Apologies if this thread has been done before - if so, please delete it refs.
3 weeks or so to go - thought it might be interesting to look back into our own history with the team before we look forward to a (hopefully) new and better era...
What kind of Browns team was playing the year you were born and when you were very, very young? Coach. QB. Skill Players. Defensive and Special Team standouts. Pro Bowlers and future Hall of Famers. Record and results of that year you were born. Etc.....
Were you born into the Browns, or were you initiated later?
Some of the players on the 1972 team:
Coach: Nick Skorich
QB: Mike Phipps (say what you want, but we acquired a trade with him that netted us Ozzie)
RB: Leroy Kelly (enough said)
WR: Fair Hooker
LT: Dieken LG: Hickerson (great Oline)
DE: Bob Briggs
SS: Thom Darden (sometimes overlooked, one of my favorites)(Rookie Year)
DT: Jerry Sherk
CB: Ben Davis (Pro Bowler)
Kicker and Punter: Don Cockroft
I know I'm leaving tons out, but this isn't about rosters necessarily - just what your family made you remember (in my case, Dad and Grandpa taking me to Municipal Stadium beginning when I was 6 or 7).
in '72, the Browns went 10-4 and lost to the Dolphins in the Divisional Round.
I still have my autographed Mike Phipps poster.
What are some of the Browns players you remember from your formative years?
I was born in 1954, their NFL Championship year, which was coached by a guy named Paul Brown, I believe. The team was like a who's who. Hope I get these right. They included:
Otto Graham, Lou Groza, ChucK Noll (!), Dante Lavelli, Ray Renfro, Len Ford, and others. This is part of Otto's incredible playoff streak.
So I was born into them by my da, who was my coach, and played for Massillon Washington just after Brown had gone, but his prints were everywhere. Some HoF and Pro Bowlers came out of this group. Sorry, don't remember the receivers much.
I was born in 1954, their NFL Championship year, which was coached by a guy named Paul Brown, I believe. The team was like a who's who. Hope I get these right. They included:
Otto Graham, Lou Groza, ChucK Noll (!), Dante Lavelli, Ray Renfro, Len Ford, and others. This is part of Otto's incredible playoff streak.
So I was born into them by my da, who was my coach, and played for Massillon Washington just after Brown had gone, but his prints were everywhere. Some HoF and Pro Bowlers came out of this group. Sorry, don't remember the receivers much.
Record: 7-5-0, 2nd in NFL East Division (Schedule and Results) Coach: Paul Brown (7-5-0) Points For: 270 (22.5/g) 3rd of 12 Points Against: 214 (17.8/g) 3rd of 12 Expected W-L: 7.6-4.4 SRS: 3.02 (5th of 12), SOS: -1.65 Stadium: Cleveland Municipal Stadium President/Majority Owner: David Jones
Starting Offense: QB - Milt Plum FB - Jim Brown LH - Bobby MItchell RH - Ray Renfro LE - Preston Carpenter LT - Lou Groza C - Art Hunter RG - Gene Hickerson RT - Mike McCormack RE - Billy Howton
Starting Defense: LDE - Bob Gain LDT - Willie MCClung RDT - Sid Youngelman RDE - Paul Wiggin LLB - Galen Fiss MLB - Vince Costello RLB - Walt Michaels LDH - Bernie Parrish RDH - Jim Shofner LS - Warren Lahr RS - Junior Wren
1968 Cleveland Browns season Read in another language Watch this page Edit The 1968 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 19th season with the National Football League. The Browns made it to the playoffs for the 2nd straight year thanks to an 8-game winning streak and the brilliant play of quarterback Bill Nelsen who replaced Frank Ryan as the starting quarterback prior to week 4 of their season.
1968 Cleveland Browns season Head coach Blanton Collier Home field Cleveland Stadium Local radio WHK Results Record 10–4 Division place 1st NFL Century Playoff finish Won Eastern Conference Championship Game (Cowboys) 31-20 Lost NFL Championship Game (Colts) 34-0
1968 Cleveland Browns roster Quarterbacks 16 Bill Nelsen 13 Frank Ryan Running Backs
48 Ernie Green FB 31 Charley Harraway 44 Leroy Kelly KR/PR 25 Charlie Leigh 26 Reece Morrison Wide Receivers
87 Eppie Barney 86 Gary Collins P 43 Ron Green 29 Tommy McDonald 42 Paul Warfield Tight Ends
89 Milt Morin 41 Ralph Smith Offensive Linemen 73 Monte Clark T 64 Jim Copeland C/G 55 John Demarie G 66 Gene Hickerson G 54 Fred Hoaglin C 77 Dick Schafrath T 62 Joe Taffoni T Defensive Linemen
69 Jim Kanicki DT 80 Bill Glass DE 81 Jack Gregory DE 71 Walter Johnson DT 88 Ron Snidow DE 84 Marvin Upshaw Linebackers 52 Billy Andrews OLB 50 John Garlington OLB 82 Jim Houston OLB 51 Dale Lindsey MLB 56 Bob Matheson MLB 59 Wayne Meylan Defensive Backs
40 Erich Barnes CB 28 Ben Davis CB/KR/PR 34 Mike Howell CB 24 Ernie Kellerman S 49 Alvin Mitchell 27 Carl Ward CB/KR Special Teams
12 Don Cockroft K Rookies in italics
[2]
Staff/Coaches Edit 1968 Cleveland Browns staff Front Office Majority Owner/CEO & President - Art Modell Minority Owner/Vice President - Al Lerner Coaching Staff
Head Coach – Blanton Collier Offensive Coaches
Offensive Coordinator – Nick Skorich Offensive Line – Fritz Heisler Receivers - Bob Nussbaumer Defensive Coaches Defensive Coordinator - Howard Brinker Defensive Line – Dick Modzelewski Linebackers – Ed Ulinski Strength & Coditioning
Athletic Trainer - Leo Murphy Equipment Manager - Morris Kono
Bailey's response is hilarious, though the picture I can't get out of my head is the original letter's complaint that the airplanes might go in the ear.
Solid thread, AZ! Knocking the rust off my memory pipes with these names. My little story is a tribute I guess. Dad coached, was my coach eventually, but when I was way too young, way too small, he entered me in PP&K one morning. I tried, lost horribly, but at the end of it, I got voted a prize for youngest there. It was a kid's Browns helmet that was so big I couldn't snap the thing. He gave it to me, told me to wear it for mom. I was one proud kid. Born AND baptized into it , I guess. Still a precious memory. Football matters.
The first game my Dad took me to at Municipal Stadium was fall '79 against the Steelers. Sort of the first year of the Kardiac Kids. I was born into a Browns family, but Dad held off taking me to a game until I was 7.
Bradshaw was doing whatever he wanted that day, and we were sitting behind one of those huge stanchions (listening to a transistor radio at the same time), but it was the most exciting thing ever.
Just hearing the names and reading about them in a program: Sipe,Logan, Rucker, Newsome, Hall, Alzado, the Pruitts, that Oline, etc......
Didn't make the playoffs eventually. Important season for me, though.
I know, I know......I could've named the thread a little better. Heart was in the right place (I think). But it was very late, very early or something.
I should know more about Bob Gain and Walt Michaels.
Any memories of your first experiences as a Browns fan?
In the early 60's when I was 4? 5?ish every Sunday our family went over grandma and grandpas house for busketti dinner. Italian sausage, salad, etc.
When the game came on my dad always asked me what jersey I wanted to win. I always picked the dark jerseys(b&w TV back then). I always pick the dark jerseys as I thought they looked "tougher". I generally lost as the Browns generally wore white.
Hooked since.
There's 2 things can't go without/absolutely need.
That's the common thing overall I think - the Browns are a family deal - for the most part.
I was born into it growing up there, but living in the great wild West the last 35 years, I found that family connection to a specific team isn't as common out here.
It seems like the midwestern cities/states are definitely some of the most loyal/family oriented fan bases (browns, bears, packers, Vikings, Steelers, etc)
It seems like the midwestern cities/states are definitely some of the most loyal/family oriented fan bases (browns, bears, packers, Vikings, Steelers, etc)
Who remembers Danny Peables? I think that was his name if I recall right.
That and I remember, even way back then Al Michael's ugly face was in close up all over the T.V. screen needlessly, way needlessly as always.
whew, ( if I recall right, Danny Peables was a player in pre-season, WR, a backup player who got carted off and may have been paralyised, some year between the "drive", and Bellichic's playoff win;
Who remembers Danny Peables? I think that was his name if I recall right.
That and I remember, even way back then Al Michael's ugly face was in close up all over the T.V. screen needlessly, way needlessly as always.
whew, ( if I recall right, Danny Peables was a player in pre-season, WR, a backup player who got carted off and may have been paralyised, some year between the "drive", and Bellichic's playoff win;
In a preseason game.
I don't remember Robert Jackson.
I remember Danny Peebles, got hurt in Houston in a SNF game.
I was born in 67, Browns made the playoffs that year.
Who remembers Danny Peables? I think that was his name if I recall right.
That and I remember, even way back then Al Michael's ugly face was in close up all over the T.V. screen needlessly, way needlessly as always.
whew, ( if I recall right, Danny Peables was a player in pre-season, WR, a backup player who got carted off and may have been paralyised, some year between the "drive", and Bellichic's playoff win;
In a preseason game.
I don't remember Robert Jackson.
The Robert Jackson I was referring to was a LB too often injured for us and had a bit of a bad rap (whatever that means) from opponents. Subjective stuff. Drafted same year as Dorsett in Dallas.
There was a Robert E. Jackson - part of some of the greatest Olines we've ever had until the early to mid 80's.
Danny Peebles......had to look him up. Seems he retired about a month after the helmet to helmet hit in '91.
As far as Al Michael's face: wondering if they shot play by play and color commentators differently back then. Don't know. Ugly? Maybe.
We drafted Doug Dieken & Clarence Scott, went 9-5, and won our first AFC Central title en route to being eliminated from the playoffs by Indy in the Divisional round. Fair Hooker led the team in receptions with 45 and Leroy Kelly rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns.
We drafted Doug Dieken & Clarence Scott, went 9-5, and won our first AFC Central title en route to being eliminated from the playoffs by Indy in the Divisional round. Fair Hooker led the team in receptions with 45 and Leroy Kelly rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns.
We're from the same basic space in time.
Had to refresh on the Clarence Scott particulars. I can't think of too many Safeties anymore that would offer stability to one team for so many years.
We drafted Doug Dieken & Clarence Scott, went 9-5, and won our first AFC Central title en route to being eliminated from the playoffs by Indy in the Divisional round. Fair Hooker led the team in receptions with 45 and Leroy Kelly rushed for 865 yards and 10 touchdowns.
We're from the same basic space in time.
Had to refresh on the Clarence Scott particulars. I can't think of too many Safeties anymore that would offer stability to one team for so many years.
I'll never forget Clarence Scott's game clinching INT against the Oilers during the Kardiac Kids playoff run... And the simple, two word headline in the Plain Dealer Monday morning... Great Scott!
Nelson gave us the spark to pull us out of the doldrums we found ourselves in.
Hefty WR group / likewise RB.
A couple pieces in place to become a fantastic O-line in the years to come.
Then the pre-Ozzie TE Chip Glass (had to look him up). Modest receptions, more of a blocker I guess. First name Ferdinand.
Regarding Sipe era: I think quite a few posters on this board look at those teams and years as their first up close and personal, vested interest in the Browns. I might be wrong.
When I was recovering from surgery a few years back, I watched 11 different Sipe games I had forgotten about on YouTube. Man, what a time.
Went 11-5 and won the central... lost in divisional round of playoffs to the raiders...
Oh........
I remember a dead silence in the TV room from my Dad, 2 of my uncles and my grandfather (who'd been drinking since early morning). It smelled of despair in there.
I was born in 1961 and the Browns went 8-5-1 finished third in Eastern conference. Obviously I don't recall the season but some of the stars I was aware of such as Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, Dick Schafrath, Gene Hickerson & Jim Houston.
I first really started watching in 1969 season. Spent many days with neighbor kids in the back yard arguing over who "get to be" Bill Nelson. Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Gary Collins Milt Morin etc. One of my all time favorite players was Gregg Pruitt. Man I loved to watch him run. For a small guy he was strong.
I was born in 1961 and the Browns went 8-5-1 finished third in Eastern conference. Obviously I don't recall the season but some of the stars I was aware of such as Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, Dick Schafrath, Gene Hickerson & Jim Houston.
I first really started watching in 1969 season. Spent many days with neighbor kids in the back yard arguing over who "get to be" Bill Nelson. Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Gary Collins Milt Morin etc. One of my all time favorite players was Gregg Pruitt. Man I loved to watch him run. For a small guy he was strong.
When my uncle started educating me - as a kid - a bit about the Browns he grew up on, Bill Nelsen kept coming up. The pain the guy used to play in, the roundabout way we got him, beating the Colts, etc....
The QB names I hear most about from friends that are more "laid-back" fans nowadays are, of course, Otto, Brian and Bernie. People of a certain age remember some of the other greats as well.
I guess in the last twenty years we've pinned our hopes on a few (Couch, Anderson, Hoyer, McCown) - well maybe not a couple of those. Hoyer was the one I was hoping for most. Anyway, I hope this new era will be worth talking about in terms of a QB and monster defense twenty years from now.
Went 11-5 and won the central... lost in divisional round of playoffs to the raiders...
Never forget that game. My brother-in-law and I watched it over his place. The top of a double right near E. 156th and Westropp.
We got hammered. Both prob had easily 20+ beers starting at 11a-ish and and ending when, within 10-15 seconds after the interception, he threw the 19" tv thru the front window then off the 2nd floor balcony. Didn't quite make it to the treelawn.
I just remember all the male members of my family watching that day "changed" in demeanor for about a week. A little frightening for an 8 year old kid.
I too remember that Browns v Raiders playoff game as it was the first football game that made me cry. Sadly, a few years later I cried again. Consecutively.
Yeah, the Browns are my team and I love them, but they have also scarred my soul.
I just remember all the male members of my family watching that day "changed" in demeanor for about a week. A little frightening for an 8 year old kid.
As I recall, they were evicted, pay for damages, etc. He knew the owner well. Not so much after that.
He was an ironworker. Drinker, brawler, etc. Nose broken 9 times. 3 years in prison, etc, etc.
I remember the time he and I went to the Shore Bar on Lakeshore near Euclid Beach. We walked in and there were 2 HA's there. Within 15 minutes 3 more walked in. Well, turned out to be a Hells Angels bar.
He started gettin cocky with one of them and 3 of them get off their barstools. Took me every bit of 6-8 seconds to drag him outtta there.
I was born in 1961 and the Browns went 8-5-1 finished third in Eastern conference. Obviously I don't recall the season but some of the stars I was aware of such as Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, Dick Schafrath, Gene Hickerson & Jim Houston.
I first really started watching in 1969 season. Spent many days with neighbor kids in the back yard arguing over who "get to be" Bill Nelson. Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield, Gary Collins Milt Morin etc. One of my all time favorite players was Gregg Pruitt. Man I loved to watch him run. For a small guy he was strong.
Same here. Pretty similar story. I also was a big Cheifs fans as I knew Len Dawsons sister. Otis Taylor was my hero at that time!
1949,which kinda makes me a grandapa to all you young pups (Ha!!). Won AAFC Championship game vs San Fran 21-7,defeated Buffalo Bills 31-21 week prior in playoff game. Regular season record 9-1-2,11-1-2 overall,our 4th consecutive World Championship. 7 members in HOF (Otto,Gunner,The Toe,Marion,Bill Willis,Paul Brown,Gluefingers),Otto and Gunner Gatski only players in NFL to play entire career in consectutive world champion ship games--Otto ten,Gunner eleven-Ten with Browns,final with Detroit. four players became head coaches-Otto,Ara Paresghian,Lou Saban,Lou Rymkus. Family connections to later NFL players Lin Houston Brother of Browns Jim Houston,Dub Jones dad of Bert Jones Colts QB. Ed Ullinski was later head of film room and other office positions. The Toe longest playing tenure 21 years,scout during injured did not play 1960 season.
My dad was born in 1940, and I grew up hearing a lot about the Browns when he was a kid, going to games with my grandpa. I think, but I might be wrong, they were the Cleveland Rams when he was born.
The NFL's all decade team included some of the big names you mentioned and a few more from earlier. Guys like: Benton, Lavelli, Speedie, Willis, Waterfield, Motley, etc...
What we wouldn't give to have a modern day Groza on the team now. Especially now.
You are correct,the Cleveland football team up thru 1945 was known as the Rams. In existance from 1937 thru 1942 then 1944 thru 1945. Won the 1945 World Championship,than leave because of declining attendence and formation of our Browns. To ammmend my only players to play in consectutive championship games in entire career add Mac Speede with astrick NFLA,AFL 6 consectutve. Had we not had a losing season in 1956,QB injuries and age catching up to some starters,maybe Gluefingers could of had 11 consectutive.
Error on my part Gunner Gatski did have 11 championship games but not in connsectutive seasons,1946 thru 1955 none during 1956 last season with Browns,eleventh was 1957 with Detroit.
Hope Austin Siebert becomes the modern day Lou The Toe and The Scottish Hammer can equate as the modern version of Horace Gillom. When The Toe in his prime anytime from from40 yd line inn it was almost an automatic 3 points. During the 1950 season Chubby Grigg did some of the FG and PAT workload.
