Against Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns Provide Reasons for Optimism

For the second consecutive week the Cleveland Browns failed to score a point in the second half. And for the second consecutive week the Browns tallied only 14 points. With plenty of negativity to go around, I elected to highlight some of the positive aspects from their two-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Please do not misunderstand. I am not making excuses for this team. They should be sitting at 2-0 going into AFC North play. The Browns had two games that they let slip away.

However, if you have read my recent articles, you will know that I am viewing this as a rebuilding year. As such, it is important to identify the pieces that are looking good for the future.

Offensive Line Firm Against Chiefs

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball for a touchdown as he is hit by linebacker Jovan Belcher #59 of the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (

The much-maligned right side of the offensive line has played well through the first two games. Against the Chiefs, Seneca Wallace got sacked only once while the running backs had lanes to run through.

In addition to the pass blocking, there were nice downfield blocks by center Alex Mack and left guard Eric Steinbach. There were only two faults on this group: a late hit by Mack and a holding penalty against Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas.

The opposing defenses get harder on the upcoming schedule, starting with the Ravens next week, but in this game they played well.

T.J. Ward Is as Good as Advertised

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs is hit by T.J. Ward #43 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Eric Berry was the name of the safety that everybody talked about on draft day, as he was the fifth overall pick by the Chiefs. But the Browns' choice with the 38th overall pick, T.J. Ward, is having a great start to 2010.

Leading the team with eight tackles against the Chiefs, the University of Oregon safety was knocking people all over the field. A sure tackler at safety is something the Browns have been lacking for some time.

As fun as he has been to watch the first couple games, it should be that much more exciting to see him bang around the AFC North. Finally we can cheer for a No. 43 and not think of Troy Polamalu.

Seneca Wallace Keeps Things Together Even Through Loss

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Seneca Wallace #6 of the Cleveland Browns looks for a receiver against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

When a football team loses, the goat always tends to be the guy under center. I would not put this loss on the shoulders of Seneca Wallace alone. As far as backup quarterbacks go, he performed admirably with Jake Delhomme sitting out with an injured ankle.

The one mistake he made—and it was a big mistake—was the pick-six in the second quarter. Instead of falling apart mentally as Delhomme seemed to do in Week 1, Wallace came back to throw a 65-yard touchdown strike to Josh Cribbs on the next possession.

If Delhomme should go down again in the future or not return for several weeks, I would be comfortable with Wallace taking the snaps.

Peyton Hillis Makes His Case To Be The No. 1 Guy In Cleveland

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Imag

The only thing you can question about Peyton Hillis is why wasn't he on the field in the third quarter? After a strong second quarter from Hillis, Jerome Harrison inexplicably got carry after carry in the third quarter.

The moment Hillis came into the game, momentum swung back toward the Browns. Harrison got 16 carries and only managed 33 yards. On exactly half that number, Hillis had 35 yards and a 1-yard touchdown.

With another 26 yards on three receptions, Hillis has made his case clear that he should be the guy.

Despite Final Score, Defense Remains Stout

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Running back Thomas Jones #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs dives for a first down against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 19, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

For all the talk in the offseason about the Browns needing to upgrade their defense, they seem to have done exactly that. The Browns gave up 16 points, but the defense should be praised for only giving up six points to the talented Chiefs' offensive unit.

The Chiefs' 35-yard field goal to open the scoring was a direct result of a Jerome Harrison fumble, while the only KC touchdown of the game was on a pick-six thrown by Seneca Wallace.

The upgrades in the secondary and linebacker units have been noticeable. The days of runners breaking arm tacklers and running wild seem to be over. This defense will hit you in the mouth and take you to the ground.

When the offense begins to play up to the level of the defense, we might begin to see something special.