Cleveland Browns

The Browns are often scorned as 1 of only 2 (pre-merger) team not to have appeared in a Super Bowl. But as you can see from the chart below, they kicked ass in the 1950s. They were in their league’s championship game every season from 1946 to 1955, winning it 7 times.  In fact, they finished 1st in their division for 17 of their first 24 seasons!

In 1966 they finished at 9-5. It was the only time from 1964 to 1969 that they didn’t finish first in their division. There was always the Packers or some other pesky team edging them out in the playoffs. 

 

The only 1966 Browns card I've had since the 1960s is Dick Schafrath's.  I got all the rest a few months ago, except for Jim Brown.  His card is out of my price range. 

Frank Ryan was the Rams’ 5th-round pick in 1958. He was a backup for 4 seasons, then joined the Browns in 1962. He and Jim Ninowski each started 7 games in ’62, then Ryan took over the starting role from 1963-67. After backing up Bill Nelsen in 1968, Ryan rode the Redskins’ bench from 1969-70, playing in 2 games but starting none. 

 

Jim Ninowski was drafted by the Browns in 1958 and backed up Milt Plum for 2 seasons. He was the Lions’ starting QB for 2 seasons, then returned to the Browns in 1962. He split the starting assignments with Frank Ryan that season, but rode Cleveland’s bench from 1963-66. After 2 years as the Redskins’ backup QB, he finished his career with the Saints in 1969. 

 

Ernie Green was drafted by the Packers in 1962, but played his entire career (1962-68) for the Browns. He was the starting halfback for 4 seasons, then after Jim Brown’s retirement following the 1965 season, he switched to fullback to make room for Leroy Kelly. Green made the Pro Bowl in ’66 and ’67. 

 

Jim Brown was the Browns’ 1st-round pick in 1957. He played 9 seasons for the Browns, starting every game at fullback and making the Pro Bowl each year. Except for 1962, he led the NFL in rushing each season and was named first-team All-Pro every season but ’62. He retired after the 1965 season, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. 

 

Walter Roberts – An undrafted free agent, Roberts played for the Browns from 1964-66, starting every game at split end in 1965 in place of the injured Paul Warfield. He was the Saints’ starting flanker in 1967. After missing the 1968 season, he played for the Redskins from 1969-70. 

 

Gary Collins was the Browns’ 1st-round pick (4th overall) in 1962. He played his entire career (1962-71) with the Browns. In his first 6 seasons, he played in all but 1 game and was the starting flanker ever since his 2nd season. He missed 9 games in 1968, but reclaimed his starting job for his final 3 seasons. Collins made 2 Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 1969. He was also the Browns’ punter from 1962-67. 

 

John Morrow was drafted by the Rams in 1956. After playing guard in his rookie season, he was the Rams’ starting center for 2 years. He was the Browns’ starting center from 1960 to 1966, starting every game until missing 6 games in 1966. He was a 2-time Pro Bowler with the Browns. Morrow was selected by the Saints in the 1967 expansion draft, but chose to retire. 

 

Gene Hickerson – Drafted in the 7th round in 1957, Hickerson played his entire career (1958-1973) with the Browns, except for missing the 1961 season with a leg injury. He took over the starting right guard spot in his 2nd season, and played every game from 1963 onward (starting all but 4 times). A 6-time Pro Bowler and 3-time first-team All-Pro, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. 

 

Dick Schafrath – The Browns’ 2nd pick in 1959, Schafrath played defensive end as a rookie, then started at left offensive tackle every season from 1960 through 1971. He made 6 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1963-68, and was a 3-time first-team All-Pro selection from 1963-65. 

 

Paul Wiggin was drafted by the Browns in 1956, but did not play until 1957. A backup in ‘57, he was a starting end every season from 1958-1967, usually on the left side. Wiggin was a 2-time Pro Bowler, including his final season. 

 

Jim Houston – The Browns’ 1st pick in 1960, he was a defensive end for his first 3 seasons. Houston was the starting left linebacker from 1963-71, then played his final season (1972) as a backup. He was a 4-time Pro Bowler. 

 

Ross Fichtner was the Browns’ 3rd-round pick in 1960. After 2 seasons as a backup, he was a starting safety from 1962-67. He finished his career in 1968 as a backup with the Saints. 

 

Hall of Famers - 2 

 

Next time: Dallas Cowboys