Philadelphia -- The Browns and Charlie Frye can breathe a little easier today.

They survived two offensive series with emergency center Alonzo Ephraim in the middle of their line against the Philadelphia Eagles' first-team defense Thursday night without incident.

That is the best you could say about the first-team Browns offense in a 20-7 loss in their exhibition opener.

The shutout was averted when fourth-string quarterback Lang Campbell hit rookie running back Jerome Harrison for an 8-yard touchdown pass with 2:57 to go. Receiver Travis Wilson, another rookie, had a 26-yard reception on the drive against Philadelphia's camp hands.

"It wasn't pretty . . . there's a lot of work to do, as you saw," said coach Romeo Crennel. "I feel good about getting the time on the field and not having any major injuries."

The Browns' first-team offense gained 39 yards in 10 plays and converted one of three third downs. But given the dire situation caused by the abrupt walkout of center Bob Hallen on Monday -- and subsequent retirement -- merely getting out of Lincoln Financial Field without another team setback qualified as a relief.

While the offense survived intact, the defense did not.

Cornerback Gary Baxter, who made a surprise start after tweaking his left knee in practice this week, had to leave the game with a strained shoulder. Baxter missed the final 10 games last year after tearing his right pectoral.

Philadelphia scored two touchdowns behind 2004 Browns starter Jeff Garcia, who is with his fourth team in four years. Garcia, who beat the Browns with Detroit last year, completed 8 of 11 passes for 125 yards.

Frye and Ephraim had no exchange problems in their 10 plays and there was only one procedure penalty by a lineman, left guard Joe Andruzzi.

"I'll tell you, Alonzo hung in there pretty good for playing a whole half," Crennel said.

But Crennel added the center position is "up in the air" and the team will continue to explore adding another one.

The only plays of note were turned in by running back Reuben Droughns, who had runs of 11 and 8 yards, though the latter was nullified on a suspect holding call against receiver Frisman Jackson.

Droughns had 21 yards on four carries.

Frye was 4-of-7 for 23 yards. His longest completion was of 7 yards to Droughns. Joe Jurevicius had a catch for 6 yards.

Tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., seeing his first game action in 23 months, was Frye's intended receiver three times. He had a reception of 6 yards.

Another one of 2 yards was negated by a Philadelphia offsides call. Frye's last pass was thrown incomplete for Winslow, who was on the ground, as Frye was hurried by Jevon Kearse coming clean past starting right tackle Kirk Chambers. Chambers later gave up a sack to Jerome McDougle.

Nat Dorsey, the other young tackle the Browns are trying to groom as Ryan Tucker recovers from knee surgery, was victimized by Darren Howard on a big sack of Ken Dorsey later in the second quarter. So the problems on the line go beyond the center position.

Crennel's emerging defense, meanwhile, had its moments.

True, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb did move his team 76 yards in 14 plays on its opening drive, but the Browns stiffened at the goal line and stopped the Eagles inside the 5 to force a David Akers field goal of 22 yards. Safety Brodney Pool had a stop of running back Reno Mahe at the 1 and rookie linebacker Kamerion Wimbley forced Mahe into a 3-yard loss.

McNabb, missing starting running back Brian Westbrook and receiver Todd Pinkston, ate up 33 yards in the drive on a perfect connection with rookie receiver Hank Baskett over good coverage by Pete Hunter.

In the third quarter, Hunter surrendered a 32-yard touchdown pass from Garcia to Darnerien McCants, who beat the cornerback with a move at the 20.

Hunter's performance was noteworthy because he figures to compete with second-year corner Antonio Perkins for a starting job if Baxter misses extended time. Third cornerback Daylon McCutcheon is already out for the preseason after knee surgery.

Garcia took over for McNabb on Philadelphia's third possession and was promptly sacked by second-year linebacker David McMillan on successive plays. Tackle Nick Eason was active on the short-lived series, too.

Frye's backups - Ken Dorsey and Derek Anderson - played as unimpressively as they have looked in practice. The Browns are trying not to overreact, but they've got to be concerned.

Dorsey was 5-of-10 for 48 yards and was sacked twice. Anderson was 3-of-4 for 21 yards and sacked once. Neither displayed the agility to avoid defensive pressure.