The primary mission for the Browns in training camp was settling the quarterback situation, and that happened quickly when Jake Delhomme justified the faith that team president Mike Holmgren showed in him.
Delhomme earned the job in OTAs and minicamp and then kept it going through the first week of training camp. He played only one series against the Packers in the first preseason game. He completed 6 of 7 passes for 66 yards on a touchdown drive.
By the time the Browns finished their third preseason game, Delhomme was set for the real games to begin. He completed 38 of 48 passes for 345 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in the preseason. He is as far removed from the eight touchdown-18 interception season he had with the Panthers last year as Charlotte is from Cleveland.
"Being in a new place is the biggest factor in putting last season behind me," Delhomme said when his preseason work was over. "It's funny. I was texting my wife and she said, 'Good job. That smile was back. I like seeing that.' We've been together a long time since high school.
"I believe in having fun. We're out there playing a kids game. I'm having a whole lot of fun."
Quarterback is set, but the Browns have some major concerns on defense. While Delhomme was tearing up opponents, starting quarterbacks were shredding the Browns secondary. Aaron Rodgers, A.J. Feeley and Matt Stafford combined to complete 30 of 36 passes.
Opponents threw 96 passes. The Browns produced one sack. A sack isn't the only statistic that matters, but the Browns did not get much pressure on the quarterbacks.
The Browns traded Kamerion Wimbley, their 2009 sack leader, to the Raiders in the offseason for a third-round draft pick. But it wasn't like they traded Lawrence Taylor. Wimbley had a pedestrian 6.5 sacks last season.
Next was David Bowens with 5.5 sacks. He missed the first two games with a knee injury. Bowens is wise. His experience and flexibility are valuable. But he is not a lock to make the team this year.
Corey Williams tied for third with four sacks last season. He plays for the Lions now. The Browns are looking for others players to produce.
"We don't really look at pass rush as a function of one guy," coach Eric Mangini said.
"We look at pass rush as a function of good defense. Last year it was 16 different guys who had sacks. That, to me, is the way it's going to set up because based on their (pass) protection, based on the things that they're doing, there are ways to beat it."
Asked how Rodgers, Feeley and Stafford could complete 83 percent of their passes, mostly against the starters, Mangini said players are out of position.
Nevertheless, he says the defense is playing better than a year ago. He stopped short of making a prediction, but he expects the Browns to improve on their 5-11 record last year.
"I don't think we're that far off, judging by the ways we're running the plays, but it doesn't work that way," Mangini said. "If you're not in the right spot and you're playing a good quarterback ... you can't be a little off and have it be successful."
The Browns are relatively healthy, with the possible exception of nose tackle Shaun Rogers. Rogers is on PUP list with an ankle injury, and there is no guarantee he will be ready for the season opener.
COACHING: Eric Mangini, 5th year (28-37), second with Browns (5-11).
REMEMBERING: 2009 record: 5-11 (last in AFC North); the Browns finished hot by winning their last four games.
PREDICTING: 2010 regular season record: 6-10 (last in AFC North); improvement might not show in the record.
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