Daily Dawg Tags: No. 53 a Hall of Fame number for the Browns

The Cleveland Browns will open the 2017 NFL season in 53 days, a uniform number worn briefly by Hall of Fame defensive end Len Ford.

The Cleveland Browns are just 53 days away from the start of the NFL regular season and a home date with the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium.

In franchise history, 20 players have worn uniform number 53, but the only one to have done so  with distinction was Hall of Fame defensive end Len Ford. That comes with an asterisk, however, as Ford only wore the number for Cleveland’s first two seasons in the NFL, before switching to No. 80, making him a two-time holder as the best player with a particular jersey number.

According to his bio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website

"When the AAFC disbanded after the 1949 season, Ford was placed in a special draft pool. The Cleveland Browns, who earmarked him for their defensive platoon, quickly grabbed him. It wasn’t long before Ford was recognized as the very best of many stars on a unit that allowed the fewest points of any NFL team six of seven years in the 1951-1957 period."

"Ford developed into such a devastating pass rusher that the Browns changed their whole defensive alignment to take advantage of his rare talents. By using the linebackers behind the two ends and a pair of tackles, Cleveland in effect created the first 4-3 defense. This enabled Ford to line up closer to the ball-handling action and have a better shot at enemy quarterbacks."

A three-time champion with the Browns, Ford deserves the honor as the best player to have worn No. 53 for the team, even if it was only for a brief period of time.

Cleveland Browns news:

PFF not very high on Browns secondary

The Cleveland Browns secondary struggled in 2016, which is reflected in their low positional ranking by Pro Football Focus.

FanSided win-loss projection for Browns in 2017

The Cleveland Browns enter every game this season as underdogs meaning the win/loss projections for the season are a bit tough on the eyes.

Josh Cribbs excited by Jabrill Peppers potential (clevelandbrowns.com)

"Former Browns star Josh Cribbs thinks Jabrill Peppers can do big things in Cleveland. Cribbs recently told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football he’s looking forward to how the rookie safety and kick returner contributes this season."

NFL news:

Broncos GM John Elway betting on same QBs … for now (Yahoo Sports)

"John Elway’s reputation is set. He’s the relentlessly aggressive player at the poker table of NFL general managers. That makes the post-Peyton Manning Broncos interesting, especially at quarterback. Because there hasn’t been a big headline out of Denver since Manning retired."

Armonty Bryant suspended for a third time (Detroit Free Press)

"Detroit Lions defensive end Armonty Bryant has found trouble again and has been suspended for the first four games this season for violating the NFL’s policy for substances of abuse, the league said Tuesday in a released statement."

10 potential suitors for Kirk Cousins in 2018 (ESPN)

"It’s not that Kirk Cousins doesn’t want to play in Washington long term. And it’s not that Washington doesn’t want him to be its quarterback. The team never offered him a deal that looks like what he expects to make on the open market next March. The question now becomes: From which team? Here are 10 teams that could make up a robust market for Cousins in 2018."

Jerry Jones talks Ezekiel Elliott following incident (NFL.com)

"Ezekiel Elliott has been in the news recently for off the field issues. On Tuesday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed the media at a ceremony for the new Baylor medical facility near The Star in Frisco, Texas, and spoke about his young running back."