Browns Season-in-Review: 2009
The 2009 Season
Record: 5-11
After firing Romeo Crennel as the Browns coach, the front office wasted little time in finding a replacement, as they tabbed Eric Mangini to take over the reins. Mangini was previously coach of the New York Jets, and in his first year with the team led them to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. Mangini was then given the nickname of “Mangenius.” In three seasons coaching the Jets, Mangini had a record of 23-25. On February 27, the Browns traded Kellen Winslow to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a 2nd and 5th round pick. Winslow had become more of a distraction than a playmaker, and the Browns realized it was time to part ways. In the draft, the Browns held the 5th overall pick. Mangini decided to give his old team a call, and traded with the New York Jets, who then drafted Mark Sanchez with the pick. The Browns acquired the 17th pick, a 2nd round pick, and three players from the Jets. Then the Browns traded down again, this time with Tampa Bay, swapping the 17th and 19th picks. The Browns then traded down again, this time with the Philadelphia Eagles, swapping the 19th and 21st picks. Finally, the Browns decided to make a selection, a Center, Alex Mack. The Browns held three 2nd round picks, using them to draft WR Brian Robiskie, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, and DE David Veikune. The Browns’ terrible off season continued when Donte Stallworth was involved in a fatal accident in which he struck and killed a pedestrian with his car. Stallworth served 30 days in prison, and was suspended for the season by the NFL, effectively ending his career in Cleveland. Once again, the Brady Quinn vs. Derek Anderson debate raged on before Quinn won the job in the preseason.
The Browns started the season against the Minnesota Vikings and its new QB Brett Favre. However, it was Adrian Peterson whom the Browns needed to play attention to, as Peterson ran for 180 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 34-20 Vikings win. In the 4th quarter of that game, Quinn threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to Robert Royal, ending a run of 416 plays without an offensive touchdown. In week 3, Brady Quinn was benched during the second half in a game against the Baltimore Ravens. Derek Anderson came on in place of Quinn and promptly threw 3 interceptions, as the Ravens won by a score of 34-3; the Browns fell to 0-3 on the season. Anderson remained the starter for a week 4 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Anderson would throw for 269 yards and a touchdown, and Mohamed Massaquoi had his breakout game, hauling in 8 catches for 148 yards. However, the Browns would lose in overtime, when Bengals kicker Shayne Graham hit a 31-yard field goal with 4 seconds left. The Browns fell to 0-4 on the season. Following the loss, the Browns traded former star receiver Braylon Edwards to the Jets, for a 3rd and 5th round pick, along with players. Since his breakout year in 2007, Edwards had constantly battled with drops, leading the league in 2008. In week 5, the Browns used their special teams and run game to beat the Buffalo Bills by a score of 6-3. As a team the Browns rushed for 171 yards, as the passing game was nonexistent, as Derek Anderson was 2-17 for 23 yards. After recording their first win of the season, the Browns then dropped 7 straight games.
With the Browns sitting pretty with a 1-11 record, they hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers for a Thursday Night matchup. The Browns got out to a 13-3 halftime lead. The Browns for once were actually able to hold on and win, as they sacked Ben Roethlisberger 8 times. It was the Browns’ first win against the Steelers since 2003. Week 15 belonged to Jerome Harrison, as he went completely bananas, rushing for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns, as the Browns beat the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 41-34. Harrison’s record of 286 rushing yards wasthe 3rd most yards ever in an NFL game. The day after their second straight win, the Browns hired Mike Holmgren as the new President. Holmgren was previously a coach for the Seattle Seahawks (leading them to a Super Bowl) and Green Bay Packers (winning a Super Bowl). The Browns kept the Harrison train running, as he racked up 148 yards and a touchdown in a week 16 win over the Oakland Raiders, by a score of 23-9. The Browns ended the year with a 23-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, as Jerome Harrison ran for 127 yards and a touchdown, as the Browns ended the season on a 4-game win streak. Over the last 3 games Harrison would run for 561 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, the 4-game win streak did cost the Browns a top 5 pick in the draft, as they would have to settle for the 7th pick.
Pro Bowl: Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas
All-Pro: Josh Cribbs, Joe Thomas
Offensive Stats
Total Points: 245 (29th)
Total Yards: 4,163 (32nd)
Passing Yards: Brady Quinn – 1,339
Passing TD: Brady Quinn – 8
Passing Int: Derek Anderson – 10
QB Rating: Brady Quinn – 67.2
Rush Att: Jerome Harrison – 194
Rush Yards: Jerome Harrison – 862
Rush TD: Jerome Harrison – 5
Rec: Jerome Harrison, Mohamed Massaquoi – 34
Rec Yards: Mohamed Massasquoi – 624
Rec TD: Mohamed Massaquoi – 3
Defensive Stats
Total Points allowed: 375 (21st)
Total Yards allowed: 6,229 (21st)
Tackles: Abram Elam – 91
Sacks: Kamerion Wimbley – 6.5
Int: Eric Wright, Brodney Pool – 4
— Chris Sladoje (@CST_Doje)
Photo via Zimbio.com
Cleveland Browns: Season in Review
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