Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 85
The Cleveland Browns have a rich and illustrious history. With only 85 days until the Browns season opener, we look at the best Browns player to ever wear number 85.
The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 85 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to ever wear number 85 — Dave Logan.
Dave Logan was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 1976 NFL Draft out of the University of Colorado. Logan played both football and basketball while at Colorado and is one of only two people to ever get drafted by Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Football League (MLB star Dave Winfield is the other).
In the end, Logan chose football to be his vocation. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 219lbs. Logan had the ideal physical profile that the Browns were looking for. Paired alongside Reggie Rucker, the Browns hoped to have a formidable duo for newly anointed quarterback Brian Sipe.
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It took Logan a little longer than expected to realize his potential at the NFL level. Logan was only able to log five receptions in limited playing time as a rookie, albeit for just over 20 yards per reception. In his second season, he was able to earn more playing time and prove himself as a contributor, starting five games and catching 19 passes.
But it was in Logan’s third season that he was able to become the consistent force the Browns had hoped for. Logan started all 16 games and finished third on the team in both receiving yards (585) and receiving touchdowns (4).
Logan’s fourth season was his best as a professional. He had career highs in receptions (59), receiving yards (982), and touchdowns (7). Logan ranked first on the team in catches and receiving yards in 1979.
There wasn’t much of a drop off in 1980, as Logan snagged 51 catches and again led the team in receiving yards with 822. Logan, alongside Ozzie Newsome and Rucker, was a key factor in Sipe’s 1980 NFL MVP season.
Logan’s next two seasons saw his usage and numbers regress. However, in Logan’s final year in Cleveland, he bounced back finishing second on the team in both receptions (37) and yards (627). Logan finished his NFL career by returning to the city where his athletic dreams began, Denver. He only recorded one catch for the Broncos in 1984, and after a successful career hung up his cleats.
After his playing career ended, Logan began his career as a radio personality. In 1990, Logan became the color-analyst for the Denver Broncos radio broadcasting team, and in 1996 switched to play by play. He remains the play by play announcer to this day. Aside from his announcing duties, Logan is one of the most prolific high school football coaches the state of Colorado has ever seen. He began coaching in 1993 and is the only coach in the state’s history to lead four different schools to Division 5A Championships.
Next. Countdown to 2020 — Best Browns player to wear No. 86. dark
Logan remains in the top ten in both receiving yards (4,247) and touchdowns (24) in Browns’ All-time history. He is third all-time for the Browns in yards per reception (16.2) and is the best player to ever wear number 85 for the Cleveland Browns.