BY JEREMY SOMERVILLE
  BROWNS BEAT WRITER

Reserve kicker Jeff Wolfert's 45-yard field goal with 28 seconds gave the Cleveland Browns a 19-17 victory over the Detroit Lions in this seasons Great Lake Classic

Thats right Browns fans, the Barge is coming home to Cleveland.

Alright, now back to reality.

Wolfert's kick capped off what was mostly a woeful night for the brown and orange.

Starting quarterback Brandon Weeden, making his NFL debut, showed spurts of his ability but also managed to look very, very rookie-esque. Weeden finished the night by going 3/9 for 62 yards with one interception. He led three drives which resulted in zero points. The highlights on the night for Weeden were his first throw, an 12-yard completion to Mo Massaquoi, that resulted in a first down, as well as another head injury for Massaquoi.

The other highlight of the night for Weeden was a perfectly placed pass on a fade route to fellow rookie Travis Benjamin that resulted in a 34-yard gain. Overall Weeden was average at best, but remember it's only the preseason, this is the time to work out the kinks.

The Browns first team defense was also far from great, as they allowed the Lions offense to run all over them. Lions running back were able to go off tackle and find cut back lanes almost at will, however, the defense tightened up and held their own as they allowed zero scoring drives by the powerful Detroit first team offense.

After the first quarter, the Browns trailed 7-0 as both teams sent in their second units.

The Browns second team offense, led by Colt McCoy managed to move the ball somewhat better than the first team. McCoy led the team to their first scoring drive, one that resulted in a 37-yard field goal by the automatic Phil Dawson, and pulled the Browns closer at 7-3.

It was the only scoring drive McCoy would lead as he played only the second quarter. His stats on the night, a rather respectable 6/8 for 88 yards.

The second team defense looked eerily similar to the first teamers as they continued to get hammered by cut backs and off tackle runs, but managed to only allow a Shaun Hill touchdown pass to send the game into half at 14-3.

Once the deep reserves took over in the second half, the Browns outscored the Lions 16-3.

Seneca Wallace led the Browns to their first touchdown of the 2012 season as he avoided  the rush, scrambled and found Brad Smelley for 12-yard TD pass midway through the third quarter that pulled Cleveland within four.

Thad Lewis, who was 5/8 for 90 yards, and the rest of the reserves spurred the Browns to two scoring drives, including the game winner.

The orange and brown travel home tonight and will be back at practice in Berea on Sunday as they prepare to face Green Bay on Thursday.

jsomerville@lakecounty-sentinel.com or follow Jeremy on Twitter  @CTownSportsTalk

POSTED 08/11/2012  00:30