Don't make any snap judgments. Remember, it's just one game.

Kelly Holcomb's first start as the Cleveland Browns quarterback instead of Tim Couch went as usual. Lots of good numbers but no victory.

But remember, it's just one game.

It's like last season when Holcomb threw for more than 400 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs. Great numbers, but the Browns still lost.

That performance led Browns coach Butch Davis to open up the quarterback position between incumbent Tim Couch and Holcomb. Couch led the Browns to some key wins that put them in the playoffs. But Couch was injured and couldn't play in the postseason.

Remember, it was just one game.

In Sunday's season opener, the Browns offense sputtered in a 9-6 last-season loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Holcomb completed 20 of 29 passes, but he totaled just 182 yards -- less than 10 yards per completion -- and he threw two crucial interceptions the first half. He spent most of the second half throwing dump offs to running backs or quick hitches to wide receivers.

And he misfired on a soft toss to William Green near the goal line late in the game that could have given the Browns a possible touchdown or a first down at the worst.

"You've got to be able to score," Holcomb said. "We had plenty of opportunities. Our defense played great. It just didn't happen."

Davis, the man who made the final call and pulled the higher-paid Couch in favor of Holcomb, was unhappy that it didn't happen.

"This was a very winnable ball game. We had some opportunities," Davis said. "You can't have first and goal at the 3-yard line twice and end up with six points. In this league, teams win in the red zone. It's a clear-cut deal. When you get in the red zone you've got to score."

Davis was clear-cut in his assessment, just like he was clear-cut in his quarterback decision. Or was he? Maybe the decision was based on money. Maybe management wants to see if the team can with with a lesser-paid quarterback which would allow them to trade or cut Couch and bank his $7 million salary next year.

And there's probably nothing to it, but the questions have sprouted regarding the relationship of Browns offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Holcomb.

Arians spent three years helping to develop Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. The backup quarterback at Indianapolis during Arians' tenure was a guy named Kelly Holcomb.

Some fans have suggested that there may have been some favoritism toward Holcomb in the preseason competition for the quarterback job. But we know nothing like that could possibly happen in the NFL.

Still, don't get too worried about losing the first game.

"You have to pick yourself up," Holcomb said. "It's a 15-game season right now. We have to get ready for Baltimore next week."

Holcomb's right. After all, it's just one game.

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.