Cleveland - Strong safety Morgan Burnett delivered on Saturday night precisely what the Green Bay Packers hope to get from him this season.

On two plays in the second series - one a run, the other a pass - of the exhibition opener against the Cleveland Browns, Burnett demonstrated the blend of physical play and athleticism that led the Packers to start him as a rookie.

Being physical wasn't Burnett's game last year. Before blowing out his knee in Week 4, Burnett did many good things but laying the leather to people wasn't one of them.

Those two plays, coming as they did in Burnett's first exposure to live tackling in 10 months, must certainly have cheered the coaching staff.

On second and 2, Burnett was patrolling center field with free safety Nick Collins near the line. Running back Peyton Hillis pounded off right guard and was hit high by B.J. Raji. As the 250-pound Hillis leaned for the sticks, Burnett slammed into him and the gain was just 1.

"He kind of reinforced," Raji said. "He came through and really put the hammer down."

On third and 1, the Browns flanked tight end Evan Moore wide right tight to the sideline.

"It was a play we were all messed up," Burnett said. "I was supposed to be out there."

Burnett credited Tramon Williams and Collins for seeing the situation and telling him to get wide. Colt McCoy flipped a hitch to Moore, but by then Burnett was in position and closed quickly to make the stop for minus-1.

"That's an even more impressive play," Raji said. "An open-field tackle, that's one of the hardest plays to make in football. Come downhill, break down on a two-way go. Made a great play."

Moore, an athletic tight end and former Packers' free agent, provides the type of matchup that some strong safeties can't handle. The 209-pound Burnett has the coverage ability, size and speed to cover almost any tight end, but he still must prove he can mix it up on a consistent basis.

"Yeah, I believe I have it in me," Burnett said. "But my main goal is to improve from last year. Gain a little more knowledge and get better."

"At some point he'll be hitting like the other guys we have," Raji said. "He's a young kid. I mean, he's a good player. We know that. I think it's more important for him to understand his role and the scheme."

Injury list: Tight end Andrew Quarless, who missed most of the first week with a hip injury, left with a groin injury. Also leaving early were running back James Starks (ankle) and tight end Tom Crabtree (ribs).

Sitting out were wide receiver Brett Swain (hamstring), tight end Jermichael Finley (glute), tackle Chris Campbell (knee), guard Adrian Battles (Achilles'), running back Alex Green (thigh), nose tackle Chris Donaldson (shoulder), linebacker Diyral Briggs (hamstring), cornerbacks Davon House (hamstring), cornerback Brandian Ross (hamstring), cornerback Sam Shields (hip pointer) and safety Brandon Underwood (knee).

Cornerback Charles Woodson was given the night off.

Heavy duty: The Packers ran 72 plays from scrimmage as Aaron Rodgers played most of the first quarter, Matt Flynn finished the first half and Graham Harrell played the entire second half.

"From a quarterback development standpoint, you can't ask for better work than tonight," coach Mike McCarthy said. "I was pleased to get Graham two quarters of work. I think he has a very promising future.

"Matt's just Matt. He's the No. 2 quarterback, but he's been playing like that for a couple years now. The two-minute drill before the half was excellent.

"(Rodgers) performed very well in that second series. He had command at the line of scrimmage."

Overall assessment: This was the third straight August in which the Packers have opened against the Browns. The Packers dominated in 2009, 17-0, but lost last year, 27-24, and again Saturday night, 27-17.

"I thought they were a much better football team than we played two years ago," McCarthy said. "Football's football. It was quality work.

"I told the football team at halftime I thought we needed to pick up our urgency of the operation. We definitely have a lot more to offer in energy and tempo.

"The tackling probably wasn't where it needed to be. It was our first time in live action. It was great to be in live action.

"Personnel evaluation was the A-No. 1 priority tonight. Then management of the sideline, management of your personnel. We always want to win the game."

In better shape: Nose tackle Howard Green said he has lost about 10 pounds since the start of camp and was at 360, which he said was his playing weight a year ago.

Green said he and nose tackle Ryan Pickett have been working together inside the Hutson Center during breaks in practice. Also, Pickett said his weight was close to 340.

"Ten pounds is nothing to lose during practice," Green said. "I'd have no problem playing whatever they need me to do. No big deal."

Rhodes is back: Former Packers head coach Ray Rhodes, 60, was on the opposite sideline Saturday.

Rhodes, the Packers' head coach in 1999 and also their former defensive coordinator, is a senior assistant on defense for the Browns.