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Saturday, June 11, 2011
Considering the bad fortunes this Cleveland sports franchise has gone through, 2010 was a step up for the Browns. Despite a 5-11 record, the Browns had convincing victories over the Saints and Patriots. On top of solid victories, the Browns also had a lot of talent. It included QB Colt McCoy and RB Peyton Hillis (the Madden 12 cover man). Even though Cleveland is one of the most cursed sports cities in America, the Browns are on the most historic NFL franchises. 
Best Coach: Paul Brown (1946-1962)
Never has a coach been so synonymous with a franchise then Paul Brown was with the Browns. In 1945, a new sports franchise in the NFL was founded and owner Arthur B. McBride hired Brown to coach the team. The Browns first four years of existence were spent in the AAFC where they dominated winning all of the leagues championships. Brown was most notably known for getting things done his way. One move was when Brown signed a tailback named Otto Graham to be his QB. Brown also crossed the color barrier in sports when he signed Marion Motley and Bill Willis, who would both go on to have Hall of Fame careers. The Browns, along with the Colts and 49ers, moved to the NFL in 1950. Many critics thought the Browns would fail since they came from the weak AAFC, but instead Brown helped silence those critics as Cleveland won an NFL Championship in their first year. The team that many predicted to fail never did, Brown led the Browns to five straight NFL Championship appearances winning back-to-back titles in 1954 and 1955. Many things we see on Sunday is because of Brown. One included using radio transmitters to communicate with players on the field. During Brown's great head coach career, he also built quite a coaching tree that was compromised of guys like Bill Walsh and Don Shula. The Browns have always looked for that success that Brown helped deliver during his time with coach. It's been 49 years and the franchise is still looking.
I don't care what anybody says, Jim Brown is the reason the RB is such a luxurious position today. Brown was the sixth overall pick in the 1956 draft. In his short, but historic NFL career, Brown went to nine Pro Bowls, was a first team All-Pro selection eight times, and is a three time NFL MVP. When Brown retired after nine seasons with Cleveland, he held virtually every record for a running back. Those records included rushing touchdowns (106), total touchdowns (126), and all purpose yards (15,549). Brown also held the record for shortest time to 100 touchdowns, when he did it in 93. Ladanian Tomlinson broke that record in 2006 when he did it in 89 games. These record could be enough for a average RB, but Brown wasn't your typical tailback. Brown also holds the record for most times leading the NFL in rushing by doing it five times. Many say that Brown could of not broken these records if he played in the NFL today, but that is not important. What is important is that Brown help revolutionize the position of RB and is one of the greatest to ever play the game. Click here to look at Brown's stats.
During a time where guys like John Elway, Joe Montana, and Dan Marino were playing QB, Bernie Kosar flew under the radar. The story of how Kosar was drafted by the Browns is actually a pretty good one. Kosar decided to forgo the final two years of his college career and decided to enter the NFL draft. Since Kosar wanted to play with his hometown team, the Browns, he wanted to skip the regular draft and enter the supplemental draft. In the mist of controversy with many teams, commissioner Pete Rozelle decided to leave the decision up to Kosar on whether he wanted to enter the regular draft or supplemental draft. Eventually the Browns drafted Kosar in the supplemental and he would go on to do what no other QB's have done in Cleveland. In Kosar's rookie season, he took over for injured starting QB Gary Danielson. Despite only completing half his throws, Kosar helped lead the Browns to a 8-8 record and a playoff berth. In 1987 (strike shortened season), Kosar completed his finest season as a pro. On top of throwing for 3,033 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading the AFC in QB rating, Kosar also helped lead the Browns to another AFC title game against the Broncos. In the game, Kosar threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-33 loss. Kosar was able to lead the Browns to another AFC title game in 1989 where the team lost again to the Broncos (more on these misfortunes later). In 1990, Kosar started a streak of not throwing a interception in 308 attempts (the streak was broken by Tom Brady last season). The Browns released Kosar in 1991 but remains one of Cleveland's most popular athletes. Click here to look at Kosar's stats.
It seems that the word "bust" is becoming synonymous with the QB position in this series. Tim Couch is no exception and he has picked #1 overall in the 1999 draft out of Kentucky. In Couch's defense the 1999 draft wasn't great for QB's. Busts Akili Smith and Ricky Williams were also selected in the same draft. During the second game of his rookie season, Couch was named the starting QB over Ty Detmer and had a lot of great expectations. It might of been to much to ask, even for a #1 pick, to lead a team that was barely assembled after the franchise had moved to Baltimore three years earlier. Couch was consistent at one thing, being injured, which was partly the reason for his poor play. Couch's only good year came in 2002 when he nearly threw for 3,000 yards and had 18 touchdowns while leading the Browns to a playoff appearance. However, Couch suffered a injury in the last game of the regular season and was forced to watch Cleveland's playoff game from the sidelines. After Kelly Holcomb played well in the wild card loss against the Steelers, it started a QB controversy that eventually led to Couch's departure from Cleveland. Even though the 1999 draft was filled with busts, the Browns could of gone with QB's Donovan McNabb or Daunte Culpepper. Couch really sums up the bad luck the Browns have had throughout their history, but is hardly considered a Lebron James in Cleveland. Click here to look at Couch's stats.
While Tim Couch might of summed up the bad luck the Browns have had as a NFL franchise, these two events helped shape Cleveland's fate in sports forever. First to "The Drive." QB Bernie Kosar and the Browns were enjoying a nice season in 1986 and seemed to be on their way to a Super Bowl after leading the Broncos 20-13 with only five minutes remaining in the AFC title game. To make things worse for Denver, they got the ball on their own two yard line. While some Browns fans thought the game was pretty much over, they forgot that John Elway was the opposing QB. Elway was clutch, in the true sense of the word, as he led the Broncos 98 yards for the game tying touchdown. Denver eventually won the game in overtime 23-20. If you want to watch highlights of "The Drive," click here. One time shame on you, two times shame on me. The Browns met the Broncos once again in the 1987 AFC title Game. This time, Elway led Denver on a scoring drive to give the Broncos a 38-31 lead. Of course, unlike the last time, Cleveland had a chance to win the game when Kosar led the Browns to the Broncos 8 yard line with 1:12 left. Running back Earnest Byner took the hand off and it seemed like he was going to score the winning touchdown, but instead fumbled at the 3 yard line. It's a painful play to watch, see for yourself. These two plays prove how unlucky sports franchises are in Cleveland. Sorry Browns fans.
