Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns are a National Football League team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns were founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and joined the NFL in 1950 after the AAFC merged into the older league.

Franchise history

Early days in the AAFC

The Cleveland Browns were founded in 1946 under owner Arthur 'Mickey' McBride. The team was to be named the Cleveland Panthers, but a semi-pro team was using that name and threatened to sue if the AAFC club used it as well. McBride then named the team after its first head coach, Paul Brown. Brown was uncomfortable with the idea of having the team named after him, stating publicly that the team was named after boxing champion Joe Louis who was known as the "Brown Bomber ".

Related Topics:
1946 - Arthur 'Mickey' McBride - Paul Brown - Boxing - Joe Louis

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In either event, the Browns were extremely successful in the early part of their existence, dominating the new All-America Football Conference, winning all four of its championships including with a landmark 1948 season in which they went unbeaten and untied - 24 years before the NFL's 'first' perfect team, the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Cleveland's undefeated streak (including ties) reached 29 games including 18 straight wins.

Related Topics:
All-America Football Conference - 1948 - 1972 - Miami Dolphins

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1950-56: NFL dominance

After the 1949 season the AAFC merged with the rival National Football League, with the Browns joining the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Colts as members of the older circuit.

Related Topics:
1949 - AAFC - National Football League - San Francisco 49ers - Baltimore Colts

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Despite the change in leagues and what many football fans saw as a graduation to "the big league," the Browns simply resumed their dominant position among pro football teams, appearing in the next six NFL championship games, and capturing three championships during the 1950s.

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The Browns won the championship in their first season in the NFL, 1950, behind the quarterbacking of Otto Graham, the rushing of Marion Motley, the receiving of Mac Speedie, a defensive line anchored by Bill Willis and a secondary featuring Tommy James. Cleveland tore up the NFL in the regular season, going 10-2 with both losses being to the New York Giants. The Browns first regular season game was on the road against the defending NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles as the schedule makers intended to give the Browns an immediate comeuppance. Cleveland won the game in dominant fashion, 35-10. The Browns defeated the Giants 8-3 in a tiebreaking playoff game and then came from behind in the fourth quarter beat the Los Angeles Rams 30-28 in the league championship.

Related Topics:
1950 - Otto Graham - Marion Motley - Mac Speedie - Bill Willis - Tommy James - New York Giants - Los Angeles Rams

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Cleveland again tore through the NFL in the 1951 season, going 11-1 with four shutouts along the way. The NFL championship was a rematch with the Rams, and went back-and-forth until the fourth quarter when Norm van Brocklin threw a 73-yard touchdown to Tom Fears to put Los Angeles in the lead for good. The 24-17 loss was the first in a championship game in Browns history.

Related Topics:
1951 - Norm van Brocklin - Tom Fears

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The 1952 regular season was not as successful, with only an 8-4 finish and Graham throwing 24 interceptions. Second-year player Ray Renfro became a star with 722 yards receiving and 322 yards rushing. But it was still good enough to win the division, and thus put the Browns in the NFL championship game against the Detroit Lions. A muffed punt, several defensive stands and a 67-yard touchdown run by Doak Walker all combined to help the Lions win 17-7, frustrating the Browns for the second consecutive year.

Related Topics:
1952 - Ray Renfro - Detroit Lions - Doak Walker

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The 1953 team started the season by winning 11 straight games. They would not win any more. A loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the final week led into a rematch with the Lions in the NFL championship. The game was much closer than the year before, with the game tied at 10 going into the final quarter. Lou Groza kicked two field goals to put Cleveland up 16-10, but Detroit's Bobby Layne threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jim Doran with under two minutes left to win 17-16, and break Cleveland hearts for a third straight year.

Related Topics:
1953 - Philadelphia Eagles - Lou Groza - Bobby Layne - Jim Doran

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In 1954, the Browns finished 9-3 and met up with Detroit in the finals for the third year in a row. This time, however, the Browns went on a relentless attack on both sides of the ball, intercepting Bobby Layne six times and forcing three fumbles, while Otto Graham threw three touchdowns and ran for three more, en route to a 56-10 thrashing.

Related Topics:
1954 - Otto Graham

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The 1955 campaign was also a successful one for the Browns. Chuck Noll (who ironically would later gain fame as head coach of the rival Pittsburgh Steelers) had a productive season at linebacker, with five interceptions. Graham passed for 15 touchdowns and ran for six more in his final season before retiring due to injuries. The Browns, who finished 9-2-1, once again made the championship, this time against the Los Angeles Rams. They were no less dominant than they were the previous season, again forcing six interceptions out of quarterback Norm van Brocklin, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Don Paul. Graham also passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the Browns won 38-14.

Related Topics:
1955 - Chuck Noll - Pittsburgh Steelers - Los Angeles Rams - Norm van Brocklin - Don Paul

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Without Graham behind center, the Browns floundered in 1956. Three quarterbacks (George Ratterman, Babe Parilli and Tommy O'Connell) were used through the season, none of whom threw more touchdowns than interceptions. The 5-7 record meant the Browns were shut out of the championship game for the first time in team history.

Related Topics:
1956 - George Ratterman - Babe Parilli - Tommy O'Connell

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1957-65: The Jim Brown years

The Browns responded in 1957 when they drafted fullback Jim Brown, who easily became the NFL's leading rusher (and NFL Rookie of the Year) with 942 yards. Once again at the top of the division at 9-2-1, they advanced back to the championship game against their nemeses from Detroit. But the Lions dominated from start to finish, causing six turnovers and allowing the Browns' two quarterbacks (Tommy O'Connell and Milt Plum) only 95 yards passing in a 59-14 rout.

Related Topics:
1957 - Jim Brown - NFL Rookie of the Year - Tommy O'Connell - Milt Plum

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In 1958 Jim Brown ran for 1527 yards, almost twice as much as any other running back. In his nine seasons in the league, he crossed the 1000-yard barrier seven times. The only snag in their getting back to another championship was the New York Giants. They lost to New York on the last week of the season after a spirited fourth-quarter comeback, then, due to their equal 9-3 records, faced the Giants again in a tiebreaker game with the winner going to the finals. This one was never in doubt: Jim Brown was limited to 8 yards and the team committed four turnovers as they were shut out 10-0.

Related Topics:
1958 - New York Giants

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In 1959 the Browns started 6-2 but finished 7-5, out of championship contention, despite Brown once again leading the league in rushing with 1329 yards. In 1960, Plum threw for 21 touchdowns and Brown's 1257 yards was still best in the NFL, but the team still finished second at 8-3-1.

Related Topics:
1959 - 1960

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Art Modell, whose controversial decisions in later years led to the team's original demise, purchased the team in 1961. The season otherwise was typical: a fifth consecutive league-leading season from Jim Brown and a half-decent performance in the standings, but again, at 8-5-1, they were two games out of a berth in the championship.

Related Topics:
Art Modell - 1961

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Milt Plum landed with the Lions in 1962, so Frank Ryan and Jim Ninowski shared quarterbacking duties. Jim Brown fell to fourth in the NFL rushing list, but the team's 7-6-1 record once again placed them third in the Eastern Division. Sadly, the team's first-round draft pick, Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis, died of leukemia before playing a game.

Related Topics:
1962 - Frank Ryan - Jim Ninowski - Heisman Trophy - Ernie Davis - Leukemia

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Paul Brown, the only coach the Browns had ever known (and the team's namesake), was fired after the season and replaced with Blanton Collier. The team bounced back in 1963, with Jim Brown's 1800-yard season and 25 touchdown passes by Frank Ryan, but a stretch late in the season where they lost three out of five games cost them the playoffs once again, finishing a game behind the Giants.

Related Topics:
Paul Brown - Blanton Collier - 1963

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The Browns reached the top again in 1964. Rookie Paul Warfield caught for 920 yards and nine touchdowns, out of 25 scoring passes from Ryan. Brown had yet another league-leading season in rushing. The 10-3-1 record put them in first place in the division, and with a spot in the championship after a five-year absence. Their opponents, the Baltimore Colts, were no match for the Browns. Cleveland exploded in the second half with three Gary Collins touchdowns to win 27-0. It would be Cleveland's most recent professional sports championship as of this writing.

Related Topics:
1964 - Paul Warfield - Baltimore Colts - Gary Collins

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The 1965 team finished 11-3 after Brown scored 17 rushing touchdowns, and once again led the league in yardage. He also excelled on defense this year with six interceptions. Cleveland made the NFL Championship game again, this time against the Vince Lombardi-led Green Bay Packers. After playing them close in the first half, the Packers pulled away with a Paul Hornung touchdown and won 23-12.

Related Topics:
1965 - Vince Lombardi - Green Bay Packers - Paul Hornung

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1966-73: Playoff Disappointments

Jim Brown then shocked the Browns and their fans by announcing his retirement to pursue an acting career. Leroy Kelly became the Browns' new rushing threat for the 1966 season, and he ably filled Brown's shoes with the first of his three consecutive 1000-yard seasons. Frank Ryan's 29 touchdowns also led the league as the team finished 9-5. However, they placed one game behind the Dallas Cowboys, so they missed the league championship game.

Related Topics:
Leroy Kelly - 1966 - Dallas Cowboys

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The 1967 Browns put up similar numbers, and also finished 9-5. But due to the league's new realignment, it was good enough for first place in the short-lived Century Division, and a spot in the new Eastern Conference championship against the Cowboys. The game was over quickly: Don Meredith passed for two touchdowns and Dave Baynham ran for three as the Cowboys annihilated the Browns 52-14.

Related Topics:
1967 - Century Division - Don Meredith - Dave Baynham

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Ryan was out at quarterback for the 1968 season, with Bill Nelsen coming to the team from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Receiver Paul Warfield had the best season of his career, with 1067 yards and 12 touchdowns. The team improved to 10-4, good enough for another first-place finish and a rematch with Dallas in the Eastern Conference final. This time the Browns had their way. They did not allow the Cowboys an offensive touchdown until the final minute, while Leroy Kelly had two long runs for scores and had Dale Lindsey return an interception for another, in a 31-20 victory. Cleveland advanced to the NFL Championship against the Baltimore Colts. Don Cockroft had an early field goal blocked, and the Browns would not have another chance to score again. Tom Matte ran for three touchdowns as the Colts shut out the Browns 34-0 to advance to Super Bowl III.

Related Topics:
1968 - Bill Nelsen - Pittsburgh Steelers - Paul Warfield - Dale Lindsey - NFL Championship - Baltimore Colts - Don Cockroft - Tom Matte - Super Bowl III

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The 1969 season produced similar results. Nelsen threw 2700 yards and 23 touchdowns (both career highs), and Warfield and Gary Collins both had at least ten touchdown catches. The team finished 10-3-1, again best in the Century Division, and once again played the Cowboys in the conference final. Nelsen threw for 219 yards and Walt Sumner returned an interception 88 yards for a touchdown as the Browns took their second straight Eastern championship by the score of 38-14. But the NFL Championship Game was another disappointment for the Browns. Joe Kapp of the Minnesota Vikings scored on the team's first possession and another rout began. The Vikings went up 20-0 by halftime and ended up winning 27-7.

Related Topics:
1969 - Gary Collins - Walt Sumner - Joe Kapp - Minnesota Vikings

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The 1970 AFL-NFL merger would see the Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Colts move to the new American Football Conference aligned with the 10 teams of the American Football League. While the realignment would greatly benefit the Steelers, the placement of the Browns into the AFC's Central Division would not be as good. The trade of Paul Warfield to the Miami Dolphins for a draft choice used on Purdue All American Mike Phipps did not help the Browns either. After defeating the New York Jets in the first-ever broadcast of Monday Night Football, the Browns stumbled through the season finishing 7-7.

Related Topics:
1970 - AFL-NFL merger - Pittsburgh Steelers - Baltimore Colts - American Football Conference - American Football League - Paul Warfield - Miami Dolphins - New York Jets - Monday Night Football

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Coach Blanton Collier was replaced with Nick Skorich before the 1971 season. The Browns improved to 9-5, and a first-place finish in the AFC Central. This placed them in the divisional playoff against the Baltimore Colts; but much like their matchup three years earlier, the game went ugly early. Backup Colts running back Don Nottingham scored two first-half touchdowns, and it was all Baltimore would need. The Browns season ended in another 20-3 disappointment.

Related Topics:
Blanton Collier - Nick Skorich - 1971 - Baltimore Colts - Don Nottingham

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Mike Phipps was promoted to starting quarterback over Nelsen before the 1972 season. After a sluggish start the Browns went on an 8-1 tear and finished 10-4; putting them in a divisional playoff against the undefeated Miami Dolphins. The Browns took a lead in the fourth-quarter on a Fair Hooker touchdown catch, but Jim Kiick preserved the Dolphins' perfect season with a late touchdown run. The Browns were disappointed again with 20-14 loss.

Related Topics:
Mike Phipps - 1972 - Miami Dolphins - Fair Hooker - Jim Kiick

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The 1973 season was sluggish. Phipps threw 20 interceptions to just nine touchdowns, and no rusher had more than 600 yards. Cleveland dropped to 7-5-2, for only third place in the division. Defensive lineman Jerry Sherk, who made the first of four consecutive Pro Bowls, was one of the few bright spots on the season.

Related Topics:
1973 - Jerry Sherk - Pro Bowl

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1974-84: The Kardiac Kids

The Browns hit rock bottom in 1974. Neither Phipps nor rookie QB Brian Sipe were effective, throwing 24 combined interceptions to only 10 touchdowns en route to a 4-10 record. The Browns allowed 344 points, most in the league. It was the first losing season in franchise history. Coach Nick Skorich was fired, but Forrest Gregg's 1975 squad was no better: the team started 0-9 before finishing 3-11.

Related Topics:
1974 - Brian Sipe - Nick Skorich - Forrest Gregg - 1975

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Cleveland started climbing back towards the top in 1976 after Sipe received the starting duties. Greg Pruitt ran for exactly 1000 yards, his second-straight four-digit season. The Browns won eight of their last ten games, but a loss to Kansas City cost them a share of the division title. Their 9-5 record was one game out of first place, but not good enough for a playoff spot.

Related Topics:
1976 - Greg Pruitt - Kansas City

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The Browns continued to roll in the first half of the 1977 season, but an injury to Brian Sipe by Pittsburgh's Jack Lambert proved to be disastrous. Cleveland won only one of their last five games to finish at 6-8. Forrest Gregg was fired before the final game of the season, with Dick Modzelewski being named interim coach.

Related Topics:
1977 - Brian Sipe - Pittsburgh - Jack Lambert - Forrest Gregg - Dick Modzelewski

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Sam Rutigliano became the head coach in 1978, and Sipe was healthy and better than ever, throwing 21 touchdowns and garnering 2900 yards. Greg Pruitt and Mike Pruitt (who were not related to each other) led a rushing attack that gained almost 2500 yards. They were not as successful on the other side of the ball, with their pass defense ranked last in the NFL. The Browns finished 8-8.

Related Topics:
Sam Rutigliano - 1978 - Greg Pruitt - Mike Pruitt

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The 1979 campaign started with four consecutive wins, three of which were in the final minute or overtime. Four more games were won by less than a touchdown. This penchant for playing close games would later earn them the nickname "Kardiac Kids". Sipe threw 28 touchdown passes, tying him with Steve Grogan of New England for most in the league. Unfortunately for the Browns, his 26 interceptions also led the league. Mike Pruitt had a Pro Bowl season with his 1294 rushing yards. The defense was still shaky, going second-to-last in the league against the rush. The team finished 9-7, which was well behind division rivals Houston and Pittsburgh in a tough AFC Central.

Related Topics:
1979 - Kardiac Kids - Steve Grogan - New England - Houston - Pittsburgh

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The 1980 season is still fondly remembered by Browns fans. After splitting the first six games by going 3-3, the Browns won three straight games with fourth-quarter comebacks, and stopped a late comeback by the Baltimore Colts to win a fourth. The Browns won two more games in that fashion by the end of the season, and even lost a game to the Minnesota Vikings on the last play when a Hail Mary was tipped into the waiting hands of Ahmaad Rashad. Sipe passed for 4000 yards and 30 touchdowns (enough for him to be named the NFL MVP), behind an offensive line that sent three members to the Pro Bowl: Doug Dieken, Tom DeLeone and Joe DeLamielleure. The "Kardiac Kids" name stuck. A fourth-quarter field goal by Don Cockroft in the final game against the Cincinnati Bengals won the Browns the division at 11-5, and they played the Oakland Raiders in their first playoff game in eight years. Trailing 14-12 in the final 30 seconds, the Browns had the ball on the Raiders' 19-yard line and looked to come out with another comeback win. Sipe called "Red Right 88" and passed to the end zone. Oakland's Mike Davis intercepted it to end the Browns' season. The Raiders went on to win the Super Bowl, and "Red Right 88" has been cursed by Cleveland sports fans ever since.

Related Topics:
1980 - Baltimore Colts - Minnesota Vikings - NFL MVP - Pro Bowl - Doug Dieken - Tom DeLeone - Joe DeLamielleure - Don Cockroft - Cincinnati Bengals - Oakland Raiders - Mike Davis - Super Bowl

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If 1980 was a dream season, then 1981 was a nightmare. Sipe threw only 17 touchdowns, while being picked off 25 times. The Browns went 5-11, and few of their games were particularly close. Tight end Ozzie Newsome, their only Pro Bowler, had 1002 yards receiving for six touchdowns.

Related Topics:
1981 - Ozzie Newsome

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In 1982 Brian Sipe split quarterbacking duties with Paul McDonald, and both put up similar numbers. The Browns had little success rushing or defending against it, finishing in the bottom five teams in both yardage categories. Despite going 4-5, Cleveland was able to make the playoffs due to an expanded playoff system in the strike-shortened year. They were matched up with the Raiders in the playoffs, but were easily defeated 27-10.

Related Topics:
1982 - Brian Sipe - Paul McDonald

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Sipe and the Browns got some of their spark back in 1983. Sipe had 26 touchdown passes and 3566 yards, while Mike Pruitt ran for 10 scores on 1184 yards. Cleveland even won two games in overtime and another in the fourth quarter. A fourth-quarter loss to the Houston Oilers in their second-to-last game dashed their playoff hopes. At 9-7 the Browns finished one game behind the Steelers, and lost out on a wild-card spot due to a tiebreaker.

Related Topics:
1983 - Mike Pruitt - Houston Oilers

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1984 was a rebuilding year. Brian Sipe defected to the upstart USFL after the 1983 season, and Paul McDonald was named the starting quarterback. Mike Pruitt missed much of the season and later ended up on the Buffalo Bills. Coach Sam Rutigliano lost his job after a 1-7 start as Marty Schottenheimer took over. The Browns coasted to a 5-11 record.

Related Topics:
1984 - USFL - Paul McDonald - Mike Pruitt - Buffalo Bills - Sam Rutigliano - Marty Schottenheimer

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1985-90: The Kosar Years

In 1985, the Browns selected University of Miami quarterback Bernie Kosar in the Supplemental Draft. Under Schottenheimer and with Kosar at quarterback, the Browns enjoyed noteworthy success, reaching the playoffs each of the next five seasons, advancing to the AFC championship game three of those years.

Related Topics:
1985 - Bernie Kosar

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Kosar took over midway through the 1985 season from Gary Danielson and turned the struggling season around, winning four of his six regular season starts. Two young rushers, Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack, ran for 1000 yards. Their 8-8 record won them the top spot in a weak AFC Central, and nearly shocked the Miami Dolphins in the divisional playoff before Dan Marino led a spirited second-half comeback to win 24-21.

Related Topics:
Gary Danielson - Earnest Byner - Kevin Mack - Miami Dolphins - Dan Marino

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The Browns broke through into the ranks of the NFL elite with a 12-4 showing in 1986, behind Kosar's 3854 yards passing and a defense with four Pro Bowlers (Chip Banks, Hanford Dixon, Bob Golic and Frank Minnifield). With the best record in the AFC, the Browns clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They needed it. In the divisional playoff, the New York Jets were leading 20-10 with less than four minutes to play and the Browns driving when Mark Gastineau was called for roughing the passer on a 3rd-and-24 play. The penalty gave Cleveland a first down and the drive ended with a Kevin Mack touchdown run. The Jets went three-and-out, and the Browns again drove the length of the field. A Mark Moseley field goal tied it with 11 seconds left, and the game went to overtime. Moseley missed another field goal in the extra frame, and the game then went to double overtime. His second chance was good and the Browns won 23-20, in the second-longest game in NFL history.

Related Topics:
1986 - Chip Banks - Hanford Dixon - Bob Golic - Frank Minnifield - New York Jets - Mark Gastineau - Kevin Mack - Mark Moseley

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The AFC Championship game was against the Denver Broncos, a team that would prove to be Cleveland's nemesis in this era. Like the week before, it was a heart-stopper that went to overtime. But this time, it was John Elway and the Broncos who came away the victors. Elway led a 98-yard touchdown drive (now often referred to as simply "The Drive") in the final five minutes, ended with a 5-yard pass to Mark Jackson that tied the game at 20-20. Rich Karlis won the game for Denver with a field goal early in overtime.

Related Topics:
Denver Broncos - John Elway - The Drive - Mark Jackson - Rich Karlis

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The Browns success was replicated in 1987, with 22 touchdown passes and 3000 yards for Kosar, and eight Pro Bowlers: Kosar, Mack, Dixon, Golic, Minnifield, linebacker Clay Matthews, wide receiver Gerald McNeil and offensive lineman Cody Risien. At 10-5, the Browns won the AFC Central again. Cleveland easily defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38-21 in the divisional playoff and travelled to Denver for a rematch with the Broncos in the AFC Championship. With the score 21-3 in favor of the Broncos at halftime, Kosar led a third-quarter comeback with two touchdowns by Earnest Byner and another by Reggie Langhorne. Early in the fourth quarter, Webster Slaughter's 4-yard touchdown catch tied it at 31-31. The Broncos regained the lead with a 20-yard Sammy Winder touchdown with under five minutes to go, setting the stage for another Browns comeback...or so they thought. Kosar drove the Browns to the Broncos' 8 yard line with 1:12 to go, and handed off to Byner. When it looked like he had an open route to the end zone, he was stripped of the ball by Jeremiah Castille. The Broncos recovered what became known as "The Fumble". After taking a safety, the Broncos shocked the Browns again, 38-33.

Related Topics:
1987 - Linebacker - Clay Matthews - Wide receiver - Gerald McNeil - Offensive line - Cody Risien - Indianapolis Colts - Earnest Byner - Reggie Langhorne - Webster Slaughter - Sammy Winder - Jeremiah Castille - The Fumble

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Injuries to Kosar and two of his backups sidelined them for much of the 1988 season, but the Browns still finished 10-6. A final-week comeback victory in a snowstorm at Cleveland Stadium over the Houston Oilers clinched them a wild-card playoff spot, and a home game rematch against the Oilers in the first round. After Mike Pagel, in for Kosar, threw a touchdown pass to Webster Slaughter late in the fourth quarter to pull the Browns within a point at 24-23, the Browns had three chances to recover an onside kick (due to penalties), but the Oilers recovered and stopped the Cleveland comeback.

Related Topics:
1988 - Cleveland Stadium - Houston Oilers - Mike Pagel - Webster Slaughter - Onside kick

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Coach Marty Schottenheimer left the Browns by mutual agreement with Modell shortly after the loss to the Oilers. Modell was tired of losing in the playoffs and Schottenheimer was tired of what he perceived as Modell's interference with his coaching personnel and game strategy. Schottenheimer was quickly hired by the Kansas City Chiefs for the 1989 season. Bud Carson was his replacement in Cleveland, but his tenure was short - only one and a half years. The 1989 season, headlined by Slaughter's Pro Bowl-worthy 1236 yards receiving, was a success at 7-3 until a 10-10 tie with Schottenheimer's Chiefs in November led to a 3-game losing streak. Two comeback wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Oilers in the season's final two weeks kept them in the playoff race. The tie ended up being the Browns' saving grace, with their 9-6-1 record winning them the AFC Central title and first-round bye over the Oilers and Pittsburgh Steelers at 9-7. The Browns narrowly survived a scare from the Buffalo Bills in their divisional playoff game, when Scott Norwood missed an extra point that would have pulled Buffalo within 3 points and, later, when Jim Kelly's desperation pass to the end zone on the final play of the game was intercepted.

Related Topics:
Marty Schottenheimer - Kansas City Chiefs - 1989 - Bud Carson - 1989 - November - Minnesota Vikings - Pittsburgh Steelers - Buffalo Bills - Scott Norwood - Jim Kelly - End zone

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Cleveland's 34-30 win set them up for a rematch with the Broncos in Denver for the AFC Championship. While their two previous matchups went down to the wire, this one was never in doubt. The Broncos led from start to finish, and a long Elway touchdown pass to Sammy Winder put the game way in the fourth quarter. Denver easily won 37-21.

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In 1990 things began to unravel. Kosar threw more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (10) for the first time in his career; and the team finished last in the league in rushing offense, and near the bottom in rushing defense. Carson was fired after a 2-7 start, and the team finished 3-13, second-worst in the league. After the season Bill Belichick, defensive coordinator of the then-Super Bowl champion New York Giants, was named head coach, setting off a chain of events that some fans believe led to the original demise of the franchise.

Related Topics:
1990 - Bill Belichick - Super Bowl - New York Giants

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1991-95: Bill Belichick and Modell's Move

The Browns saw minimal improvement under Belichick in 1991, finishing 6-10 behind an improved performace by Kosar (18 touchdowns, 9 interceptions) and a breakout season for second-year running back Leroy Hoard.

Related Topics:
1991 - Leroy Hoard

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In 1992, with Kosar sitting out much of the season and Mike Tomczak in under center, Cleveland was in the thick of the AFC Central race before dropping their final three games to finish 7-9.

Related Topics:
1992 - Mike Tomczak

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The Browns were split by turmoil in 1993, when Belichick made the controversial decision of benching Bernie Kosar in favor of Vinny Testaverde, who had been signed from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The immensely popular Kosar was later released by the team, prompting a heated reaction from fans, mostly aimed at Belichick. After Kosar's release, Cleveland won only two of its final nine games and finished with the same 7-9 record that they did in 1992.

Related Topics:
1993 - Vinny Testaverde - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Cleveland righted the ship in 1994, despite fans still calling for Belichick's head. Testarverde finished with a subpar year in which he threw 18 interceptions to 16 touchdowns, but the defense led the league in yards allowed per attempt and sent four players to the Pro Bowl (Rob Burnett, Pepper Johnson, Michael Dean Perry and Eric Turner). The Browns finished 11-5 and made the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. In the wild card round against the New England Patriots (coached by Belichick's once-and-future boss Bill Parcells, and, ironically, the team Belichick would eventually lead to three championships), the Browns' defense picked off Drew Bledsoe three times, with Testaverde completing two-thirds of his passes, to win 20-13. The arch-rival Pittsburgh Steelers ended the Browns' season in the divisional playoff with a 29-9 blowout.

Related Topics:
1994 - Rob Burnett - Pepper Johnson - Michael Dean Perry - Eric Turner - New England Patriots - Bill Parcells - Drew Bledsoe - Pittsburgh Steelers

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Team owner Art Modell complained that he wanted a new stadium in the late 1980s. Cleveland City Council offered Modell an indoor stadium that would seat 68,000. Modell was upset that the new stadium would be too small, so he decided to put his own money into renovation of the old Cleveland Stadium. After seeing new stadiums built for other major teams, after years of complaining that a new stadium would be necessary to sustain the viability of the franchise, and despite years of sellouts and profitability, in November 1995, Modell announced he would relocate the Browns to Baltimore, Maryland for 1996.

Related Topics:
Art Modell - 1980s - Cleveland Stadium - November - 1995 - Baltimore, Maryland - 1996

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The announcement was met with unprecedented resistance from Browns fans, with over 100 lawsuits filed by fans, the city of Cleveland, and a host of others. Virtually all of the team's sponsors immediately pulled their support, leaving Cleveland Stadium devoid of advertising during the team's final weeks. Modell was forced to resign from the membership (and in many cases, leadership positions) of local civic and charitable organizations, and would literally be forced to leave the city - never to return.

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The 1995 season was a disaster on the field, too. After starting 3-1, the rumors and eventual announcement cast a pall on the team, who finished 5-11. When fans in the Dawg Pound became rowdy during their final home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, action moving towards that end zone had to be moved to the opposite end of the field.

Related Topics:
1995 - Dawg Pound - Cincinnati Bengals

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In early 1996, the National Football League announced that the team would be 'deactivated' for three years, and that a new stadium would be built for a new Cleveland Browns team that would begin play in 1999. Modell would in turn be granted a new franchise for Baltimore, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Browns' history, records, awards and archives would remain in Cleveland, to be given to the new franchise when awarded.

Related Topics:
1996 - National Football League - A new stadium - 1999 - Baltimore Ravens

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1999-present: Rebirth

In early 1998 the National Football League began its search for an owner for the reborn Browns, finding one later in the year in Al Lerner, a former limited partner of the original Browns and a friend of Art Modell who assisted in Modell's move of the franchise to Baltimore. During the period from 1996-1998 the NFL also allowed other franchises, such as Tampa Bay, to threaten their home cities with the threat that they would move to Cleveland in order to put pressure on to get more governmental funding for their own stadiums. Lerner would usher in the team's rebirth in 1999, but would die in October 2002 - four years to the day he was awarded the new Browns franchise. In death he would turn over the team to a trust controlled by his son, Randy.

Related Topics:
1998 - National Football League - Al Lerner - Art Modell - 1999 - October 2002 - Randy

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The team returned with high hopes and expectations, featuring solid ownership, solid general management in the form of former San Francisco 49ers president Carmen Policy, and head coach Chris Palmer. To date though, the franchise has not lived up to its lofty early expectations, with Palmer being dismissed after the 2000 season and Policy leaving the team in 2003 after having "talked the talk" but not "walking the walk". Palmer was suceeded by former University of Miami coach Butch Davis. Despite a 2002 AFC Wild Card qualification, the team saw a dismal record during the next two seasons leading to Butch Davis' resignation in December 2004. Offensive Coordinator Terry Robiskie, an African-American, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Related Topics:
San Francisco 49ers - Carmen Policy - Chris Palmer - 2000 - 2003 - University of Miami - Butch Davis - 2002 - December 2004 - Terry Robiskie

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As Super Bowl XXXIX approached, there was much speculation over who would become the new head coach. On January 6, 2005, it was announced that Phil Savage signed on as general manager. Savage was previously an administrative member for the Baltimore Ravens and the Browns before 1995. After the New England Patriots victory over the Philadelphia Eagles at the Super Bowl, Patriots' defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel signed on as the 11th head coach for the Browns and first non-interim African American coach in the team's history. Robiskie was kept on as part of Crennel's staff.

Related Topics:
Super Bowl XXXIX - January 6 - 2005 - Phil Savage - New England Patriots - Philadelphia Eagles - Romeo Crennel - African American

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