The Lions improved to 3-0 in the preseason with a 26-6 win over the Browns. The running game struggled early going against a 3-4 defense for the first time this year, but Jon Kitna led two field-goal drives in his only work and Kevin Smith added a 35-yard touchdown run before leaving in the second quarter. The last time the Lions started 3-0 in the preseason was 1995, when they went on to finish 10-6 and made the playoffs. Don't get too giddy, though. Cleveland was playing without six regulars, including Braylon Edwards, Derek Anderson and Jamal Lewis.

A few thoughts before I get home and watch the TV copy:

• Dan Orlovsky played the final three quarters and acquitted himself nicely. He threw one horrible interception, panicking in the face of oncoming blitz, but made up for by leading four scoring drives and making a great downfield block on Smith's touchdown run. Orlovsky took out two defenders and impeded another with his block, allowing Smith to sidestep the final guy en route to the end zone.

• Devale Ellis had a good game in his pursuit of a job as the fifth receiver. Ellis let a pass slide right through his hands last week, but he caught four balls for 60 yards Saturday. His best catch came in the fourth quarter, when he held on to an Orlovsky pass after being popped from behind by safety Brandon Mitchell. Ellis still didn't get much of a look on punt return. He went back for four punts, two landed out of bounds and two went out of the end zone. He was visibly frustrated at not getting a return opportunity, but I still think it's his job to lose (assuming the Lions keep five receivers) based on his camp performance and history.

• That's not to say Brandon Middleton and even John Standeford did their part to keep it a competition. Middleton made a tough catch for a touchdown late in the third quarter and has return skills, and Standeford continues to catch everything thrown his way. The Purdue product even made a tackle on special teams, which will be the deciding factor in who gets the roster spot. One or both of those guys are destined for the practice squad.

• My first instinct is that rookie fullback Jerome Felton didn't have his best game, but maybe that comes from the lasting memory of him getting trucked in pass protection on a fourth-quarter sack by linebacker David McMillan. The Lions have some roster decisions to make next week. Felton's job is safe, but if the tape proves me right the Lions might be inclined to keep backup fullback Sean McHugh (who can play some tight end) over an extra tight end.

• Shaun Cody had a good game against a stout Cleveland offensive line. He started in place of the injured Cory Redding, and spent a good chunk of time harassing quarterback Brady Quinn.

• Last thing for the night, the Lions opened the game in a four-receiver, no-huddle set in order to work on their two-minute offense. The first team hadn't had a chance to do that live all preseason, so Lions coach Rod Marinelli said they tried to manufacture a situation to get it on film. He also went for a fourth-and-1 he normally would have punted in order to get that on film. Good moves, because the starters will play about a series next week against Buffalo to ward off injuries.