8:39 P.M. MDT: Major props to the media-relations department — or anyone who was even indirectly responsible for the Cold Stone ice cream that was available in the press box. I went for the “caramel turtle,” which was downright delightful. It put a sweet tinge on a first half that was mostly sour for the Broncos until the final moments, when Jay Cutler and the offense came alive for an efficient, effective two-minute drill to a touchdown. Denver’s offense closed the half with 171 total yards from scrimmage — 25 fewer than the Browns. Off we go for the second half …
8:40 P.M. MDT: Domenik Hixon fields Phil Dawson’s kickoff five yards into the end zone and returns it 33 yards — gaining a few extra yards while wiggling his way through traffic. The first-team offense is on the field.
8:41 P.M. MDT: Cutler takes a timeout 46 seconds into the second half with second-and-12 at the Denver 26.
8:43 P.M. MDT: Cleveland decides it would rather have the Broncos in third-and-11 than second-and-22. Kamerion Wimbley works past Matt Lepsis from the left side, but Cutler steps out of the pass rush, although the pass falls incomplete.
8:47 P.M. MDT: Paul Ernster uncorks a 49-yard punt; the 6-yard return nonetheless leaves him with a net of 43 for the kick … Denver’s first-team defense is still in the game, and has Cleveland in a third-and-9 from the Browns 21.
8:48 P.M. MDT: Pressure from the outside by Jarvis Moss and Elvis Dumervil helps coax a Derek Anderson pass that is just a little bit off, giving the Broncos defense its first three-and-out of the game.
8:49 P.M. MDT: First-team offense back on the field for more work with outstanding field position at the Denver 48 following the exchange of punts … and muchas gracias to media-relations intern Brad Gee for grabbing a leftover plate of tortilla chips and salsa and tossing them into the nearby wastebasket, thus letting me stay at my perch and work on the game story. (And, yes, Brad, if that was your blatant attempt to get into the blog … mission accomplished.)
8:51 P.M. MDT: Nice little stiff-arm from Cecil Sapp on Browns safety Sean Jones for an extra yard or two near the right sideline … Broncos still have third-and-1 at the Cleveland 43.
8:52 P.M. MDT: Cutler has a pass tipped incomplete … It’s the second time tonight Cutler has had a pass deflected near the line of scrimmage.
8:53 P.M. MDT: Todd Sauerbrun takes his turn on punting duties … A 28-yard punt that ends in a fair catch. It is the first punt that Sauerbrun has dropped inside the 20-yard-line so far this preseason.
8:55 P.M. MDT: A Brady Quinn sighting. He’ll face Denver’s first-team defense. This could be interesting.
8:56 P.M. MDT: And Quinn’s first pass against a first-team defense is a 7-yard dumpoff.
8:57 P.M. MDT: Cleveland on the move after Quinn finds Jason Wright; Wright eludes tackle attempts from John Lynch and Ian Gold for 10 extra yards to the Browns 43.
8:58 P.M. MDT: With a strong pass rush bearing down on him, Quinn stayed in the pocket and found Kellen Winslow for a 25-yard gain across the middle. Cleveland is now at the Denver 35.
9:01 P.M. MDT: Third-and-four at the Denver 29. Crowd getting loud … Quinn looks for Joe Jurevicius in the left side of the end zone near the sideline … Dre’ Bly with him step for step … a splendid throw and catch, but Jurevicius’ foot landed on the touch line. Incomplete … and a scoreless drive after Phil Dawson misses the field-goal try.
9:02 P.M. MDT: With 5:55 left, here comes the second team, led by Patrick Ramsey.
9:04 P.M. MDT: Whoa … Ramsey clobbered in the open field for an eight-yard sack … then a nice burst for Selvin Young into the open field for 16 yards … great acceleration from Young as he sprinted up the field … and one play later, more of the same. Young looks splendid in the open field right now.
9:07 P.M. MDT: In watching Young run, I’m reminded of an admonishment Rod Smith made last summer after Mike Bell ran for the sidelines … that you’ve got to run at people. Not only is Young showing speed on this possession, but he’s taking on potential tacklers, using his speed to get some momentum.
9:09 P.M. MDT: Too many penalties on this possession — that’s three, and the pass-interference call on Tony Scheffler costs the Broncos a red-zone foray. One play later, Ramsey loses his grip on the football, allowing the Browns to take over at the Denver 37 after recovering the fumble.
9:15 P.M. MDT: Cleveland wasted little time capitalizing, making it into the end zone in just three plays. Cleveland now leads 17-10.
9:18 P.M. MDT: More strong running from Young … Denver has a first down at its 32 as the quarter concludes.
Tags: Cleveland Browns
The break has seemed to squash any flow the offense had at the end of the second quarter…
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
How’s Cutler looking – He’s missing lots of passes, but it’s hard to “read” it when you can only “read” it.
This game has definitely taken more of an evaluation feel that that of a regular season game….Guys will make the team or lose thier jobs based on the next 25 minutes.
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
This is wrong…..our first team D is getting worked over by Quinn
its a shame that rookie qb like quinn can make a veteran bronco secondary look pathetic
One thing is certain, the base defense is not very good. I hope when the season starts they have some magic, because so far, everyone is throwing like crazy against the broncos. I thought with Dre Bly and Champ together this would not happen. IT is a little scary.
sad state of affairs that a rookie QB on a team like the browns can make a veteran secondary look like this
i guess it says what kid of def denver will have this year — unfotunately
denver needs to step up…strap it up and lay the wood…put a helmet on the rook
Selvin Young…damn!
Better start to worry for sure! This was the last night the 1st team had to really bring it all together before the start of the season…I think we’re in major trouble…
People are crying a little to much for a preseason game. The defense has been playing like crap but yet have still allowed only 10 points. It’s preseason. They’re probably only gonna bring out maybe 20%-30% percent of the playbooks both offensively and defensively. Things will be fine when all the starters are in game one of the regular season. Relax and take a deep breath people.
Sapp had better start looking for another team, Young is looking good.
we care about the team…no excuses…
Sure…all of you “so called” or self appointed experts (Ha) can continue all of your rhetoric about “it’s only preseason” and “we’re only exposing 20% of our defense”….Sure COACH! You’re only proving yourself to be what you know you are…people who never played sports, but loved to watch. You sound like your taking your soundbites from Shanahan and Bates. If I were you, I consult a higher power. We’re going to need it!
Well said, HOGblog!
Lol ^— Didn’t the Colts go 0-4 or 1-3 a couple years ago…? Didn’t hurt them till the playoffs. The only thing preseason matters for is the 2nd and 3rd string players trying to make the team. Nothing more.
i think houston defense is better than ours.
and you call yourselves fans?? crying over a game that means nothing. I’ll look back and laugh at all these comments once the season starts and they shut you cry baby’s up.
Who wins this game really doesn’t matter, its how the starters play together that matters. So mxrider887, how has the defense played in your opinion?
Hey, Im love the Broncos! There is nothing I want more (as we all do) than to spend my fall and winter intrigued and mesmorized by the execution and proficiency of a well oiled machine. But right now, outside Selvin Young/Dumerville…Im not seeing much! Yes, please no one respond and remind me again that it’s preseason…thank you
mxrider887, how has the defense played in your opinion?
I think this team has shown the past two seasons they can’t simply flip a switch to start the season, so I think there is something to playing well during the pre-seaosn….
TSG
http://www.milehighreport.com
Dear mxrider!!!! Please DO save these comments. You’re going to need all this paper to keep yourself warm during this very COLD winter and even colder team…
WE are fans! We’re just not Fanatical…like perhaps YOU
The defense hasn’t played to it potential. The starters gave up 10 points. Thats not to bad. It kind of reminded me of the defense last year giving up a lot of yards but minimizing points. They could’ve played alot better and what not but they did start getting alot of pressure on the QB which is a good sign. All I’m saying is you need to start worrying if they’re playing like this week 1-3 but I’m not going to worry till then. I know we have a lot of good players and once they get the new scheme down people better watch out.
Come on people 10 points.. lets kill ourselves over 10 points. I think that’s all that matters at the end of the game.. how many points you give up.. it doesn’t matter who got how many yards, rookie or vetran, how many 1st downs or 3rd downs given up.. it matters how many points are on the board. i’ve obviously touched a sensitive spot for some people so sorry for giving my opinion and hurting your feelings causing you to try and put me down. See you guys during the season.
Not quite mxrider. Like the song goes, “Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing baby…” and even though preseason doesn’t count for or against you via record, it is the only place where you get real game speed and action–even if it is only for 2 or 3 series or a half. And we all know that Shanahan watches the way guys practice and play (e.g. Brian Griese started because he “…practiced well” as Shanahan put it) to determine their status. So if our starters can’t even get it together (after being out of game action for 6 months) for a few series in preseason, then you actually think they’ll just flip a switch and have it all together come opening day? You’re telling me that they’re missing tackles or dropping balls or getting handled on purpose? Just so they can fool everyone? Then how come other teams that DO look good aren’t doing the same thing? And how come the starters are giving the media excuses as to why they’re not making plays (e.g. new scheme) if it’s all just a ruse? Geez, I hope you’re right. If not, the laughs will be on us…
no but you think the sure lock starters, which is the everyone except the DE’s and Strong side backer, are going to go out and give 100%? I’m sure some of them do but not all of them.. they don’t want to get hurt in preseason, but I could be wrong. Thats what it’s looked like the past 2 games, that they haven’t been giving it their all but I hope I’m right as well.
schleffler is back in the mix…cutler to scheffler…sounds great
SELVIN…TEXAS…SELVIN…LAKE CHARLES LA