Joe Thomas is suffering some growing pains - two holding penalties in the quarter.

 It's getting more and more apparent that Charlie Frye won't be giving up his job without a fight.  He's gotten off some nice passes and heck, Joshua Cribbs actually held on to a third down pass for a first down with 44 seconds to go in the quarter.

The fact that Frye has shaken off the gaffe that cost the Browns a touchdown shows some growth on his part.  He's driving the offense with confidence.  It would help if the receivers actually held on to th eball.

You actually hear something down here that those who attend Browns games haven't heard in a while - excitement.  Although that was marred by complete and utter lack of clock management.  Chiefs 7, Browns 6.  Half-time.

OK, I'm sitting here trying to decide which game attracts the best looking women.  Yes, I know that's sexist but I have to have something to occupy my mind between plays.

So far, I believe that the NBA wins that one.  Tehy come out smokin' hot at the Quicken Loans Arena.  But on a hot, slightly sticky night at Cleveland Browns Stadium, it's apparent that they are getting a run for their money.

OK, back to the action as Frye completes a 23-yard pass over the middle.  The ball could have used some more zip, but it got there.  There was a time when the Browns wouldn't allow him to throw over the middle, so I guess that's progress.  It's the two-minute warning.

It's scrub time on defense as the coaches get a look at what they've got on the other side of the ball.

Talk about needing a scorecard to know the players.  Third and 18.  Let's make it interesting and give up 17 yards.  Geesh. 

Frye is back in and Jerome Harrison, "Mr. August" as one media member dubbed him, is getting a workout at running back.

There's the intangible that Frye gives the offense - the ability to get out of trouble and make a play.  He completes a 26-yard pass for a first down.  If there is any advantage he has on Anderson it's that one.  He felt a little heat.  Moved slightly outside and nailed tight end Ryan Krause for a first down.

Football 101 folks - a backward pass is a fumble.  You GO CHASE THAT ONE.  You knock the guy with the ball on his arse.  Oy vey!  Chiefs up 7-6.

Well if Anderson can't complete a pass for a first down, I guess he figures he'd may as well run for one.

 Jason Wright takes a screen play that was set up reasonably well for 21 yards.  A touchdown for Kansas City thwarted by a false start penalty.  That's one way to do it.

Early call:  Neither Frye or Anderson look particularly mesmerizing in the QB position.  They could have pulled Bernie Kosar from the broadcast booth and he probably would have looked better.

Browns get a field goal out of this "drive." They're up by six with 8:40 left in the half.

I know it's the pre-season and I know we're seeing a vanilla offense, but I seriously hate when teams go ultra conservative when backed up against their endzone.  It's annoying.   I like it even less when wide receivers drop passes like Josh Cribbs, a Kent State University alum, did.

Jamal Lewis had four carries for 20 yards in the first quarter.  Promising.  We shall see.

Opportunistic defense.  Daven Holly gets a pick.  Anderson gets a second series in a row.  They obviously want to see what he can do.

Josh Cribbs is trying to be this team's third receiver…he's dropped two…at that rate things ain't happening.

Wow.  Decent run defense.  That's scary.  Wow.

Eric Wright makes a nice wrap up tackle to prevent a first down.  I like when a cornerback doesn't go all Deion Sanders and doesn't refuse to make open field tackles.  Antwan Peek, the Browns off-season acquistion from the Houston Texans is looking impressive - knowing that you likely have a starting job will do that for you.  He moves up on the depth chart courtesy of Willie McGinest's back surgery.

End of the first quarter - Browns lead 3-0.

Wow…was that a first down? From a pass?  To Jamal Lewis?  Wow.

 Frye is back in at QB and it's apparent that Romeo Crennel is less worried about continuity and flow than he is at getting a look at these guys at work.

Hold the phone, folks.  Braylon Edwards threw a block on Joshua Cribss' reverse.   And Jamal Lewis may indeed have soemthing left in the tank. We shall see.  The offense actually has some momentum on  this drive.

Third and 1 and they do the unexpected - run the ball.  Vickers couldn't get a yard and theye settle, cuz you know, pre-season games count and well, it's more likely that Phil Dawson needs some practice.  Browns up 3-0.

Well Frye got his one series and didn't produce anything except a near interception.  Derek Anderson is in the game right now.  I wonder if he's bummed about that coin flip.

Ahem…Anderson audibles to a run.  How terribly original. Jason Wright gets buried in the backfield.  PUNT.  PUNT.  PUNT.   Browns fans had best hope that's not a common refrain in the coming year.

Will the Browns make Coyle look like Peyton Manning, stay tuned.  Sean Jones misses a tackle and then is bailed out by Leigh Bodden.  Takeaways may have to be a trademark of this defense if the run defensve doesn't improve.

Brodie Freakin' Coyle from Alabama is starting.  He wasn't htat great in college, I doubt he'll be much better as a pro.

It's good to see Eric Wright get off to a good start playing solid defense and a decent pass rush on a subsequent play, but if teams keep running for 17 yards on a third and 20 it ain' t gonna much matter.  A year later, that pass defense still resembles a sieve. 

I love seeing the parking lot at Muny Lot filled with smoking grills, pumping out the aroma of burgers, beer and brats.  Hell, on today - when football truly starts - I can even tolerate the occasional drunk with delusions of grandeur.

I"m blogging from the Browns v. the Chiefs.  Just something for Browns fans to keep their eyes on - Eric Wright makes the start at cornerback.  The Browns brain trust said that he had had first round talent - apparently they were right.

Frye apparently won the now infamous coin toss to see who starts.  Wonder if he knows ESPN and others have been raggin' on that for a day no.    To say he looks rusty is an understatement.  On the first drive he looks as if he's playing like someone in danger of losing his job.