Top 10 Cleveland Browns from 1965 on

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This list begins with an explanation of an exception that is being made.  Usually I want a player to have at least three seasons of playing time from 1965 on.  Jim Brown retired after the 1965 season. Jim was obviously the greatest Brown of all time and did play in 1965 so I put him on the list.  I doubt Browns fans will object.  Also, you already know who’s number one on this list, but I hope you keep reading anyway.

10. Frank Minnifield:  While Baker Mayfield will probably be on this list in a couple of seasons, as of now, my list of the 10 Greatest Cleveland Browns from 1965 on has no QBs.  I debated putting Brian Sipe or Bernie Kosar on the list, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, Frank Minnifield snags the number 10 slot.  Frank played left cornerback for nine seasons went to four Pro Bowls and was named All Pro 1988.  In 1984 Frank was named to the NFL All Rookie team.  He was also named to the Pro Football Reference All 80s second team.  Minnifield intercepted 20 passes and recovered seven fumbles with the Browns.

9. Chip Banks:    Like Minnifield, Banks was also a part of the Browns defense during the 80s.  Banks played LOLB for the Browns for five seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.  He was named All Pro in 1983.  Banks intercepted five passes and recovered six fumbles while in Cleveland.  He also recorded 27.5 sacks, peaking at 11 in 1985.  Banks is the only linebacker that really received in consideration for this list.

8. Hanford Dixon:  Dixon is the third Browns defender from the 80s to make this list.  Dixon played the corner from 1982-89, picking off 26 passes, going to three Pro Bowls and being named All Pro twice.  Dixon, along with Minnifield, gave the browns solid coverage from their corners pretty much throughout the 80s.

7. Clay Matthews Jr.:  A definite theme is developing on this list.  Matthews is another Browns defender from the 80s.  Actually, Clay played linebacker for the Browns from 1978-93.  During those 16 seasons, Clay was named to four Pro Bowls.  He was also named to the Pro Football Reference’s second team All 80s team.  Matthews intercepted 14 passes, forced 24 fumbles and recovered 13.  He also sacked the QB 62 times as a Brown and racked up 1430 tackles.  A nice, solid career with the Browns.

6. Dick Schafrath:  If you’re under 60 your reactions to this pick is probably, “Huh?”  Dick played offensive left tackle for the Browns from 1959-71. The sweet part of his career was from 1963-69.  During that time Schafrath was named to the Pro Bowl six times and All Pro four times.  During Dick’s career the Browns had some truly great running backs.  Schafrath was a huge help to them.  In addition, Dick wasn’t a Browns defender from the 80s, so he gives this list a little diversity.

5. Michael Dean Perry:  Perry played defensive tackle for the Browns from 1988-94.  During those seven seasons he was named to five Pro Bowls and named All Pro twice.  Dean picked 51.5 sacks in Cleveland. His high water mark in that department was 11.5 in 1990.  Michael Dean also forced 10 fumbles and recovered seven.  He was a real defensive force for the Browns in the late 80s and early 90s.

4. Leroy Kelley:  So, how do you replace the greatest running back in NFL history?  With Leroy Kelley.  While there would be dropoff from Jim Brown to anybody, Kelley certainly helped mitigate the loss.  Kelley replaced Brown as the Browns starting running back in 1966 and was named All Pro from 1966-68 and to the Pro Bowl from 1966-71.  Leroy led the NFL in rushing TDs in 1966-68 with totals of 15-11-16.  He also led the league in rushing in 1967 and 1968 with totals of 1205 and 1239 yards.  Kelly’s yards per carry from 1966-68 were 5.5-5.1-5-0.  While Leroy wasn’t Jim Brown, he was very good in his own right.

3. Ozzie Newsome:  While there are no QBs on this list, there is great pass catching tight end.  In 13 seasons in Cleveland his line was 662 catches for 7980 yards and 47 TDs.  He also ran for two more TDs.  His best season was 1964 when he caught 89 passes for 1001 yards and five TDs.  Ozzie was named All Pro that season.  He was named to three All Pro teams.  Newsome was named to the 1978 NFL All Rookie team as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football reference All 80s second team.

2. Joe Thomas:  Joe is the premier offensive lineman in Browns history.  Thomas was the Browns left tackle from 2007-2017.  During that time frame, Joe was selected to 10 Pro Bowls and six Al Pro teams.  Thomas was the third overall pick in the 2007 draft and proved to be well worth that lofty status.  In addition to the numerous Pro Bowl and All Pro teams, Joe was named to the 2007 NFL All Rookie team.  He will also probably be on numerous All 2010s teams in a few years.

1. Jim Brown:  And here he is.  He has my vote as the greatest player in NFL history, though I didn’t see him play a whole lot.  Even though Brown played in the 50s and 60s, watching his highlights is still immensely impressive.  In nine NFL seasons, Brown ran for 12,312 yards.  His average per carry was 5.2.  He was selected to the Pro Bowl in all nine of his NFL seasons and named to the All Pro team in eight of those seasons. He was the MVP in 195, 1958, 1963 and 1965.  He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Reference All 60s team.  When I did a list of the 10 Greatest Cleveland Cavaliers I called LeBron James the greatest athlete in Cleveland’s history.  Upon further review, it was Jim Brown.