Sunday, August 22, 2004
Preseason roundup: Browns take step forward
Garcia-led offense comes to life in 17-10 victory over the Lions
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND - Former college teammates Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones are showing why they should be starting running backs in the NFL.
Suggs ran in untouched for two scores in the Cleveland Browns' 17-10 victory over Jones and the Detroit Lions on Saturday.
Suggs, who shared carries with Jones in Virginia Tech's backfield in 2002, said he wasn't looking to show up his former teammate.
"I want to outshow every back on the field - I don't care who it is," Suggs said.
He ran for 63 yards on six carries, including touchdown runs of 8 and 15 yards. Suggs is competing for the starting job with William Green, who averaged four yards a carry and recovered his own fumble.
Browns coach Butch Davis would not declare a winner.
"They're still in competition," he said.
Jones was one of the few bright spots for the Lions. He gained 29 yards on six carries in his first action this preseason. The rookie, out last week because of a hamstring injury, outplayed Artose Pinner and Shawn Bryson.
"He sees things very well ... from what I see he knows how and when to move laterally and when to lower his head and go forward," quarterback Joey Harrington said.
Jeff Garcia led the much-improved Cleveland offense, which failed to score a touchdown in its exhibition opener last week.
He used his mobility to get outside the pocket and went 5-for-7 for 55 yards. It was a big improvement over last Saturday when he was 3-of-5 for 23 yards in a 24-3 loss to Tennessee.
"I think he fits well in the system," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. "They are using him in a smart way because he is good on the move."
Garcia's 25-yard completion to Kellen Winslow Jr. on third and 13 set up Cleveland's first touchdown. The rookie tight end turned and leaped to make the tough catch before his head was driven into the turf.
"That is one of the catches that will get him to the top," Lions wide receiver Roy Williams said.
The Lions sputtered on offense.
Harrington went 5-for-12 for 45 yards and a touchdown to Charles Rogers. His backups weren't much better as Mike McMahon was 11-for-17 for 86 yards, and Rick Mirer was 0-for-3.
The Browns sustained several injuries: defensive back Chris Crocker left with a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet collision with tight end Casey FitzSimmons in the third quarter, but said after the game that he was feeling OK; defensive back Michael Lehan (foot) and offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez also left in the second half. X-rays taken on Gonzalez's injured ankle were negative.
Detroit linebacker James Davis limped off in the second quarter with a right ankle sprain.
Jets 31, Colts 7
INDIANAPOLIS - Chad Pennington completed his first 10 passes and threw for 169 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the second quarter, and the New York defense produced three first-half turnovers.
Pennington completed 10 of 11 passes and finished with a rating of 149.1 to outduel Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who completed six of 12 passes for 85 yards with one touchdown and one interception before leaving in the second quarter.
Titans 16, Bills 15
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Willis McGahee scored for Buffalo in the second quarter after taking over for injured starter Travis Henry, but a 22-yard field goal by Joe Nedney as time expired gave the victory to Tennessee.
McGahee finished with 11 carries for 28 yards, scoring on a 3-yard run on his second series.
Henry suffered bruised ribs when he was hit hard by Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck while attempting to catch a pass.
Steve McNair went 8-of-11 for 93 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Calico.
Redskins 17, Dolphins 0
MIAMI - Mark Brunell directed two touchdown drives, and Washington controlled the ball for 41 minutes.
Miami made five first downs - none in the second half - and totaled just 98 yards.
Brunell, acquired in an offseason trade to challenge for the quarterback job, played four series and led TD drives of 63 and 43 yards. Incumbent starter Patrick Ramsey directing Washington on a 14-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a field goal to start the second half .
Steelers 38, Texans 3
PITTSBURGH - Jerome Bettis had 10 carries for 48 yards and a touchdown to lead Pittsburgh.
Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox went 4-for-7 for 80 yards, including a 4-yard TD pass to Hines Ward in the first quarter. Rookie Ben Roethlisberger was 8-for-14 for 102 yards.
Texans quarterback David Carr completed seven of 10 passes for 67 yards, though he did so under constant pressure.
FALCONS: Matt Schaub knows his place on the Falcons. If he needs a hint, he needs only to look at the locker he shares with a fellow rookie, kicker Damon Duval.
There certainly isn't a quarterback controversy in Atlanta.
Schaub threw three touchdown passes in relief of Michael Vick, leading the Falcons to a 27-24 preseason victory over Minnesota Friday. The rookie out of Virginia completed 16 of 19 passes for 205 yards and no interceptions.
Said Atlanta coach Jim Mora: "That's a heck of a game by him."
When asked if Vick needed to look over his shoulder, Mora simply laughed.
"Give me a break," he said.
BENGALS / NFL
QB Palmer on the mark, Bengals rout Patriots
Photos of Saturday's game
Fans remain cool toward Dillon
Defense shuts down Pats, Brady
QBs enter twilight zone
Miami gets receiver for holdout lineman
Preseason roundup: Browns take step forward
OLYMPICS
Volpenhein strikes gold
Daugherty: Dimas golden in any finish
Daugherty: Siler's biggest fight is only just beginning
Locals find no solace in last rows
Barrage of ads permeates coverage
Olympics special section
Olympics photo gallery, multimedia
REDS / BASEBALL
Another pitching gem wasted as bats are silent
Valentine passes first test
Reds insider: Not everything gloomy
Pena determined not to sit
Reds chatter
Kelly: Pettitte let down by arm
Expos' Johnson may be out for season
NL: Mets grab win on Giant error
AL: Rangers run off 8th straight victory
W&S TENNIS
Davenport, Zvonareva in W&S final
Zvonareva refuses to fold
Bartoli's strong run cut short by injury
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
RedHawks bask in the glow
Clarett off the field, out of spotlight
COLLEGE BASKETBALL INSIDER
Dayton forsakes RedHawks to strengthen road schedule
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