(Sportsbooks) - When Cleveland head coach Butch Davis handed the reins of the offense to veteran quarterback Kelly Holcomb, he was hoping for big things. The offense didn't exactly get the job done in week one's 9-6 loss to Indianapolis.
Holcomb had an inauspicious beginning to his stint at starting quarterback, hitting on 20-of-29 attempts for 182 yards and two interceptions. The signal caller, who replaced long-time starter Tim Couch heading into the campaign, isn't dwelling on the effort.
"You have to pick yourself up," Holcomb said. "It's a 15-game season right now. We have to get ready for Baltimore this week."
The Browns' offense, which was considered to be the team's strong suit heading into the season, tallied just 280 total yards in the defeat to the Colts. Cleveland couldn't get much going through the air or on the ground (98 yards).
Phil Dawson was the lone source of points for the Browns, booting field goals from 19 and 20 yards, respectively. Cleveland got inside the 10-yard line a few times, but couldn't convert with scores.
"This was a very winnable ballgame. We had some opportunities," Davis said after the loss. "You can't have first and goal at the 3-yard line twice and end up with six points. In this league teams win in the red zone. It's a clear-cut deal. When you get in the red zone you've got to score."
Holcomb spread the ball around in the contest, completing passes to eight different receivers, but it wasn't enough. The veteran's favorite target in the defeat was WR Dennis Northcutt, who hauled in five balls for 57 yards. Kevin Johnson added three catches for 26 yards and tight end Steve Heiden made two receptions for 22 yards.
YOUNG GUNS
Cleveland did a nice job limiting the pass happy Colts to just 211 passing yards in the opener. Young linebackers Kevin Bentley and Ben Taylor each registered a first half interception in the contest.
The youthful linebacking corps was the biggest positive for the Browns in the loss, as it played very well. Taylor tallied a team-high 11 stops.
"It's just exciting," Taylor said. "We were all jumping around out there, having fun, showing emotion. That's what football is -- an emotional game."
Taylor (25 years old), Bentley (23) and Andra Davis (24) each made their first career starts in the contest. Nearly every critic was questioning the unit going into the opener.
"We've been called the youngest and the worst linebackers in the NFL," Taylor said. "It's just fuel. That's all it is for us. You want to prove everybody wrong. You kind of keep that in the back of your mind."
Cleveland was a bit vulnerable to the run in its opener, allowing Edgerrin James to post 4.5 yards per contest on the ground.
UP NEXT: Cleveland will remain on the road next week, when it travels to San Francisco to battle the 49ers.
