PRO FOOTBALL ’95 : Testaverde Proves Point, Browns Top Buccaneers

For Vinny Testaverde, this one surely meant more than most.

After failing to bring a winner to Tampa Bay in his six seasons there, Testaverde showed Sunday that it probably wasn’t all his fault by passing the Cleveland Browns to a 22-6 victory over the Buccaneers.

He threw for 256 yards, two touchdowns and--significantly--no interceptions, which were a continual source of criticism during his spotty career with the Buccaneers.

Sunday’s game was his first ever in the regular season against Tampa Bay.

“One ugly uniform against the other, I guess,” Testaverde said. “Going against the team I played with for six years, it was extra special because of that. I just know I wanted to win this one bad.”

The Browns (1-1) took control late in the first half when Testaverde connected with Keenan McCardell for two touchdowns in the final 74 seconds, building their halftime lead to 19-0.

McCardell caught a six-yard scoring pass with 1:14 left in the half, and after the Cleveland defense forced a quick punt, Testaverde needed only 28 seconds to take his team 70 yards to another score on a 32-yard touchdown pass to McCardell.

“Vinny had a little grudge,” McCardell said. “He wanted to beat Tampa Bay. It was something we knew, and we wanted to help him. He’s ready to play this year. You guys better recognize it.”

Cleveland’s defense, which allowed the fewest points in the NFL last year, made it stand up, allowing only a two-yard scoring run by Errict Rhett in the fourth quarter.

The Buccaneers (1-1) dropped to 0-5 against Cleveland. Tampa Bay is the only team, other than the two expansion teams, without a victory against the Browns.

“I thought Vinny played a great game, not a good game,” Tampa Bay Coach Sam Wyche said. “I’ve always thought the world of him as a player and as a person. I believe he’s one of the prettiest passers in the league.

“Sometimes these kinds of challenges--that he passes with flying colors like he did today--set him up to another level for the rest of the year. And that will be great for the Cleveland Browns.”

Trent Dilfer was 20 of 36 for 255 yards and two interceptions but was sacked seven times.