Cleveland Browns: Top 10 receiving games of all-time
By Thomas Moore
During much of the early 1980s, Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome was one of the few bright spots of the Cleveland Browns’ offense.
And that was never more evident than in 1984.
During a 5-11 season that marked the end of head coach Sam Rutigliano’s tenure in Cleveland, and catching passes from Paul McDonald, Newsome led the team with 89 receptions (Brian Brennan was second with 35), receiving yards with 1,001 (Duriel Harris was second with 512), and five of the team’s 14 touchdown receptions.
So it was somewhat fitting that Newsome’s best day came in a loss.
In a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets on Oct. 14, Newsome caught 14 passes for 191 (the rest of the team combined for 108 receiving yards). The Browns had a chance to pull out the win, but three consecutive sacks of McDonald on the final drive wiped away the team’s final opportunity for a victory.
While it was just one of 10 100-yard receiving games in his 13 years with the Browns, Newsome is still the franchise leader in receptions (662) and receiving yards (7,980), and is fifth all-time in touchdown receptions (47).
Next: No. 2: Josh Gordon's career day Part 1