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Frye shows early spark as Browns edge Chiefs

Aug 12, 2007 - 2:46 AM CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- Charlie Frye took the early lead in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback derby.

Frye clearly outplayed Derek Anderson in the preseason opener and Chris Barclay ran back a kickoff 88 yards for the winning touchdown as the Browns squeaked past the Kansas City Chiefs, 16-12, in a preseason game on Saturday night.

A couple of major mental mistakes hurt Frye - one that led to the Chiefs' only touchdown - as he completed 12-of-15 passes for 122 yards.

Anderson, who finished 7-of-16 for 76 yards, did lead the Browns on a 12-play, 61-yard drive for a go-ahead field goal in the third quarter for a 9-7 lead.

Frye, conversely, completed 12-of-15 passes for 122 yards, but his lateral pass was scooped up and returned 56 yards for a touchdown by Benny Sapp. Frye also tried to run up the middle instead of passing and was tackled at the Chiefs 2 as time ran out in the half.

Phil Dawson kicked three field goals of 27, 38 and 32 yards and Barclay won it with his dramatic kick return - untouched - with 1:36 to play for Cleveland.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, saw little resolved in the battle to land their starting QB slot. With Trent Green shipped to Miami in a trade, neither Brodie Croyle or Damon Huard did much to distinguish themselves.

With star running back Larry Johnson continuing to hold out, Coyle finished 5-for-9 with 49 yards and a killer interception that led to Cleveland's first field goal.

Huard was equally ineffective, completing 2-of-4 passes for 19 yards and an interception of his own.

Jamal Lewis rushed for 20 yards on four carries and caught three passes for 16 yards in his Cleveland debut.

Michael Bennett had three carries for 28 yards for Kansas City.