Beat Writer Jeff Schudel and Sports Editor Mark Podolski react to the state-of-the-Browns news conference Thursday by Mike Holmgren and Tom Heckert.

The Browns finished the preseason 1-3. They lost the last three games after beating the Packers in the opener. But what the Browns have done so far has to be judged by more than the record.

Colt McCoy showed improvement the first two games and then regressed against the Eagles. He left with a lead in the second game and then watched as the backups gave the game away. He did not play against the Bears.

Not surprisingly, the Browns don't have much depth. That should be expected from a team that was 14-34 over the last three seasons.

The Browns will be able to compete as long as the starters stay healthy, but the 24-14 loss to the Bears in the final practice game exposed the bench.

Running back Armond Smith did his best to claim a spot on the 53-man roster Saturday. He and a couple other borderline players should not get too comfortable, though. They could make the team Saturday and then be cut the next day when waiver claims go through.

The Eagles were a bad match-up for the Browns tonight.

 The Eagles defense has been practicing against the West Coast offense since 1999. The Browns defense has been practicing against the West Coast since July 30.

The Browns starting defense played well, particularly the defensive line, but the difference in the game was the way the Eagles defense engulfed Colt McCoy and the Browns offense. The Eagles anticipated McCoy well and forced his first interception of the preseason. At one point the Browns trailed 24-0. The defense played better than that score indicates, but not the offense.

The highlights for the Browns were rookie defensive lineman Phil Taylor and third-year receiver Brian Robiskie. Taylor was in Michael Vick's face most of the first half. He sacked Vick and forced a fumble. Jayme Mitchell recovered inside the Eagles 20, but the Browns didn't cash in.

Robiskie might have saved his job. He caught the ball well and, despite an offensive interference penalty, showed he'll fight for the ball.

Too much focus is on the offense in a football training camp, although it is natural to think offense first because this is a quarterback-driven sport.

The Lions led the Browns 10-7 after the first quarter. The defense led the way for the Browns. A forced fumble and fumble recovery by rookie Jabaal Sheard set up the Browns' touchdown, a three-yard pass from Colt McCoy to Evan Moore.

The Browns linebackers have been outstanding. D'Qwell Jackson and Kaluka Maiava each had tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Early in the second quarter the Browns forced the Lions to punt from their own end zone.

Another long punt return by Jordan Norwood - 20 yards - game the offense the ball on the Lions 21. McCoy jumped on the gift with a touchdown pass to Moore on the first play. The pass was ruled incomplete, but Pat Shurmur challenged the call and the ruling was reversed. Moore made a sliding catch and controlled the ball.

The Browns led the Packers 24-17 after three quarters Saturday night.

Once the starters are done for the night the rest of a preseason game is a stage for second and third line players to jump out.

Linebacker Titus Brown helped himself by making two stops on running plays to hold the Packers to a field goal in the second quarter, preserving a 14-10 Browns lead. With the score 17-17 in the third quarter, Brown scooped up a fumble on a strip forced by undrafted rookie Brian Smith and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown.

Jordan Norwood, trying to wedge his way into the  wide receiver group, showed he can catch the ball and excel on special teams. He returned the Packers opening punt 22 yards in the first quarter. He caught three passes for 36 yards in the third quarter with Seneca Wallace at quarterback.

Brian Sanford, trying to grab a spot on the Browns defensive line, sacked Packers third quarterback Graham Harrell with about 12 minutes left.

Too bad Colt McCoy couldn't bottle that first possession and open it every time the Browns play.

 McCoy led a touchdown drive for a 7-0 lead over the Packers by going 5-for-5 for 72 yards while spreading the ball to three wide receivers plus running back Peyton Hillis.

McCoy capped the drive with a touchdown pass to Josh Cribbs. Cribbs jumped and fell backward  making the catch.

Green Bay answered with a 21-yard touchdown from Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings. Jennings beat cornerback Sheldon Brown on the play.

McCoy is still at quarterback as the second quarter begins with Browns facing third-and-four on the Cleveland 43. This is likely his last possession. He keeps the drive going with a 19-yard pass to Ben Watson to the Packers 40 and then hit Watson again to the Packers 3.

Hills ran inside 3 yards for the touchdown. The Browns lead, 14-7, with 13:46 to play in the first half.. It was a good night for McCoy.

The Browns second defense is in the game.

Josh Cribbs has his detractors as a wide receiver, judging by the comments readers make whenever his name shows up in a story, but those skeptics might be basing their theory on old information.

Cribbs has consistently been the best receiver in training camp. Hope this doesn't jinx him, but Cribbs is catching everything thrown his way. He is fighting for passes much better than some of his peers. He made a diving catch Wednesday morning.

A year ago Cribbs reported to camp weighing about 225 pounds. He is 10 pounds lighter this summer and it shows. He is sleek and quick out of his breaks. In the past he has dropped catchable balls, but that isn't happening this camp.

The West Coast offense is designed to hit receivers in open space and let them run. Cribbs could be ideal in this offense. When Mohamed Massaquoi heals from his left foot injury I'd like to see Massaquoi and Cribbs as the starters in the third preseason game.