The Donovan McNabb Experiment - A Cleveland Browns Dynasty (1999)

[SKA]

Browns Address Left Guard Position, Dump Contracts
Sometime between Weeks 9 and 10 ...

After previously trading for a upgrade at the right guard position, acquiring Joe Andruzzi from the Green Bay Packers, today the Cleveland Browns announced they had acquired another guard to replace now former starter, Jim Pyne. The Browns announced the newest member of their team to be 30-year old offensive guard Ton Myslinski, who is expected to take over as the team's starting left guard.

Finding their way to the Dallas Cowboys is to be Pyne and the team's second-string running back for most of the season, Karim Abdul-Jabbar. The press conference for the guard and running back in Dallas tried to instill confidence in the perspective of the trade for the Cowboys, even though most of Dallas media has been up in fire over the decision. Many feel the Browns got the better of the trade, acquiring a better guard with a much cheaper contract, at 3yrs/$933k. In the mean time, the Cowboys have decided to trade that up for the 4yr/$2.07M contract of Pyne, and the 3yr/$1.54M contract of Abdul-Jabbar.

The Browns were certainly excited to welcome Myslinski to the team, as he is expected to get his first start in the team's upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His press conference saw the media present no real problems for team officials, as most agreed the trade would be better for the team in the long run.

Now that the Browns have dumped one of their excess running backs, and were able to get rid of a sizable contract that was more of a liability than benefit, many look to who will be the next second-string, and if the depth chart will just move up as normal. Many expect that to be the result, while the team is expected to hand 24-year old Rashaan Salaam the second-string title. But Cleveland also has three other back-ups besides Salaam to choose from, including the likes of Madre Hill, George Jones, and Sedrick Shaw.

Left guard Myslinski joins the team with a current average of 4.41 yards per rush, and has allowed only 0.75 sacks this season. His counterpart in Pyne, leaves Cleveland with an average of 3.49 yards per rush average, while having given up 3.50 sacks.

This move opens up Cleveland's cap room from an AFC lowest $2.3M avaliable, to $4.8M, the most in the conference. However, much is sure to change from now until the off-season.

[SKA]

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-5) at the Cleveland Browns (2-6)

Having defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 of the season, in Pittsburgh, it was time for the Browns to defend their home territory, Cleveland Brown Stadium, against their most wicked and hated rival in all of football. Entering the contest, the Steelers themselves haven't been much more successful than the Browns, with only one more win on their record. Quarterback Kordell Stewart has certainly had a dud of a season, with only 1,355 passing yards tallied up (Donovan McNabb has 2,182 entering this one). His teammate Jerome Bettis has remained an essential part to their offense, while receiver Courtney Hawkins thus far has received the most attention from his QB, statistically ... Defensive linebacker Jason Gildon leads the team so far this year with 79 tackles, as he leads a deadly linebacker core alongside Mike Vrabel, Levon Kirkland, and Earl Holmes.

Cleveland's first drive was hardly anything of what they wanted. After a few plays, McNabb would end up with his first interception of the day, with a tipped pass ending up in the hands of safety Travis Davis. This gave the Steelers position already inside Browns territory. But another unfortunate event would take place as the Browns would be forced to take safety Corey Fuller out of the game due to injury, forcing back-up Earl Little to take over for the entire rest of the affair. Fuller absence, however, wouldn't be felt during the game, as the Steelers offense hardly was a threat in the air all day while Little made no mistakes to give up many big plays.

Back to the action, the Steelers would do fine to get to the CLE 15-yard line, but a nice defensive stand would force Pittsburgh to opt for the field goal, which kicker Tony Robinson would shank from 32-yards out.

In response, the Browns would run two plays before finding themselves in the end zone off a first-down play action pass to Leslie Shepherd, who would produce the 58-yard touchdown highlight.

Next Pittsburgh would take up over eleven-minutes of possession on the field, only to settle for a field goal once again, this time one which would go through the uprights. Cleveland's defense, despite allowing the Steelers to drive all the way to the CLE 4-yard line from the PIT 20-yard line, would hold up a final time on a 3rd & Goal which saw Kordell Stewart unsuccessfully scramble into the end zone. The rest of the second quarter would see only one failed Cleveland possession, while the Steelers would take up the rest of the second quarter, before having to kick another field goal, this one from 35-yards out. At halftime, the score would be only 6-7 CLE.

The Steelers would receive to start the third, but failed to get anything going. The Browns would do some of the same right after, with a drive only noteworthy because of injuries suffered to Pittsburgh's Joey Porter and Cleveland's Terry Kirby, putting both out of the game. Thankfully, Pittsburgh's first pass play after getting the punt would be intercepted by cornerback Ryan McNeil, giving his team the ball right back. His offense would take somewhat advantage of the opportunity, with a final series resulting in three-failed chances on entry inside the PIT 6-yard line, forcing an easy Phil Dawson chip in.

More of nothing would be the name of the game for the visiting team, failing to score anything once again, giving the ball back to Cleveland. However, the Browns would lose defensive tackle John Jurkovich during the drive, and would receive poor news about his injury after the game. But the offense would get some space open between the two teams, as McNabb would lead his team down through the beginning of the fourth quarter of a desperate 4-yard touchdown dump off to fullback Tarek Saleh.

By now, the Steelers were running out of time, but a drive beginning with a 19-yard pass to second tight end Mrk Bruener, would result in two more incompletions and a 6-yard sack by linebacker James Williams. Cleveland would go on to milk the clock for a 44-yard field goal to put the score at 6-20 CLE. By now things seemed out of reach, but Cleveland would end things in serious style, with an impressive interception from cornerback Antonio Langham, who would run the ball in from twenty yards out to put the final score at 6-27 CLE.

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"Well we received some bad news following the game concerning the injuries suffered today ... our safety Corey Fuller looks to be out what looks to be like four games with torn shoulder muscle ... we're also going to be without John Jurkovic for the next four games as well, as he broke his right thumb and also sprained his right wrist as the same time ... really a rough twist up ... as for Terry Kirby, he's going to be out three games with a hamstring injury ... while linebacker Wali Rainer is expected to be out for another game with his elbow injury ... yeah we have a lot to be disappointed about, but hard challenges build strong men, and I expect nothing but 100% from this team to get us through this rough patch and through the rest of the year ..." - Head Coach of the Browns, Chris Palmer

"Yeah that play action seemed to draw the secondary in a little more than we planned, and Leslie [Shepherd] got a good jump off the line, and all you have is what you expect to happen every play. A touchdown. You know I don't wanna sound arrogant, and I know that play isn't like every one ... but I expect a touchdown almost every play. If you don't go out there with an aggressive attitude, you're going to get eaten up by the defense ... But you know, tonight the guys up front really had my back and we really felt like we prepared well for what Pittsburgh was gonna bring us. We just executed our game plan comfortably, and had a comfortable victory." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

"Well the doctors' said I strained my hamstring and am going to sit out for a few weeks while rehabbing to get the muscle back in shape ... you know I am really disappointed, I mean you always are when you get an injury, but you know, we've been playin' pretty good recently and now I gotta wait a few weeks just for this stupid muscle to get back to normal. And there's really no control of it, you know, you just play as hard as you can and your body gives in. But that's football and I'll do everything I can to get out there as fast as possible ..." - Running back of the Browns, Terry Kirby

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[bwburke94]

I'm a Football Mogul player, but the week 8 bye kind of makes this seem unrealistic. Mogul doesn't have historical schedules, which means Browns bye isn't week 17 as it was IRL.

[D0wnWitDaKing]

Read every page so far. Keep it up


Sent from my LG Optimus Zip
using Tapatalk 2

[SKA]

Cleveland Browns (3-6) at the Baltimore Ravens (3-7)

When the Cleveland Browns headed to Baltimore to take on the former Browns franchise itself, they knew they were heading into hostile territory. Unfortunately for rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb, he really just didn't know how hostile it was going to be.

Baltimore's quarter back Scott Mitchell entered the season having lead his team to a 3-7 record thus far, and had barely the same number of passing yards as McNabb himself, while having thrown a few more interceptions than touchdowns this season. Running back Priest Holmes was not surprisingly the team's still number one offensive option, while the team's defense has clearly seen breakaway seasons from linebackers Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper.

It's division games such as this which give teams with only three wins a piece something to play and work for. With the playoffs pretty much out of reach for both teams, this one was for much more than the journey of the season. It was about pride, respect, and honor.

Baltimore would start the game off with a weak possession resulting in a punt, while Cleveland would respond with the same. The Ravens would get another shot soon after, but another punt would result. The Browns would try to take advantage once again, but the first play of their drive saw a middle pass to running back Rashaan Salaam (remember Terry Kirby is injured...) get picked off by linebacker Ray Lewis, giving his Ravens deeper territory. Unfortunately for Baltimore, they would seriously fail to take advantage, as Mitchell would throw his first pick of the game as well, as safety Marquez Pope was able to leap and grab the ball to save the first score of the game.

It was something out of a bad nightmare though, as once again the Browns would turn the ball over on the first play of a drive, this time with a fumble from Rashaan Salaam, resulting in his dismissal from the game and the substitution of running back Madre Hill, getting his first shot at first-team offense during the regular season.

Not surprisingly, Baltimore was able to seize the opportunity, scoring their first points with a 2-yard touchdown barge into the end zone by Priest Holmes. As the first quarter was ending, Cleveland's offense continued to stall, while the Ravens would get their's rolling, scoring at the beginning of the second quarter to go up two touchdowns after a 5-yard TD pass to full back Chuck Evans.

Cleveland's response? Another forced punt. Baltimore would respond to that with a good attempt at a 32-yard field goal, but that would barely slice the outside of the left bar.

Cleveland's response? Another forced punt. Then, following a 31-yard completion to wide receiver Bradley Stokley, Baltimore would score another TD a few plays later thanks to a 5-yard rush from Holmes. Now done, 21-0 BAL, McNabb would start throwing a bit carelessly, as the team tried to move the ball down the field to get some points on the board. Clearly things proceeded too carelessly, as McNabb would throw his second pick of the game, giving Baltimore the ball on the CLE 2-yard line. Full back Chuck Evans would punch in his second touchdown of the game.

Time was winding down in the second quarter, and the Browns were already down four touchdowns ... A poor response to the full back's second touchdown was saved by cornerback Ryan McNeil, who was able to pick off a Scott Mitchell throw near the end of the half, giving the Browns a minute-and-a-half to respond. At this point, all guns were free, and McNabb would out throw Baltimore's defense for the first and only time of the game, moving the ball quickly down field in only a few big pass plays, ending with a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Leslie Shepherd.

The half couldn't come quick enough for McNabb who was receiving a serious punishment from the Baltimore defense, having been sacked already a total of six times in the first half, seriously affecting his completion percentage early on. The second half gave the Browns a chance for a fresh start, but lady luck would have to turn her cheek on Baltimore and hopefully take Cleveland back as her lover.

Maybe it was something coach Chris Palmer said, who knows, but lady luck would not return, as Cleveland's second half was nearly as abysmal as the first. The only highlights of the third quarter were to be the injury suffered to Priest Holmes, putting him out of the game (and out for next week), giving the Baltimore fans something to really moan about. A 39-yard field goal from Matt Stover would close out of the third, while the fourth quarter was just as uneventful. More injuries for the Ravens (including a scare for linebacker Peter Boulware), while only two offensive possessions would even take place. First a failed one from the Browns, while Baltimore would close out the last ten minutes of the game, starting from their own 10-yard line, ending up at the CLE 6-yard line, only to kneel down a final three times.

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"Well you come in with a game plan, and you make adjustments. When those adjustments don't work, you make more adjustments. When those adjustments don't work, you make more, and more, and more, until you figure it out. There's only four quarters in a game, and sometimes you run out of time to unlock the code. We couldn't unlock the code today, and I can't be too mad about it. But when you try to crack the code, and can't even get the first god damn digit, that's when you can get mad. And I blame myself, more than anyone. If we didn't prepare them enough, we'll prepare better next time. If it was practice time, well there'll be more drills and scrimmages. If we need to watch more game film, we'll do just that. We can only get better, so I can't let these guys get too down on themselves." - Head Coach of the Browns, Chris Palmer

"There's gonna be days where you really take a beating, that's just the nature of the game and the nature of the position. All you can do is accept it, try to avoid the hits obviously, but when you can't, accept it, pick yourself up, rub off the dirt, get some ice, and keep workin' at it. Or at this point, just start preparing for the next game [McNabb laughs] ... The only thing I can be mad about is my lack of production. I had a terrible game, there's no doubt about that. Yeah, I was a bit shaken up at one point, but if you can't recover from those hits, you're never gonna make it in his league." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

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[powderblue11]

This is a great idea for a dynasty! Please keep it up!

[INeedMoney]

Very unique. Following

[SKA]

Cincinnati Bengals (4-6) at the Cleveland Browns (3-7)

After a tough loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in week six, the Browns had their chance for revenge, this time hosting their inter-state rivals at the newly built Cleveland Browns Stadium. Fans of both teams have always had a certain animosity towards one another, and with both having a tough season thus far, there were plenty of fans ready to let their frustration known. Cincinnati entered with a 4-6 record, led by veteran quarterback Jeff Blake, running back Corey Dillon, and a very well-structured left-side of the offensive line. Defensively, the Bengals are just as average, giving the Browns a fair chance to get another victory and out of the AFC Central gutter.

You knew Cincinnati was going to have a tough day when Blake would throw his first interception on the day four plays into the opening possession. Earl Little would snatch the ball out of the air on his first play in the game, allowing for Cleveland to get their first score of the game a bit earlier than expected. Donovan McNabb would lead his team on an effective starting drive, ending in a 15-yard touchdown toss to tight end Irv Smith, who has been coming into his own as a receiving tight end.

It was a brutal case of déjà vu for the Bengals on their very next drive, as Jeff Blake would throw another interception, this one picked off by starting safety Marquez Pope. This gave Cleveland great field position, allowing McNabb to play strong once again, with a four-play scoring drive ending with another touchdown pass to Smith, giving Cleveland a strong and early 14-0 CLE lead for the first time in a long time. Cincinnati continued to respond poorly, this time a three-and-out, while Cleveland's next drive didn't produce points.

Unfortunately for the visiting team, their quarterback's woes continued with his third interception of the day near the beginning of the second quarter, this one turnover thanks to back-up linebacker Rahim Abdullah. This time 'round, the Browns would put up another touchdown, this time with the hard work put in by starting running back for the day, Madre Hill, pumping another six points on the board with a 2-yard smasher.

Now up three scores, Cincinnati came out with something to prove, and would finally get something going. They would score their first touchdown thanks to a running score from Corey Dillon, but their kicker would blow the extra point thanks to good pressure, putting the score at only 21-6 CLE.

But soon after would come the highlight play of the day.

After two of Madre Hill's biggest runs of the day, Cleveland was once again in their own territory. The coaches called for a deep play action attempt, to surprise the Bengals defense, but it was McNabb himself who became the biggest threat. The defense didn't bite hard, and the pocket began to collapse. With no good throws available, it was as if slow motion was set in, and McNabb took to the ground. Moving swifter than ever before, he would get a solid ten yards before dodging one tackle, then another, and then another! ... spinning on his back heel, continuing to accelerate before breaking a hard-tackle attempt from Cincinnati safety Corey Hall, and then really taking off with nobody in front, providing for a glorious 39-yard touchdown run from McNabb, setting the entire Cleveland crowd absolutely on fire!

The whole team was going nuts as Cleveland was now up 28-6 CLE, with momentum rolling their way harder than ever before. The Bengals team appeared drained, but responded with a field goal to give 'em nine.

But just as quick as the Browns looked unstoppable, things took a turn for the worst with a mear seven seconds left in the first half. Cleveland would run a screen play, for whatever reason (coach Chris Palmer was completely ripped apart by the media after the game), which was tipped by the defender, allowing for linebacker Steve Foley to get his hands on it, and run about twenty-yards into the end zone to give the Bengals a very important touchdown, shifting the score to 16-28 CLE at the half.

While the Browns entered the lockers to a chorus of boos and disappointment from the fans, they would give their team loud support as they headed back onto the field for the second half of the game. However, as hot as the offense was in the first half (despite that last play), they wouldn't get anything going in the third. Fortunately, neither would the Bengals, as the game entered the fourth with the same score intact.

However, things got iffy in the final quarter of the game, beginning right at the beginning with a Madre Hill fumble, resulting in Cincinnati possession, and an eventual touchdown to put the game at a dangerous 23-28 CLE. Cleveland would respond poorly with a three-and-out, but got lucky with a big play from cornerback Ryan McNeil to pick off a Blake pass and get his team the ball back. But once again, the Browns could only get a three-and-out going, as their second half struggles continued.

The Benglas, however, seemed to unlock the code quickly, as Blake looked in real form for perhaps one of the only times all game. A drive with five plays, and five complete passes, resulted in the final 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darnay Scott. But besides Cincinnati taking the one-point lead, Jeff Blake would take a very big hit from defensive end John Thierry, putting him out of action for the final three-minutes of the game.

Perhaps his injury was avenged, as the Bengals would take a three-point lead with a successful two-point conversion run from Corey Dillon. Now at 31-28 CIN, Cleveland fans were in absolute awe in how their players and coaches allowed his one to get out of their hands, and allow the Bengals to score 25-staright points.

Thankfully, their confidence would be re-instilled by one man.

One man this whole city is real beginning to invest themselves in.

Donovan McNabb.

Put the rookie quarterback on his own 30-yard line, and his can do work. The drive started with an incomplete attempt to the full back, but McNabb wouldn't let that happen again. Next play saw a 5-yard quickie to his tight end, Irv Smith, followed by an 8-yard first down pass to wide receiver Zola Davis. With that, fans saw a little flashback of the biggest play of the game, as McNabb would run for 10-yards on the next play. After that, another complete first down attempt, this one an 11-yard completion thanks to running back Rashaan Salaam. Then it was back to the starting running back of the game, Madre Hill, who had a 10-yard completion of his own. After that, a nice 7-yarder to Leslie Shepherd, then an 8-yarder to back-up tight end Randy Palmer. After that? A 5-yarder to Zola Davis again, and then finally ... a 6-yard back-field pass to Madre Hill, who would barge into the end zone throwing the ball in the air and running straight into the Dawg Pound, where fans held him up and greeted him and the cameras with absolute ecstasy.

This is why the Browns were back in Cleveland.

This is why football was back!

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"No one's happy we almost let this one get out of our hands. You can start any game off great, but if you ease up and let the other team get back in it, especially when you help 'em out with turnovers and such, you can't be satisfied ... What was going through my head? [laughs] ... a lot, I'm sure you could imagine. But the coaching staff did a great job preparing me for moments like these, and were everything I could have asked for in the moment. Every play call was spot on, and I was able to decipher the defense as well as I thought I was earlier in the game ... that's just the culmination of determination, hard work, and everyone understanding and executing their roles. Not much more you could ask for ..." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

"Oh he's developing very well. I mean you could see it tonight. Especially with that game-winning drive. Donovan is really growing into a leader." - Wide receiver for the Browns, Leslie Shepherd

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