Moore makes most of opportunity

CLEVELAND - Many Browns fans probably wondered who Evan Moore is and why was he on the field for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers?

No one could complain about his presence after the Browns lost, 30-23. Moore was one of the bright spots for the Browns in catching six passes for 80 yards.

The Browns signed Moore four weeks ago. He had been on the practice squad until Mangini decided to activate him after a good week of practices last week.

Moore was originally signed by the New Orleans Saints in 2008. The Green Bay Packers signed him to their practice squad last year, and he spent most of the season on injured reserve after suffering a knee injury.

"I prepared last week like I was going to play," Moore said. "I had reps in practice. Quality reps as opposed to just scout-team reps. The worst-case scenario was that I wouldn't play and I just over-prepared."

Quarterback Brady Quinn looked comfortable working the ball in Moore's direction. Eleven passes were targeted for the tight end from Stanford.

"He's from Stanford, so I was really surprised that we had that much chemistry," Quinn said jokingly. "He's done a good job. He's someone people are going to have to look at on film from now on. He's a weapon. He's shown that since he's been here. We gave him an opportunity, and he did a great job."

The offense has lacked a dependable tight end to work the short areas in the middle of the field since Kellen Winslow was traded to Tampa Bay. Steve Heiden struggled with a bad knee before being shut down for the season. Robert Royal hasn't been able to show consistency.

"I was pretty confident going into this game because I felt like our coaches put together a good game plan to take advantage of the middle of the field," Moore said. "They (the Chargers) hadn't game planned for a lot of balls to the tight end. Brady put the ball into a lot of good spots."

• GETTING BETTER?: Quinn was adamant in saying that he thinks both the offense and he have improved throughout the course of the season.

"I think I've grown the whole season," Quinn said. "I think our team has. We're progressing and maturing and making some strides."

Quinn has thrown 127 consecutive passes without an interception, a span that covers four games.

• CAREER BEST: Running back Jerome Harrison had career highs with seven receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. The last Browns running back to score twice on receptions in a game was Leroy Hoard against the Chargers on Oct. 21, 1991. Harrison's seven catches are the most by a running back since Jamel White had seven against Seattle on Nov. 30, 2003.

• MOVING THE CHAINS: The Browns had a season-high 24 first downs. Their average of 5.2 yards per rush is a season high, while San Diego's average of 2.8 yards per rush is a season low allowed by the defense.

• CHANGING FACES: Ahtyba Rubin started at nose tackle in place of Shaun Rogers, who suffered a season-ending injury last week. Other changes saw Mike Adams start at cornerback in place of Brandon McDonald. Adams was replaced at safety by Hank Poteat. Adams was listed on the depth chart as a starter at a safety spot for the injured Brodney Pool.

Floyd Womack started at right guard for Rex Hadnot. Womack left early with an injury and was replaced by Hank Fraley at right guard, but he returned and played most of the game.

• MOVING ON UP: Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson moved ahead of Marshall Faulk and Browns great Jim Brown on the NFL career rushing list. He entered the game needing 56 yards (he had 64 yards) to pass Brown, who had 12,312 yards in nine seasons. This is Tomlinson's ninth season, and he's now ninth on the career list.

• ON FIRE: Tomlinson's 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave him 150 touchdowns in 160 career games. He's the first player to score that many touchdowns in such a span, breaking the record previously held by Emmitt Smith.

Chargers tight end Antonio Gates set a career high with 167 receiving yards on eight receptions.

• INJURY REPORT: Defensive end C.J. Mosley wasn't able to take advantage of increased playing time due to Rogers' injury for long. He suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter and was carted off the field. Mosley was seen in the locker room on crutches and with his right ankle heavily wrapped.

The Browns were down to Rubin, Robaire Smith, Corey Williams and Brian Schaefering as the remaining healthy bodies on the defensive front.

Smith remained on the ground for a couple of minutes in the third quarter. He walked off the field without assistance and was back on the field for the next defensive series.

• INACTIVES: Out for the Browns were third quarterback Brett Ratliff; defensive backs Gerard Lawson and Ramzee Robinson; linebacker Marcus Benard; Hadnot; tight end Greg Estandia; receiver Jake Allen and defensive lineman Kenyon Coleman.

mmclain@tribtoday.com