Dawg Pound Daily
FanSided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next

Defensive End Courtney Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Tommy Maddox (R) gets a pass off just before he is hit by Cleveland Browns’ defender Courtney Brown (L) during the first quarter of their NFL game on 03 November 2002 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland. Pittsburgh defeated Cleveland 23-20.AFP Photo/David Maxwell (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback Tommy Maddox (R) gets a pass off just before he is hit by Cleveland Browns’ defender Courtney Brown (L) during the first quarter of their NFL game on 03 November 2002 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland. Pittsburgh defeated Cleveland 23-20.AFP Photo/David Maxwell (Photo by DAVID MAXWELL / AFP) (Photo credit should read DAVID MAXWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

We will have to turn back the record book a bit for this next disappointment. After the first year back in 1999, the Browns held the first pick once again in 2000 when they selected defensive end, Courtney Brown, from Penn State. To this day 20 years later, Brown holds the sack (33) and tackles for loss (70) record for the Nittany Lions.

Brown started out okay as a rookie, but still not up to number one overall selection expectations. In 2000, he had 69 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 16 starts. After that Brown’s career would be riddled with injuries and eventually force him out of the league.

In 2005 after five seasons with the Browns, Brown was a part of the trade with the Denver Broncos that basically swapped both team’s defensive lines. After one season, Brown would be forced out of the league. A man who had 33 sacks in a college career only had 19 total sacks in six years in the NFL.

Being an Ohio State fan made this bust even more difficult to swallow. While Brown was at Penn State you had to monitor him every play. If you lost track of him, he would blow a play up quickly. After the pain and suffering of watching him single-handedly beat the Buckeyes, there was hope he would do the same in Cleveland.

Home/Browns All-Time Lists