The last time the Browns played in Detroit, they blew a 21-point lead in the first half. After the offense regained a six-point lead in the fourth quarter, the defense gave up the winning touchdown with no time on the clock.

The Lions won only two games in 2009, but at least the 38-37 victory was one of the most entertaining games of the NFL season.

It marked a low point for the Cleveland defense.

New general manager Tom Heckert spent the offseason reconstructing the unit, and today’s preseason game will be a timely test of the improvement made. The third preseason game is considered the dress rehearsal for the regular season, and Browns coach Eric Mangini plans to play his starters into the third quarter.

Through two games, the overall numbers for the defense have been good. The Browns are allowing 256 yards per game, 81.5 rushing and 174.5 passing. The first-team defense has given up just 38 yards rushing in the two first halves.

“It’s a step in the right direction for everyone’s confidence defensively,” linebacker Scott Fujita said. “You have to stop the run in this game to be successful, so we are going to keep working to improve that.”

It hasn’t all been positive. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers had his way in the preseason opener, going 12-for-13 for 159 yards and leading two touchdown drives. A.J. Feeley took the Rams on a 65-yard touchdown march to open the game, despite injuring his thumb.

The Browns settled down after both left, but the early struggles are cause for concern. Mangini cited a mental error on the first play versus

St. Louis, a third-down penalty and a missed tackle on the touchdown.

“You’d like to think those things are correctable because they weren’t huge, glaring mistakes, but they are also unacceptable and you don’t want to see them at the start of the game,” he said. “I don’t want them to score on us.”

Cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebackers Fujita and Chris Gocong were the veterans added in the offseason upgrade. Cornerback Joe Haden and safety T.J. Ward were the top two draft picks.

All five will see extensive playing time today and once the season starts.

“I think we’re jelling,” Brown said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of room for improvement.

“For a group of guys just coming together and getting the communication down, we’re putting the effort in and I think it’s paying off a little bit on the field.”

Detroit’s Matthew Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 and threw the winning touchdown against the Browns despite having a separated shoulder. He’s led the Lions to scores on six of seven drives this year and completed 72 percent of his passes.

“You see his progress as a young guy and his development,” Mangini said.

With rookie running back Jahvid Best and Pro Bowl receiver Calvin Johnson (seven catches, 161 yards, one touchdown against Browns last year), the Lions have offensive options.

Their defense is much improved as well, and it starts upfront. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was the No. 2 overall pick and has teamed with veteran pickups Kyle Vanden Bosch and former Brown Corey Williams.

“They are doing much better with their front four in terms of being able to pressure the passer,” Mangini said.

Browns right tackle Tony Pashos and right guard Shawn Lauvao are working together for the first time in a preseason game after Pashos returned from a shoulder injury. The Browns need to settle that side before the regular season. Lauvao, a third-round pick, will get a stern test from Suh.

“He looks strong, plays strong,” Lauvao said.

The first-team offense was crisp in the opener, but got off to a brutal start last week against St. Louis. Quarterback Jake Delhomme fumbled two snaps, running back Jerome Harrison lost the handle twice and there were penalties.

But Delhomme rallied to score 10 points in the second quarter, and backup Seneca Wallace took the first-team offense to a touchdown to open the second half. Delhomme and Wallace are a combined 27-for-40 for 332 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.

They’re looking to continue the strong start that has allowed anxious Browns fans to take a deep breath. Harrison (12 carries, 38 yards) would like to get something going, especially with Peyton Hillis coming off a good game and rookie Montario Hardesty expected to play next week.

“I feel very good about what we’re doing and where we’re at,” Delhomme said. “But I’m glad we’re not starting right now. I still think there’s some more work that all of us can get better on.”

An impressive victory against the Lions would send the Browns into the season with much needed momentum. They should start by getting a lead and holding it.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

TODAY

• WHO: Browns at Lions
• WHERE: Ford Field, Detroit
• TIME: 5 p.m.
• TV/RADIO: Channel 3; WMMS 100.7-FM
• PRESEASON RECORDS: Browns 1-1, Lions 1-1

BROWNS UPDATE: Five turnovers and seven penalties doomed the Browns last week in a loss to St. Louis. … QB Jake Delhomme went 12-for-16, including nine straight completions, for 127 yards, a touchdown and a lost fumble. … TE Benjamin Watson has two touchdowns in two games. … RB Peyton Hillis leads the team with 54 rushing yards and 46 receiving yards. … The Browns have faced Detroit in the preseason more than any other team. This will be the ninth straight year they’ve met, and Detroit holds a 22-18-1 all-time edge. … RT Tony Pashos (shoulder) is expected to play for the first time as a Brown. … RT John St. Clair (personal reasons) and RB Montario Hardesty (knee) aren’t expected to play.

LIONS UPDATE: Detroit went 2-14 last year in coach Jim Schwartz’s first season. … The Lions defense ranked last in 2009 in points allowed (30.9), yards (392.1) and passing yards (265.6). … DL Corey Williams and WR Dennis Northcutt, former Browns, play for the Lions. … Rookie DT Ndamukong Suh was the second overall pick in the draft and will go against Browns RG Shawn Lauvao, a third-round pick. … QB Matthew Stafford, last year’s No. 1 pick, has completed 72.4 percent of his passes in two games with a touchdown and an interception. He has a 98.5 rating. … Rookie RB Jahvid Best leads the Lions with 78 rushing yards on 14 carries, a 5.6 average. … WR Calvin Johnson has two touchdowns.

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---