Cleveland Browns: 10 best all-time free agent signings
By John Suchan
Cleveland Browns No. 8 best free agent: WR Joe Jurevicius
Joe Jurevicius was a hometown kid, who finished his career with the Browns. He signed a four-year contract with the team in 2006 and was well-loved by the local fan base. He was a sure-handed receiver who could help keep the sticks moving on third down. He totaled 90 catches for 1,109 yards and six touchdowns in his time with the team.
However, his career ended after the first two years when he sustained a knee injury and had complications after that, that would force him into retirement. But for those two years, he was a beloved member of the Browns.
Cleveland Browns No. 7 best free agent: QB Kelly Holcomb
Kelly Holcomb had a 4-8 record as the Browns starting quarterback. Not exactly the type of statistical numbers that would suggest he was a great free agency pick-up, but he was a gutsy player who made every game he played fun to watch.
The highlight of his time in Cleveland, which spanned four seasons between 2001 and 2004 was the playoff game he started against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
If it weren’t for a dropped pass by Browns wide receiver Dennis Northcut, we might be talking about Holcomb in Browns folklore. The former undrafted quarterback from Middle Tennessee back in 1997 was spectacular in the playoff game against the Steelers. He went 26 for 43 for 429 yards and had three touchdowns.
The Browns led Pittsburgh most of that game and should have won going away. Unfortunately, there were a few dropped passes and the game ended up as a crushing loss. But Holcomb will go down in Browns history as a fighter. That jersey got dirty a lot, but he always came back for the next play.
Holcomb still left us with plenty of highlights in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2002 playoffs.
Cleveland Browns No. 6 best free agent: LB Pepper Johnson
Pepper Johnson came to the Browns from the New York Giants in 1993, following his old coach, Bill Belichick. He was a former Ohio State Buckeye as well and the fans of the Browns love those Buckeyes. Peppers was outstanding in his three years as a Brown. He racked up 339 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and recovered a fumble. He was well-loved and had a great first name too!
He’s still involved in football and was recently named as the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the new USFL Football League.