Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme is grateful the third preseason game in Detroit is just the "dress rehearsal" for the regular season and not the real thing yet.
View full sizeBrowns quarterback Jake Delhomme is happy with the progress the offense has made during the preseason, but he's happy to have a few more weeks to work on things before the regular season begins. BEREA, Ohio — Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme is grateful today's third preseason game in Detroit is just the "dress rehearsal" game and not the real thing just yet.
"I feel very good about where we're at, but I'm glad we're not starting right now," he said.
"There's still more work that all of us can get better on. For a lot of us, it's still a process."
Considering that No. 1 receiver Mohamed Massaquoi has only played one series, running back Montario Hardesty won't play at least until next week and probable starting right tackle Tony Pashos is getting his first action in Detroit, it's easy to see why Delhomme considers the offense a work in progress.
"But things are good," he said. "I'm not complaining. I feel very good about what we're doing. We have a lot of things in, and we've worked on a lot of stuff. We did a lot of no-huddle last week, and it went pretty well, [despite the] conditions and all. I think we can get better at that. There are more plays we're trying to run, and we'll continue to work on those."
Delhomme, who has a stellar passer rating of 116.1 and is completing 78.3 percent of his passes, is looking forward to having Massaquoi back for the first time since straining a hamstring on the opening drive in Green Bay. The starters are expected to play through the third quarter to simulate a real game.
"It was good to see [Massaquoi] practicing this week," said Delhomme.
"It was nice last week to work with Josh [Cribbs] a little bit, too. Josh played where [Brian Robiskie] plays, and Robo played where Mohamed plays.
"It shows they're pretty intelligent that they can move around like that."
View full sizeRunning back Jerome Harrison is hoping for a better effort tonight after having some fumble troubles last weekend.Delhomme also will get a truer picture of the right side of his offensive line, with Pashos back from a shoulder injury and rookie guard Shawn Lauvao back from Hawaii, where he was dealing with a personal issue.
"It's nice to get Tony back out there and to get Shawn back because he's someone who has really shown a lot of promise so far," said Delhomme. "Competition brings out the best in all of us."
The line will have its hands full with Detroit's revamped defensive line, which features new starters in veteran right end Kyle Vanden Bosch, former Brown Corey Williams at right tackle and No. 2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh at left tackle. The Lions have poured on the pressure this preseason.
"[Suh's] a powerful player," said center Alex Mack. "The whole defensive line is real good. Corey Williams is real quick and shifty.
"It's good practice going against a 4-3 front for us. Last game, we had those errors in the first 10 plays, so hopefully we can have a good offensive showing without making any mistakes."
The game marks Jerome Harrison's last chance to make a case for himself before Hardesty (knee) starts seeing significant action.
Harrison, who put the ball on the ground twice against the Rams, is hoping for a better start. Overall, the Browns turned the ball over five times last week.
"[Fumbling] is something you never want to do," said Harrison. "We want to be sharp, have no mental errors, be in the right spots.
"They've got a real good front line, and they come off the ball very hard."
Despite the Lions' 2-14 record last season, the defense is in for a great battle from quarterback Matt Stafford and his significantly upgraded supporting cast. Last season, Stafford came up off the mat to beat the Browns, 38-37, on a last-second touchdown pass after he was seemingly out with an injured left shoulder.
In addition to having 6-5 receiver Calvin Johnson, the Lions added accomplished receiver Nate Burleson, 6-5 tight end Tony Scheffler, and rookie running back Jahvid Best, the No. 30 overall pick.
"They have a lot of weapons," said Mangini. "[Matt] Stafford is at 72 percent completion [rate]. When he has time, he's very efficient. I'm looking forward to seeing how we do against their group.
"[Jahvid] Best can cut back and go for 70, he can bounce it outside for 70. He's got great deep speed or long speed, so those small creases can lead to big plays."
The defense allowed big early touchdown drives from the Packers' Aaron Rodgers and the Rams' A.J. Feeley in the first two games.
"We want to start off a lot faster," said Browns rookie cornerback Joe Haden. "We've started making plays at the end of the first quarter. Coach told us to come out with the same energy at the beginning."
Haden will be reunited with Stafford, against whom he played twice in college.
"I picked him off and ran it back like 80 yards, and [former Georgia Bulldog] Mohamed Massaquoi tackled me at the 1-yard line," Haden said.
"He reminded me when I first got here. I'll never forget that."
Haden and the other defensive backs are gearing up for the 6-5 Johnson and Stafford's other big targets. Eric Wright, T.J. Ward and Sheldon Brown are all 5-10. Haden is 5-11.
"Johnson is huge," said Haden. "You look forward to really measuring where you're at."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670