The Browns offense was also without tight end Ben Watson and starting left guard Eric Steinbach, making the unit’s performance that much more impressive.

By JAMES W. WADE III

Staff Reporter

The Cleveland Browns took the field against the Detroit Lions on Friday night for their second preseason game and more importantly, the newest installment in the fierce rivalry that is the Great Lakes Classic.

There was a lot of good to take away from this game, despite the fact that the Browns ended up on the short end of the final 30-28 score. Quarterback Colt McCoy was once again the highlight for the Browns, completing ten of 18 passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns. He managed his performance without No. 1 running back in Peyton Hillis and while dealing with a number of drops by his receivers and plenty of pressure from the Lions’ defense.

McCoy was victimized by a few drops and wasn't as sharp as in last week's preseason opener. However, the second-year QB showed poise and didn't force any throws while playing most of the first half.

The Browns offense was also without tight end Ben Watson and starting left guard Eric Steinbach, making the unit’s performance that much more impressive.

The defense was dealing with its own injury issues as well, missing safeties T.J. Ward and Usama Young. Nevertheless, it was an impressive outing overall, despite Lions wide receiver Nate Burleson making some big plays in the absence of Calvin Johnson.

Rookie defensive end Jabaal Sheard forced and recovered a fumble while defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin had a sack, two examples of another good game turned in by the defensive line.

The Browns went into the half with a 21-13 lead, which is far more telling about the team’s performance than the final 30-28 score, which was a result in a number of miscues and mistakes by second-teamers and players further down the depth chart.

Running back Armond Smith was an undrafted free agent who ripped off an impressive 81-yard touchdown run, but fumbled two times later in the game. Such are the games of players that far down on the depth chart. He is fighting for a spot on the practice squad and thus, fans should react accordingly.

There was a lot to like about the Browns’ second preseason game, and while there is still much to work on in every regard, when was the last time the Browns offense looked like a true NFL-caliber offense two games in a row, regular season or preseason?

“I think McCoy made some improvements in some areas. Each game is different either how we’re trying to attack a team or how a team is trying to defend us. There were some things he did in that game that I thought were good. There were some mistakes that he made that were either new mistakes or ones that we felt like were very correctable,” said Browns coach Pat Shurmur.”

Evan Moore was on the receiving end of two Colt McCoy touchdown passes in the first half as he filled in as the starting tight end in Ben Watson’s absence. The second of his touchdown grabs was a beautiful reception along the sideline of the end zone that eventually had to be challenged in order to be ruled a Cleveland score.

The sad part is he may be out next game. “Evan has what I think is considered a mild concussion,” said coach Shurmur.

The Cleveland Browns will hit the road for the first time during the 2011 campaign when they travel to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Thursday, August 25 at Lincoln Financial Field at 7:30 p.m.

The game will be televised live in Northeast Ohio on WKYC-TV 3 as well as affiliates in Columbus, Dayton and Youngstown. The contest will air on the Browns’ flagship station, WMMS Radio (100.7 FM) and a network of affiliates throughout Ohio.

The Eagles hold a 5-4 edge in the all-time preseason series, including a 20-7 victory in 2006, the last time the teams met in preseason action. In 1989, The Browns and Eagles played in Cleveland’s only preseason game overseas as Philadelphia claimed a 17-13 victory in London, England.