Cleveland Browns Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game

being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from

different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that

notion. 

Considering that the Cleveland Browns were founded in 1944, the task

becomes quite challenging. Today, I have taken on the daunting task of

compiling an All-Time Browns team. The Browns are one of the NFL’s

bedrock franchises but one with a star-crossed legacy. From 1946-1969,

the Browns were one of the elite franchises winning eight championships

(four All-American Football Conference and four NFL) which is hard to

fathom given how the modern day version has become a punchline. From

1970-1995, the Browns had nine just playoff appearances and reached the

AFC Championship Game three times in four years (1986-1989) only to

fall short each time to the Denver Broncos. Owner Art Modell then moved

the team to Baltimore, becoming known as the Baltimore Ravens, after the

1995 season. The NFL returned to Cleveland in 1999 but it has not been

a triumphant one. From 1999-present, the Browns have had just one

postseason appearance.

OK, Browns fans, I’ve tortured you enough and have come up with my

version of the Browns Dream Team. 

There are some rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the Baltimore

Raven rule. If a player was more impactful as a Raven than as a Brown, no

space for you on this team. The player needed to have played at least four

seasons as a Brown. Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that

standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. Personality

or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team. This is football, not the

Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame is the first consideration coupled with

impact on the franchise. The number of All-Pro seasons are a top consideration

with longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard to

compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

All eras matter. Being on the Browns from the Golden Age does not get you

a hall pass on this team. Winning or losing eras, all high-level performers

get considered. 

To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,

which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to make

a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be there and

why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case to put someone

on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?” 

OFFENSE

QB -- First team: Otto Graham. Honorable mention: Brian Sipe.

In ten seasons (1946-1955), Graham led the Browns to three NFL

championships and four AAFC (All-American Football Conference)

championships. The AAFC and NFL merged in 1950. The Hall of Famer is

still the NFL record holder for yards per attempt and led the Browns to a

57-13-1 record. Nicknamed “Automatic Otto,” Graham was a three-time

NFL MVP and two-time AAFC MVP. He was a Pro Bowler five times and

first-team All Pro on four occasions. Sipe was a Brown for ten seasons

(1974-1983) and was the catalyst for the 1979-1980 Browns that were

nicknamed the “Cardiac Kids” because of their penchant for producing

heart-stopping victories. Sipe was the NFL MVP in 1980.

RB --  First team: Leroy Kelly, Greg Pruitt. Honorable mention: Mike

Pruitt, Earnest Byner

Kelly remains the Browns second all-time leading rusher in career yardage

and at the time of retirement was No. 4 in NFL history. Kelly was on the

Browns 1964 NFL championship team. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and

three-time first-team All Pro. Kelly led the NFL in rushing touchdowns three

times and rushing yardage twice. Greg Pruitt played nine seasons with the

Browns and made the Pro Bowl four times. He is the franchise’s No. 4

all-time leading rusher. Mike Pruitt is No. 3 in career rushing yardage in

Browns history. In his nine seasons, he had five that went over 1,000 yards.

The Fumble in the 1987 AFC Championship Game is what Byner is

best remembered for but his legacy is much better than that isolated moment.

Byner and Kevin Mack formed one of the best running back tandems in

NFL history. Byner had two stints as a Brown (1984-1988, 1994-1995).

Byner was a multi-dimensional back, catching 276 passes in a Browns

uniform. 

FB --  First team: Jim Brown. Honorable mention: Marion Motley.

The Browns have an embarrassment of riches here that even Mack does not

make this list. Brown is considered by many the best player in NFL history.

Brown was a nightmare for opposing defenses to tackle. At the time of

retirement, he was the NFL all-time leading rusher. Brown played nine seasons

and was a Pro Bowler each time. He was first-team All Pro eight times. He led

the NFL in rushing eight times, was NFL MVP three times, NFL Rookie of

the Year in 1957 and a member of the Browns 1964 NFL championship

team. Motley and teammate Bill Willis were the first two African Americans

to play in the NFL. Though they dealt with racism throughout their careers,

they were high level performers. Like Brown, Motley was a punishing

runner. Motley is in the Hall of Fame, was a two-time first-team All Pro and

member of the Browns 1950 NFL championship team. 

WR --  First team: Dante Lavelli, Paul Warfield. Honorable mention:

Gary Collins, Mac Speedie.

Warfield spent his first six seasons with the Browns and his last five with the

Miami Dolphins. Warfield’s deep speed was a nightmare for opponents,

averaging 19.2 yards per catch. In his time as a Brown, Warfield began his

Hall of Fame legacy by making the Pro Bowl three times and also becoming

an All Pro in that span. Warfield also played on the 1964 NFL championship

team. Lavelli played 11 seasons (1946-1956) and remains the franchise’s

all-time leading receiver among wide receivers with 351. Lavelli is a Hall of

Famer who played for four AAFC champions and three NFL champions.

He was All-AAFC four times (twice as a first-teamer), three-time Pro Bowler

and first-team All Pro once. Collins was a Brown for ten seasons (1962-1971)

and remains the franchise’s fourth all-time leader in receptions. Collins was a

Pro Bowler three times, All Pro twice, member of the 1964 NFL champions

and led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 1963. Speedie was a Brown for

seven years. He led the NFL in receptions four times and touchdown

receptions twice. Speedie is a Hall of Famer and was first-team All Pro six

times. 

TE --  First team: Ozzie Newsome. Honorable mention: Milt Morin.

Newsome is not only a Hall of Famer but one of the best tight ends in NFL

history. Newsome remains the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions (662)

and yardage (7,980). Newsome was a six-time All Pro (twice as a first-teamer)

and was a Pro Bowler three times. Morin was a Brown for ten seasons and

made the Pro Bowl on two occasions. He caught 271 passes in his career. 

OT --  First team: Joe Thomas, Lou Groza. Honorable mention:

Mike McCormack, Dick Schafrath.

Thomas was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft and all he did

was put together a Hall of Fame worthy 11-year career. Thomas was perhaps

the best offensive lineman in Browns history. Thomas was a bright light on

many Browns teams that were wretched. He made the Pro Bowl ten times

and was first-team All Pro seven times. He became the first player in NFL

history to play over 10,000 career snaps. Thomas not only never missed a

game but did not miss a single snap. Groza was predominantly known as a

kicker as the Browns became the first team to use field goals as an alternative

way to score. Groza was nicknamed “The Toe” but was also one of the best

tackles in NFL history. Groza is a Hall of Famer who played on four

NFL champions. Groza was NFL MVP in 1954, nine-time Pro Bowler and

six-time All Pro (four as a first teamer). Schafrath’s career spanned 13 seasons

and he was a fixture. He was a member of the 1964 NFL championship team,

seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All Pro. Like Schafrath,

McCormack provided excellent pass protection and opened many holes for

Jim Brown. McCormack played for two NFL champions, was an All Pro

four times and Pro Bowler on six occasions. 

OG --  First team: Gene Hickerson, Jimmy Ray Smith. Honorable mention:

Abe Gibron, Joe DeLamielleure.

Despite breaking his leg in 1961, Hickerson went on to have a Hall of Fame

career and was one of the best interior linemen of his generation. Hickerson

was a seven-time All Pro (five as a first-teamer), six-time Pro Bowler and

member of the 1964 NFL championship team. Though Smith did not have a

Hall of Fame career, he was one of the best guards in the NFL. Smith played

seven years as a Brown (1956-1962). He was a five-time Pro Bowler and

five-time All Pro (three as a first-teamer). Gibron was a Brown for seven

years (1950-1956) and was a Pro Bowler four times and All Pro also four

times (twice on the first team). He also played on three NFL champions.
DeLamielleure’s best seasons came as a Buffalo Bill but as a Brown

provided excellent pass protection for Sipe. DeLamielleure became the first

player to block for a 2,000 yard rusher (O.J. Simpson) and 4,000 yard passer

(Sipe). 

C --  First team: Frank Gatski. Honorable mention: Alex Mack.

Gatski was a Brown for 11 years (1946-156) during the Golden Age of the

franchise. Gatski was known as “iron man” and “Rock of Gibraltar.” Gatski

played for four AAFC champions and three NFL champions. He was a

four-time first-team All Pro. Mack recently completed his fifth season with

the Atlanta Falcons but in his seven years as a Brown, he shined. Mack was

a three-time Pro Bowler as a Brown and was All Pro once. 

DEFENSE

DE --  First team: Len Ford, Bill Glass. Honorable mention: Carl Hairston,

Paul Wiggin.

Ford was one of the most dominant players of his era. He had a rare

combination of size and speed. Ford was a Pro Bowler and first-team All Pro

four times each. In his eight seasons, the Browns won three NFL titles and

were the toughest defense to score against six times. Glass played seven years

(1962-1968) as a Brown and served an integral role on the 1964 NFL

championship team. Glass made the Pro Bowl four times. Hairston played

six years with the Browns. Though he did not earn Pro Bowl recognition,

he was a solid player who helped the team reach three AFC championship

games in four years. Hairston is No. 4 in franchise history with 37.5 sacks.

Wiggin played 11 seasons with the Browns. He was a two-time Pro Bowler

and member of the 1964 NFL championship team. 

DT --  First team: Bill Willis, Michael Dean Perry. Honorable mention:

Jerry Sherk, Bob Golic.

Willis was one of the first two African Americans to play in the NFL along

with teammate Marion Motley. Willis was small in stature but quick and

dominant. Willis played on four AAFC championship teams and an NFL

champion in 1950. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and first-team All Pro

four times. Perry was known as the younger brother of William “The

Refrigerator” Perry. He also had a McDonald’s sandwich named after him

called the “MDP” which was only available in the Cleveland Metro area.

On the field, Perry swallowed up opponents. In his seven seasons with the

Browns, he was a Pro Bowler five times and All Pro four times (twice as a

first-teamer). His 51.5 career sacks are No. 2 in franchise history. Sherk

played 12 seasons for the Browns (1970-1981) and became an impact

starter immediately. Sherk was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in

1976 and four-time Pro Bowler. Golic had seven impactful seasons with

the Browns making the transition from linebacker to nose tackle. Golic

was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro. 

OLB --  First team: Clay Matthews, Jim Houston. Honorable mention:

Chip Banks, Walt Michaels.

There might not be a more celebrated defensive player in franchise history

than Matthews. He played 16 years with the Browns before spending his

last two with the Atlanta Falcons. He made the Pro Bowl four times and

was second-team All Pro in 1984. Matthews remains the franchise’s all-time

leader in sacks with 62. He was equally good against the run and pass.

Matthews also intercepted 14 passes, forced 24 fumbles and added 13

fumble recoveries. Houston started as a defensive end but made a seamless

transition to outside linebacker. In his 13 seasons as a Brown, he was a

four-time Pro Bowler and played on the 1964 NFL champions. Banks

played 12 seasons with three different teams but his best football came in

five seasons with the Browns (1982-1986). In that span, he was NFL

Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1982, four-time Pro Bowler and All Pro

once. Before Michaels was known as the New York Jets head coach, he

was a stalwart linebacker in his ten years with the Browns. He was a

five-time Pro Bowler and member of back-to-back NFL champions in

1954-1955. 

ILB --  First team: Mike Johnson, Vince Costello. Honorable mention:

Dick Ambrose, D’Qwell Jackson.

Johnson joined the Browns after the USFL (United States Football League)

folded. Johnson played eight seasons with the Browns, making the Pro Bowl

twice and All Pro once helping the Browns to three AFC Championship

Game appearances in four years. Though Costello never made the Pro Bowl

in his ten seasons with the Browns, longevity and consistency count for

something. Costello played on the 1964 NFL Championship team,

intercepted 18 passes, recovered eight fumbles and scored two defensive
touchdowns. Ambrose made the Browns as a 12th round draft choice in

1975 and played nine years with the franchise before injuries curtailed his

career. Jackson played seven years with the Browns and surpassed the 100

tackle mark five times. The two times he did not eclipse that total were

injury shortened seasons. 

CB --  First team: Hanford Dixon, Frank Minnifield. Honorable mention:

Joe Haden, Clarence Scott.

Neither Minnifield or Dixon are in the Hall of Fame but one of the best

cornerback tandems in NFL history and popularized the infamous “Dawg

Pound” for Browns home games. They played together for six seasons,

helping the Browns tio three AFC Championship Game appearances in

four years. Minnifield was a four-time Pro Bowler and was All Pro in 1988.

Dixon was a Pro Bowler for three consecutive seasons and two-time All Pro.

Haden, who is now a Pittsburgh Steeler, played seven years with the Browns.

In that span, he made the Pro Bowl twice and was second team All Pro once.

Scott played 13 seasons with the Browns and though he never earned any

Pro Bowl recognition, he was a steady force. His 39 career interceptions

ranks third in franchise history.

S --  First team: Warren Lahr, Thom Darden. Honorable mention: Eric

Turner, Ken Konz.

Darden and Lahr rank Nos. 1 and 2 respectively in franchise history in

career interceptions. Lahr was a Brown during the Golden Age as he was

a central figure on three NFL Championship teams. Lahr was a five-time

All Pro (once as a first-teamer). Darden played from 1972-1981 and was a

three-time Pro Bowler. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1978. Turner

played five seasons with the Browns with his best coming in 1994. That

season Turner was a defensive stalwart in helping Cleveland return to the

postseason. He made the Pro Bowl and was All Pro. Turner also led the

NFL in interceptions that season. Konz played seven seasons with the

Browns and was part of back-to-back NFL champions in 1954-1955.

Konz intercepted 30 career passes, was a Pro Bowler in 1955 and All Pro

twice. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K --  First team: Phil Dawson. Honorable mention: Groza.

Dawson played 21 seasons for five different teams but 13 came with the

Browns, where he was a second-team All Pro on two occasions. Dawson

is the seventh most accurate kicker in NFL history. Dawson holds the Browns

record for most consecutive field goals made (29) and most field goals in a

game (6). Dawson also tied Groza’s career record for field goals made (227).

Groza’s talents doubled as a kicker and offensive tackle. At the time of

retirement, Groza held NFL career records for points scored, field goals

made and extra points made.

P --  First team: Don Cockroft. Honorable mention: Horace Gillom.

Cockroft handled both kicking and punting duties for ten seasons. That

double-duty excellence alone gets him somewhere on this team. Cockroft

averaged 40.3 yards per punt.  Gillom was a Brown for ten seasons. He was

part of three AAFC champions and three NFL champions. He was a Pro

Bowler in 1952 and averaged 43.6 yards per punt. 

RETURN --  First team: Josh Cribbs. Honorable mention: Eric Metcalf.

Though Devin Hester gets a lot of attention for modern day return specialists,

Cribbs is also one of the best returners in NFL history. Cribbs holds eight

franchise and three NFL records. He scored eight touchdowns on kickoff

returns and three on punts. Though Metcalf was also dangerous as a running

back and receiver, he earned a lot of chops as a returner. In his six years with

the Browns, Metcalf was a Pro Bowler and All Pro twice. He led the league

in kickoff return yardage in 1990. Metcalf played 14 years with seven

different teams, his first six in Cleveland. Metcalf had ten kicks returned

for a touchdown. 

HEAD COACH --  First team: Paul Brown. Honorable mention:

Blanton Collier.

Brown was a star-crossed character as a coach. On one hand, he had an

autocratic approach that could cause strained relationships with players.

However, he played a big role in modernizing the game. He invented the

draw play, which is still used today. Brown also popularized the organization

of football teams such as hiring assistant coaches and implementing film

study. Oh, and his record with the Browns was 111-44-5 with four AAFC

titles and three NFL titles on the way to his Hall of Fame career. After losing

his job at the University of Kentucky, Collier took over a storied franchise

and continued its championship level performance. Collier joined a franchise

that was in a state of transition. In his eight seasons from 1963-1970, the

Browns went 76-34-2, winning the NFL championship in 1964 and

reaching the title game two more times. 

TEAM -- 1964. To put into perspective this team’s achievement, the only

Cleveland franchise to win a championship in a major sport did not come

until 2016 until the Cleveland Cavaliers upset the Golden State Warriors in

the NBA Finals. The Browns had a well-balanced offense led by Brown

and the passing game of quarterback Frank Ryan connecting with Warfield

and Collins. The Browns went 10-3-1 in the regular season but were

double-figure underdogs to the Baltimore Colts in the NFL championship

game. The Browns slaughtered the Colts 27-0.