Browns win, but questions still remain
Cleveland's first-string offense was too inconsistent in the 24-10 victory.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Jeff Garcia didn't play nearly enough to work out the kinks in Cleveland's offense. By the looks of things, 60 minutes wouldn't have sufficed.
Rex Grossman and the Chicago Bears may have needed even more time to fix their problems.
Garcia overcame several penalties and a few drops to throw his first touchdown pass, helping the Browns to a 24-10 exhibition win over the Bears on Friday night.
Rookie quarterback Luke McCown threw a pair of TD passes in the fourth quarter to rally the Browns (3-1), who trailed 10-7 at halftime. McCown, a fourth-round draft pick whose brother, Josh, is Arizona's starting QB, brought Cleveland back last week for a win at Kansas City.
McCown connected with Andre King for a 4-yard TD, and later threaded a 35-yarder to Richard Alston, who pulled in McCown's 34-yard heave on the final play last Saturday to beat the Chiefs.
Adrian Peterson scored on a 1-yard plunge for the Bears (2-2).
Playing it safe
As planned, Browns coach Butch Davis and Chicago's Lovie Smith rested their starters to keep them healthy for next Sunday's openers. There was plenty of other sickly things -- penalties, sacks, missed assignments -- for the coaches to worry about.
Before Garcia hooked up on a 37-yard TD pass to wide receiver Andre' Davis in the first quarter, the Browns' offense looked as if it could use another month of practice before the Sept. 12 opener against Baltimore.
Garcia finished 5-of-13 for 84 yards.
Last week, Garcia complained that a lack of playing time was why he was out of sync with his receivers. For most of Garcia's three series against the Bears, the Browns' entire offense misfired.
On the game's opening play, the Browns were penalized for a false start. Then, Garcia and running back James Jackson fumbled a handoff, losing five yards. On second down, right tackle Ryan Tucker was whistled for jumping early before Garcia threw an incompletion.
Rough performance
Meanwhile, Grossman and the Bears weren't any better, going three-and-out on their first series despite starting at their own 40.
Grossman went just 2-of-9 for 31 yards in his abbreviated evening. He did move the Bears into range for Paul Edinger's 44-yard field goal, but the drive was kept alive by two penalties against Cleveland.
Rookie quarterback Craig Krenzel, battling Jonathan Quinn for the Bears' backup job, guided Chicago to its only TD of the first half, Peterson's dive with 37 seconds left.
Lee Suggs, who appeared to have won his competition with William Green to be the Browns' No. 1 running back, didn't dress for the game. The club said he sustained a neck stinger in practice and was rested as a precaution.
Green didn't play, either, as Jackson carried 11 times for 20 yards. Earlier this week, an unhappy Jackson demanded the Browns trade him.
Notes
Cleveland rookie TE Kellen Winslow Jr. had one catch and nearly blocked a punt. ... Bears CB Alfonso Marshall picked off Kelly Holcomb's pass at the 1-yard line in the third. ... Browns RG Kelvin Garmon sustained a hamstring injury. ... Notable Bears injuries: OT Aaron Gibson and TE Gabe Reed, who sprained knees.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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