The Browns tried to look on the bright side of their preseason opening 20-7
loss to the Eagles Thursday night in Philadelphia. Top begin with, there were no
major injuries. For the Browns, that's reason to celebrate.
A hush went through the press box when it was announced cornerback Gary Baxter suffered a strained left pectoral muscle. He missed 10 games last season
with a torn right pectoral muscle.
As it turned out, the injury is just a tweaked shoulder, according to Coach
Romeo Crennel.
"He seemed to be moving his arm around a little bit," Coach Romeo Crennel
said. "They haven't taken him to the hospital. I think he'll be okay."
Penalties, missed first downs and a poor pass rush by the first defense
spelled defeat. Charlie Frye said he'd like to get more playing time in the next
two games, especially since he has to get used to working with new center Alonzo Ephraim. Bob Hallen
officially retired Thursday.
Frye completed 4 of 7 passes for 23 yards. His deepest
penetration in two series was the Philadelphia 37. He was positive afterward.
"I think the only way we're going to be stopped is if
we stop ourselves," Frye said. "We had penalties and a couple mistakes that kept
us from getting a field goal or a touchdown. The things are real little. Every
day I see us getting closer together."
Crennel said Ken Dorsey was "so-so," which was being kind. Derek Anderson was
not much better. The only quarterback to put the Browns in the end zone was Lang Campbell in garbage time on an eight-yard bullet pass to Jerome Harrison.
"As a football coach, when things don't go the way you don’t them to go, you
never feel good about it. When you don't play well and you get beat, you don't
like it. I don't, anyway."