CLEVELAND — One of several concerns the Browns had entering the season was how their secondary would fare against the Dallas Cowboys — one of the league’s top passing teams — in Sunday’s season opener.
Quarterback Tony Romo, wide receiver Terrell Owens and tight end Jason Witten have combined for 12 Pro Bowl appearances during their combined 25 years in the NFL. The Browns starting defensive backs — free safety Mike Adams, strong safety Sean Jones and cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald — have combined for barely as many career interceptions (17) and have zero Pro Bowls on their resumes.
The result was predictable. Dallas put up 320 passing yards during their 28-10 victory at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
“They just have the total package over there,” Browns linebacker Andra Davis said. “They have a good quarterback, good running backs, a great receiver and a great tight end.
“You have to pick your poison.”
Witten led the team with six receptions (tied with Patrick Crayton) and 96 yards. The tight end seemed to be open in the middle of the field for every one of his catches, all of which resulted in Cowboys first downs.
Despite the fact Witten didn’t seem to have a Browns defender within 5 yards of him whenevr he made a catch, the four-time Pro Bowler said the Cleveland defense did a good job on him.
“Those guys are aware of where I’m at and it was tough,” he said. “They kind of want to re-route you and give you a tough time going into the routes. They did a good job moving me around a little bit.”
Owens didn’t bother with diplomacy and used his postgame interview time to talk about how good he and his teammates performed during the one-sided victory.
“It was the way we executed our offense that made it look easy,” said the six-time Pro Bowler. “I think we’re right on track. We got some things accomplished and it was a good start for us as a team.”
Owens scored the Cowboys’ lone receiving touchdown on a deep route down the left side that burned McDonald and Adams. In typical T.O. fashion, the flamboyant receiver celebrated the score by doing a Usain Bolt impression — getting down in a sprinter’s stance like the Jamaican double gold medalist and world-record holder — and was hit with a
15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
“What? I was just having fun,” Owens said. “They said I touched the ground. I mean we run on it … what else am I supposed to do?
“I’m really kind of just unclear. You can’t have fun, you can’t do anything.”
Owens appeared to score a second touchdown, stretching through the grasp of McDonald and putting the ball into the end zone, but was ruled down at the 1-yard line. Cowboys running back Marion Barber scored on the next play.
“Yeah … I definitely scored,” Owens said. “It was a situation where I don’t know what’s going on in the booth but they were supposed to review that. Obviously we couldn’t challenge because it was less than two minutes in the half.”
Owens stayed true to form on the football field and during his postgame interview.
What did he think about all the signs — “T.O. has B.O.” — hanging around the stadium?
“That didn’t bother me. I guess (the fans) might be bored,” he said.
Was there anything going on with the offense that couldn’t be seen from the press box?
“No … and if there was, I wouldn’t tell you,” he said.
What did (Cavaliers star) LeBron James say to him before the game?
“He told me to go and get my popcorn,” he said.
The Browns weren’t in the same jovial mood.
“It was very frustrating,” Davis said. “You don’t face too many teams like this, and thankfully so.”
Contact Shaun Bennett at 329-7137 or sbennett@chroniclet.com. 

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