Browns coach Eric Mangini is expecting the team's offense to build on last week's sizzling debut in Green Bay when it hosts the Rams in the second preseason game.
Browns QB Seneca Wallace throws a touchdown pass as the Green Bay Packerss' Tramon Williams applies pressure last Saturday. Browns coach Eric Mangini anticipates working Wallace with the first team again tonight against the St. Louis Rams.CLEVELAND -- So, what does the Browns offense do for an encore tonight against the Rams after its thrilling debut in Green Bay last week? It better be good, because the status quo isn't going to cut it for coach Eric Mangini.
"I'm looking for us to play and operate better than we did against Green Bay," said Mangini. "That's what I typically look for each step in the preseason. I want to continue to do well and improve on the things we didn't do well. There was plenty to improve on from the game and a lot of things I was happy with."
Mangini will play his starters for the first half and maybe into the third quarter, depending on the quality of the reps Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace get. The coach said he anticipates Wallace working with the first team again and has liked what he has seen. Wallace threw two touchdown passes on his three drives against Green Bay, one to Brian Robiskie in the back left corner of the end zone while scrambling left and a 20-yarder to Ben Watson over the middle after faking an out.
"It was nice to see Seneca roll out of the pocket, break contain and throw a touchdown on somebody besides us," said Mangini. "Because he extends the play, it's been really good work defensively. I've been pleased with him. He's an accurate guy. He's got a strong arm, he's confident, he's got poise. The confidence in him has grown each week as we've gotten to know him and he's gotten to know the system."
Likewise, Delhomme gained confidence and some timing with his receivers after marching 80 yards in 11 plays on the opening drive, which ended with a 4-yard TD run by Jerome Harrison. Along the way, Delhomme completed 6-of-7 for 66 yards.
"It's an exhibition game, but it was a good drive," said Delhomme. "It sure beats the heck out of going three-and-out, three-and-out, three-and-out. We started fast, and that's what we wanted to do. It's just a start, but we're hoping we can build on it."
Delhomme relied heavily on No. 1 receiver Mohamed Massaquoi on that drive, hitting him three times for 36 yards -- including a 12-yarder on 4th-and-1 -- but might not have Massaquoi's services tonight. He suffered a strained hamstring on that drive and sat out most of the week. He returned Thursday night for a no-pads practice but was limited. If he sits, Brian Robiskie will replace him, and Josh Cribbs and Chansi Stuckey will see increased action.
"[Robiskie's] done great all spring, summer and in the first game," said Delhomme. "Watching him play a new position this week [for Massaquoi], it's like old hat. He's a kid who truly gets it."
Massaquoi's absence has given Delhomme a chance to get some much-needed reps with receiver Josh Cribbs. They connected on a long TD pass earlier in the week and another in red zone drills Thursday night.
"We've gotten on the same page on a couple of plays, and that's what you want," said Delhomme. "As a quarterback, you have to learn your receivers, their body language, the way they run routes, their head carriage. What are they thinking when their head's a certain way? Are they ready to stop or are they motoring?"
Defensively, the Browns are hoping for more good work from rookie cornerback Joe Haden and rookie safety T.J. Ward. Both had some ups and downs against the Packers' high-powered offense, but gained great experience. Ward, in particular, showed he was ready to start, with seven tackles for second on the team.
"I just want to get better every game, get more experience and show I belong out there," said Ward. "I want to play situations better and know what I'm supposed to be doing all the time."
Haden has been splitting first-team reps with starter Eric Wright because of Wright's sore right leg, but it's been a great chance for the Browns to see him against starters.
"I like a lot of what I'm seeing from him," said Mangini. "He has a lot to learn, and he's working at it. We're trying to accelerate his growth as much as we can."
The Browns will play against No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford, who's still listed behind A.J. Feeley but is expected to start the season. Bradford completed four of his first six passes last week in a 28-7 loss to Minnesota, and went 6-of-13 for 57 yards overall with no touchdowns or interceptions. He earned a 58.8 rating.
"He's a really good player, and he did some impressive things in college," said Mangini. "I imagine he'll have a very productive professional career. I don't really want it to start this weekend. It can start next weekend. Drafted where he was drafted, it comes with a lot of expectations, but he's lived up to expectations in the past, so I imagine he will in the future."