Holcomb shreds Falcons in 20-9 win

The first-team offense scored 10 points in the exhibition finale.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CLEVELAND -- The defense played well (surprise), the quarterbacks played really well (no surprise) and the Cleveland Browns won a preseason game.
Finally.
"The good guys won," Browns coach Butch Davis said after Thursday's 20-9 preseason victory over the Atlanta Falcons. "That's what's supposed to happen."
Through three games, it didn't happen. But the Browns found the perfect cure for their struggling defense -- Atlanta's offense.
Cleveland's starters shut out the Falcons, minus quarterback Michael Vick, for most of the first half, while Kelly Holcomb led the Browns to scoring drives on his only two possessions.
"I thought offensively we played really well," said Holcomb, who finished 4-of-6 for 126 yards. "We pretty much did what we wanted to do. The big thing tonight was we got a win."
Confidence builder
They also got confidence -- especially on defense.
The Browns entered the game ranked last in the NFL in the preseason, allowing 388.7 yards per game.
"Winning is everything," said safety Robert Griffith, who missed the first three games after breaking his right index finger. "Winning cures quarterback controversies, coaches getting fired and guys getting cut."
Atlanta gained 349 yards, but the statistics were misleading. All of the Falcons' first four possessions ended in punts.
"I pride myself on being a coach that has a team that never gives up on themselves," Falcons coach Dan Reeves said. "We definitely were not that team tonight."
The Browns' defense, however, wasn't the only bright spot.
Couch rebounds
Quarterback Tim Couch rebounded from a poor showing last week by completing 7-of-8 passes for 144 yards, including a beautiful 57-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Northcutt.
"I really needed that," Couch said. "It was good to get out on the field and have fun again. It's been a while since I've done that."
The Browns -- who open the season at home against the Colts on Sept. 7 -- struck first with a 28-yard field goal by Phil Dawson.
The drive was highlighted by a 68-yard flea flicker from Holcomb to Kevin Johnson on the first offensive play.
Running back William Green gave the Browns a 10-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-goal play.
"I thought we played well," said Green, who finished with 10 carries for 20 yards. "We went out there and put points up. The defense held them to only a few points. I felt like it was a good confidence booster going into next week against the Colts."
Falcons score
Atlanta finally broke through against the Browns' second string defense when starting quarterback Doug Johnson hit starting wideout Peerless Price on a 33-yard touchdown pass with just more than two minutes to play in the first half.
Alvin McKinley blocked Jay Feely's extra point try, which banged off the left upright.
But Couch responded with the touchdown pass to Northcutt to give the Browns a 17-6 lead.
"I saw one-on-one coverage so I audibled to Northcutt and set him up on a go route," Couch said. "He made a great play. He got off and had a great release. I just got him the ball."
Falcons kicker Jay Feely finished the first half scoring with a 51-yard field goal right before halftime to cut the deficit to 17-9.
Browns backup kicker Jay Taylor hit a 46-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.
"I think our football team really wanted to win a game," Davis said. "Not only win a game, but win a game at home to set the tempo and walk out of this stadium tonight with a good, positive feeling for next week."
scalzo@vindy.com