Top five 1970s Cleveland Browns games to watch while social distancing
Brian Sipe’s first game, Denver Broncos at Cleveland, 1974
This game marks the first appearance of Brian Sipe, other than token appearances in a few previous games. It came at a low point in Cleveland Browns history, when there were just no star receivers for the team. The season leader would be the incomparable “Hold On” Steve Holden with 452 yards. Next was tight end Milt Morin with 330 yards, and then running back Greg Pruitt with 274 yards. They were the top three receivers in 1974.
It was an awful situation to play quarterback. Thus, while we can clearly see the flaws in Phipps’ game on display, it was not his total fault. When there are no good options, the quarterback makes only bad decisions.
Sipe had been on the cab squad since 1972 after being drafted in the 13th round. He was tremendously productive at San Diego State, but was considered to be too small to play the position in the NFL. Besides, the Browns had an odd belief that they themselves had a developing superstar in Phipps.
The Browns had done well after the retirement of Collier, with Skorich taking over. Skorich was an old school guy, tough and smart. He was able to get the Browns into the playoffs, though not the Super Bowl. When the Browns stumbled in 1974, it was clear to most observers that there were multiple problems, including quarterback.
It was not the coach’s fault by any means, but Modell was determined to outperform Paul Brown, who had won seven championships with only one losing season. And actually, Modell did rather well, with a World Championship in 1964 and 11 straight seasons in which they finished at .500 or above. So a losing season was going to be blamed on the coach for sure.
But back to 1974 against the Broncos. The Broncos featured Charley Johnson, a former St. Louis Cardinal who had always had good games against Cleveland. Otis Armstrong and Floyd Little shared the duties of running back. When fullback John Keyworth was in the game, Armstrong was usually the halfback, but Armstrong could also play fullback with Little playing halfback. By 1974, however, Little was winding down an excellent career. Riley Odoms was the All-Pro tight end, and the wideouts were Haven Moses and Billy Van Heusen.
Look out for No. 77, Lyle Alzado, who would later become a valued member of the Cleveland Browns, but in 1974 he was a Bronco sackmeister, and in fact nails Mike Phipps at about 6:40 in the video.
Phipps was having a very tough game, and the team was just not moving the ball. They had three field goals, but they were set up by big special teams plays, rather than anything the offense was doing. Skorich reached a boiling point early in the fourth quarter with the Browns behind 21-9, when Phipps was given time to throw by the offensive line, but still threw into coverage. Hence Mr. Sipe came trotting into the game, much to the approval of the fans.
Young Sipe made a few rookie mistakes, fumbling a snap, and also causing an illegal procedure play that cost Greg Pruitt a touchdown. But as rookie quarterbacks want to do, he scrambled effectively to make up for it.
Pruitt was sensational returning kicks, though held mostly in check by the Denver defense. The game is not decided until 35 seconds were left with both teams having the chance to take the lead.
There is a little of everything in this game, and especially from Sipe and special teams, which made big plays all game long.