The Browns' quarterback picture is shaping up as planned with the combined performances of Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace in the preseason.
So far, there's been little reason to worry over the Browns' quarterback play in the preseason, as Jake Delhomme has impressed statistically and Seneca Wallace has produced scores in his time on the field. "I think both of those guys have done a really nice job," said coach Eric Mangini. BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns' quarterback situation is working out as the team hoped, with Jake Delhomme as the starter and Seneca Wallace coming in off the bench to provide an effective 1-2 punch.
"I think Jake's done a good job," said coach Eric Mangini. "It's been two weeks in a row where he's been pretty efficient throwing the ball, and he runs the offense well and he's engaged the whole game.
"He's working on the sideline whether he's in or out, to try to either help the guys that are in, or try to figure out answers. A lot of the answers he knows and the ones he doesn't know, he's going to get. I think both of those guys have done a really nice job."
Through two preseason games, Delhomme is completing 78.3 percent of his passes, with a 116.1 rating. The Saints' Drew Brees led the NFL last season with a 109.6 rating. Delhomme has completed 18 of 23 attempts for 193 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He's been sacked once for six yards.
Wallace, who relieved Delhomme in the first quarter in Green Bay and the third quarter against the Rams, has completed nine of 17 attempts (52.9 percent) for 139 yards, but three of those nine completions have gone for touchdowns, including a 15-yarder to Josh Cribbs in Saturday night's 19-17 loss to the Rams.
Wallace has thrown one interception and been sacked twice, earning a 95.3 rating -- one that would've put him in the top 10 of last year's quarterbacks.
"In terms of exactly how Seneca's role will be defined, there's a lot of things we can do with him," said Mangini. "And he's very comfortable coming in at any point. Over time, Seneca has been that guy, so he's comfortable going in whenever we need him, and that's a good thing because it allows you some flexibility."
"I don't worry about the starting job or whatever's going on," says Browns backup QB Seneca Wallace. "I've just got to worry about what I can control and let everything else fall into place."In each preseason game, Wallace threw touchdown passes on his first possession -- a 13-yarder to Brian Robiskie in Green Bay and the 15-yarder to Cribbs against the Rams. But even though he's thrown three TDs to Delhomme's one, he's comfortable with his role.
"I just always try to go out and do what I've been doing," said Wallace. "I don't worry about the starting job or whatever's going on. I've just got to worry about what I can control and let everything else fall into place."
Mangini was reluctant to name Delhomme as his starter coming out of minicamp, in part because the Browns weren't sure how he'd look when the lights came on. But the team is optimistic midway through the preseason.
"The team needed someone like Jake to come in here and play the position, someone who's been there, who brings leadership," said Browns president Mike Holmgren on WKYC's pregame show Saturday night. "Then, to have him perform the way he did [in Green Bay], it's even better.
"Because if people had questions -- and there were questions -- they can say 'wait a minute, this guy can do this.' And I have that kind of confidence in him."
Largely because of Delhomme's leadership and huddle presence, the Browns were able to overcome a disastrous first quarter against the Rams -- one that featured two fumbled snaps by Delhomme, two balls on the ground by Jerome Harrison and a fumbled punt by Josh Cribbs. By the time it was over, the Browns were trailing, 13-0.
But instead of going into the tank, Delhomme pulled them out of the tailspin with an 11-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Ben Watson's breathtaking one-handed grab as he was falling out of the end zone.
"There wasn't a sense of panic in the least," said Delhomme. "It was just 'Hey, let's go out and play.' That's what you have to do."
Delhomme, working without his No. 1 receiver in Mohamed Massaquoi (hamstring), didn't get down on himself after he overthrew Brian Robiskie in the end zone a drive later. Instead, he came back on his ensuing possession and put a field goal on the board to pull the Browns within 13-10.
"That's one [to Robiskie] I wish I had back, because he did a good job running the route, and got under the ball," said Delhomme. "But I felt I left it up there a little too much."
The upgrade at quarterback hasn't been lost on the players who were here last year.
"Jake and Seneca have both been great," said tight end Rob Royal. "Jake's a lot more vocal than Seneca, but Seneca leads by example and leads by the way he plays the game, so you have two different styles that are both effective."
Using both quarterbacks in the same game is fine with their teammates.
"It puts a lot more pressure on defenses," said Royal. "Seneca can do some things with his legs and then you add Josh Cribbs and the wildcat into that mix and I think you've got the keys to success. It's just finding out different ways to use those guys in different packages to help our team be more effective."