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 believe they made the AFC championship the first year I was on the earth ... thats pretty cool! And I hope it happens again
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
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
John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
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.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
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.
My first attended game: 1993 vs the Broncos ... they beat us easily and it was cold.
I don’t remember the game much, but do remember finding dozens of football cards on the ground at muni .. and kept them all
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
Yep .. I think the game was a week before or after Metcalf’s 2 TD game
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
I should know more about Bob Gain and Walt Michaels.
Any memories of your first experiences as a Browns fan?
My first game was in 1974 or 1975 can't quite remember which year but we played Buffalo and OJ, we lost 15-10 on 50 yard TD run by OJ ...
John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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.
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
It seems like the midwestern cities/states are definitely some of the most loyal/family oriented fan bases (browns, bears, packers, Vikings, Steelers, etc)
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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;
In a preseason game.
I don't remember Robert Jackson.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
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.
Browns is the Browns
... there goes Joe Thomas, the best there ever was in this game.
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.
![[Linked Image from i28.photobucket.com]](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/shadedog/mcenroe2.jpg)
