael Johnson and L.J. Fort filled in nicely for injured starters Scott Fujita and Chris Gocong with pressure and open field tackles.

Injuries: Defensive back Trevin Wade.

What's next: The Browns host the Philadelphia Eagles Aug. 24.

The Browns intercepted two second-half passes, Sheldon Brown forced a first-quarter fumble and the defensive unit kept the potent Packers from generating big plays. The Browns went to intermission with a nine-point lead en route to a 35-10 win at Lambeau Field. Watch video

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Against an injury-depleted Browns defense, Aaron Rodgers' biggest gain of the night came courtesy of his legs on a 21-yard scramble.

The Browns will take that result, even if the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player appeared in just three offensive series and the Green Bay Packers had some key personnel missing, as well. Without six starters, the Browns limited Rodgers to a 20-yard touchdown pass and no other completions for more than 11 yards. It was a good start to what was a strong overall defensive performance.

They intercepted two second-half passes, Sheldon Brown forced a first-quarter fumble and the defensive unit kept the potent Packers from generating big plays. The Browns went to intermission with a nine-point lead en route to a 35-10 win at Lambeau Field.

“I’m really proud of our defense – (five) turnovers in two weeks,” coach Pat Shurmur said. “I think we struggled to get six in a month last year. We made an emphasis of catching the football (on defense) and we’re doing a better job of it.”

The visitors received good efforts from many precincts. The Packers totaled just 49 yards rushing in the first half a week after the Detroit Lions generated 115 yards before intermission. Linebacker Craig Robertson was active. Defensive backs David Sims and Emanuel Davis recorded interceptions.

Beyond the turnovers, the Browns had seven pass break-ups, including one each from Joe Haden, Buster Skrine and James-Michael Johnson in the first half.

“I think our defensive backs did a good job of challenging,” Shurmur said. “I thought our young defensive tackles (John Hughes and Billy Winn) played the first half and did a nice job. They were in there rattling around.”

Rodgers finished the night 6-of-11 for 59 yards. When the game began it looked like it might be much worse.

The Browns gifted Rodgers great field possession on the first series after a Montario Hardesty fumble at the Cleveland 23. The quarterback punished the Browns, finding Jordy Nelson with a perfectly-thrown 20-yard touchdown pass just out of the reach of Haden.

But the defense stiffened. The Browns' secondary did a nice job of keeping the Packers' receivers in front of them. Midway through the first quarter, Brown not only held Randall Cobb to an 8-yard reception, but stripped the ball. It popped into the air and into the waiting arms of defensive tackle Emmanuel Stephens, who returned it for 19 yards. The turnover led to a 47-yard Phil Dawson field goal.

On their third series, the Packers went for it on fourth and 2 from the Green Bay 45. Rodgers' pass fell incomplete to Donald Driver. His night was complete, but the Browns defense was just getting started.

Robertson had an interception return for a TD nullified by a neutral-zone infraction. Early in the third quarter, Sims registered his second interception in two games, picking off Graham Harrell and returning it 38 yards for a touchdown.

"That was my first opportunity to have a pick and then get up and run," Sims said. "So, I stopped for a second and then I took off. I wasn't thinking pick-six once I caught it."

It's easy to see why the Packers are searching for a reliable backup quarterback. Harrell was intercepted twice and finished with a 26.4 passer rating.

The Packers generated just 228 yards total offense.

Inactives: Despite practicing on Tuesday, receiver Mohamed Massaquoi did not dress for the game. The wideout was held out for precautionary reasons, a team spokesman said, after taking the high hit against Detroit in the preseason opener.

The other Browns held out were: Carlton Mitchell (undisclosed), Dimitri Patterson (ankle), Usama Young (hamstring), D'Qwell Jackson (shoulder), Trent Richardson (knee), Chris Gocong (Achilles tear), Scott Paxson (knee), Ahtyba Rubin (pelvis), Travis Benjamin (undisclosed), Ben Watson (undisclosed), Jordan Cameron (back), Frostee Rucker (knee), Phil Taylor (pectoral tear) and Scott Fujita (leg).

Rubin has been practicing since Aug. 2 and became a full participant on Aug. 6. But the defensive tackle has missed both preseason games as he recovers from a procedure to repair a pelvic tear.

Another injury: Defensive back Trevin Wade was carted off the field in the fourth quarter. Shurmur did not think the injury was serious, but planned to provide updates on Saturday.

Donovan out: Browns play-by-play man Jim Donovan missed the game due to illness. Andrew Catalon replaced Donovan alongside analyst Bernie Kosar in the WKYC broadcast booth. A Browns spokesman said Donovan was "under the weather."

Catalon filled in for Donovan during last year's preseason broadcasts as the longtime announcer was recovering from a bone marrow transplant to combat chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Brownie bits: Jimmy Haslam III attended his first game as new owner. ... Offensive tackle Oneil Cousins was whistled for holding and a facemask on a Dawson field goal and PAT, respectively.

Highlights include Indians at Oakland.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerZach McAllister gets the start for the Indians against the Athletics tonight in Oakland. The 10:05 game will be televised on SportsTime Ohio and broadcast on WTAM/1100-AM.

Urban Meyer, winner of two national championships at Florida, returned from a one-year coaching hiatus as an ESPN analyst to take over an Ohio State program mired in NCAA sanctions and beaten down by a year of negative headlines.

COLUMBUS, Ohio  — On the day he was introduced as Ohio State's 24th head coach last November, Urban Meyer outlined a relatively simple list of expectations for his players, his staff and himself.

"I want a bunch of coaches that coach like their hair's on fire, and I want a football team that goes four to six seconds of relentless effort," he said. "You do that, you have a chance to win in every game you play."

Meyer, winner of two national championships at Florida, returned from a one-year coaching hiatus as an ESPN analyst to take over an Ohio State program mired in NCAA sanctions and beaten down by a year of negative headlines.

So far, he's injected some fresh thinking, a new offensive philosophy and renewed intensity into a program which had been consistently good in a decade under Jim Tressel, before he was bumped off his pedestal for covering up a scheme involving several top players trading memorabilia for tattoos and money.

Among several other NCAA penalties, the Buckeyes are banned from going to a bowl after this season. So, with Meyer preaching he wants an "angry" team, they've taken it to heart by vowing to run the table and obliterate all the bad publicity from a year of suspensions, violations and sanctions.

"Our goal's to go 12-0," running back Carlos Hyde said. "Even though we can't go to a bowl game, we still have to play. So we're just going to get out there and have a chip on our shoulders since we can't go to a bowl game — to let the world know who the Buckeyes are this year."

Meyer took over an Ohio State team coming off a dreadful 6-7 season that included a four-game losing skid entering this season. Luke Fickell, the interim coach then, was retained as a defensive co-coordinator.

The attitude was bad, someone was suspended for a violation almost every week and it seemed everyone was waiting for the NCAA to hand down the penalties that came just before the Buckeyes lost to Meyer's former employer, Florida, in the Gator Bowl.

"There was a lot of (NCAA and disciplinary) stuff going on last year. You can't really point out what it was," cornerback Bradley Roby said. "There was so much stuff going on, I feel like it really affected everybody."

Meyer has told his players to forget 2011 and concentrate on turning around the program. But he doesn't have three multiyear starters on the offensive line, the top running back and best linebacker from a team whose seven losses were the most for an Ohio State team since 1897.

He has, though, instilled a lot of energy and optimism.

"Expectations always are high," said the focal point of Meyer's vaunted spread attack, second-year quarterback Braxton Miller. "When I was in high school looking at Ohio State, I was like, 'Man, they aren't ever going to lose. They're always going to be good.' That's the expectations of the fans."

Miller and the new offense are a radical change from the days of Tressel, who once famously called the punt "the most important play in football." Meyer would prefer not to punt at all.

His Buckeyes will play uptempo, throw the ball a lot to a lot of different receivers, and should prevent fans from leaving their seats for a bathroom break for fear they'll miss a 70-yard pass play — or maybe a turnover.

Jordan Hall would have been the H back in the offense, the guy around whom most plays revolve. But he's out for the first couple of games after cutting a tendon while walking barefoot outside his apartment this summer. In his stead, Hyde, freshman Bri'onte Dunn (who sidestepped legal problems this summer) and Rod Smith also figure to be playmakers.

Much depends on wideouts Evan Spencer, Verlon Reed, Devin Smith, Michael Thomas and converted tight end Jake Stoneburner. If one or more of them proves to be a threat to take a short pass the distance, it'll make things considerably easier on Miller.

The line needs rebuilding, with first-year players dotting the two-deep.

On defense, the brutes up front will be a strength, with Meyer gushing about the play of John Simon, Johnathan Hankins, Garrett Goebel and — when he returns from microfracture surgery — Nathan Williams.

The linebacker position is thin but talented, with a lot riding on the improvement of Ryan Shazier and Curtis Grant. Cornerbacks Roby and Travis Howard and safeties Christian Bryant, C.J. Barnett and Orhian Johnson anchor the secondary.

"I feel that everybody has bought into coach Meyer," said Shazier, a promising sophomore who sports a shaved head. "With everybody adjusting to it, I think we're going to have a really good season."

Meyer, who twice quit the Florida job due to stress, health and family considerations, swears that he's feeling reinvigorated and taking steps to make sure he doesn't burn out again.

His first Ohio State schedule won't cause him any heartburn. The Buckeyes play their first four games at home against the likes of Miami (Ohio), Central Florida, California and UAB, and in a down year for the Big Ten almost every conference game is winnable. The toughest will be at Michigan State on Sept. 29, Nebraska at home a week later, and the 1-2 punch to close the regular season, at two-time defending champ Wisconsin and home against archrival Michigan.

Then ... the season ends. With no bowl game, Meyer and his team will have to be content with whatever they can accomplish in 12 games.

Meyer has no idea how everyone, including himself, will handle the abrupt end of the season.

"We've never not played for a championship in November," he said. "Ten years as a head coach, every November we were playing for a championship. Do we have to create our own championship? I don't know. We'll see how it goes."

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Paul will chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's recent play, Roberto Hernandez's first start and more.

Paul Hoynes answers your Indians questions today at noon.

Get your questions ready and join Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes today at noon as he talks Tribe baseball.

Paul will chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore about the Tribe's recent play, Roberto Hernandez's first start and more.

You can jump in the chat room and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Hoynsie's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in mp3 format.