Broncos Get a Grip, Rebound to Beat Browns

The most important adjustment the Denver Broncos made after they were shut out last week might also have been one of the most subtle.

They changed their holder on field goals.

With rookie quarterback Tommy Maddox doing the holding, David Treadwell kicked four field goals Sunday as the Broncos beat the Cleveland Browns, 12-0.

Maddox replaced Mike Horan, who was dropped from the holder’s role so he could concentrate on his punting while Maddox concentrated on holding.

The move worked on both counts. Treadwell, who missed two field goals in last week’s 30-0 loss at Philadelphia, was successful from 23, 44, 32 and 20 yards on Sunday. Horan averaged 51 yards on four punts.

“They wanted to make the change because Mike didn’t get the repetitions in practice they wanted him to, because he always had to punt,” Maddox said. “David is a veteran kicker. I knew all I had to do was get the ball down for him.”

The field-goal flurry and Denver’s inspired defensive effort spoiled the Cleveland debut of Mike Tomczak, the Browns’ third quarterback in as many weeks. Signed as a backup 12 days ago after Bernie Kosar broke his ankle, Tomczak moved into the starting job after Todd Philcox broke his thumb during last week’s game against the Raiders.

Tomczak ran a conservative offense that totaled 216 yards, 141 on the ground. He completed nine of 19 passes for 75 yards.

Eric Metcalf, who scored four touchdowns against the Raiders, gained only 21 yards in eight carries and caught three passes for 11 yards.

The Broncos’ running game, ranked 27th in the NFL, produced 188 of Denver’s 300 yards, making up for the five sacks endured by John Elway. Second-year back Reggie Rivers helped put the game away with a 48-yard run from his own five-yard line in the fourth quarter, keying a 94-yard drive that set up Treadwell’s fourth field goal.

The Browns (1-3) were shut out for the first time in more than a year. The Broncos (3-1) got their first shutout since 1989.