Rookie T.J. Ward showcased some of his hitting ability against the Packers.
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Rookie safety T.J. Ward delivered some big hits on Saturday night, but he was also victimized by this touchdown catch by Green Bay's Greg Jennings in the first half at Lambeau Field.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- T.J. Ward received a baptism by fire in his first NFL game, starting against one of the premier quarterbacks in the game in Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.
Tested early and often in the first half, Ward made some sensational tackles and a few rookie mistakes. Nine minutes into the game, Ward already had two special teams tackles and a team-high three stops.
But with about four minutes left in the first quarter of the Browns' 27-24 victory, Ward found himself one-on-one in the back right corner of the end zone with Packers receiver Greg Jennings, who beat him on a 25-yard touchdown catch.
Ward was left on an island because fellow rookie Joe Haden, who also started the game, blitzed from the right side on the play.
"I think T.J. slipped, but it was just a great throw and catch," coach Eric Mangini said.
Ward was victimized again on the Packers' next touchdown, a 2-yard run by John Kuhn. Linebacker Scott Fujita made the first hit on Kuhn at the goal line, but he spun out of the grasp of Ward and into the end zone for a 14-14 tie.
"I think those are plays he'll make over time," said Mangini.
Ward missed another tackle on the ensuing drive, but came back and stopped Donald Driver short of the markers on third down. Later in the quarter, he took down tight end Havner Spencer after a 1-yard gain.
"I feel good about it," said Ward, who finished second on the team with seven tackles. "I made a lot of plays. I could've made some more that I let kind of slip by, but it was a learning experience, first game, just trying to get my feet wet and trying to adapt to the speed of the game. Overall I guess I'm pretty happy with my performance."
Ward got plenty of work in his debut and will know where he stands against one of the best in the game. Rodgers, who left midway through the second quarter, completed his first 10 passes and went 12-of-13 for 159 yards and the TD to Jennings for a sky-high 143.3 rating.
Ward proved to be an immediate force on special teams, making the stop on each of Green Bay's first two kickoff returns, including limiting Sam Shields to a 13-yard return to start Green Bay at their 16.
McCoy hand injury: Quarterback Colt McCoy, who threw two interceptions while playing in the second and third quarters, left late in the third quarter with a right hand injury after an interception by Green Bay's Derrick Martin. McCoy's hand struck the helmet of offensive lineman Casey Bender. McCoy went to the locker room holding the hand. X-rays were negative and the injury was described as a sprained right thumb.
Massaquoi limited: Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, who caught three passes on the Browns' opening drive for 36 yards, spent time on the bench with strained left hamstring. He did not come back out of the locker room in the second half. "It doesn't look like anything too serious,'' said Mangini. ... Rookie receiver Jon Haggerty suffered a foot injury at the end of the first half on McCoy's first interception and did not return.
Haden starts: Haden started at cornerback in place of Eric Wright, who stayed home with a sore hamstring originally hurt on Tuesday. Wright eased back into practice Thursday night, playing primarily in the nickel and as a starter simulating Green Bay's defense.
Like Ward, Haden had some rookie ups and downs. He got beat on a 12-yard out to receiver James Jones, and then showed blitz a little early on the next play -- the one that resulted in the 25-yard TD catch by Jennings.
Haden gave up another 9-yard pass to Jennings late in the first quarter and 13-yarder to Driver in the second. It was valuable experience for Haden, who's expected to work his way into the starting lineup sometime during the season.
"I had some butterflies in the beginning but as the game wore on, I felt more comfortable and just started playing my game," said Haden. "I was playing against great receivers like Donald Driver and Greg Jennings and I felt like I held my own. Aaron Rodgers was amazing. It was a confidence booster for me. It's something to build on."
Haden returned a kickoff 34 yards in the third quarter.
Lauvao starts: Guard Shawn Lauvao was the third rookie pressed into a starting role when guard Floyd Womack sat out the game. The right side of the line is in a state of flux, with right tackle Tony Pashos sidelined with a shoulder injury. John St. Clair started in his place.
Take that: Browns nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin forced running back Ryan Grant to fumble on the Packers' first play, and Sheldon Brown recovered. The Browns converted it into a 13-yard TD pass from Seneca Wallace to Brian Robiskie three plays later.
Robiskie improved: Robiskie's fine camp carried into the game. He caught three of six passes thrown his way in the first half for 36 yards, including the superb 13-yard TD. On that play, he flashed in the back left corner of the end zone, beating back-to-back Pro Bowler Nick Collins.
Inactives: In addition to Wright, these players were inactive: punter Dave Zastudil, cornerback Coye Francies, running back Montario Hardesty; linebackers David Veikune, David Bowens and D'Qwell Jackson; offensive lineman Joel Reinders, Pashos, Paul Fanaika and Womack; and nose tackle Rogers. Fanaika missed the game because of a death in the family.