Quarterback Jake Delhomme was 10-of-15 for 78 yards and a touchdown, leading his team to a 14-6 victory in a Saturday scrimmage at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The scrimmage pitted the Brown Team (first-team offense, second-team defense) against the White Team (first-team defense, second-team offense), with the winner having some luxuries such as no curfew for the day and being able to come in later to team meetings the next day.
Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy threw a costly interception for the White Team during the two-minute drill in the first half. His pass was underthrown and taken by defensive back Brandon McDonald, who returned the pass 40 yards for a touchdown. McDonald did a front flip as he leaped into the end zone. McCoy struggled overall on the day, throwing two interceptions and missing receivers often. Fourth-string quarterback Brett Ratliff of the Brown Team also did not play well, throwing an interception to linebacker Blake Costanzo.
The Browns did have a few gadget plays up their sleeves. Joshua Cribbs took several direct snaps, and there was a play in which running back James Davis received a pitch before lateraling it to receiver Chansi Stuckey, who then tossed an 11-yard completion to Ratliff. Davis also took a direct snap during the scrimmage and ran for a 66-yard gain. The play was called back after a holding penalty though.
Delhomme’s touchdown pass came early in the fourth quarter, when he connected with tight end Ben Watson in the corner of the end zone. The White Team challenged the catch, but the play stood, giving the Brown Team a 14-3 lead. The White Team tried to rally back, but it was too late.
Other notable players include tight end Evan Moore (6 catches, 62 yards) and linebackers Jason Trusnik and Marcus Benard (2 sacks each). Benard got into a fight with offensive tackle Scott Kooistra late in the game, and both players were sent to the bench.
The Browns play their first preseason game of the year next Saturday against the Green Bay Packers.
For more notes on the Browns scrimmage, check out Dawgs By Nature.