Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 99
With only 99 days until the opening game of 2020, we start the count down with the best Cleveland Browns player at every jersey number. Today we focus on No. 99
The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. Today, we begin the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player at every jersey number, starting with number 99. Ladies and gentlemen, we present the best Cleveland Brown to ever wear number 99 — Paul Kruger.
Paul Kruger was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft out of the University of Utah. Although drafted by the Ravens, and spending his first four seasons with Baltimore, it must be noted that his best football was played during his three years with the Cleveland Browns.
Kruger was brought to Cleveland as a free agent in hopes of bolstering a pass rush that had been lackluster in previous seasons.
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The outside linebacker had shown a knack for getting after quarterbacks during the Ravens’ Superbowl run the previous year and was considered by many the best pass rusher on the free-agent market in 2013. The Browns signed Kruger to a five-year contract worth 41 million dollars.
Kruger was an immediate starter for the Browns. In 2013, the recent free-agent signee turned in an underwhelming 4.5 sacks. However, in 2014, Kruger proved to be what the Browns were looking for in an elite level pass rusher.
When the Browns hired defensive-minded head coach Mike Pettine, Kruger was found himself in a defensive scheme that suited his aggressive skill set.
Kruger finished the 2014 campaign with 11 sacks, which put him in a four-way tie for the sixth-best single-season sack total for a Browns player.
In addition to being the team’s sack leader in 2014 he also led the team in tackles for loss with 13 and quarterback hits with 17. Kruger also had career highs in tackles with 36 solo tackles and 17 assisted tackles. It was the best regular season that Kruger turned in during his professional career.
On an interesting side note, in 2014 Kruger grew out his mullet which gave him a Samson-like quality and help endear him to the Browns fanbase.
While he only spent three seasons in Cleveland, Kruger was viewed as a fan favorite during his time wearing orange and brown. Kruger was later cut by the Browns after a lackluster 2015 season and finished out his career with one season in New Orleans.
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Other notable Browns players to wear number 99: Orpheus Roye and Scott Fujita.