Daily Dawg Tags: No 67 a tough number to fill

The Cleveland Browns will open the NFL regular season in 67 days, a uniform number that has not carried much prestige in franchise history.

The Cleveland Browns will kick off the 2017 NFL regular season on Sept. 10 as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

That is just 67 days away, which is a uniform number that has not had much distinction in the team’s history.

Melvin Fowler comes to mind, but he didn’t do much in Cleveland after being selected in the third round of the 2002 draft. Fowler spent just three years with the Browns, making just 14 starts. He played a season with the Minnesota Vikings and three with the Buffalo Bills, but was out of the NFL after the 2008 season.

As a man of The Kent State University, Ishmaa’ily Kitchen will always hold a special place. But he was nothing more than a role player in his three years in Cleveland.

Tre’ Johnson, a former Pro Bowler with the Washington Redskins? Not after just three games in one injury-filled season in town.

John Jurkovic of the 1999 expansion Browns? Not likely.

Turns out the best player to have worn No. 67 with the Browns is offensive lineman Austin Pasztor, who spent two under-appreciated years with Cleveland and currently remains a free agent.

Bet you didn’t see that one coming, did you?

Cleveland Browns news:

Is Myles Garrett already an elite pass rusher?

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has yet to play a down of NFL football, but he is already being listed among the league’s best pass rushers.

Browns quietly building a monstrous front seven on defense (Fan Rag Sports)

"Rejoice, Cleveland Browns fans. A day might soon come when your team is no longer the perennial punch line of the NFL—at least not defensively."

Browns have Terry Talkin’ about winning 7 games (cleveland.com)

"“Do you think the Browns can win six or seven games this year?” I was asked that question by a fan when I spoke at Lakewood Library. My quick answer? “No.”"

NFL news:

Jamison Crowder could be the NFL’s top breakout player of 2017 (Bleacher Report)

"Earlier in the offseason, looking up and down the Washington Redskins’ wide receiver depth chart felt like the final moments in line for some rickety carnival ride: There was a lot of excitement and a healthy dose of crippling anxiety. Sure, the ride in either case will be fun and fast. But can you be certain all the parts will function together and the whole contraption won’t fall apart?"

Gabe Jackson grateful for Carr’s roster-friendly deal (NFL.com)

"A new contract for someone else made Gabe Jackson’s life as a Raider uncertain last offseason. The arrival of Kelechi Osemele forced Oakland’s staff to ask Jackson to move to the right side of the line, something with which he wasn’t exactly comfortable. Jackson flourished, though, and a year later is on financial cloud nine after a big payday of his own."

How much longer can Aaron Rodgers play at his current level? (ESPN)

"Aaron Rodgers has changed his diet to maximize his longevity, and Packers coach Mike McCarthy believes his quarterback can play into his 40s. But how long can the 33-year-old maintain the level he was at last season, when he contended for another MVP award? ESPN’s NFC North reporters weigh in."

More bans for weed, more reasons to question NFL policy (Sporting News)

"Baltimore tight end Darren Waller is the fourth NFL player this offseason to be suspended for a year, all for substance-abuse violations … all at least believed to be marijuana-related. As much as this topic has been beaten into the ground already, it deserves to be beaten on again until some reasonable, sensible answer is found."