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

[SKA]

For the first time since 1995, the Cleveland Browns were to be back on the field, sporting their classic uniforms and immersing helmets. Since 1944, the Cleveland Browns have been a force in football. They dominated the AAFC early on in the 1940's, and would proceed to jump to the NFL to capture the 1950, 1954, 1955, and of course, 1964 NFL Championships. The Browns would continue their success without reaching the ultimate goal, with plenty of fumbles, interceptions, and bad luck to get in the way. But the worst would come in 1995, when that bastard Art Modell took this city's heart and opened shop in Baltimore.
Of course the Baltimore Ravens would go on to sport one of the most dominating defense's in NFL history and would win a Super Bowl as well, but this is not that story.

This is a different story. The story of how one decision can impact the rest of history for one franchise.

This is the story of Tim Couch.

And Donovan McNabb.

It was actually three men, however, who were the story of the 1999 NFL Draft.

Real life history would watch the Browns take their pick at either Couch or his reported competition for the number one spot, Akili Smith.

Of course both Couch and Smith would go on to lead failures of a career, while both are also regarded as two of the biggest draft busts, especially for the quarterback position, in recent and entire NFL history. But the other man, Donovan McNabb, would go on to a very productive career with the Philadelphia Eagles, playing with the team for ten straight years, and leading his team to a Super Bowl loss during his most impressive 2004 season. Although he would fail to win the big one, and would also succumb to very unforunate injuries which would stump the end of his career, McNabb had finished with an impressive six Pro Bowl selections at the QB position, and has certainly had a far more successful career than both Couch and Smith combined.

Well what if, just what if the Browns hadn't counted out McNabb?

What if they built their team differently and selected McNabb number one overall?

What is the story...?

[SKA]

1999 Cleveland Browns Roster/Depth Chart

OFFENSE
QB. Donovan McNabb (R) (76/91)
RB. Terry Kirby (81)
FB. Marc Edwards (75/76)
TE. Irv Smith (76)
WR. Leslie Shepherd (75)
WR. Kevin Johnson (74)
LT. Lomas Brown (92)
LG. Jim Pyne (76)
C. Dave Wohlabaugh (81)
RG. Steve Zahursky (R) (63)
RT. Orlando Brown (81)
BENCH
QB. Ty Detmer (73)
RB. Karim Abdul-Jabbar (76/81)
RB. Rashaan Salaam (73)
RB. Madre Hill (R) (74)
RB. George Jones (70)
RB. Sedrick Shaw (63)
FB. Tarek Saleh (75)
TE. Randy Palmer (R) (70)
TE. Mark Campbell (R) (63/68)
TE. James Dearth (R) (63)
WR. David Dunn (75)
WR. Ronnie Powell (R) (74)
WR. Zola Davis (R) (67)
WR. Damon Dunn (R) (60/67)
WR. Darrin Chiaverini (R) (58/64)
T. Chris Ruhman (67)
T. Roger Chanoine (R) (64)
G. Scott Rehberg (68)
G. Orlando Bobo (64/74)
C. Ryan Kheul (70)
C. Jim Bundren (R) (60/63)

(R) denotes first-year rookie

DEFENSE
DE. John Thierry (75)
DT. John Jurkovic (75)
DT. Hurvin McCormack (72)
DE. Tyrone Rogers (R) (68/73)
LB. Wali Rainer (R) (70/74)
LB. Jamir Miller (81/87)
LB. James Williams (74)
CB. Ryan McNeil (81)
CB. Antonio Langham (75/78)
S. Marquez Pope (84)
S. Corey Fuller (81)
BENCH
DE. Derrick Alexander (72)
DE. Arnold Miller (R) (68/74)
DT. Bill Duff (R) (74)
DT. Darius Holland (70)
DT. Marcus Spriggs (R) (74)
DT. Mike Thompson (70)
LB. Rahim Abdullah (R) (74)
LB. Lenoy Jones (63)
LB. Kendell Ogle (R) (67/68)
CB. Daylon McCutcheon (R) (74/76)
S. Earl Little (79)
S. Ray Jackson (74)
S. Marquis Smith (R) (70)
S. Marlon Forbes (63/64)
S. Tim McTyer (64/67)

SPECIAL TEAMS
K. Phil Dawson (78)
P. Chris Gardocki (79)

[SKA]

Seattle Seahawks (0-0) at the Cleveland Browns (0-0)

The Cleveland Browns faced a very difficult challenge as the season was to begin. They were to start a rookie quarterback in Donovan McNabb, in the first ever Browns game in Cleveland, OH since the team's Week 15 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on December 17th, 1995. The team had been forced to build through an Expansion Draft, and certainly didn't have any real valuable pieces besides a handful of players. Coach Chris Palmer had yet to head coach a regular season game, and quite frankly, was probably as nervous as any one of his players come Week 1.

But they were to prepare for a tough Seattle Seahawks team, which was led at the helm by quarterback Jon Kitna, now entering his first season as well as the Seahawks starter from Week 1 and on. Luckily for Kitna, he is surrounded with weapons such as Ricky Watters at the halfback position, as well as wide receivers Joey Galloway and Sean Dawkins. Even more impressive is the team's defense and its frontline, featuring the likes of Mike Sinclair, Cortez Kennedy, Sam Adams, and Phillip Daniels. While their linebacking core appears to be its weakest part, it also features the team's defensive captain, 29-year old linebacker Chad Brown, while the team also sports an impressive backdrop with Jay Bellamy and Merton Hanks at the safety positions.

Cleveland certainly earned the game as remarkable underdogs, but the atmosphere was second-to-none. Before and after the first kickoff, the fans were lively and joyous, their beloved Browns were finally back in front of thousands and thousands of dedicated and loving fans. The wounds would officially begin to heal today, and a new era could officially begin.

But not unexpectedly, the Browns defense got off to a terrible start, giving up five straight passes to start the day off, leading to a six-yard touchdown toss to Dawkins. As for the Browns, the offense's first step would result in a 5-yard dump pass to running back Terry Kirby, receiving perhaps the loudest cheers a first-down screen pass well ever receive. Kirby would proceed to run for another first down, but the Browns would lose possession on their next set of downs. The Seahawks would then go on to close out the first quarter with another quick touchdown pass, this time from 4-yards out to Seattle running back Ricky Watters.

Quickly down 14-0, McNabb would officially get his name in Cleveland Browns' record books recording the team's first touchdown and pass touchdown since their second inception, with a 7-yard driller to the team's tight end, Irv Smith. But in typical Browns fashion, the team's punter and back-up kicker Chris Gardocki would bust the team's extra point attempt, putting the line at 14-6 SEA.

But even quicker, the team's and fans celebrations would be cut short by Seattle kick returner Charlie Rogers who would return Gardocki's boot all the way to the Cleveland 35-yard line. A few plays later, they were back in the end zone again, with another touchdown pass from Kitna to Dawkins. For Cleveland fans, it was good to see the offense respond well to a quick and heart-wrenching touchdown. A solid mix of run and pass plays to keep the defense on their toes would allow the Browns to drive a whole 80-yards for another touchdown pass from McNabb, this time to receiver Leslie Shepherd from 7-yards out. now at 21-13 SEA, the Browns would head into the second quarter with a successful defensive stop and some momentum going their way.

It wouldn't take long for things to get out of hand, seriously, just one play. A pass from McNabb would get tipped at the line and scooped up by defensive end Mike Sinclair, giving the Seahawks excellent field position and unexpectedly offensive possession to pretty much start off the second half. They would fully capitalize, as Ricky Watters would put in his first rushing TD of the year from 5-yards deep. A few series' later, right as the fourth quarter began, the Seahawks would tack on another three points with a field goal from 26-yards. The Browns would come back with a score of their own, however, with a six-minute drive completed with McNabb's third TD pass, this time to fellow rookie, receiver Kevin Johnson. In an act of guts and desperation, coach Palmer would call for the two-point conversion, and would successfully score with a fading catch by Leslie Shepherd. At 31-21, the Browns were only down a touchdown and a field goal with under ten minutes left, however, the next Seattle possession would both eat the clock and result in the final score of the game, Kitna's fourth touchdown pass on the day. The Browns would proceed to run out of time as the ball was nearly pushed into the end zone.

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"I mean we had a lot of bad spots, we also showed a lot of good ones too. I mean McNabb looked confident, you know, head up, head in the game ... Donovan seemed on line with our guys [receivers] all game, so I'm looking forward to his progression with our receivers ... Terry Kirby showed signs of versatility ... but again, our defense was out of form and Kitna had the upper-hand on our guys all night. I mean they have a potent offense, and they gave our guys some trouble. But you know we push 'em back out there and fix the mistakes. We have a fresh team of guys who can only get better..." - Head Coach of the Browns, Chris Palmer

"Oh yeah, I felt real comfortable out there. You know, I've been doin' this thing for awhile so I tried to treat it like any other game, but yeah, I definitely had the shakes goin' in to it, you know? How can't ya at some point. But with that first touchdown, yeah, I could just settle in real nice, no problem." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

"Well I thought he [McNabb] looked real good. He's got such a great [physical] build, he's got a real variety of ways to beat you. We tried not to let him scramble too much today, but when he snuck out you could tell he could do some real damage..." - Head Coach of the Seahawks, Mike Holmgren

...

[Jemmie]

Very cool.. Do we know where Couch ended up!?

[SKA]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jemmie

Very cool.. Do we know where Couch ended up!?

Tim Couch went #2 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles...

Every four weeks I will do updates on both Couch and Akili Smith, in comparision to McNabb's success or failure in Cleveland.

[SKA]

Cleveland Browns (0-1) at the Pittsburgh Steelers (0-1)

For the first time since November 26th, 1995, the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers were back on the field with one another, reviving a modern-day classic football rivalry between two organizations and cities with bad blood between one another, excited to kick start another year of Browns/Steelers football. But too many as well, they knew they would be witnessing the restart of a rivalry dating back to an original Browns victory, 30-17 on October 7th, 1950.

49 years later, the Browns were back in Pittsburgh, and their presence would be felt. The Steelers came into the game with one of the best running backs in the game, the 27-year old Jerome Bettis entering his fifth season in the NFL and fourth with the Steelers (it's always forgotten Bettis actually played his rookie season with the St. Louis Rams). Leading the huddle is quarterback Kordell Stewart, who was just a rookie in 1995, but was now on the opposite end of the spectrum when it came to Browns rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb. The Eagles sport an impressive left side of the offensive line, but their receiving core is only sub-par led by Courtney Hawkins and Bobby Shaw. Defensively the Steelers would enter the game with one of the best linebacking cores in the game, led by both Joey Porter and Jason Gildon, as well as Mike Vrabel and Levon Kirkland. Unfortunately, for the Steelers, they would have to open their first home game of the '99 season with a loss already suffered in the season opener in Jacksonville, losing to Mark Brunell's Jaguars, 14-0.

The Steelers certainly wouldn't have an easier time with the Browns, getting held to a three-and-out their first time up, while proceeding to give up an 8-yard TD pass from McNabb to fellow rookie Kevin Johnson after a long 8-minute drive to cough up most of the first quarter. But they would almost fit time in to score once more, as Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart would throw a deadly interception to the way of cornerback Ryan McNeil, who provided his rookie QB with field position inside of Pittsburgh territory. McNabb would continue to show signs of real consistency, successfully leading his team down the field once again, but would suffer a 7-yard sack at the hands of linebacker Jason Gildon, leading to a 10-yard pass to Johnson which would fall two-yards short of the first down. With that, the Browns would throw up a successful 32-yard field goal from Phil Dawson (his first game of the season), to take a 10-0 CLE lead.

Pittsburgh finally got some offense flowing in the beginning of the second quarter, but failures to convert on second-and-one as well as third-and-one, led to a field goal attempt which sliced just to the right from an easy 29-yards out. Luckily the team would hold the Browns to a three-and-out, and would drive down for another field goal attempt, this one from 39-yards out. And once again, kicker Tony Robinson would muff it, and Steelers fans knew they would be in for a long, hard day of watching their team.

Next series saw a first-down run from Terry Kirby go 32-yards, eventually setting up another big first-down play, this one going for a touchdown as McNabb would make contact with Leslie Shepherd in stride on the sideline, putting Cleveland up 17-0 CLE. Clearly the Cleveland bench was fired up, as the defense would come up to bat next, and would hold the Steelers to an immediate three-and-out. And right then and there more hearts would break at Three Rivers Stadium, as punt returner David Dunn of the Cleveland Browns would run a complete 74-yards to put his team up in surprising fashion, now at an unexpected 24-0 CLE.

The teams headed into halftime with two completely different mentalities. For Cleveland, everything was going on way, their quarterback was on point, the running game was very effective, receivers were making their catches, and even special teams had contributed some points. For Pittsburgh, everything had gone wrong, and they found themselves down now by four scores. A very, very, tough mountain to climb.

The third quarter didn't see much improvement, although the Steelers would get some points on the board. The Browns would actually score first, with a 42-yard field goal from kicker Phil Dawson, straight off their first set of possession. But finally, Stewart would get himself a touchdown pass, this time with a 45-yarder to receiver Courtney Hawkins, all thanks to a quick trip, and slip of the foot by cornerback Antonio Langham giving Hawkins wide-open position.

But a lot of work was still to be done. For the Browns, their offense kinda stalled for a bit, including a failed 37-yard shot from kicker Dawson. That would end the first possession of the fourth quarter, giving the Steelers an important chance to respond. But not surprisingly, they would fail to do so with another missed field goal, this time from 38-yards out. The fourth quarter would end up as the least entertaining of them all, with the Browns proceeding to punt after killing some clock, and the Steelers would fail to manage another score before the clock was out.

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"Things just went well for us today, not much else too it I'd say. We executed our game plan, came out strong, we tried to get Donovan going before Kordell could get on the board, and that worked out really well since our defense really improved themselves compared to last game ... They knew how I felt after last game, I wasn't too pleased with 'em givin' up 38 points, and you know what, they showed me a little somethin' today. But you know, we'll go through the game like any other and pick out the mistakes and failures that go along with a win on the road ... you know, use that to get these guys through the next one at home." - Head Coach of the Browns, Chris Palmer

"Yeah, hahaha, it's a little intimidating lining up against that Steelers' defense, not just with what they got now but with the history surrounding it all. Really an incredible experience if you're askin' me, I was just breathin' in the moment and just tried to have fun out there. You know, me and Kordell have been in touch ever since things were leading into the NFL Draft, and we got a lot of similarities in how we play and who we are and where we've come from, so he's been a lot of help since transitioning into the league. But hey, tonight, you know, everything was clickin', and our defense was playing great. We're just tryin' to play winning football." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

...

[SKA]

Detroit Lions (1-1) at the Cleveland Browns (1-1)

Week 3 would see the Cleveland Browns take on another old-time opponent, the next-door neighboring Detroit Lions. Cleveland media would see this is a great opportunity for the Browns to tack on another win, while the Detroit Lions had a different story planned out. But first, let's get to a little scouting report on this Lions team.

At quarterback is Gus Frerotte, playing in his third game as Detroit's starter having played in Washington for five years prior. Week 1 saw the Lions suffer a tough outcome against the Green Bay Packers, losing a toughly contested game 17-14 in Green Bay. The next week however, the team bounced back dandily, taking down a superstar cored Dallas Cowboys team (seemingly on their last legs), with an impressive 31-22 come from behind victory in Detroit. Their running back Greg Hill has played well these past two games, while Frerotte himself has played relatively mediocre thanks to a subpar receiving core. Although he has quite amount of talent in Herman Moore (who has had a poor start to the year), the rest of his options aren't too impressive with Johnnie Morton, Germane Crowell, and Brian Stablein on point. The Lions defensive line, however, is a completely different story. They're built for complete domination, led be defensive end Robert Porscher, alongside blossoming 26-year old Luther Ellis, and Pro Bowl caliber veterans James Jones and Tracy Scroggins. Back deep is another great athlete and safety, Mark Carrier alongside Ron Rice.

But quickly back to the game...Gus Frerotte would finally have himself a dandy time, finishing with 212 yards and going 20/32 on the day. But the tough Cleveland crowd would get to him to start things off, as the Lions would go three-and-out in the first series. One, however, could question if the end result was as good as it seemed, as rookie linebacker Wali Rainer left the game for good with an injury. That seemed to be the theme of the night for the Browns, who would suffer six injuries throughout the game with six different players. The second would come during the first play of Cleveland's first series. Starting center Dave Wohlabaugh would get a major charlie horse and suffer thigh bruises forcing him to leave the game as well. The Browns would chug on, however, as Terry Kirby produced a highlight 35-yard touchdown run on a sweep to the left, catching the Lions defense off guard and providing for an impressive run.

Next up the Lions couldn't get anything going again, even though they would drive down the field a good bit. The Browns would go three-and-out the following series, but would quickly seize another chance after a Frerotte pass was picked off by safety Corey Fuller. Unfortunately, Cleveland could only milk the possession for a field goal starting the second quarter off with a 10-0 lead. That wouldn't hold up for long, as the Lions would respond with a nice drive down most of the field finishing off with a 1-yard TD rush from Greg Hill. Following another three-and-out from Cleveland, the Lions would produce a field goal to tie things up, but it would create more buzz than usual, as Browns cornerback Ryan McNeil left the field for another quarter with an arm injury. But that wouldn't be it for the quarter, as the bad luck continued for Cleveland when tackle Orlando Brown had to leave the game with an injury of his own, with less than a minute in the half.

Tied 10-10 entering the second half the Browns were kicking themselves and cursing lady luck, as they hadn't seized their chances to hold on to the lead and prevent the Lions offense from starting to roll. Things didn't look too bad as the Browns would get a field goal off their first series of the third quarter, but would quickly give up another tying field goal after a hard-hitting run stop on 3rd and 3 at the CLE 22. Cleveland would go on to blow another opportunity, this time with a field goal chipped hard left from 43-deep, while the Lions would respond to start the fourth quarter with a great punt return from Lions receiver Iheanyi Uwaezuoke, putting the Lions up by seven points in a flash.

Donovan McNabb just couldn't get things going late in the game, failing to connect on too many passes, resulting in another field goal for Cleveland, putting them down by four. And even though they were able to get the much-needed defensive stop, they would fail to produce a touchdown on their last possession, while the defense would give up one last touchdown with 0:49 left on the clock with a second touchdown run from Greg Hill.

At the end of the day, Browns fans went home sulking with a second loss on their first year back, and in poor fashion. The team was able to get going early, but adjustments on Detroit's defensive side were too hard to beat for Cleveland's offensive coordinator and its rookie quarterback, Donovan McNabb.

QUOTES OF THE GAME

"It just didn't click today, dat's it. I ain't worried 'bout it man ... I just gotta keep workin' man, you know, a bad game isn't the death of 'ya. Heads up baby, heads up ..." - Rookie wide receiver of the Browns, Kevin Johnson

"I know it ain't college anymore man, you think I don't get that? [in response to reporter's question] You're gonna have bad games in the NFL, and it's not always on you. It's always on a team. One man doesn't lose a football game, and if he did, his team didn't do enough to win anyways. I ain't used to losin' like this but that's life in the NFL." - Rookie quarterback of the Browns, Donovan McNabb

...

[jct32]

Maybe I missed this. What game is this? Also, your boxscore looks terrific where did that come from?