Packers Player Of The Game
Nicknamed 'Whisper' because of his hushed voice, Herbert Goodman made a loud and clear argument for the No. 3 running back position behind Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport. On the night, Goodman made 19 carries for 80 yards and 1 touchdown. He also caught 4 passes for 56 yards and 1 touchdown. Also turning in strong performances for the Packers were the ever-reliable Brett Favre (9-for-14, 102 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 109.8 rating) and Ahman Green (9 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD).
Browns Player Of The Game
Kelly Holcomb did about all he could do to solve the quarterback controversy in Cleveland, completing 7 of 10 passes for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns, with only 1 interception (112.5 rating).
Stat Of The Game
The Packers offense was determined to move the football Friday night, and did just that. The Packers tallied 33 first downs on the night (15 rushing, 16 passing, 2 by penalty), aided by converting 11 of 14 third-down chances and 1-of-1 fourth down chances.
Play Of The Game
For the starting unit, it didn't get prettier than Brett Favre's 22-yard touchdown pass to Donald Driver. Favre did his part, placing the ball in an open spot between three defenders and Driver did his, leaping into the air to bring the pass in, then fighting the extra yard to the end zone. But perhaps the biggest play of the game was Herbert Goodman's fourth-quarter touchdown catch, taking a shovel pass from Akili Smith and then breaking tackles on a 13-yard route to the end zone. The play increased the Packers' lead to 38-28 and gave the team needed insurance for the exhibition win.
THEY SAID IT
GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman -
On if he was holding his breath watching Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher return from injuries: "I'm nervous about our quarterback first and foremost on every play, and also those tackles. But I've seen them in practice, we've really been cautious with them and they've been patient ... They'll play more next week and then hopefully will be ready for the (regular-season) opener."
On performance of defense: "We gave up too many big plays, and you can't do that in this league. You cannot give up those explosive plays and expect to win a game like that, usually. But to our credit, I think they played hard. I think the mistakes that were made tonight are correctable. I think we have to improve our tackling. We missed a couple tackles that we should have made."
On Herbert "Whisper" Goodman: "Whisper wasn't whispering tonight. He was making a lot of noise out there. And I don't normally give a game ball in the preseason, but if anyone deserved one (he did). I did give him one today."
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell -
On defense: "Really our first groups have not started fast like we want to, no question about it. We're replacing five starters on defense and we're going to use the preseason to get it right. But I really like their work ethic, their desire. We have great character in this group, and there's a lot of excellent talent, so we'll put it together."
On performance of defense: "Any time people get a lot of points on us, we're not satisfied. I would give us definitely a below-average grade. I'm giving that grade to myself."
Chad Clifton -
On first game back from injury: "It all felt good out there. I've been able to come into training camp and pretty much do everything. A couple weeks back, we got into the two-a-day schedule. It was just a matter of coming out (and playing). You can't really prepare for a game. There's nothing like live bullets until you get there."
Herbert Goodman -
On mental approach: "I'm basically just competing. Injuries are part of the game. It's unfortunate Najeh (Davenport) went down (with a strained calf), but when your number gets called, you've got to be ready for it."
Ahman Green -
On No. 1 offense: "We accomplished the things we wanted to do. We wanted to be efficient, no turnovers, no penalties, and just move the ball up the field, get in the end zone, which we did."
Crag Nall -
On hyperextended right knee: "It's feeling pretty good. One little sting during the game, but it's getting better."
On his performance: "Not bad. I think I did my job. Nothing spectacular. Went out for three drives, scored two touchdowns, a lot like last time. I wish I had that play back (the fumble near the Packers end zone). The guy knocked the ball out of my hand. He made a good play, and I'll just rebound from it."
Darren Sharper -
On big plays given up by No. 1 defense: "I'm not concerned, but I'm still not happy about it. It's preseason, that's when you get all the glitches out of the way and that's what we're doing. A lot of the things we're giving (our opponents) are things we can correct."
Mark Tauscher -
On first game back from injury: "I'm still rusty. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm just happy to be out there playing. I can live with the mistakes right now, and hopefully get them cleaned up sooner rather than later."
On emotions before game: "I just was nervous. It's been such a long time since I've been out playing, and I'm just excited to be back out there and into the mix. I was nervous, but it was a good nervous."
On offensive production: "I think every time the offense goes out, we expect to move (the football). It doesn't matter who's playing what position. But to get Donald (Driver) back is huge. Any time you're missing your Pro Bowl receiver it's big to get him back out there and just get everything settled down."
Wesley Walls -
On game: "I really enjoyed myself out there tonight, to get back into football and get some action and help out. Coach (Sherman) made a point last week that we needed to start quicker on offense and come out with it, and we did that tonight. Brett (Favre) was firing on all cylinders, the offensive line was doing a great job, running backs and receivers were making plays, tight ends were making plays, and it was fun."
On Brett Favre: "He's a playmaker, and that's the reason I'm here. I had a special opportunity to get to come here and play. I put the green and gold on tonight and every time I pull it over (my head), it sounds stupid, but I enjoy it. I'm really liking my opportunity."
GAME NOTES
Tickets dispersed at Cleveland Browns Stadium: 70,348.
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End of 4th quarter. Game over.
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Akili Smith took a knee at the Cleveland 20-yard line to close out the game. Herbert Goodman had 6 carries for 22 yards on the drive, plus an 11-yard reception from Akili Smith.
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Phil Dawson's 39-yard field goal brought the Browns closer, 38-31 (4:01, 4th quarter). The Browns scoring drive was 11 plays, 57 yards. Time of the drive was 5:32.
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Herbert Goodman took Akili Smith's shovel pass and ran 13-yards to the end zone to increase the Packers' lead, 38-28 (9:33, 4th quarter). Antonio Chatman had a 7-yard reception on the drive. Luther Broughton made a 9-yard catch. Nick Luchey had a 5-yard run on third-and-1 to keep the drive alive. The Packers scoring drive was 11 plays, 76 yards. Time of the drive was 6:38.
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End of 3rd quarter.
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Akili Smith replaced Craig Nall at quarterback (1:11, 3rd quarter).
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On third down, Billy Blanchard caught Nate Hybl's pass near the right sideline and ran 7 yards to the corner of the end zone for a Cleveland touchdown, 31-28 (1:11, 3rd quarter). The Browns started their drive at the Green Bay 7-yard line after Chris Crocker's fumble recovery. The Browns scoring drive was 3 plays, 7 yards. Time of the drive was 0:55.
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Thomas Pittman put pressure on Craig Nall, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Chris Crocker at the Green Bay 7-yard line (2:10, 3rd quarter).
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Nick Luchey's 1-yard touchdown run increased the Packers' lead, 31-21 (6:27, 3rd quarter). On the previous play, Luchey had a 7-yard run on fourth-and-1. The Packers started their drive in Cleveland territory after the Steve Martin interception. The Packers scoring drive was 5 plays, 17 yards. Time of the drive was 2:38.
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Jeremy Unertl hit quarterback Josh Booty while he was throwing, allowing Steve Martin to intercept the ball at the Cleveland 21-yard line, before returning it 4 yards (9:05, 3rd quarter). The Packers take over at the Cleveland 17-yard line.
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Herbert Goodman plowed his way into the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown run that put the Packers back on top, 24-21 (9:21, 3rd quarter). Goodman carried the load the entire drive for the Packers, with 17- and 15-yard catches and three additional runs worth a total of 15 yards. The Packers scoring drive was 10 plays, 61 yards. Time of the drive was 4:43.
Najeh Davenport strained his right calf on the drive. His return is questionable.
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The Packers defense opened the third quarter by forcing a three-and-out. After Carl Ford's fair catch, the Packers will begin their drive at their own 39-yard line (14:04, 3rd quarter). Craig Nall takes over at quarterback for Doug Pederson.
Injury update: Mick McKenzie suffered a neck stinger and will not return. Na'il Diggs bruised his right shoulder and will not return.
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End of 2nd quarter. Halftime.
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After the Packers defense held Cleveland to a three-and-out, Antonio Chatman made a 27-yard return of Chris Gardocki's 55-yard punt. Najeh Davenport made a 13-yard catch-and-run on third-and-10. Karsten Bailey made a 6-yard reception. Time ran out in the quarter with the Packers at the Cleveland 41-yard line.
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Ryan Longwell's 33-yard field goal brought the Packers closer, 21-17 (1:05, 2nd quarter). The Packers started with good field position thanks to Erwin Swiney's 34-yard kickoff return. Wesley Walls made three receptions worth a total of 24 yards. Najeh Davenport had a 15-yard run. Karsten Bailey failed to bring in what would have been a 15-yard touchdown pass from Doug Pederson, the ball glancing off his hands in the left corner of the end zone. Michael Lehan broke up another pass intended for Bailey. The Packers scoring drive was 8 plays, 39 yards. Time of the drive was 1:39.
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Tim Couch completed his first drive of the game with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson to put the Browns back on top, 21-14 (2:44, 2nd quarter). Earlier on the drive, Couch made a 16-yard pass to Dennis Northcutt on fourth-and-4. The Browns scoring drive was 10 plays, 55 yards. Time of the drive was 6:30.
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Doug Pederson's pass was intercepted by Andra Davis, who returned the ball 11 yards before making a lateral pitch to Anthony Henry, who earned 22 additional yards on the return (9:14, 2nd quarter). The Browns take over at their own 45-yard line.
Prior to the interception, Javon Walker had an 18-yard reception. Donald Driver made a 6-yard grab.
Tim Couch takes over quarterback for Kelly Holcomb. Holcomb was 7-for-10 for 166 yards on the night, 2 TDs, 1 INT (112.5 rating).
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Kelly Holcomb's pass for Quincy Morgan was intercepted by Al Harris at the Green Bay 38-yard line (12:04, 2nd quarter). No return on the play.
Doug Pederson takes over at quarterback for Brett Favre. Favre was 9-for-14 for 102 yards on the night, 1 TD (109.8 QB rating).
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Ahman Green's 1-yard plunge tied the game, 14-14 (12:16, 2nd quarter). In addition to his touchdown run, Green had 6 carries for 38 yards on the drive. Najeh Davenport's 12-yard catch-and-run brought the Packers to the 1-yard line. Tight end Wesley Walls had receptions of 7 and 5 yards, respectively. The Packers scoring drive was 14 plays, 79 yards. Time of the drive was 8:13.
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End of 1st quarter.
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Kelly Holcomb hit tight end Steve Heiden for a 14-yard touchdown pass to put the Browns ahead, 14-7 (5:29, 1st quarter). Quincy Morgan had a 46-yard reception to bring the Browns across midfield. Antuan Edwards delivered a hit that broke up a pass intended for Morgan that would have brought the Browns to the 2-yard line. Kevin Johnson had a 9-yard reception on fourth-and-2 to keep the drive alive. The Browns scoring drive was 9 plays, 74 yards. Time of the drive was 4:22.
Edwards had the wind knocked out of him on the drive. He is expected to return.
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On their second play from scrimmage, Browns quarterback Kelly Holcomb faked a handoff to running back William Green, then faked a handoff to a receiver, before throwing a short pass to Green, who ran down the right sideline for an 82-yard touchdown, 7-7 (10:27, 1st quarter). The Browns scoring drive was 2 plays, 82 yards. Time of the drive was 0:55.
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Brett Favre hit Donald Driver in the front left corner of the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown strike to complete the game's opening drive, 7-0 (11:22, 1st quarter). Favre completed three straight passes to open the drive: 12 yards to Robert Ferguson, 9 yards to Driver and 19 yards again to Ferguson, respectively. Ahman Green had runs of 11 and 5 yards. The Packers scoring drive was 7 plays, 78 yards. Time of the drive was 3:38.
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Temperature at kickoff is 82 degrees. Chance of thundershowers.
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The following Packers players are inactive for tonight's contest: Gilbert Brown, Reggie Coleman, Tyrone Davis, Tony Fisher, Jorg Heckenbach, Cletidus Hunt, Joe Johnson, Rob Johnson, James Lee, Jermaine Petty, Lamar Smith, Marcus Spriggs, Adam Tate, Rod Walker, Bryant Westbrook.
Chukie Nwokorie will start in place of Joe Johnson. Aaron Kampman will start in place of Cletidus Hunt.
Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson will be the starting wide receivers.
Marques Anderson and Darren Sharper will be the starting safeties. |
