Delhomme, Rodgers impressive in Browns’ 27-24 win over Packers

Delhomme, Rodgers impressive in Browns’ 27-24 win

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jake Delhomme’s Cleveland Browns debut was a smashing success, just like what the Green Bay Packers have come to expect from Aaron Rodgers.

Delhomme led the Browns to a touchdown in his only drive and Rodgers threw one of his own in Cleveland’s 27-24 win on Saturday night in the exhibition opener decided on Phil Dawson’s field goal as time expired.

Delhomme went 6 of 7 for 66 yards, including a fourth-and-1 flick to Mohamed Massaquoi for 12 yards that set up Jerome Harrison’s 4-yard TD run. Backup Seneca Wallace added two touchdown passes.

Rodgers was similarly efficient, reading a corner blitz for a 25-yard TD pass to Greg Jennings. He finished 12 of 13 for 159 yards, but the Packers lost starting running back Ryan Grant after a hit to the head.

Rodgers completed his first 10 passes, beginning his streak after Grant left. Grant fumbled on his first touch that Cleveland converted for a touchdown before being hit hard on his third carry by Chris Gocong and Robaire Smith.

He stumbled badly getting to his feet and several trainers came over to walk him to the sideline, ending his night.

New Browns president and former Packers coach Mike Holmgren watched the game in Cleveland while recovering from surgery on his right foot. No doubt he was pleased with Delhomme’s play and that of Dawson, who nailed a 58-yarder with 1:27 to play and a 46-yarder to end it.

Cleveland’s hopes to improve from last year’s 5-11 debacle begin with the 35-year-old Delhomme, who signed after his release from Carolina. His last year with the Panthers was one to forget with 18 interceptions and three lost fumbles in 11 games.

But the 12-year veteran didn’t get what he wanted against the Packers.

Delhomme said he had looked forward to the exhibition opener because he needed to feel what it was like to get hit. Green Bay failed to lay a finger on him during his efficient drive.

The Packers have been embracing high expectations early this season despite their defensive questions. The unit allowed 45 points in a first-round playoff loss to Arizona and is missing key contributors like linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring) and cornerback Al Harris (knee).

The prolific offense keeps making up for it.

Rodgers found Jennings after changing the play when he correctly read a corner blitz and tossed a perfect pass over Browns safety T.J. Ward that made it 14-7. John Kuhn tied the game on a 3-yard TD run on Green Bay’s next drive.

Browns third-string quarterback Colt McCoy, the former Texas star who won more games than any other quarterback in Division I history, began his pro career midway through the second quarter after Wallace finished two of his three drives with touchdown passes.

McCoy’s night ended like his last appearance for Texas, a trip to the locker room for tests.

This time, he banged his hand on the back of a teammate’s helmet following through on a pass. The third-round pick was knocked out of the BCS championship game against Alabama with a pinched nerve in his throwing arm.

McCoy finished 5 of 10 for 25 yards with two interceptions against the Packers. He added 25 yards scrambling from trouble.

Wallace, acquired from Seattle this offseason to be the backup, found Brian Robiskie in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown on a frantic scramble to give Cleveland a 14-0 lead. He struck again on a 20-yard TD toss to Benjamin Watson that made it 21-14, finishing 4 of 8 for 72 yards.

Notes: Browns star Josh Cribbs, who will receive at least $7.5 million in guaranteed money in the next three years of his restructured deal, had a quiet night. He posted on Twitter just before the game, “It’s about to go down,” but was not on kick returns and targeted just once. Wallace failed to connect. … Browns backup NT Titus Adams (shoulder) left early in the second quarter. … Browns WR Jonathan Haggerty (foot) left in the third quarter and did not return. … Packers TE Tom Crabtree (hand) went in for X-rays. Results were not immediately announced.