In Saturday's preseason game at Detroit, the Browns' offense shows real promise with a no-huddle approach, says Terry Pluto.
Josh Cribbs goes high to grab this Jake Delhomme pass in the second quarter as Detroit's Amari Spievey defends. The completion set up a touchdown before halftime of the Browns' 35-27 loss.DETROIT -- I know the game doesn't count, and I know the Browns were playing the dreadful Detroit Lions, who eventually won Saturday's preseason game, 35-27.
But I also know I really like how the Browns performed in the no-huddle offense, consistently used for the first time in the preseason.
It seemed perfect for Jake Delhomme, who is giving the Browns exactly what they hoped for when they signed the veteran quarterback. In the first half, the offense produced 17 points and 17 first downs. Delhomme was 20-of-25 passing for 152 yards.
You could see him changing plays at the line of scrimmage as his varied cadence seemed to have the Lions jumping around -- tipping off the pass rushes and coverages that were to come.
Delhomme completed passes to 10 different receivers.
Think about that, 10 players catching passes -- in the first half. The coaches wanted Delhomme to work with Joshua Cribbs, and indeed he did. He caught three passes from Delhomme, including a brilliant 30-yarder near the sidelines.
Brian Robiskie caught a 23-yarder. Delhomme has been raving to the coaches about Robiskie's precise patterns, and the two seemed to develop almost an immediate chemistry in training camp. Even Moore grabbed a 22-yarder.
Don't you love a 6-foot-6 tight end who used to play basketball at Stanford?
In three preseason games, Delhomme is a stunning 38-of-48 with no interceptions and only one sack. The Browns have been reminding Delhomme not to try for the tough completion -- something that he did last season in Carolina, leading to turnovers.
So far, he has stayed away from that bad habit.
Obviously, it won't be this easy once the regular season begins, but the fact remains that what was the league's worst offense a year ago now has a sense of order and a growing confidence.
The no-huddle makes it difficult for the defense to substitute, so fatigue can be a factor.
That's especially true if the offense can assemble some long drives, which the Browns did Saturday night. It also puts the emphasis on the quarterback's ability to exploit weaknesses by calling the proper plays. That is ideal for the 35-year-old who has 92 pro starts.
The Browns switched to the no-huddle offense at the middle of last season, and coach Eric Mangini became intrigued by it -- especially if he could find a quarterback who was an accurate short- and medium-range passer.
Delhomme was at the controls for three scoring drives of 15, 10 and nine plays -- chewing up 16:20 and 202 yards in the first half. This was the Browns starters against the Lions' first string.
Obviously, you need to curb the enthusiasm because the Browns were playing the Lions, a team that is supposed to be improved but still was 2-30 in the last two seasons. A year ago, the Browns scored 38 points with Brady Quinn having his best day as a pro against these same Lions.
But Delhomme also was effective in Green Bay. After a shaky start in the rain at Browns Stadium last week, he moved the ball. So far, Delhomme is making this offense his own, and gaining the confidence of his teammates and coaches.
The Browns are heading into the season with no quarterback debate. That's exactly what Mike Holmgren hoped for when he signed the Carolina Panthers veteran.