Cleveland’s Chris Barclay dashed toward the end zone — and dashed the Chiefs’ chances for a victory — with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Barclay’s 88-yard score came with 1:36 to play and after the Chiefs took the lead on a field goal.
CLEVELAND | Casey Printers was 4 yards away from burying the miserable memories of his dreadful preseason last year.
He was that close to leading the Chiefs to an improbable comeback victory in the final moments.
“When I went out there for the last drive, I told the guys in the huddle, ‘This is what dreams are made of right here.’ We were going to take the ball down the field and win the game,? he said.
That was before Printers fumbled on third and goal from the Cleveland 4 with 30 seconds left. The Browns recovered, allowing them to hold on for a 16-12 win.
The play was only one of the significant ones in a wild fourth quarter. The Chiefs tied the game 9-9 early in the period on a safety, took the lead on Justin Medlock’s 42-yard field goal with 1 minute, 48 seconds left and then lost it when Cleveland’s Chris Barclay returned the kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.
The final drama belonged to Printers. He finally did something neither Brodie Croyle nor Damon Huard could, which was get the Chiefs into scoring range.
A perfectly placed 21-yard pass to Chris Hannon put the Chiefs at midfield. Printers later scrambled 14 yards and, combined with a Cleveland personal foul penalty, pushed the Chiefs to the Browns’ 8.
Two plays later, Printers fumbled coming out of center, ruining his storybook finish.
“He’s trying to pull out of there (too quickly). He knows they were blitzing,? coach Herm Edwards said. “It would have been fun for the young guys. He orchestrated a nice drive there. He made a couple throws. He got out of the way (of the pass rush) and scrambled a couple of times.?
Printers said, “I knew what they were trying to do. In order for me to get the ball off, I was going to have to shoot back from center because I knew they were bringing the house.
“It was just a miscue I wish I could have back.?
Printers, who was dismal in an infamous preseason loss in Houston last year, wasn’t significantly better this time. The Chiefs went three plays and punt in each of his first three possessions.
Then he fell 4 yards short of making it all good at the end.
“If you’re looking at this preseason game compared to last year, it’s like light years (difference),? Edwards said. “He’s way ahead of where he was last year.?
[url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/228714.html]http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs ... 28714.html[/url]