The game was over by the time I got home, but looking at the 37-34 score, things seemed good enough. But after reading about it, this game didn't feel too good. Then it seemed worse and worse.

By all accounts, the game seemed calamitous, hectic, unorganized and pathetic. Pick whatever adjective you prefer. Hopefully, though, this is as bad as it gets. After all, how can it get worse? What, is Andra Davis going to unsheathe a helmet-splitting punch every game?

Everyone has covered injuries, Brady Quinn looking good and the team not being ready for prime time.

Fear not, there are a few things you may be able to take away from this game.

-If you're a Quinn fan, you'll probably get to see him start against the Lions Saturday. So, yeah, there's that. In fact, you'll probably get to see a lot of backups.
-After his 80-yard performance, you may be able to sucker some bum in your fantasy league into wasting a pick on Syndric Steptoe.
-Based on their performance, it is highly unlikely the Browns could go with the hideous brown pants, white jersey look again.
-Phil Dawson kicked a 56-yard field goal. Without even hitting a goal bar!
-Don't forget, the Giants did win the Super Bowl last season. Theoretically, they're the best team in the league.

More to come as the injuries get updated and whatnot. At least the Browns get Detroit next.

The Browns come into this game nursing injuries. Already the team was to be without top pick Beau Bell due to knee surgery. Earlier in the week, fellow rookie tight Martin Rucker suffered a knee injury which required surgery, and his return is unknown. To add insult to injury, receiver Braylon Edwards is out after suffering a foot laceration at the hands of Donte Stallworth, and Edwards will be out for Monday's game.

The person with the most to gain from Edwards injury is Travis Wilson, who will get the start. Wilson is on the bubble, and hasn't lived up to his draft stock of a third round pick in 2005. The question is if Wilson is auditioning for the Browns, or for potential trade partners?

The Giants will be a great test for the Browns offensive line, which gave up only 19 sacks a season ago. New York's pass rush is unlike anything the Browns saw last season, with everyone in the front seven a threat to reach the quarterback. Watch the early matchup of right tackle Kevin Shaffer and Giants new starting left defensive end Justin Tuck, who lead the team in sacks a season ago.

What to watch for:

- The Browns revamped defensive line versus the Giants running game. The Browns gave up 4.5 yards per carry last season, and will be up against one the better running games in the NFL. A key matchup will be nose tackle Shaun Rogers against center Shaun O'Hara and right guard Chris Snee. Snee is a premier run blocker and does well against bigger tackles, so this should be the matchup of the night.

- If the Giants' Eli Manning can get the deep ball going early, it could be a long night for the Browns secondary. We all know about the lack of depth at defensive back, but as a unit they struggled to defend vertical passing attacks like the Giants in 2007.

- Former Akron Zip Domenik Hixon is making noise in camp for the Giants. He has played extensively because of injuries at wide receiver, and should see a good amount of action. His performance has drawn positive reviews in camp. Not shocking considering Hixon is a Dan Kadar favorite.

- This game should set the table for a key Week 6 Monday Night Football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Both teams will probably hold back a bit on showing anything new in preparation for their game during the season.

Key Browns injuries: WR Braylon Edwards (foot), WR Joe Jurevicius (knee), TE Martin Rucker (knee), ILB Beau Bell (knee), OLB Antwan Peek (knee).

Also see:

Akron Beacon Journal: Browns thrilled to enter spotlight
Associated Press: Wimbley looking for more sacks
Akron Beacon Journal: Sanders is giving back

A quick camp report also from yesterday's last public practice.  I seem to have the magic touch of going on days that are non-contact, and yesterday was no different.  It was a walk-through for Monday's game, and only a few things caught my eye.

When the Browns practiced their goal-line offense, they played an offset I-Formation with Vickers lining up on the right side.  Heiden was in-line next to Thomas on the left, Winslow flexed off the line next to him.  WInslow then would motion to the right and lead block for a right side stretch play with Lewis.

Most nerdy fans like myself know that in the past two seasons Winslow has mostly been a backside blocking option on run plays.  His knee has never been healthy enough to anchor as a lead blocker, so this could be a play and formation to watch for Monday.  Most of the time last year, when this play was ran (not just in the red zone), it was Joe Jurevicius coming over and clearing out as a blocker.

Another thing I noticed was the team targeting Stallworth more on short passing plays.  This was an element missing from the Browns offense last year.

The play of the day goes to rookie Paul Hubbard.  In pass catching drills he made a one-handed grab well over his head and behind him.  He hauled in with a nice leaping catch.   Hubbard was the only one of the rookies who didn't drop a catch.  Lance Leggett couldn't catch a cold yesterday.

On an funny note, as the team went through their walk-through other offensive players were used in the same formation as many of the Giants defensive packages.  Personally seeing Hank Fraley line up as the strong-side linebacker over the tight end was pretty funny.  Seeing Syndric Steptoe line up at linebacker was a close second.

Lawrence Vickers didn't do much that I saw in practice, but he played up the crowd well.  He told the fans that after today we'd have to scale the fence.  Both him and undrafted rookie Gerald Lawson played up the fans well.

Other than that, there wasn't much to report.  The fan in me wishes Training Camp could last longer, but all great things must come to an end.

Realistically, this is the end for Baxter.  His comeback was nothing short of inspiring, but the body has certain limitations.  Baxter was a guy who was active in the community, so it's sad to see him go on many levels.  Best of luck, Gary.

A large portion of the original game preview was about the Jets' quarterback position and who they choose between Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. The Jets trading for Brett Favre blows that battle out of the water.

Pennington will likely be gone, possibly by game time, so Clemens should get a majority of the snaps. Last season, Clemens started eight games while playing in 10 total. For the year, he threw for 1,529 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 60.9 percent of his passes.

What does this mean to a Browns preseason game? Cornerbacks Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald should look good in the first quarter. If they don't, that could be some cause for early concern.

The Jets improved their offense over the offseason, signing left guard Alan Faneca and drafting tight end Dustin Keller. Both should pay immediate dividends for New York.

As much as the Jets improved on offense, the defense should only get better after signing nose tackle Kris Jenkins from the Panthers, linebacker Calvin Pace from the Cardinals and drafting pass rusher Vernon Gholston.

As a fan, preseason games are typically worthless. This is really no different. It will be nice for anyone who hasn't gone to training camp to see the new players.

What to watch for:
- The play of new No. 2 wide receiver Donte Stallworth. He's a much different receiver than Joe Jurevicius, who starter Derek Anderson had a good rapport with.
- A new and hopefully improved defensive line featuring tackle Shaun Rogers and end Corey Williams.
- Fourth-round pick Martin Rucker, who should see considerable playing time with Kellen Winslow and Steve Heiden being injured.
- The battle for the No. 3 receiver spot between Travis Wilson and Joshua Cribbs. Kevin Kasper won't play because of a knee injury.
- Rookie Alex Hall. He's been the story of camp amongst rookies and will play with the second team. David McMillan is getting the start at strong-side outside linebacker for the injured Antwan Peek. Hall will get plenty of time with the second, and possibly third, team.
- Jamal Lewis' stomach. He's down 15 pounds from last year, so a trimmer Lewis should be much more agile. Yeah, I'm stretching here.

Key Browns injuries: S Gary Baxter (knee), LB Beau Bell (knee), TE Steve Heiden (knee), WR Kevin Kasper (knee), G Seth McKinney (ankle), LB Antwan Peek (knee), FB Lawrence Vickers (hamstring), TE Kellen Winslow (hamstring).

Previous meeting: Last December, the Browns beat New York 24-18 at the Meadowlands.

Also see:
-Akron Beacon Journal: Crennel looking for team cohesion
-Canton Repository: Browns begin process of seeing where they are at this point
-Dawgs by Nature: Position battles to scope out

Expect these game previews to be much more in depth when the regular season starts and we get some kind of style down.

Note: See comment No. 2 for a neat announcement.

However, this came before Cribbs became arguably the most exciting special teams player in the league and Bears return specialist Devin Hester received a four-year extension worth up $40 million with $15 million guaranteed.

So what are the Browns to do? In June, general manager Phil Savage said the team was pretty much at its budget when tight end Kellen Winslow wanted more money.

It is my (likely stupid) opinion that contracts should be year-to-year performance based (this would probably come with some kind of minimum set by the league).

So, was Cribbs' performance last season worth more than the $997,000 he is scheduled to make this year? Probably.

Is Cribbs worth the possible $5.5 million Hester is expected to receive this year? Absolutely not.

Cribbs' value is probably somewhere in between. Hopefully he, his agent and the Browns front office realize as much.

Notes…
I don't know why this was in the fantasy sports section, but Matt Williamson of ESPN.com ranks the Browns' offensive line as tops in the NFL. This is absolutely crazy to me, given past o-line rankings. That's what having Joe "future president" Thomas and Eric Steinbach on the left side can do for you.

More scrutiny and praise dished about the team's secondary.

Coming Thursday morning will be a preview of the first preseason game against the Jets. Probably no post tomorrow, unless something major comes up or I get bored. Previous circumstances mean I won't be watching the game live Thursday night, so no live blogging. I'll be at the Akron Art Museum seeing my favorite live band, Houseguest. It will be fun (free) times. Nothing from Luke, either. He's in Las Vegas. Upon his return to Ohio, he and I plan on attending training camp Saturday. Come out. Say hello. I'm like 9-foot-12, so I'm not hard to spot.

The game is on NBC at 7:30 p.m. You can also listen on WMMS (100.7-FM), though hearing games on radio just isn't the same without Casey Coleman on the sideline. That's not to say anything bad about Andre Knott, who does a great job. Speaking of Andre, make sure to check out his blog. He updates it frequently and really has his ear inside the locker room at all times.

But anyway. With the starters playing a quarter (which is the usual for the first preseason game), it's possible the offense and defense could both get two series. It will be interesting to see the Browns' new defensive line against the Jets, who added left guard Alan Faneca in the offseason.

The game is in Cleveland. If you go, pass along anything you want to me and I'll make sure to get it up on the blog.

Notes…
You may have noticed, but ESPN just brought in NFL divisional bloggers. They got a real steal with James Walker on the AFC North. He had a story last week on the team's cornerbacks. Good, quick read.

Is Braylon Edwards really poised to have the greatest season ever for a wide receiver?

There will be nothing here that you can't see by going to Berea, but it could be a fun time if you have kids. The only thing I'd really say to do is watch the rookies as they come onto the field for the first time. Sometimes they'll show how awe-inspiring it is to finally make it onto NFL grass. Especially watch outside linebacker Alex Hall for this. He comes from tiny St. Augustine, so this should be some culture shock.

Notes…
Linebacker Antwan Peek is expected to miss the remainder of training camp with an injured knee and all preseason games after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

Don Banks, the very good football writer for Sports Illustrated, was at Browns camp. He talked with Braylon Edwards a lot. Check it out.

Even if you're not a Zips fan, try to make your way over to meet the team night Aug. 10. It's always a fun way to meet the players and chat it up with them for a bit. Just like Family Night, if you have kids, this is great.

No word on if RT #63 will be joining Brown in the suit.

How could that be? As a rookie, Thomas only allowed one sack — a disputed one against Buffalo's Aaron Schobel.

You probably remember that game. It was the one with the blizzard. So, Thomas gives up one sack in a snowstorm and makes the Pro Bowl. Also consider that most of running back Jamal Lewis' 1,300 yards last year came from behind Thomas' side of the line. Or the Browns line only gave up 19 sacks last season. (Point of reference: The Patriots gave up 21, the Colts 23, the Giants 28)

Yet, he could be better. Lunacy!

Thomas has actually spent some time thinking about that singular snow sack.

"It's one of those things where you could have made a better set," he told reporters Wednesday. "The technique could have been better. You probably could have prevented it."

That is completely real. Joe Thomas was really pondering what he could have done during the only mental lapse he had in 2007. Can we vote Joe Thomas for president?

Heck, Willie McGinest, who knows a thing or two, compared Thomas to a young Tony Boselli. High praise, considering Boselli looked to be a future All Pro before injuries ravaged his legs.

Over the offseason, Thomas has bulked up to 310 pounds, and is reportedly even quicker on his feet during training camp. He put that on display at camp Wednesday, shifting and tossing rush linebacker David McMillan to the ground.

Without a doubt, it's just the first of many displays to come.

Aww. What a nice ending. After the jump, a Joe Thomas button I threw together!