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The five most disappointing Cleveland Browns of the modern era

By Greg Newland

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football as offensive linemen Cameron Erving #74 and Joe Thomas #73 block defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (L) and linebacker Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Heinz Field on November 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 30-9. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Quarterback Johnny Manziel #2 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the football as offensive linemen Cameron Erving #74 and Joe Thomas #73 block defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (L) and linebacker Jarvis Jones #95 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Heinz Field on November 15, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Browns 30-9. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /
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The Cleveland Browns have had many disappointing players, but none more than these five players.

Cleveland Browns
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

The Cleveland Browns have seen limited success since returning to the NFL in 1999. 10 different times since their return they have failed to record more than four wins in a season. They have made the playoffs just once, whille only having two winning seasons in the last two decades.

Pair that with 12 last-place finishes in the AFC North (two in AFC Central) and you will quickly see how strong of a fan base the Browns have. Through “the drive”, “the fumble”, and Art Modell selling out the city and moving to Baltimore, Browns fans continue to show up every year to root on their team.

Not only do Browns fans show up, they somehow remain optimistic. Even before the 0-16 season of 2017, I remember fans saying, “this team may have a shot,” not realizing just how bad DeShone Kizer really was. From watching the Kansas City Chiefs get a second chance at a game-winning field goal because Dwayne Rudd took his helmet off to celebrate, to the Week 17 last-second loss against the Steelers in 2017 that could have kept the Browns from going 0-16, Browns fans have seen it all.

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While many of the modern era Browns teams lacked talent, especially at quarterback, in the last three seasons the team has put together a competitive roster. While some blame John Dorsey for a disappointing 2019 season (me included), no one can argue he added more talent in two seasons than anyone else in 17 years combined.

With control being the demise of Dorsey, Andrew Berry becomes the youngest general manager in the NFL. Berry has picked up right where Dorsey left off and has hired a coach who feels over-prepared, even in his first season as a head coach.

While we have looked at the good, bad, and ugly of the Browns since returning in 1999, let’s now dive into the five most disappointing players to ever wear brown and orange. Spoiler alert, Mohamed Massaquoi and Trent Richardson were numbers six and seven, just missing the list.

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