Throwback Thursday: Browns bounce Baltimore in opener
The last time the Cleveland Browns won their season opener, the original iPhone was still three years from being released, Netflix was a DVD-to-mailbox delivery service, and Baker Mayfield was nine years old.
It’s obviously been a while since the good guys were able to start the season in the win column. In fact, when the Browns open the 2021 campaign on September 12th in Kansas City, it’ll be exactly 17 years from their last season opening win (20 -3 over Baltimore) and only their second since 1999.
Here’s a quick trip down memory lane from a rare opener that didn’t result in Cleveland fans combing the internet for mock drafts following week 1:
– Butch Davis manned the sideline as the Browns head coach. Davis was beginning his fourth season by the lake, and a few months later would resign after winning just three of the team’s first 11 games.
– Three-time pro bowler Jeff Garcia, the Browns’ prized free agent acquisition, was the Browns’ starting quarterback.
– Garcia accounted for the only two touchdowns of the day, connecting on a 46-yard passing touchdown with Quincy Morgan in the third quarter and scrambling into the end zone from three yards out late in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.
– Future Hall of Famer Deion Sanders returned to the league as a Raven at 37 years of age, three years after announcing his retirement from the NFL. The most note-worthy portion of Primetime’s return to action was a “Pee On Deion” sign displayed in the Dawg Pound.
– William Green started at tailback and finished with a very William Green-like 65 yards on the ground
– Starting at tight end was that season’s first round pick, Kellen Winslow Jr. He finished his first career game tying for the team lead with 4 receptions.
– Defensive end Kenard Lang played arguably the best game of his career, sacking Ravens QB Kyle Boller three times.
– Baltimore’s starting running back was future Brown Jamal Lewis. The game was played almost exactly one year to the day of Lewis setting a then-NFL record for rushing yards in a game (295) against Cleveland. The Browns defense limited Lewis to just 57 yards on the ground.
– Longtime Browns receiver Kevin Johnson, wearing his familiar number 85, hauled in five passes for Baltimore in his Ravens debut.
– In simpler times, when the Browns kicking game wasn’t a main cause of alcoholism amongst their fans, Phil Dawson was perfect on two field goal tries and both extra point attempts.
Though the opportunity to pee on Deion has since passed, the Browns can relieve themselves of years of week one disappointments with a win over the Chiefs this September.
Next. Baker Mayfield 2021 projection. dark
Not to mention, a peed on (Andy) Reid sign has a nice ring to it.