VCII 2032

The preseason has already been run and can be found here

We have a lot to live up to following the first perfect season in the modern era of football.

This year we were a measly 2-2 in the preseason but have suffered no serious injuries.

   

Week      Opponent                        Result    Attend    No-Shows  

Week 1    St. Louis Rams                  W, 43-7   67,800    2,000  

MVP McKnight 14/20 273 3TD

Ainsworth 23-51 TD, 4rec 115 TD

Hamtpon 99yd Punt TD

Swift/Woodsen 1.5 Sacks each

     

Week 2    Atlanta Falcons                 W, 37-22  60,400    5,200   

MVP Ainsworth 25-154

McKnight 18/33 301 4TD

Lewinsky 4-111 TD

Woodsen 1.5 Sacks

    

Week 3    TENNESSEE TITANS                W, 33-3   99,900    3,900       

MVP McKnight 20/29 294 2TD 1 INT

Ainsworth 23-48 2TD, Broken Nose



Week 4    Baltimore Ravens                W, 23-20  61,900    4,600       

MVP McKnight 21/36 286 2TD

Ainsworth 23-105

Lewinsky 6-95 2TD

Scarlett 10 Tackles

Welch out 3-5 Weeks



Week 5    CINCINNATI BENGALS              L, 17-23  99,900    0       

Ainsworth 29-48

McKnight 16/28 252 TD INT

    

Week 6    JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS            W, 28-20  99,900    4,900      

MVP Lewinsky 5-90 3TD

Ainsworth 24-84

McKnight 9/22 145 3TD

 

Week 7    OPEN                

              

Week 8    BALTIMORE RAVENS                W, 41-7   99,900    0         

MVP McKnight 19/33 237 3TD

Ainsworth 20-95, 5rec 39 TD

Jelinek 4rec 52 2TD

Greek 2 INT

Peterson 2 INT

  

Week 9    Cincinnati Bengals              L, 28-34  86,200    0           

Ainsworth 20-128 2TD

McKnight 17/26 246 TD

Scarlett out 2-3 months



Week 10   DENVER BRONCOS                  W, 48-12  99,900    0           

MVP Peterman 2INT, TD

Ainsworth 12-86 TD

McKnight 12/21 190 2TD

Wiese 2 Sacks, 7 as a team



Week 11   Jacksonville Jaguars            W, 46-24  36,300    2,600       

MVP McKnight 17/22 246 3TD

Ainsworth 27-80 2TD

Sheldon out til 2033



Week 12   Tennessee Titans                W, 33-6   78,500    800         

MVP Ainsworth 29-115

McKnight 12/19 149 2TD



Week 13   CAROLINA PANTHERS               W, 29-17  99,900    900         

MVP McKnight 26/42 399 3TD 1INT

Ainsworth 28-111

Henderson 7-132 TD

McWilliams 6-98 TD

Woodsen 2 Sacks

Greek 2 INT



Week 14   Pittsburgh Steelers             W, 38-32  55,100    3,100       

MVP Hutchins 55yd INT TD

McKnight 19/23 274 3TD

Ainsworth 22-39

Hampton 100 KO TD return

Swift 2 Sacks



Week 15   Charlottesville(VA) Spangles    W, 30-7   77,400    3,800      

MVP Ainsworth 35-106 2TD

McKnight 19/25 248 TD

Henderson 9-145

Givens 2 Sacks

 

Week 16   MIAMI DOLPHINS                  W, 33-7   99,900    6,900       

MVP McKnight 23/33 344 2TD

Ainsworth 24-19 ???



Week 17   PITTSBURGH STEELERS             W, 45-7   99,900    4,900       

MVP McKnight 23/28 272 4TD

Ainsworth 24-153 TD

Lewinsky 6-91 2TD

Well, our only two losses were against the Bengals, and they went 16-0 on the regular season. Both losses were close, so we hope to meet them again in the playoffs.

Week      Opponent                        Result    Attend    No-Shows  

W. Card   DENVER BRONCOS                  W, 40-3   99,900    0      

MVP Ainsworth 22-129 TD

McKnight 21/29 222 2TD

     

Division  Cincinnati Bengals              W, 34-10  86,200    0  

No contest, we had revenge on our minds

MVP McKnight 20/33 294 4TD 1 INT

Ainsworth 21-121

Lewinsky 6-143 TD

Armour 6-76 2TD

Hutchins 2 INT

         

League    Indianapolis Colts              W, 30-13  68,200    0        

MVP Hutchins 80yd INT TD return

Ainsworth Broke Finger

Beyer 18-61 TD

McKnight 22/327 TD

Lewinsky 7-89

Armour 5-91 TD

Banks 2 INT

   

Super Bowl Dallas Cowboys                  W, 27-24  68,000    0 

I wish I had remembered to check the play by play, this looked to be a great game.

MVP Freitag 7 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks

Ainsworth 29-90

McKnight 15/26 231 2TD 1INT

          

We have now won 3 straight and 4 of the last 5 Super Bowls. We won 32 straight regular season and playoff games in that stretch, and only a perfect regular season by the Bengals prevented us from true dominance this year.

Award                                 Player                  Team    

**Offensive Player of the Year          Sammie McKnight         CLE     

**League Championship MVP               Geoff Freitag           CLE     

**All-League 1st Team Quarterback       Sammie McKnight         CLE     

Will Follow

**All-League 1st Team Running Back      Derek Ainsworth         CLE     

388-1422 3.6ypc 11 TD, 43 rec 489 3TD

**All-League 1st Team Cornerback        Barry Peterman          CLE   

55 Tackles, 7 INT, 1 TD  

**All-League 2nd Team Tackle            Rondell Finch           CLE

28 KRB, 33.7%, 1 Sack Allowed     

**All-League 2nd Team Kicker            Blaine Chandler         CLE

34/42 FG, 58/58 XP  

McKnight was robbed this year for the MVP award, a case could be made for the Bengals QB Wynn that won the award, afterall he did post a 100.1 rating on the way to leading his team to a perfect regular season, but when you see McKnights season totals, I think you'll agree.

Woodsen led the team in Sacks, 11.0
Sapp led the team in Tackles, 85
The Greek led the team in INT, 9
Kick Returner Hampton had a Punt and KO TD
Lewinsky 60-1138 13 TD
Henderson 52-857 6 TD
Armour 46-644 6 TD
Ainsworth 388-1422 3.6ypc 11 TD, 43 rec 489 3TD

Finally lets compare the MVP with the REAL MVP.

Wynn 343/526 65.2% 4183yds 7.95ypa 33TD 13INT 100.1rating

McKnight 285/434 65.6% 4156 9.56ypa 39TD 3INT 123.7rating!!!

Obviously, though he didn't win the NFL MVP, he does when the 1st annual Erik Johann Browns MVP Award.

The File is now off to Web.

[Darkiller]

Outstanding season Royal...
very impressive.

We are on a roll right now, having won 4 of the last 5 SuperBowls.

After Blaine retired, we went a full decade without winning one and now, with Sammie as the quarterback, we're back as the best team in the league.

do you belive this ?
McKnight 285/434 65.6% 4156 9.56ypa 39TD 3INT 123.7rating

amazing...this is a league record for highest rating ever.
only 3 intereceptions the WHOLE season...and 39 TDs.

McNight is a Hall of Famer. A superstar just like Davies was before him.

I must admit I feel good about my QB choices

Congratulations again Royal. you did a great two year stretch.

Good luck Web for 2033 !
GO BROWNS !!!!

[Darkiller]

Also, i'm glad to see Lewinsky hitting the 1100 yard receiving mark for the first time so far in his career.
His 13 TDs in 16 games were very good too.
Too bad he didn't get an All-League selection. hopefully that'll happen next year.

[Subby]

Jeez - 14-2? You're slipping

I am guessing that McKnight now holds the single season rating record...

[Darkiller]

definitely...

By far, I think the 2nd best rating was like 109 or something. I've never seen a season like it. Ainsworth dipped but was still productive, call it the sophomore slump.

Ainsworth is my keeper replacing Foster.

[Darkiller]

Actually the previous record was 113.5 by QB Anthony Battle in 2017.

and now, in third position all-time we find Blaine Davies with a 110.5 rating, which he did in 2004.

[WebEwbank]

39 TD 3 INT

This is something to remember. I cannot recall ever seeing a season like it in the NFL or in FOF.

I got the file, but started a new job Tuesday, so I won't get to it until the weekend. Very hopeful I can win my first VC II Bowl this time around. I am a bit wearied of my wife calling me the Village Idiot.

[Syrinx]

Great season! Our coach is now what, 6-0 in the big game for us?

McKnight does look to be approaching the same level as Davies, It'll be a great contest to see who will reign supreme as our best QB of all time.

McKnight only had two games under 200 yards passing and they were 3 TD and 2 TD games respectively.

The kid was just on. I was rather disappointed in the defense overall, they just didn't seem to play up to snuff. Of course, when you consider most of our keepers our on the offense, it stands to reason. Wiese had another down year. He is nearing the end of his career with us and it has been ups and downs with him. Possible team HOFer but uncertain.

Web, you should do fine, this team is running on auto pilot. I'm looking forward to seeing the 2033 season.

[Subby]

Posted for DJ-Webby Web...


Herb's Score for 2032

Performance 100
Value 100
Profit 100
Difficulty 73
Total 97

The Hall of Fame added:

Justin Everett G (86%), played 19 years for Buffalo, Dallas and Philly, setting a Games Played record for HOF guards of 282. Everett racked up two first and two second team A League awrds, as well as a Legue Championship MVP.

Harold Legge S (83%) played 16 years for Dallas and two New York teams, retiring with 1262 tackles, two first team and one DPOY awards.

Earl Ketchum RB (85%), a #3 overall pick, played 15 years for Denver, racking up three first team A-L, one second team, and three OPOY awards, as well as 15580 yards on the ground (2nd all time to Fred Taylor).

Rex "The TD Machine" Rabach RB (82%), played only 12 years, all for Washington, but gained over 13000 yards, and scored 118 TDs on the ground (a league record), garnering one first-team and one OPOY awards.

Our roster is ranked 100, compared to the 73 of the number two team; our franchise value is number one, despite a marginal stadium.

Our scout, Cornell Ziemak, is VG at every attribute; our coach, Courtney Joseph, has only one F and two Gs.

We're have to franchise keeper Wiese, allowing starting G Vanderclute, and semi-starter LBs Scarlett and Bueter, as well as backup RB Crook, to test free agency. We're 18MM under-cap.

We reject any trades.

We have the overall #1 and #5 picks, as well as nine other picks, in the draft. We have only 40 players signed, and we will certainly be doing some dealing, but we're in no position financially to get serious in the 20-stage process. We need a starting G, two LBs, and some young DBs. Help on the DL would be very welcome as well, either in the form of a star or some good depth.

Right away we trade sub-standard DT Sessions to Minnesota, along with 2, 4 and 5 round picks this year for a first-rounder next year. We still don't have enough leeway to do anything in 20-stage.

We are now 32MM under, with 39MM needed for rookie signings. Major renegotiations change this ratio to 86MM to 39MM, as well as extending McKnight, Finch, and a few other stalwarts.

We trade our #4 wideout Thomason to Charlotte for outstanding 2-year guard A.J. Germaine, thowing in two 3s, a 6, and a 7 from this year. He is Vanderclute's replacement, plus 15 years younger. Having a scout this good and this versatile makes trading a lot easier, not that I've ever been exactly shy about it...

We trade our backup K Royal to Atlanta, along with two 2s this year, for the #16 overall this year, and a 3 two years from now, giving us a shot at 3 impact draftees.

The O is really set, except for some depth, and maybe another top wideout; the D needs some spackling at every position. Our cash position is now 82MM under and 31MM for rooks, so we will have flexibility after camp if we still need help.

We quickly sign PR/KR Hampton who ran two kicks back all the way last year, for the deal he wants.

We trade down our #5 overall and next year's 3, for the #8 overall and a second-rounder this year: I see a FB and a TE I hope will drop.

1 (1) Herman Vance, bluechip WR, 5-10, 194, Minnesota

Sadly, we lose the DT I wanted here...

1 (8) Kennedy McGwire, smallish (6-2, 286) OT from Oregon State

1 (16) Chad Grembowsk1, DE, 6-2, 300 out of Notre Dame

2 Oscar Ekstrom, LB, 6-1, 259, Michigan

After signing we have 65MM left, 44 players signed, and no one at all going FA next year. As trade bait we have Brian Brigance, a quite good OT who's threatening to steal playing time from the three better younger tackles (Reddy, the Nuker, and McGwire). We should be able to get a DT or LB starter plus something else for him, I hope.

We trade Brigance and next year's spare #1 for Duane Lies, a 6-year LB who should really help us. Seems like a high price, but Lies is special. I hope. In five years he has two first and two second team awards, as well as 475 stops. Also 8 picks and 13.5 sacks.

Happening to check the FA's pre camp, I literally jump out of my seat to see Dana Lyon, a maxed out WR who's averaged 63 catches and 930 yards a year. I sign him.

Sammie McKnight calls me from his ranch outside San Antonio. "Damn, yall ain't leavin' me no excuses a-tall, are yuh ?", he drawls happily. Personally it is far and away the best WR corps I've ever seen assembled. On the other hand, how can Slingin' Sammie possibly exceed last years gaudy 39/3 ratio ?

After camp, I fill the roster from the scrap-heap.

We finish the exhibitions 3-1, with CB Hoskens out 203 months with an elbow ligament.


WEEK 1
Cleveland 0-0 @ Jax 0-0
Strange game. We won the first down battle 27-8, but the game by only 5 points. An interception return for TD was part of the problem. The O needs to work on tackling.
Ainsworth 21/115
Sammie 22/34/308 4 TD 1 INT
Henderson 5/60 3 TD
Briggs 6 tackles
W Cleveland 30 Jax 25

WEEK 2
Cleveland 1-0 @ Washington 0-1 FAV 5
A good-old fashioned rout.
Ainsworth 33/209/3
Sammie 16/24/218/2/1
Lies, Berosik 6 stops each
Blair, Peterman an INT each
MVP Ainsworth
W Cleveland 38 Washington 13

WEEK 3
Cleveland 2-0 @ Pitt 1-1 EVEN
A squeaker. A McKnight TD pass to Welch with 2:06 left turns a loss into a win.
Ainsworth 30/135/1
McKnight 16/28/234/1/1
S Berosik out 2-3 months
Still 9 tackles
MVP Ainsworth
W Cleveland 19 Pitt 14

WEEK 4
Cleveland 3-0 @ Dallas 2-1 EVEN
Ainsworth 28/99/1
Sammie 14/26/191/2/2
Henry 8 tackles
Wiese 1.5 sacks
G Bensen out 3-5 weeks (a real hit)
W Cleveland 21 Dallas 16

At the quarter-pole, Baltimore, in our division, is also 4-0.

WEEK 5
Cinn 1-3 @ Cleveland 4-0 FAV 16
Possible trap game against a weak divisional foe. Well, maybe not...
Ainsworth 26/213/2
Sammie 16/26/258/4/0 a vintage outing
Briggs 7 stops
The Greek 2 picks
MVP Ainsworth again
W Cleveland 41 Cinn 9

WEEK 6
Baltimore 5-0 @ Cleveland 5-0 FAV 7
Major early test. again, Sam wins it for us in Q4 with a 45-yard TD to Henderson.
Ainsworth 16/74
Sam 12/21/183/2/2 not the gaudy ratio of last year, but this year he is showing his screw-the-stats clutch WINNER chops...
Hendu 4/73/2
Briggs 9 stops, Banks 4 and a pick
MVP Banks
W Cleveland 22 Baltimore 17

WEEK 7
NY Giants 5-1 @ Cleveland 6-0 FAV 5
Ainsworth 21/128/2
Sam 14/25/203/0/0
Lies 11 tackles
Swift 1.5 sacks
MVP Ainsworth
W Cleveland 24 NYG 17

The Bye

WEEK 9
Cleveland 7-0 @ Cinn FAV 7
Workmanlike, not overwhelming.
Ainsworth 21/56/1
Sam 20/32/326/3/2
Briggs 8 stops, Wiese 1.5 sacks
MVP Lyon
W Cleveland 31 Cinn 27

At the Half

Cleveland 8-0
Baltimore 7-2
Pitt 4-3
Tenn 3-5
Cinn 2-6
Jax 1-7

We lead the league with an 87 power rating, and in scoring at 226. We've allowed 138, tied for 6th.

Sam 1921 yards in the air, 18 TD (#1) and 9 INT, and 99/7
Ainsworth leads the league with 1029 on the ground and 10 scores - a damn good SEASON for most backs
Lyon 38/628/4
Hendu 31/450/8
Lewinsky 17/204/3

Lies has 43 stops, Briggs 39
Wiese 5 sacks
Backs and The Greek 2 picks each

Courtney Joseph in the Plain Dealer: "This year we have a methodical character. We haven't been dominating as much as we've been consistent. Lyon, Lies, and Germaine have contributed what we hoped for. Reedy has come on at ORT. Hopefully we can maintain the momentum in the second half. We play only three teams with winning records, so the challenge may be keep our concentration up and win the games we're supposed to win."

(Overheard in the parking lot from a disgruntled scribe, "But he never really SAYS anything..."

WEEK 10
Cleveland 8-0 @ Tenn 3-5 FAV 9
Ainsworth 23/153/1
Sam 11/21/146/0/3 his worst outing in several years, I think
Lies, Still 8 stops
Freitag 1.5 sacks
L Tenn 25 Cleveland 20

WEEK 11
Denver 3-6 @ Cleveland 8-1 FAV 6
Ainsworth 33/186/1
Sam 13/25/195/2/0
Banks 7 tackles
MVP Ainsworth
W Cleveland 33 Denver 15

WEEK 12
Tenn 5-5 @Cleveland 9-1 FAV 10
Ainsworth 16/10/1
Sam 33/49/440/3/1
Lyon 12/177/3
Hendu 11/155 does Tenn need some CBs or what ?
Lies. Berosik 6 stops
Wiese 2.5 sacks
W Cleveland 44 Tenn 17

WEEK 13
Jax 4-7 @ Cleveland 10-1 FAV 9
MVO Bensen
Ainsworth 17/77/1
Sam 17/27/193/2/1
Freitag 2 sacks, Swift 1.5
BUT - Ainsworth dislocated elbow, full strength next year
W Cleveland 27 Jax 6

WEEK 14
Pitt 5-6-1 @ Cleveland 11-1 FAV 12
Sievers gets the start
Maurer 19/66
Sievers 11/57/1
Sam12/23/141/0/0
Berosik, Lies 9 tackles
Berosik 2 INTs
Many more injuries: Henderson, Sheldon, Peterman, Woodson out 3-5 weeks
W Cleveland 19 Pitt 7

WEEK 15
Indy 5-8 @ Cleveland 12-1 FAV 8
Sievers 7/28/1
Sam 18/32/232/0/1
Sapp, Greek, Berosik (TD), Robbins INTs
MVP Berosik
W Cleveland 23 Indy 7

WEEK 16
Cleveland 13-1 @ Buffalo 11-3 FAV 4
Sievers 22/137/3 a highly encouraging sign for the playoffs
Sam 19/30/287/2/0
Greek 5 stops and two picks
MVP Sievers
W Cleveland 42 Buffalo 21

WEEK 17
Cleveland 14-1 @ Baltimore 11-4 FAV 2
Sievers 22/151/1
Sam 17/29/248/1/0
Greek , Freitag 6 stops
MVP Sievers
Lewinsky out til next year, many non-healers: Henderson, Banks, Erxleben
W Cleveland 16 Buffalo 10

The playoffs will be interesting, with Ainsworth and 2 of our top 3 WRs out. Our depth there is going to com in handy. All year we cruised but never dominated. How will we perform against the better teams ?

Wild Card Round

KC 34
Baltimore 13

NE 10 (good news)
Buffalo 30

Minnesota 3
Washington 39

Philly 12
Houston 34


Quarterfinal Round

Buffalo 3
Oakland 28

Washington 24
Green Bay 28

Houston 20
St.Louis 24

KC 10-6-1 @ Cleveland 15-1 FAV 10
We break on top and it's 34-0 by the half.
We roll.
Sievers 16/76/2 including a 40-yard momentum TD to open the scoring
McKnight 19/33/236/1/1
Lyon 7/87/1
Henry 5 stops
Lies 4 stops and a pick
MVP Lies
Grembowski, our roook DE goes out with a broken arm, forcing us to sign a pretty good FA
W Cleveland 37 KC 3

League Finals Round

Green Bay 30
St Louis 24

Oakland 14-3 @ Cleveland 16-1 FAV 7
My, my, my...
Sievers 20/73/2
Maurer 9/143/1
McKnight 17/27/260/1/0 and a running TD as well
Lyon 8/133
Wiese 9 tackles
Riley (the just-signed DE) 3 stops and 1.5 sacks
MVP Berosik (what a year he has had)
W Cleveland 48 Oakland 6

The Big Dance

Green Bay 13-5 @ Cleveland 17-1 FAV 8
Yes, boys, I finally win the big one !
Sievers 21/69/1
McKnight 19/31/222/2/1
Armour 6/91/2
MVP Berosik ith 7 stops and 2 picks
W Cleveland 34 Green Bay 6

We led the league with a 93 power rating

PF 450 (1) PA 246 (3) but with 4 less PA we would have tied for the lead

We averaged 156.1 yards on the ground (1) and 237.6 in the air (5)

We surrendered 83.0 on the ground (1) and 211.3 in the air (17)

Air defense will be a focus for improvement next year

We were +4 in turnovers

Tackles
Lies 84
Still 65
Greek 58
Banks 57

Sacks
Wiese 10.5
Swift 10
Freitag 9

INTs
Greek 5
Berosik 4 (in 9 games)
Banks 3

We got no return TDs this year

Chandler was 28 for 40 FGS and 46 for 48 PATs
Reese averaged 42.9 per punt with 18 inside the 20

Lyon 70/1078/7
Henderson 54/765/9 (13 games)
Lewinsky 48/664/5
Welch 39/552/4

Derek Ainsworth 291/1455(5)/5.0(1)/14(tied for 2nd) (in 12 games)
Sievers 104/502/4.8(3)/7
McKnight 60/281/4.6.1

McKnight 270/452/59.7%/8.41 average(tied for 2nd)/28 TD(tied for 2nd)/15 INT/93.7 rating(5)

Sheldon 38.3 BPct
Bensen 37.3
Finch 36.2
Germaine 35.7
Reedy 34.4
29 total sack allowed
and certainly the OL coach deserves assistant of the year.

I modestly need to award myself Exec of the Year for the Lyon, Lies and Germaine moves. With 7, 6, and 2 years in the league respectively, they figure as core players for the next few years.

Interesting sidelight department Roger Brentlinger, a QB who we drafted in '21 won the MVP and cruelly edged out Sammie 31-28 for the TD lead. Of course Sam has the 96.1 career QB Rating (and a truly mind-boggling 197 TDs in 105 career games), and Roger has the 80.9 (and a very respectable 168 TDs on 160 games).

Another alumnus, Ben Vanderclute, won 1st team All-League at G.

Cole Scarlett who we let go in FA, won 2nd team LB.

Berosik took home the League championship MVP
Welch 2nd team TE
Finch 2nd team OT
Sam and Derek got shut out, but they did win the Big One again !

We ended the season with eight starters sitting on the bench, but our depth was superlative. So much so that our #1 overall pick (WR Vance) had zero receptions in the regular season and only four in the playoffs.

The D gave up 15 total points in three playoff games, and only four times gave up 21 or more in the regular season. I think we can say they are on the rise. MRIs show that Derek should bounce back with almost undiminished skills, so clearly, men, it's One More in 2034 !!!

Without being overly negative, it's hard not to hope that Beyer hangs up the spikes this year, but it appears that Wiese and Sapp may have some tread left.

It is going to be hard to pick the Johann Award winner this year. I also need to pick two new keepers. Let's defer these decisions until tomorrow and bask in the glow.

Champions. Again.

[Subby]

Once again for Emmanuel Lewis (aka Webster aka Web Ewbank)...

Finishing off last year's business:

The Johann Award goes to Samuel "Sammie" McKnight.

My first keeper will be A.J. Germaine; I'll choose the second at the end of this season.

Herb's Score is 100/100/100/73/97 - the exact score we've registered for the past four years.

We've won four consecutive Bowls, a franchise record, with a composite record of 55-3 over the last three years.

* * * * * * * *

2034

We still have the most valuable property in the league, at $2.7 billion, with a roster rated 100.
I raise tickets slightly for luxury boxes, as we are running at 100% attendance. Last year our profit was $943MM, up from $587MM the previous year.

Scout and Coach certainly remain (are you nuts, Web ?).

HOF additions are

Anthony Battle (82%) played 18 years at QB for Detroit and San Diego. He was incredibly resilient, at one point starting every game for 12 years in a row, a record that may never be broken at any level. He passed for over 50,000 yards, fifth all time, but sported only an 81.3 rating and two first-team awards.

Ronnie Gitlin (82%) worked eighteen years at G for San Diego and Pittsburgh. He garnered one second-team award, and failed to start only 16 games in his entire career.

Bennie Misner (81%) served 15 years at DE for Chicago and Cincy, with one second-team award, and a total of 137 sacks and 557 tackles.

Greg Wilson (86%) played 15 years for three teams at DT, registering 127 sacks and 715 tackles. He earned one first and three second-team awards.

Adam Fortmann (80%) played 13 years at TE for four teams, going 565/7098/52. If you thought Battle and Gitlin were injury-proof, The Fort played in every single game of his career and failed to start only one.

All in all, a very mediocre crop, basically a bunch of lifetime achievers with limited peak value.

Back in Cleveland, Kurt Wiese retired. This Keeper played key roles on many Bowl squads and seemed to get his sacks in bunches.

Our only FA is a S unworthy of the franchise tag, especially as we're 50M over cap. Trade offers are refused.

Dumping CB Hoskens, RB Maurer and QB Kramer clears some space. Hoskens brings the #7 overall, and Maurer the #31 overall and another first, after we throw in a 2, two 3s, and a 4.
Kramer is good for the #19 this year and a 1 and a 2 two years down the line. This gives us four first rounders this year, but we'll be making more moves soon.

Now only $7.8MM over cap, we don't get involved in 20-step. Six of the top ten FAs are Tes, and QB Hogendoorn is very skilled and very very expensive. He would look great in brown in orange.

We dump KR Hampton and WR Becker (for 2s more or less), and renegotiate until we're $32MM under cap, with about $25 needed for rookie signings. Then we dump DE Givens for two 1s and a 2, throwing in a 1 and a 6, and the two stop-gap DTs we picked up last year: also for 2s more or less. Now we are 40MM under.

We have the 7, 10, 19, and 27 overall picks, planning to trade up. We need a DT, a C, and some young DBs and DL depth.

As it comes out, there is neither a C or DT worthy of the Browns available. So...

We trade 13-year C Sheldon, hurt last year, and our #19 overall for Burt Carlson, arguably the best C in the league, and a 4-year vet.

We trade the #7 overall and a host of the 2s we accumulated to Buffalo for DT Keith Bennick, another 4 year guy with a lot of upside.

Whoa Nellie. The top-rated DE slips to #10 and we grab him...

1 (10) Kelvin Ward DE, 6-2, 288, Illinois
1 (27) Brent Nelson LB, 6-1, 257, UCLA

After signing them, we have $25MM in space, and 48 players signed.

We sign Larry Hardeman, a hot FA KR, as well.

After camp, we sign everyone in their walk year that we think deserves it, except LB Still, a franchise possibility next year. At $8.9 under cap, we could use some depth, but can't afford it.


We go 1-3 in the exhibitions. E Welch is out 2-3 months, CB Robbins and WR Armour 3-5 weeks.


WEEK 1
Cleveland 0-0 @ Green Bay 0-0 FAV 2
Ainsworth 16-27-0
McKnight 15-37-248-2-2
Lewinsky 5-109-1
Vance 3-48-1 his first pro TD
Still, Briggs 11 stops each
MVP Still
L Cleveland 14 Green Bay 24

WEEK 2
Cleveland 0-1 @ Tampa Bay 1-0 EVEN
Ainsworth 21-82
McKnight 12-21-152-3-1
Henderson 5-75-2
Freitag 1.5 sacks
MVP The Greek
Briggs out 3-5 weeks
W Cleveland 26 Tampa Bay 0

WEEK 3
Jax 1-1 @ Cleveland 1-1 FAV 6
Ainsworth 27-187-3 welcome back Derek
McKnight 17-33-196-1-1
Greek 7 tackles
MVP Ainsworth
W Cleveland 37 Jax 6

WEEK 4
Cleveland 2-1 @ Pitt 2-1 FAV 2
Ainsworth 23-144-1
McKnight 16-24-185-2-1
Parrish 7-10-2-0
Greek 9 tackles
Woodson 3 sacks, Riley 2, Ward 1.5
S. McKnight BROKEN FOOT OUT 3-5 WEEKS
MVP Ainsworth
W Cleveland 41 Pitt 24

WEEK 5
Baltimore 3-1 @ Cleveland 3-1 FAV 5
Ainsworth 24-118-1
Parrish 11-18-103-1-0
Sapp 9 tackles, The Greek 7 and a pick
MVP The Greek
W Cleveland 17 Baltimore 10

WEEK 6
Cinn 1-4 @ Cleveland 4-1 FAV 12
the scout want to start McKnight but I play it safe
Ainsworth 23-81
Parrish 18-28-288-0-3 paying his dues - this kid could start for most teams right now, though
Leweinsky 8-127
Henry out 3-5 weeks
Lies, The Greek 7 tackles each
MVP The Greek
L Cinn 27 Cleveland 12

WEEK 7
The Bye

WEEK 8
Pitt 4-2 @ Cleveland 4-2 FAV3
Sievers 21-68-1
Sammie 9-22-187-1-0
Lies 10 tackles
Banks 2 INTs
Riley, Woodson 1.5 sacks each
don't know if Derek misssed the plane or what ?!? not hurt, evidently...
MVP Banks
W Cleveland 25 Pitt 3

WEEK 9
Cleveland 5-2 @ Baltimore 4-3 DOG 5 (what do they know in Vegas ?)
Ainsworth 23-88
Sam 9-24-118-0-0
Sapp, Banks 8 tackles
Riley 2.5 sacks (55.5 sacks in 58 career games - signed off the scrap heap last year)
MVP Reedy
W Cleveland 9 Baltimore 6

Midway

Cleveland 6-2
Jax 5-4
Pitt 4-4
Balt 4-4
Tenn 4-4
Cinn 3-5

PF/PA 181-100

Sammie 9TD 5 INT 76.2 rating

Derek 727 yards 5 TD

WEEK 10
KC 4-4 @ Cleveland 6-2 FAV 5
Derek 34-158-3
Sammie 15-22-206-1-0
Sapp, Banks 6 tackles
MVP Carlson
W Cleveland 31 KC 13


WEEK 11
Cleveland 7-2 @ Cinn 3-6 FAV4
Ainsworth19-121-1 plus 7-58-1 in the air
Sammie 18-22-269-2-0 ! plus 14-78-1 on the ground
Hendu 3-114-1
Lies 8 tackles
MVP McKnight
W Cleveland 45 Cinn 17

WEEK 12
Cleveland 8-2 @ Jax 6-4 FAV3
Ainsworth 21-147-0
McKnight 23-37-275-5-1
Henderson 6-82-2
Switft, The Greek 8 tackles
Swift, Grembo 2 sacks apiece
MVP McKnight
W Cleveland 36 Jax 26


WEEK 13
Minn 7-4 @ Cleveland 9-2 FAV4
Ainsworth 24-153-1
Sammie 3-6-50-1-0
Parrish 9-21-92-1-1
Lies 12 tackles
MVP Ainsworth
MCKNIGHT OUT 3-5 WEEKS WITH BROKEN FOOT (HIS 2nd THIS YEAR)
W Cleveland 27 Minn 17


WEEK 14
Cleveland 10-2 @ Tenn 5-7 FAV4
Ainsworth 23-110-1 and 4-77-1 in the air
Antoine 18-24-243-3-0 oh my goodness
The Greek 7 tackles
Swift 2 sacks
MVP Ainsworth
Griffey, Ward out 3-5 weeks
W Cleveland 38 Tenn 28


WEEK 15
Cleveland 11-2 @ Oakland 9-4 EVEN
A playoff preview ?
Derek 19-35
Antoine 16-30-171-0-3 back to earth
Sapp 5 stops
L Oakland 17 Cleveland 6


WEEK 16
Buffalo 5-9 @ Cleveland 11-3 FAV8
Sam probable but we play it conservative
Ainsworth 17-20 two stinkers in a row
Parrish 18-32-262-3-3
Swift 8 stops
Riley 2 sacks
W Cleveland 34 Buffalo 27


WEEK 17
Tenn 7-8 @ Cleveland 12-3 FAV7
A rout - my favorite storyline...
Ainsworth 27-195-1 welcome back to the land of the superstars
Sammie 13-18-183-2-0
Freitag 2.5 sacks
MVP A.J. "Apple Juice" Germaine
W Cleveland 39 Tenn 7

FINAL DIVISION STANDINGS

Cleveland 13-3
Balt 10-6
Cinn 8-8
Jax 7-9
Tenn 7-9
Pitt 5-11

* * * * * * * * * * *

Playoffs

Wild Card Round

Baltimore 24
Denver 27

Oakland 14
Indy 28

St Louis 14
Minnesota 23

Philadelphia 16
Greensboro 25

Quarterfinal Round

Indy 20
Miami 27

Minnesota 21
NY Giants 14

Greensboro 3
Houston 41

Denver 11-6 @ Cleveland 13-3 FAV 4

It was 38 degrees and raining steadily, but every single seat at Kosar Coliseum was filled with a screaming fan. They got their money's worth, with a tight game, knotted at 17-17 after three quarters, but weren't able to watch their hometown heroes advance. Sadly, it was the three drive-killing interceptions which spelled d-e-f-e-a-t, but the crowd ended the game acknowledging that they wouldn't have even been here without McKnight, who broke bones in both his feet this season, by chanting "SAMMIE we love yuh" for 45 minutes straight. The tall Texan, usually so stoic and laconic, stood at the 50-yard line, with blood, swaet, tears and raindrops pouring off his head, until he asked for a microphone, and said, "Next year, baby", before trotting slowly off the field.

Ainsworth 19-133-1
Sammie 16-28-219-1-3
Henderson 7-101-1
Briggs 8 stops
L Denver 27 Cleveland 17


League Finals

Denver 28
Miami 20

Minn 17
Houston 27


The FOF Bowl

Denver 10
Houston 35

PF 437 (2)
PA 236 (4)
Power Rating 77 (4)

Offense
Ground 148.9/game (1)
Air 211.8 (16)

Defense
Ground 99.1 (5)
Air 202.5 (15)

Turnovers +10 (tied for 7th)


TE Billy McWilliams, in his first year starting, had a BPct of 42.8, while Germaine led the interior linemen at 37.3. Finch allowed only 2 sacks in 16 games.

Tackles
Lies 88
The Greek 81
Banks 70
Swift 60

Sacks
Frietag 13.5
Riley 11.5
Swift 11
Woodson 9.5

Picks
Greek 7
Hutchins 5
Banks 4

Chandler was 32/40 FG and 43/44 PAT.
Reese averaged only 40.2, but place 25 inside the 20.

No kicks were run back for scores, but Hardeman put up a decent 25.1 average for Kos.

Receiving
Lewinsky 68-911-7
Henderson 57-809-11 (3rd in scoring)
McWilliams 36-508-1
Lyon 25-354-2
Ainsworth 22-237-3

Running
Ainsworth 341-1666(1)-4.8-12(tied for 3rd)
Sievers 53-193-3.6-6
McKnight 55-337-6.1-1

Passing
McKnight 150-266-56.3-2069-20 TD-6 INT-97.0(3)
Parrish 98-171-57.3-1321-10 TD-10 INT-77.1

Ainsworth won the OPOY and 1st team RB
Chandler won 2nd team K
Vanderclute, Scarlett, Etaton and D.J.Givens (19 sacks) won awards among our alumni

The Johann trophy has to go to Derek Ainsworth for his consistency this year.
He had 13 good games out of 16 appearances (one no-show).
In four seasons he has racked up 6451 yards and 59 TDs on the ground - totals better than any of the last four RB HOF inductees achieved in their four maiden voyages.

As my second keeper, to accompany Apple Juice Germaine, I select Antoine Parrish.

[Darkiller]

Two great seasons Web, especially the SuperBowl one of course

What a run we've had winning 4 in a row, all with McNight as the QB.
His career rating is now almost as impressive as his trophee case (am I wrong or he is a 5-time superbowl winning QB now ?)

Also, Ainsworth is doing a heck of a job year in and year out.
with him and Sammie we clearly have the newer version of Donnie Sheen and Blaine Davies.

As for the WR, i'm a little disapointed with Lewinsky's production (although he had some very fine stats in the latest season) but for someone of his potential I though he would already be an All-League player; which he hasn't been yet.

Regarding our "alumnis", I'm very very glad of seing G Ben Vanderclute (former #1 overall pick that I drafted a long time ago) being so successfull (he must now be something like a 5 or 6 time All-League player and with his rings, has a shot at the Hall of Fame).

Good job Web

Congrats Web, it feels good when you win one doesn't it

As for the Wideouts. I think we had too many options. Lewinsky clearly performed better on the field in my years and young Bryon Armour was stepping up as well. Now we have what, 5 starting wideouts? With that many good receivers, none of them will merit all-pro honors.

[WebEwbank]

We do have a lot of talent at WR, bordering on too much. However, in my Bowl year we lost two of the top wideouts to injury. Also Henderson is aging.

It's tough to hit the balance between dynasty-level depth and so much talent that young studs don't develop. When in doubt, I err on the too much side... In fact, in my solo careers I often keep top young WRs on the bench for 2-3 years before they get serious playing time.

[Darkiller]

True...

[WebEwbank]

I always feel stupid trading/releasing guys who go on to ganer All-Leauge honors. Gs and LBs have done this to me countless times, and I guess, as Casey Stengel said, "better a year to early than a year too late."

Givens looked like our 5th DE, than got 19 sacks. Talk about omelets and broken eggs...

[Syrinx]

Well I'll take a stab at keep the great dynasty intact. I've got the file and will begin real work on it tommorow (I advanced the season already).

As a quick note:

For 2034, Herb gives us a score of:
87—100—100—73: 94

I won't be changing the front office staff after their continued great work (6 bowls in the last 10 years -- all under the same coach)

Retired:
LB Gary Sapp (15 years (13 with us), 1079 tackles, 25.5 sacks, 5 Int's)
RB Casey Beyer (14 years, 8099yds 4.1 avg, 68TD's)

[Syrinx]

Browns 2035

-Off Season-
We decide to name LB Dale Still our Franchise Player, this is in part due to the retirement of Sapp.

We have 3 free agents of our own, we will re-sign backup Center Henry Frederick, but let the other 2 backups find a new team.

We trade backup QB Lonnie Bates to SF for their next 3 1st rounders (including number 5 this year). He’ll probably start for them for the rest of his career.

We’ll skip free agency, and look in the draft for extra depth at RB, LB and S. Also I’d like to grab a future maxed out stud at DT with that number 5 pick.

We’re fighting against a lot of future cap woes, as most of the players who are in their last year and want to re-sign, want a lot more then they already are making. We may have to cut back on some of our depth.

Entering the draft we have the 5th, 14th and 33rd pick in the first round. We also have a second and 7th rounder.

In-Draft Trades:
Our first rounder for next year (putting us back down to the legal limit of 3, which I had gone over accidently with the SF trade) for Green Bays number 1, 2 and 3 (at position 19)
We then traded the 2nd and 3rd rounders from Green bay to move up to number 8 in round 2
Finnaly we traded our last first rounder (33) and our 7th round pick for Carolina’s second rounder (pick number 1) and their 6th rounder, this brought us back down to 3 1st rounders for this year

Draft Results:
Rnd 1 - Lorenzo Wilkerson, DT, Purdue 50/99 (current/future)
Rnd 1 - Rufus Winslett, S, San Diego State 54/84
Rnd 1 - Arnold Dunlap, TE, North Carolina 62/78
Rnd 2 - A.J. Stiehl, LB, Louisiana State 49/86
Rnd 2 - Marty Finkes, LB, Baylor 47/90
Rnd 2 - Carl Robbins, RB, Temple 52/71
Rnd 6 - Jeffrey Maugh, CB, Southwest Louisiana 59/100 --> He was the first CB taken in the draft!

I am currently in negotiations with these players' agents, hoping I don't have to make any cuts to make room for them.

[Darkiller]

Rnd 6 - Jeffrey Maugh, CB, Southwest Louisiana 59/100


awesome pick there obviously Syrinx !
what are his ratings in pass defense and interceptions ?

[WebEwbank]

Best nickname potential in quite some time.

Chainsaw Stiehl and No Maugh.

Take no prisoners.

[Subby]

Niiiiice offseason...

[Syrinx]

Maugh's stats:
RunDe ----------49/100
PassD ----------46/100
Inter --------86
PuntR --------84
KickR -----50
Endur ---------96

[Darkiller]

whaoo that looks interesting to say the least...
how come a talent like that slipped through the 6th round ???!!!

[Syrinx]

I guess no-one needed a corner.

Here is your 3035 Cleveland Browns Starting Lineup

  Position/Player       Current Est  Future Est     Exp    GM

  QB  Sammie McKnight            19          20      10   Subby  

  RB  Derek Ainsworth            17          18       5   TheRoyalOne   

  FB  Richard Hartman            19          20       6   TheRoyalOne

  TE  Billy McWilliams           17          20       5   TheRoyalOne   

  WR  Dana Lyon                  17          18       9   WebEwbank   

  WR  Stanley Lewinsky           17          17       6   Darkiller   

  WR  Jim Henderson              17          18      12   Syrinx  

   C  Burt Carlson               19          20       5   WebEwbank

   G  Jerry Bensen               19          19       7   TheRoyalOne   

   G  A.J. Germaine              18          17       4   WebEwbank 

   T  Gilbert Reedy              18          19       4   TheRoyalOne   

   T  Rondell Finch              17          17      12   Syrinx    

   P  Ian Reese                  14          16      10   Subby   

   K  Blaine Chandler            18          19       9   Darkiller   

  DE  Gene Woodson               19          20       9   Subby   

  DE  Marvin Riley               16          17       6   WebEwbank   

  DT  Geoff Freitag              16          16       5   TheRoyalOne

  DT  Keith Bennink              14          17       5   WebEwbank   

  LB  Duane Lies                 19          19       8   WebEwbank   

  LB  Dale Still                 18          18       9   Subby   

  LB  O.J. Briggs                16          15      13   WebEwbank

  CB  Darryl Hutchins            17          17      10   Subby   

  CB  Barry Peterman             16          15      13   WebEwbank

   S  Clay Banks                 18          18       9   TheRoyalOne   

   S  Henry Berosik              16          17       7   Darkiller   

PRKR  Jeffrey Maugh              12          20       1   Syrinx   

We proceed through pre-season 4-0 with a few injuries. FB Hartman is out 3-5 weeks and CB Maugh broke is foot in a Punt return and is out 2-3 months.

Week 1
Solid season opener
Ainsworth 22-91-1
McKnight 22-15-167-0-1
Ward 1 Sack
Hutchins 1Int for a TD
The Greek 1Int
Finch 1Fumble recovery for a TD on Punt Coverage
Cleveland 40(1-0) vs. Houston 13(0-1)

Week 2
Weak follow up against an inferior opponent
Ainsworth 23-82-0
McKnight 30-18-280-0-1
Lewinsky 5-87-0
Chandler 4-5 FG’s
Hutchins 1 Int
Lies led with 5 Tackles 1 Sack
Cleveland 12(2-0) vs. New Orleans 10(0-2)

Week 3
Nice division win
Ainsworth 28-111-1
McKnight 22-18-246-2-0
Lies led with 6 Tackles 1 Sack
Bennink and Woodson 1 Sack each
Hutchins and Still 1 Int each
Cleveland 32(3-0) @ Pittsburgh 17(2-1)

Week 4
Another nice division win
Ainsworth 23-135-0
McKnight 25-17-264-2-0 plus 1 rushing TD
Lewinsky 5-104-1
Hutchins led with 7 Tackles
Swift 1.5 sacks, Freitag 1 sack, Bennink half a sack
Berosik had an Int
Cleveland 38(4-0) vs. Cincinnati 13(2-2)


Week 5
Closer then it should have been
Ainsworth 21-148-1
McKnight 33-17-185-0-1
Lyon 5-80-0
Still and Hutchins led with 7 Tackles
Freitag 2.5 sacks, Riley 2 sacks, Robbins 1 sack, Swift half a sack
Berosik had an Int
Cleveland 18(5-0) @ Baltimore 10 (1-4)

After only 2 games back in action, FB Hartman goes out for 2-3 months with a Hip Pointer

Week 6
An embarrassing loss, helped by McKnight missing half the game, and the D not showing up
Ainsworth 22-69-0
McKnight 18-14-210-0-0
Parrish 12-5-48-1-2
Lyon 6-79-0
Henderson 5-74-1
Still led with 10 Tackles
No Sacks or INT’s!
Cleveland 19(5-1) @ Tennessee 30 (2-4)

Week 7 – Bye

Week 8
A bad loss to the new division leader (in our 4th sub 20 point game)
Ainsworth 17-94-0 and 2 fumbles
McKnight 20-10-214-0-3
Lyon 3-112-0
Berosik led with 11 tackles and an Int
Woodson had a solo sack, and combined with Freitag for another
Cleveland 10(5-2) @ Cincinnati 25 (5-2)

Week 9
A win is a win
Ainsworth 20-70-1
McKnight 29-16-221-2-3 more Int’s
Lewinsky 3-58-1
Lies led with 8 tackles and also grabbed an Int and got a sack!
Woodson had a two solo sacks, and again combined with Freitag for another
Cleveland 30(6-2) vs. Baltimore 28 (2-6)

Week 10
A fun blowout against the AFC West leader
Sievers 31-160-2 – replacing an Injured Ainsworth after the first play
McKnight 31-23-336-3-2
Lewinsky 10-160-1 – Hello!
Lyon 6-92-1
Hutchins had 2 picks; Berosik, Winslett and Banks each had 1
Woodson had a two more sacks
Cleveland 44(7-2) @ Oakland 7 (6-3)

Week 11
An important division win (and a nice piece of revenge as well)
Ainsworth 21-67-0
Sievers 7-50-1 – helping an ailing Ainsworth
McKnight 30-23-281-2-0
Lyon 7-99-1
Henderson 6-80-0
Berosik, and Peterman each had an Int
Woodson and Bennink each had a sack
Cleveland 47(8-2) vs. Tennessee 10(4-6)

Week 12
A tough critical win
Ainsworth 11-33-0 before aggravating his turf toe
Sievers 10-65-0 – helping an ailing Ainsworth
McKnight 32-16-253-2-3 still more Int’s
Henderson 5-97-2
Lyon 5-81-0
Berosik led with 10 tackles
Woodson had a solo sack and combined with Ward for another
Our D forced no turnovers
Cleveland 20(9-2) vs. Pittsburgh 14 (7-4)

Week 13
Another tough win against another tough opponent
Robins 25-102-2 The rookie making the most of his chance at RB
McKnight 24-11-144-0-1
Lies led with 13 tackles!
Bennink, Woodson and Ward each made a sack
Banks had an Int
Cleveland 20(10-2) @ St. Louis 17 (9-3)

Marshall Sievers tore his Knee Ligaments and is out (probably ending his career)

Week 14
A walk in the park
Robins 20-137-1 Nice first start for the Rookie
McKnight 34-24-319-3-1
Lyon 6-79-0
McWilliams 5-74-1
Lewinsky 5-72-1
Riley, Bennink, Woodson and Ward each made a sack
Ward had a fumble recovery, which was our only defensive turnover
Cleveland 40(11-2) vs. Jacksonville 17 (3-10)

Week 15
Staying a game ahead of Cincy for the division (and home field advantage) with an exciting OT win
Robins 27-123-0
McKnight 31-18-193-1-1
Henderson 3-45-1
Riley had 2 solo sacks, and combined with Freitag for another sack. Woodson added another sack to his total
Banks had 2 picks
Cleveland 40(12-2) vs. Denver 17 (7-7)

Week 16
An exciting close win, keeps us 1 game up
Ainsworth 22-117-2 returning from injury in nice form
McKnight 30-19-274-0-1
Lyon 6-74-0
Chandler 4-4 FG’s
Lies led with 10 tackles
Ward 1.5 sacks; Woodson; Riley and Still 1 sack each; Bennink 0.5 sack
We forced no turnovers
Cleveland 33(13-2) @ Miami 31(8-7)

Week 17
Finishing with a route over the division doormat
Ainsworth 20-83-2
McKnight 27-20-281-3-1
Lewinsky 9-152-1
Lyon 8-99-2
Chandler 4-4 FG’s
Woodson and Ward had 1 sack each; Riley and Still each had half a sack
Maugh got his first career Int.
Cleveland 38(14-2) @ Jacksonville 7(4-12)

Cleveland 14-2* (Home field advantage throughout )
Cincinnati 12-4*
Pittsburgh 9-7*
Tennessee 8-8
Baltimore 6-10
Jacksonville 4-12

[Syrinx]

-2035 Post Season and Season Stats-

Wild Cards
Atlanta 16
Philadelphia 13

Milwaukee 23
Cincinnati 41

Pittsburgh 23
Oakland 17

Tampa Bay 38
Greensboro 20

Quarter Finals

Atlanta 19
St. Louis 24

Cincinnati 28
Indianapolis 24

Tampa Bay 30
Minnesota 21

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
A cool breeze blows across the field on this January afternoon. The Steelers come in looking for an upset, and revenge for their 2 regular season losses. Both teams battle to a near stalemate, as the only score in the first quarter is a Chandler FG.
Early in the second, the Steelers got on the board, with a solid TD drive, including a daring 9 yard pass play on 4th and 8. Cleveland answers, but only with a FG. The quarter keeps moving with no scoring action. Cleveland’s ball, 2 minute wanring before the half, down by one. 3rd and 8, Ainsworth takes it up the middle for 12, following a crushing lead block by C Carlson. 1st ad 10 at the Pitt. 19. McKnight drops back , and finds Lyon near the goal line, Lyon makes in the catch, and lunges into the endzone for the score. Ainsworth then carries the ball in for 2. The Browns take a 14-7 lead into the half.
The third quarter starts with a Cleveland drive that ends with Chandler drilling a 56 yard kick. (17-7) Cleveland stops the Steelers on their next drive. But Cleveland starts to stall as well, feeling cocky they go for it on 4th and 3, but come up short. The Steelers take over on the Brown’s 38, but can’t convert as the D holds them to 7 yards, and their kicker shanks it wide right. The Browns take advantage of their luck and pass their way down the field(16 and 26 yarders) for a 14 yard scoring strike to Lewinsky.
Holding a 24-7 lead going into the fourth, the game is essentially over. The quarter starts with us blocking a punt, leading to an easy 7 points for Ainsworth. Later in the fourth their QB coughs up the ball as Freitag and Woodson slam into him. Ward drops on the ball. This leads to Ainsworth TD run. A fumbled Steelers punt return allows us to put a final 3 points on the board, inside the two minute warning.
Ainsworth 19-190-2
McKnight 27-17-235-2-0
Lyon 6-88-1
Lewinsky 5-76-1
Woodson combined with Freitag for one sack and with LB Ekstrom for another
Blair had the only pick
Cleveland 41 vs. Pittsburgh 7

League Finals
Tampa Bay 18
St. Louis 21

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It comes down to the game everyone was expecting. Cincinnati had to fight through two 11-5 teams to get here, but they made it. They are five point underdogs, due to their week 4 loss here in Cleveland, and their 12-4 record. But they hope to capture the magic of their week 8 victory, where they forced 5 Cleveland turnovers. For the 99,900 fans the game didn’t live up to some expectations. To others it was the sweetest kind of game of all.
The first quarter started with a negative 8 yard Cincinnati drive. Followed by a 58 yard TD drive by Cleveland capped by a McKnight pass to Henderson. The scoring stopped until the middle of the second quarter, when the Browns got the ball at their own 30 yard line, gave the ball to Ainsworth and watch as he bobbed and weaved through Bengals’ defenders in a beautiful 70 yard TD run! With only 7 seconds remaining in the second quarter, a pass got away from McKnight and Bengal CB Jennings grabbed it out of the air at mid-field. Jennings began to run as the final seconds ticked away… to the 45… the 40...35...30 past all the Browns players… to the25, the 20…, then comeing in from behind, 4th wideout Byron Armour raced in and shoved the ball carrier out of bounds, saving what looked to be a sure touchdown.
At the half the Browns held their 14-0 lead.
Neither team could make anything of their first drives, but on Cleveland’s second attempt, they managed a FG. Then came the final nail in Cincy’s coffin. On 2nd and 10, RB Sanders made a brilliant 8 yard run, but as LB Still managed to strip the ball out of his hands while tackling him. LB Briggs dropped on the ball as we took over at their 24. Two McKnight passes later it was 24-0 and the Bengal’s where completely deflated. A late 3rd quarter Int led to one final Brown’s scoring drive.
Ainsworth 20-88-2
McKnight 38-20-2-1
Henderson 5-90-1
DE Ward led with 5 tackles
Freitag and Swift had our only 2 sacks
Berosik 1 Int
Cleveland 31 vs. Cincinnati 0

FOF Bowl
Cleveland Browns vs. St Louis Rams
The fans are ready for a rematch of the thrilling 3 point Cleveland victory in St. Loins during week 13. The Rams have the number 1 passing offense, the Browns the number 2. The Rams hope to win in the air. If this turns into a ground war, the Browns have the advantage with their first place rushing game, against the Rams’ last place rushing D (how did they get to the Bowl in the first place??)
Cleveland started slow, managing a first down on their opening drive, then loseing 9 yards on 3 plays and punting from the 17 yard line. The result was terrible as St. Louis started on our 24. Our defense held, and they only came away with 3. Again the Ram’s stopped us cold, forcing a punt from our 16. This time Reese got off a nice kick that was covered quickly. Both teams exchanged a punts. The Rams then drove deep into Cleveland teritory, only to be stopped short as LB Duane Lies picked off a pass intended for Rams TE Irving Rogers at the 14. As time ran out in the first quarter, Cleveland was finnaly coming to life, as they advanced into St. Louis territory.
The second quarter opened with a Cleveland FG to tie the score at 3. The Rams came back, only to wind up missing a go ahead 46 yard FG. Capitalizing on their mistake, Cleveland’s air attack brought them to the Rams’ 35. From there, on 2nd and 15, Ainsworth took over, and 2 plays later he was dancing in the Endzone. Browns move ahead 10-3. The Browns defense holds the Rams’ to only one first down on the next drive, forcing a punt. The Browns used two big passes from McKnight to Lewinksy (10 and then 31 yards) to move to the 6 yard line. From there it took Ainsworth two attempts to drive it in and close the half 17-3.
Both teams managed nothing on each of their first 2 drives in the second half. It took the Rams the final 6 minutes of the third quarter just to fight through the Browns defense and manage a field goal. The Browns then started the 4th with a 4 min. 30 second, 75 yard TD drive, that was ignited with a 20 yard Ainsworth run and capped by a 5 yard Ainsworth run for the score. Again the teams exchanged punts, followed by another St. Louis FG. With the score at 24-9 and only 7 minutes left, things looked bleak for the Rams. Things looked worse as the Browns proceeded to run another 4 min. off the clock (although not producing any more points). With 2:15 left, the Browns defense finally slipped, being called for unnecesary roughness on 4th and 9 (when the receiver had dropped the ball down field ) The Rams then got a 44 yard pass down to the goal line, and plunged in for their first TD on the next play. Down by 6, with only 1:13 left, it was obvious they would have to go for the onside kick. Cleveland had their “hands” unit on the field, and WR Herman Vance managed to recover the kick. (ok so it’s a little unfair when your 5th wideout is good enough to be the first WR on ANY other team.) From there the Browns simply ran out the clock, making one first down in the process to burn up St Louis’ time outs.
Ainsworth 23-97-3 Game MVP
McKnight 31-17-0-0
Lewinsky 7-88-0
Briggs led a dominating D with 7 tackles (St. Louis RB’s averaged only 1.7 yard per carry)
Lies had 6 tackles and an Int
Bennink and Ward each made one sack
Cleveland 24 vs. St. Louis 16

Browns Win! Browns Win!


Individual Stats
QB Sammie McKnight(16 starts) 438-279-63.6%(1st) - 3868 yards(3rd) 8.83avg(1st) 20TD 19Int 89.0Rtg (5th) and surprising League MVP, 2nd Team All-League QB honors in what is a statisticly disapointing season for him with his second lowest rating as a starter.

RB Derek Ainsworth(16 games/13 starts) 256-1115 4.3avg 9TD’s Championship MVP
WR Dana Lyon (16 games/15 starts) 68-1007 14.8avg 5TD’s
WR Stanley Lewinsky(16 games/14 starts) 60-998 16.6avg 6TD’s
WR Jim Henderson (16 games/3 starts) 43-694 16.1avg 5TD’s
C Burt Carlson (15games/15 starts) 29-77blocks (37.6%) 2 sacks allowed
K Blaine Chandler 48-56FG’s(85.7%) 44-44PAT’s 1st Team All-League K making a single season record number of FG’s
DE Gene Woodson 32 tackles, 14.5(6th) sacks
LB Duane Lies 90 tackles 3 sacks, 1 Int
LB Dale Still 74 tackles 1.5 sacks, 1 Int, 1 Fumble Recovery
CB Darryl Hutchins 50 tackles, 5 Int’s 1 TD
S Henry Berosik 76 Tackles, 5 Int’s 1 TD
S Clay Banks 66 Tackles, 4 Ints, 2 Fumble Recoveries


Team Stats
Turnovers +4 (10th)
Offense
Rushing:2405(1st) Passing:4052(2nd) Thrid Down:.354(18th) Points For:464 (1st)
Defense
Rushing:1627(4th) Passing: 3143 (8th) Thrid Down:.301 (1st)Points Against: 269 (2nd)

Herb:
Perforance: 100
Value: 100
Profit: 100
Dificulty: 74
Year End Score: 98

congrats Syrinx. A down year for the two studs, McKnight and Ainsworth but they stepped up to the plate when needed, especially Derek with a 3TD day.

[Subby]

Outastanding. Don't forget to send your Johan info to me!

Look for a web site update soon....

[WebEwbank]

Great season, great game stories. And it is Friday. There is a God and he is a Browns fan.

Too bad about Sievers - he saved my bacon at least twice, including once in the playoffs. Maybe he can rebound.

It is amazing that our future HoF'ers had off years (for them) but the team continued to roll relentlessly. Then they stepped up in the the big games...oh, Subby already made that point...

Looking back, although I added a bunch of talent, it was primarily (solely ?) via trade, and we probably need to get some youth in here. I think you have stockpiled mucho draft picks and are all over this.

Congrats on the Bowl !

[Darkiller]

Congrats Syrinx!!

A great bowl win !!!!
McNight was not his usual gunslinger (just 20 TD passes) but he still managed to lead the team to a 6th SuperBowl championship as a starter, also he earned a 3rd NFL MVP award and a 5th or maybe even 6th All-League QB award...amazing!

Ainsworth kind of disapointed me a little bit more than Sammie during the regular season but he stepped up big when it mattered the most : the SuperBowl and this is the mark of great players...

Also, Syrinx, I would believe that your 98 Herb score is the highest all time now...
congratulations again on a great season !

Good luck for 2036
GO BROWNS !!

[Darkiller]

Also, nice to see K Blaine Chandler finally racking up All-League awards (i think that's the 2nd year in a row now...) and setting league records ;

When I picked him 9 years ago, he had outstanding potential, some of the best I had ever seen for a kicker in all of my FOF2 careers but he took him time to finally get to the top.
His first seasons were not that good at all actually (check the FG accuracy and you'll see...) and I got pissed after him more than a few times.

Now he has matured and is at the top of the NFL's kicking world.

nice.

[Darkiller]

I have many thoughts crossing my mind after that great season by Syrinx...LOL

Ok here is the thing :

We've now completed season 2035.
we started the VC II in 1999 meaning we've now played 37 seasons of great Browns Football.

I would like that after 2048 is finished (which will mark our 50th year),

we list an All-Time 50th anniversary Cleveland Browns football team.

Picking the best players ever to wear a Browns uniform over all those great 50 seasons.
We will select a 1st-team and a 2nd-team.

thoughts ?

[huve]

Nice season and good offseason

huve

That is a great idea Darkiller.

The arguments can already be heard. Davies or McKnight.

Sheen or Ainsworth?

Right now, I'm leading towards McKnight and Sheen, but I don't know.

[WebEwbank]

I like it.

Perhaps we could each vote for our own 1st and 2nd teams (we'd each need data to evaluate careers), with, say, 3 points for 1st team and 2 for 2nd; then total up the numbers...

The results will obviously be worthy of being Subby-web-ized ! Right, S ?

[Subby]

Right. Right. You're bloody well right...

[WebEwbank]

Giving the Half Century Team Celebration some thought:

-I'll volunteer to collate the voting

-Haven't come up with a clean way to get all career data to all GMs - actually this could involve every year-end save file, or at least each year in which we had one or retirements from the squad. Suggestions ?

-Ground rule issues:

are we talking peak value or total career value ? I suggest the latter.

should accomplishments for other teams be factored in as well ? I suggest no.
voting methods: open ballot or pick 'em - eben if we went pick 'em, GMs would still need career data, but the ballot-builder could arbitrarily draw a line in terms of number of games played, for example, for inclusion, which could reduce the number of players significantly...

-other votes: how about Biggest Bust, Best Name, Comeback Career, and other special awards ?

[NoMyths]

"Giving the Half Century Team Celebration some thought:"

Are you going to be choosing the Half-Century Team from the entire league, or just your team?

NoMyths

[Darkiller]

I prefer the name "50th anniversary Team" to "Half-century team"

It will only consist of Cleveland Browns players.
The best players by position during those first 50 years ever to wear a Brown jersey.

[Darkiller]

a couple of interesting QB thoughts :

Maybe no one remembers it but although Blaine was the #1 overall pick in the '99 draft and had the legendary career we all know starting from day one of his rookie year, the next Browns QB that will follow him in the Hall of Fame, Sammie McNight was "only" a 2nd round pick and did not start a game until his 3rd Pro season.

Also -nothing to do with the Browns- but clearly interesting since it happened in the VCII :

(as of end of 2029)
New Orleans Saints QB Dennis Sanderson is a 7th year player out of Montana State.
In his career -since spending the first 3 years on the bench- he has then started all next 58 games for the Bills and the Saints.
He has thrown 84 TDs for 64 INTs and has a career rating of 80,7.

His best year so far was 2027 when he compiled a 93,9 season and even more impressive was named the NFL's MVP...

What's the big fuss about all this you'll tell me ?

Well, that Sanderson guy was a.... 7th round QB in the 2022 draft !!!!
a 7th round QB that ends up being an indiscutable starter, an NFL MVP and has pretty good career stats !!!

As far as i'm concerned he's the first 7th round player that I ever see winning NFL MVP awards in FOF.


[This message has been edited by Darkiller (edited 02-26-2001).]

[WebEwbank]

That is fairly amazing. 7th rounders are, well...7th rounders.

[Syrinx]

I love the Idea of a "Half Century Team!"

I'll have an update of some kind this evening, I didn't have access to the game over the weekend, and I've had a busy day at work so far. I hope to get through the entire off-season (which for me is the longest part).

The team may have a lot of turnover, as I couldn't afford to re-sign alot of players last year, who had high demands, and high left-over cap space from old bonuses (we currently have only 38 players signed). All of our keepers are taken care of, so we are free to use the franchise tag. Our biggest concerns are at Punter, Defensive Line, and all along the secondary.

For the draft we have the 11, 13 and 14th pick in the first round.

Reitred from the Browns (Career details to come later):
DT Brenden Swift (14 years, all with CLE)
FB Brett Jelinek (12 years, all with CLE)
S Graham "The Greek" Theophilakos (12 years, all with CLE)
RB Marshall Sievers (6 years, last 3 with CLE)

Other note worthy retirments
G Ben Vanderclute (17 years, all but last 3 with CLE)
T Norman Snaderson (15 years, first 5 w/ CLE)
DT Riddick Tubbs (15 years, all but last 6 w/ CLE)

[Syrinx]

Browns 2036

-Off Season-
No staff changes (duh!)
We up the prices to stay tied for second in every aspect, except seat licenses, which I got rid of last season due to personal feelings.

We decide to name CB Steven Blair as our Franchise Player. We were looking at 4 of last year’s starters, he is: the youngest, the one with the 2nd best potential, and the lowest loyalty. I will be trying to land the others during FA. We have $75 million free under the cap at the moment, and need an estimated 40 mil for the draft.

I’ll be focused on Defense for the most part of FA, either re-signing, or re-stocking. Probably we will try to re-sign since 3 of the top 4 CB Free Agents are Browns, and the top Safety and DT Free Agents are also Browns.

We will probably not pursue CB Barry Peterman and WR Jim Henderson. Both have given great service to our team, as life-long Browns (each with over a decade of service). Unfortunately, as their skills start to fade, they continue to ask for starters’ money in very high priced positions.

--

We end up loosing our starting CB, Darryl Hutchins, but renew interest in, and finally re-sign, Peterman. We have enough depth at CB that we’ll adjust and move on. We paid too much to retain S Clay Banks and DT Geoff Freitag. I probably should have looked at letting them go, and trade for replacements. Henderson (a first rounder of mine last time i was at the helm) did leave; we couldn’t afford him. We picked up a cheap 2nd year Guard to act as a long-term backup.


Looking towards the draft, we still need depth at RB, FB, G and all around the defense. We also need a new punter. I traded our bottom 2 picks (14th and 32nd in the second round) for Las Vegas’s number one next year (They hold the top pick this year). After drafting down to the second round, we swap our 10th pick, for LV’s 14th we had given them earlier, also as part of the deal we send our 6th and 7th round picks for 2037 and 2038, in exchange for their 4th and 5th this year.

Rnd 1(11)- Cory Wayne, S, Tennessee Tech 61--92
Rnd 1(13) - Pat Gooch, G, Pittsburgh 42--81
Rnd 1(14) - Alan Hawn, RB, South Carolina 54--75
Rnd 2 - Neal Sellers, FB, North Carolina 37--55
Rnd 2 - Fernando Murray, DT, Indiana 28--57
Rnd 4 - Joey England, P, Virginia Tech 52--73
Rnd 5 - Ray Head, CB, Princeton 43--63

After the Draft, we picked up a min-sal Kick Return man for our 5th WR spot.

Nothing special, just depth in positions we need it. I only really see Wayne and England making any real future impact on this team.

But we now have 3 first round selections next year as well, hopefully a high one with Las Vegas.

Most of our players are signed past this year. The only real note-worthy one who isn’t is Ainsworth, whose $13 million raise we can’t afford at the moment. He’ll need to be franchised next year.

--
Pre-Season:
We went 3-1 with the only major injury was to backup TE Welch, who is out 2-3 months.

Regular Season to Come...

To be honest, this feels like one of my worst offseasons, I lost players I wanted to keep, and didn't do a good job of replaceing them... or upgrading anywhere else for that matter.

[WebEwbank]

Don't despair. Offseasons can be deceptive.
Especially in VCII, I've felt very confident, only to go 9-7, very worried, only to win the Bowl.

What happened was that a lot of guys got old, a lot of contracts ran out, and a lot of guys got greedy. In this situation, you have to pick your shots and then take what's left after the shooting. You did.

Attaque, attaque, toujours l'attaque !

The spelling may be wrong, but the sentiment is sincere.

[Alf]

Spelling is perfect !

And the VC II Browns is still very entertaining.

------------------

Alf

[WebEwbank]

Welcome, Alf.

Would you like to contribute a few cases of the really good cognac to our 50th year jamboree ?

[Syrinx]

Week 1
Cleveland (0-0) at Greensboro(0-0)
Good showing in our opening…
Ainsworth 23-155-2
McKnight 19-12-143-2-1 plus 1 more TD rushing
WR Vance 3-70-1
Wayne 7Tckl 1 Sack 1 Int
Ward 2.5 sacks; Briggs, Nelson and Woodson 1 sack each; Henry 0.5 sack
Browns 44 Generals 19

Week 2
Cleveland (1-0) at Arizona(0-1)
Had to go to OT, but McKnight won it
Ainsworth 19-70-0
McKnight 29-18-207-2-0 plus 1 more TD rushing (in OT no less…)
Lewinsky 3-48-2
Still 13 tackles and an Int
Banks had another pick
Lies and Briggs each made a sack
Browns 20 Cardinals 14

Week 3
Cleveland (2-0) vs. Jacksonville(1-1)
Nice home opener
Ainsworth 17-98-1
McKnight 22-11-153-0-1
Blair 2 Ints, one returned for a TD
Wayne 1 Int for a TD
Banks also had a pick
Bennink 5 tackles and a Sack
Woodson had 1 more sack Lies and Riley combined for another
Browns 31 Jaguars 6

S Henry Berosik has a nagging Shoulder injury that has allowed the Rookie Cory Wayne get 2 starts, and will have at least 2 more from the looks of it.

Week 4
Cleveland (3-0) at Pittsburgh(2-1)
A close game, we can’t hold off Pittsburgh’s final drive, which ended with a 1 yard TD plunge with only 10 seconds left in the game.
Ainsworth 16-46-0
McKnight 7-5-62-0-1
Parrish 25-10-153-2-3 who came in for a banged up McKnight
Lewinsky 4-72-0
Briggs 9 Tackles
Winslett had 1 pick
Woodson had 3 sacks; Riley had 1
Browns 17 Steelers 18

McKnight will start next week…

Week 5
Cleveland (3-1) vs. Cincinnati(1-3)
A textbook dismantling of an inferior opponent
Ainsworth 23-73-0
McKnight 29-15-217-2-0
Lewinsky 4-54-1
Lyon 3-66-1
Lies had a sack and a Pick
Briggs and Blair each had a pick
Bennink, Freitag, Ward and Wilkerson each had sacks
Woodson had 3 sacks; Riley had 1
Browns 31 Bengals 13

Week 6
Cleveland (4-1) vs Baltimore(4-1)
A big win over a big division opponent.
Ainsworth 24-133-1 plus another TD in the air
McKnight 23-16-168-2-0 plus another TD on the ground
McWilliams 5-85-0
Briggs 7 Tackles
Winslett had 1 pick
Ward had 1 sack, Freitag and Bennink combined for another
Browns 34 Ravens 10

Week 7 – Bye

Week 8
Cleveland (5-1) vs Pittsburgh(5-1)
Revenge is ours as we take sole possession of first place!
Robins 19-39-1 in relief for an injured Ainsworth
McKnight 23-15-189-1-0
Lyon 5-70-0
Lewinsky 2-47-1
Wayne 6 Tackles and an Int
Woodson had a sack and a half, Riley had 1, Freitag had a half
Browns 14 Steelers 10

Week 9
Cleveland (6-1) at Cincinnati(1-6)
Another demolition of Cincy
Ainsworth 15-86-1 before aggravating his injury
McKnight 29-17-178-1-1 plus 1 score on the ground
Lewinsky 4-48-0
McWilliams 4-34-1
Wayne had 2 Int.’s
Lies led w/ 5 tackles, and returned a fumble for a score
Woodson had 2 sacks; Freitag had one
Browns 36 Bengals 14

Ainsworth sits a weak to re-coup

Week 10
Cleveland (7-1) at Charlottesville(3-4-1)
One that we let get away from us, as we allow a TD with only 51 seconds left
Robbins 18-69-0 just can’t get it done on the ground
McKnight 30-14-227-1-0 – not enough to carry the team
Armour 4-83-0
Lewinsky 3-74-1
Lies led with 10 stops
Wayne added another pick, as he tries to make a strong case for Rookie of the Year
Woodson had 3 sacks; Riley had one
Browns 20 Spangles 24


Week 11
Cleveland (7-2) at Baltimore(6-3)
Apparently last week really woke this team up
Robbins 17-22-0 still producing nothing on the ground, although he caught a 1 yard TD pass
Ainsworth 7-76-1
McKnight 15-12-165-2-0 – before going out with mild concussion
Parrish 3-3-32-1-0 a perfect series
Foley 11-6-71-1-1 all our QB’s had a TD pass this game
Lyon 4-63-1
McWilliams 4-49-1
Wilkerson had 4 stops and a sack
Riley had a solo sack; Bennink, Lies, Grembowski and Woodson each had half a sack
Blair made a pick and returned it for a score
Robbins and Maugh each got an Int
Browns 48 Ravens 0

Week 12
Cleveland (8-2) at Jacksonville(3-7)
We rest Ainsworth and McKnight, and win on a last second FG (after leading 20-0 at the beginning of the 4th)
Robbins 14-76-0
Parrish 24-15-228-1-1
Lyon 3-70-0
Armour 3-68-1
Ray Head returned a punt for a Score
Ekstrom had 13 tackles
Briggs and Woodson each had 1.5 sacks
Blair got a pick
Browns 23 Jaguars 21

Week 13
Cleveland (9-2) vs Philadelphia(4-7)
A walk in the park with our starters back
Ainsworth 25-102-1
McKnight 28-18-244-3-0
Armour 4-64-0
Hartman 3-42-1
Lies led with 8 tackles
Woodson, Freitag and Riley had sacks
No picks, but Woodson recovered a fumble for a TD
Browns 35 Ravens 25

Week 14
Cleveland (10-2) at Tennessee(5-6)
A tough road win
Ainsworth 29-88-1
McKnight 32-15-220-1-2
Lyon 6-102-1
McWilliams 3-52-0
Winslett led with 8 stops
Wayne made a pick, that he returned 63 yards for a score
Ward and Lies each made sacks
Browns 26 Titans 21

Week 15
Cleveland (11-2) at Oakland(9-4)
A domination, starting with our 21 point first quarter
Ainsworth 26-134-1
McKnight 33-15-193-2-0
Lewinsky 6-79-2
Wayne led with 6 tackles, and an Int
Blair also had a pick
Woodson had 2 sacks, Ward had 1
Browns 34 Raiders 21

At 12-2 we have the division wrapped up, as well as Home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs. I have decided to sit a large portion of the starting line-up for the last 2 games. My goal is to repeat in the Bowl, not win season awards for our players stats.

Week 16
Cleveland (12-2) vs Indianapolis(8-6)
A cold snowy day, where the Browns show the talent of their depth
Robbins 25-130-2
Parrish 40-24-333-2-2
Lewinsky 9-139-1
Lyon 5-71-0
Riley, Ward and Wilkerson each got sacks
Blair had 2 picks
Banks had 1 Int that he returned for a TD
Browns 44 Colts 28

Week 17
Cleveland (13-2) vs Tennessee(6-9)
Another win for the second team
Robbins 23-156-0 with 1 TD catch
Parrish 30-17-195-2-0
Welch 6-76-0
Lyon 4-49-1
Berosik led with 7 stops
Ward got the only sack
Peterman got the only Int
Browns 21 Titans 19

AFC Central
Cleveland 14-2*
Baltimore 9-7
Pittsburgh 7-9
Jacksonville 7-9
Tennessee 6-10
Cincinnati 4-12

Playoffs and Season Stats to come...


[This message has been edited by Syrinx (edited 02-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Syrinx (edited 02-28-2001).]

[Subby]

Good decision to rest the starters. Its all about the rings - not the other things...

Nice regular season!

[Syrinx]

Wild Card Round
Indianapolis 28
Buffalo 24

Carolina 21
Las Vegas 24

Washington 27
Chicago 37

Denver 36
New England 33

Quarter Finals
Las Vegas 41
Atlanta 17

Chicago 31
Dallas 21

Denver 23
Seattle 10

Cleveland(14-2) vs Indianapolis(10-7)
A re-match of week 16, where the Browns second string thumped the colts 44-28.
The Browns open up with a drive to the Colts 4, before they have to settle for a Field Goal. Most of the rest of the first was a defensive battle, as neither team could drive deep into enemy territory. With 2:35 left in the quarter, the Browns had made just it into field goal range, but were intercepted on the next play.
The colts could do nothing on their next drive however, as they opened the second quarter throwing an interception of their own. Starting at the Colts 37, the Browns finally managed to get into the end zone with a 1 yard dive by Ainsworth. The colts seemed determined to make this a real contest, though, as they drove for their own TD on the next series using a barrage of short passes that our LB’s couldn’t break up. The final 6 minutes of the half so no additional scoring, as the Browns took a 3 point lead into half time.
The third quarter opened up with the Colts having the ball, they managed to loose 4 yards before punting. The Browns took over with excellent field position, but on 2nd and one from the 13, McKnight was picked off in the end zone. Defense took over again as the teams traded some punts. With 2:35 left in the Third, the Browns took over at their own 29, still holding their slim 3 point lead. McKnight finally came alive, as he engineered a nearly flawless 5 minute, 71 yard scoring drive (7-10-53-1-0). Browns 17-Colts 7
The Colts showed poise, as they continued with their balanced game plan, but the Cleveland defense continued to prove to be to much for them forcing a punt. Cleveland couldn’t manage much on their next drive as well. They punted down to the Colts 30, where PR Mahoney caught it and managed to slice through the Browns’ punt coverage on his way to the end zone. The Colts still had a chance as they closed the gap back to 3. Cleveland then went three and out. The Colts managed nothing though, as their QB was hurried by Ward on first down, and sacked by him on third and 2. Again the Browns went three and out, failing to kill the clock and put the Colts away.
With 2:30 left in the game, the Colts started to drive from their 20. With 1:24 left, from mid field, the Colts went deep down the side line… It looked like a man was open, but then, streaking in from the middle of the field Cory Wayne came in and grabbed the ball from the defenders hands, killing the Colts drive, and hopes for the game. Cleveland ran most of the clock off, and the Colts only had time fro a hail marry from their own 6, which was inevitably picked off as well.
Ainsworth 24-99-1 plus 2-46-0 in the air
McKnight 29-19-1-2
Luyon 4-41-0
Vance 4-40-1
Sill led with 7 stops
Wayne had 6, plus the 4th qtr. Int
Peterman and Blair also had picks
Ward had a monstorous 3 sacks; Woodson and Bennink had combined for another
Browns 17 Colts 14

League Finals
Las Vegas 10
Chicago 19

Cleveland (15-2) vs Denver (12-6)
The surprise contenders from the West, upset their division leader last week to get a shot at the defending AFC champion Browns. The Bronco’s only real strengths are their run defense and their special teams, both of which rank in the top 5 in the league. There’s quite a downpour going on here in Cleveland this afternoon, but that hasn’t kept anyone away as the stadium is packed with 99,900 rabid Brown’s fans.
Denver opens the game, but can’t make it to mid field. Excellent punt coverage however pins the Browns back at their 6. Ainsworth gives us some breathing room with a 12 yard blast through the middle on our first offensive play, but then McKnight misses 2 in a row, with only a 4 yard run on 3rd and 10 the Browns are forced to punt. Denver goes a quick 3 and out. On 1st and 15 from our 20 McKnight’s long pass is picked off near mid field. 5 plays later the Bronco’s are dancing in our end-zone. 7-0 Denver
Another 3 and out for Cleveland. The Broncos then drive through the rest of the first quarter, and 2 plays into the second they add a FG for a ten point lead.
Another 3 and out, but we catch a break as Denver’s return man fumbles the wet ball, and we come up with it on the Bronco’s 36. Ainsworth moves it on the ground to the 26. Then McKnight hits him on a flair pass, that he breaks open for a 26 yard scamper to the endzone! Browns 7 – Broncos 10
On the next drive, at 2nd and 5 from the 33, Denver’s pass is picked off by Dale Still, who returns it all the way! Browns 14 – Broncos 10.
Denver manages to drive back to near mid-field on their next possession, but are forced to punt, pining the Browns back deep. On second and 10 from the 12, McKnight drops back, and is leveled as a Linebacker comes in on a blitz from off left tackle. The wet ball slips out of McKnight’s hands. The ball slips and slides out of a few peoples hands, before a Denver player scoops it up and stumbles 6 yards into the end zone. Broncos now lead 17-14
Both teams trade a few punts as the half winds down.
Coach Joseph is furious in the locker room. You can hear him pounding on the blackboard all the way down the tunnel and into the first 3 rows in the stands. We’re talking fire and brimstone here.
And the Browns respond. Opening the 3rd quarter on their 20 yard line. McKnight and Ainsworth march the team down to the Colts 15. From there they can only manage 6 more yards before settling for a field goal to tie the game at 17. The Browns get another break, when the Broncos drive down to the 18 only to miss the chip shot kick. Cleveland regresses though, going 3 and out once more. The teams trade more punts into the top of the fourth quarter. With 10:20 left in the game Denver has the ball, but on first and ten from their 28, Blair picks off a Denver pass, and returns the ball to the 21. Three McKnight passes later it’s Browns 24-Denver 17!
On their next possesion Denver drives into Cleveland territory, again only to see a Field Goal attempt come up empty. The Browns drive back down the field, and show the Bronco’s how to connect for three, taking a 27-17 lead with only 2:18 left.
But then, Holy Toledo, a 99 yard Kick-off return that feels like a slap in the face from your ex! The Broncos are back in this with the score 27-24 at the two minute warning. But the Bronco’s make a fatal coaching mistake, and kick it deep to the browns. Cleveland’s offense makes the needed first down yardage to allow them to kneel and kill the clock.
Ainsworth 20-77-0 on the ground 5-69-1 in the air
McKnight 27-14-2-1
Lyon 3-41-0
Still led with 8 tackles, he also had one Int that he brought back for a TD in an MVP performance
Blair also had an Int
Bennink had a sack, Woodson and Riley combined for another
Browns 27 Broncos 24

We’re back in the big game!