The Browns' first-team offense has plenty to build on after its encouraging performance in Green Bay.
Mohamed Massaquoi outbattles the Packers' Brandon Underwood for this first-quarter reception in the Browns' 27-24 exhibition victory in Green Bay on Saturday. Massaquoi had a couple of catches in Jake Delhomme's opening TD drive, then sat out the rest of the game with a hamstring injury.• Monday's schedule: One practice, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. For updates, call 877-6BROWNS.
BEREA, Ohio -- Jake Delhomme wanted to make a good first impression on his new fans, but even he probably wouldn't have dared to dream it up so perfectly.
"Had I stunk it up [Saturday night] I'd be pretty upset, but we did some decent things offensively," said the Browns' starting quarterback. "It just feels different for me. This is new and fresh. I know I keep saying that, but it's a whole new atmosphere and it's fun."
Here's how much fun it was for Delhomme in Green Bay, where the Browns beat the Packers, 27-24, in their first preseason game: He opened with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown run by Jerome Harrison. Along the way, he completed six-of-seven attempts for 66 yards for a 106.0 rating, including a pair of 17-yard completions to get things rolling.
What's more, he did it against the NFL's second-ranked defense from 2009, one that's not shy about blitzing in preseason. It was such good work that he got the rest of the night off.
"We wanted to make something happen, get some points," said Delhomme. "It was great because different guys touched the ball running and catching, and the protection was outstanding. It's something to build on."
With no disrespect to former quarterbacks Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, running back Jerome Harrison said he has noticed a huge difference in an experienced quarterback, one who's been to the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl, who commands instant respect in the huddle.
"(The opening TD drive) was great because different guys touched the ball running and catching, and the protection was outstanding," said Jake Delhomme after Saturday's game. "It's something to build on.""Jake looked amazing," said Harrison. "And the offensive line, tight ends, everybody gave him all the time he needed to throw. The receivers ran the right routes and got open -- what we've been working on. It looked good and felt good. It was great to see our hard work pay off."
Delhomme hit passes of 17 and seven yards to Evan Moore vs. the blitz and 17 and 12 yards to Mohamed Massaquoi, the 12-yarder coming on a clutch fourth and 1. His only incompletion came when Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins jumped Brian Robiskie's route at the 20, went over the top and knocked the ball down.
"Jake did a great job," said Moore. "He's a guy we all trust. Even though we haven't played with him much, the trust is there because of his track record and how long he's been playing. It was a great way to start the game."
Picking up where Delhomme left off, Seneca Wallace entered on the next possession following a Packers fumble. He threw two touchdown passes in the first half, a 13-yarder in the back left corner of the end zone to Robiskie and a 20-yarder to tight end Ben Watson. Wallace finished 4-of-8 for 72 yards for a 120.8 rating.
"I always tell everybody 'you cannot forget about No. 6,'" said Harrison. "He's too special of a player."
By the time Wallace came in, Massaquoi was out with a strained hamstring suffered on the opening drive, but Wallace was unfazed. He went to Robiskie three straight times on his opening possession, including the TD pass. With Green Bay's Brady Poppinga in hot pursuit, Wallace scrambled left and delivered a pinpoint strike to Robiskie, who was covered by Collins.
"Seneca made a great play," said Robiskie. "He bought some time with his legs and as a receiver you have to work for him because the play's never over until the whistle blows. He did a great job of getting out of the pocket and throwing a perfect ball to me."
Wallace didn't need Josh Cribbs and the Wildcat to produce. On his second scoring drive, he completed passes of 13 yards to Robiskie, 26 to Peyton Hillis on a screen and 20 to Watson for the TD. On the score, he faked an out to the right and found Watson over the middle.
"From what I saw last year on film, it's a total difference [on offense]," he said. "There's a lot of young guys, but they're very eager to get better. This is something to improve on and hopefully we'll hit our stride at the start of the season."
Fullback Lawrence Vickers picked up where he left off last season, blasting holes big enough to drive a small motor home through -- including on Harrison's TD run.
"Oh man, anybody could've done what I did," said Harrison. "Vick crushed A.J. Hawk and I just waltzed right in. Vick always takes care of me."
Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy left in the third quarter after banging his right thumb on Casey Bender's helmet, but X-rays were negative and it's believed to be just a sprain. McCoy made a few nice plays, but threw two more interceptions. They followed the two he made in the Brown-White scrimmage last week.
"That's something we're going to have to continue to teach him," said Mangini. "He did a couple of nice things with his feet, but all that's going to be challenged when you throw two interceptions."
But all-in-all, it was an encouraging performance for the offense, especially the starters.
"Without a doubt [it was a confidence booster]," said Delhomme. "To finish out the season with four wins last year, and then to come out and play decent football, it's always fun. You play this game to win. It doesn't count, but everyone has a smile on their face."