Colt McCoy left a lasting impression, going 13-for-13 for 131 yards for a 108.7 rating in the preseason finale -- his last game action for the foreseeable future.
UPDATED: 12:26 a.m.
After an error-prone start, Colt McCoy steadied himself and completed all 13 of his pass attempts Thursday night against Chicago.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for rookie quarterback Colt McCoy against the Bears Thursday night.
McCoy was a perfect 13-for-13 against the Bears for 131 yards in a little more than two quarters of work.
The Browns were looking for flashes of potential from their third-round pick and got that and more. Included in his streak were passes of 14, 13, 12 and 12 to second-year back James Davis and 16 yards to Joel Gamble and Syndric Steptoe. Granted, it was against most of Chicago's backups, but McCoy was surrounded by reserves as well. It was a good confidence-builder after a trying preseason.
After the game, McCoy underwent X-rays on his swollen left throwing hand, which got stepped on. But he said he'll be fine and was encouraged by his performance.
"I still have a long way to go, but I felt this capped it off pretty well,'' he said.
McCoy was also sacked three times and lost a fumble. He mishandled what appeared to be a good snap from rookie Shawn Lauvao on the Browns' first play, and the Bears converted it into a touchdown.
McCoy and Lauvao, the projected starting right guard, haven't executed many exchanges together in practice. McCoy also held the ball too long on the ensuing drive and was sacked on third and 1, but then heated up in the second quarter, completing all nine of his attempts.
Coach Eric Mangini said McCoy had shown growth last week in Detroit, where he completed 10 of 14 attempts, but that he needed to make better decisions. It's the last time Browns fans will see him for a while, and he left a good impression.
Davis dazzling: With rookie running back Montario Hardesty sidelined with a left knee injury in his NFL debut, second-year back Davis seized the moment and ran to daylight. Then he kept running and catching and running some more.
By the time the first half was over, Davis had 33 yards rushing on seven carries and 38 yards receiving on three catches in only two series of work. Late in the third, he ripped off a 19-yard run.
The forgotten man ever since Hardesty was drafted in the second round in April, Davis replaced him with nine minutes left in the second quarter and served notice to the coaching staff that he won't go down without a fight.
"I just went out and made the best of my opportunities and it just came to me,'' he said. "I've always been able to catch the ball coming out of the backfield and make defenders miss.''
Davis, who sat out the final 14 games of last season with a shoulder injury that required surgery, ripped off 14 yards on his second run and then eight more later on the drive. He also caught a 12-yard pass from McCoy to set up a 24-yard Phil Dawson field goal and a 10-7 lead.
On the ensuing drive, Davis caught passes of 14 and 12 yards to set up a 58-yard field goal attempt by Dawson that was wide left. Davis, a fifth-round pick out of Clemson in 2009, also threw a key block on a Steptoe kickoff return, offering value on special teams.
Determined McDonald: Fourth-year cornerback Brandon McDonald, who started 25 games over the past two seasons, will be as anxious as any of the other bubble players when cuts are made Saturday.
"I'm not really sure if I'll make the team," he said. "I won't really know until cuts are being made. Right now, I'm not really focused on it. If I'm here, I'm here. If not, it's not my decision."
McDonald, who started the first 10 games last season before being replaced by Mike Adams, started against the Bears. He broke up two passes on a second-quarter drive that forced Chicago to settle for a field goal.
"I think I've been better with my consistency this preseason," he said. "I'm just trying to clean some things up and put myself in the best position to make this football team."
McDonald, the Browns' fifth-round pick in 2007, plans to play somewhere in 2010.
"I'd love to be here, but if I'm not, it's a situation I'll have to deal with. I've just got to let this coaching staff know that I'm a guy that can make plays and help this football team win."
Veikune hopeful: Linebacker David Veikune, a 2009 second-round pick, was hoping to show up more on film against the Bears than he did in Detroit. He finished with four tackles.
"I need to step up and make plays," he said. "Last week, I played all right here and there. I want to play within the scheme of the defense, but make plays."
He said playing about 15 pounds lighter than he did last year has helped.
"I feel like I can run and move a little quicker," he said. "Also, at this time last year, my head was still spinning. The game has slowed down for me."
But will it be enough?
Jackson on track: Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson is scheduled to return in the second or third week of the season from a partially-torn pectoral muscle suffered on Aug. 10, a source said.
"Every day is progress and that's all I can ask for at this point," Jackson said.
Trusnik shows up: Linebacker Jason Trusnik, relegated to backup duty this preseason, recovered a Bears fumble in the first quarter to set up Hardesty's 1-yard TD run. ... Linebacker Marcus Benard was active, leading the team with eight tackles.