FOF2: The Cleveland Browns

[ColtCrazy]

Seeing as I spend more time at work now, and I have FOF2 installed, I decided to blow my lunch hours and afterschool waits for basketball games by starting a new dynasty using the newly formed Cleveland Browns of 1999.

The excitement level in Cleveland couldn't be higher as the town welcomes the NFL back. While the city has never been blessed with a Super Bowl championship, fans are optimistic as they get a new start without Art Modell.
The fans are immediately stunned by the hiring of 25 year old N.L. South as GM/coach. South, having no former football qualifications, was hired because of his insane love of the game and an ability to succeed at the original FOF game. "We figured that made him more qualified than Matt Millen(another potential GM canidate)," said one Browns insider.
South said the Browns were starting their 5 year plan. Within five years, I plan on making the Browns a consistent winner in the NFL," South said at his opening press conference. South's five year contract says he better stay true to his plan.

[ColtCrazy]

What started out as a questionable move in the hiring of South has led to some optimism about this new Browns team following a 3-1 record in the preseason. South downplayed the record noting the regular season will be much different.

Going into the 1999 season, the team looks like this:

OFFENSE:
The biggest story of South's first month was the signing of QB-Paul Justin to a 3 year deal. "Couch will be a productive QB in the league, and bringing Justin's experience in will only help Couch in the long run," said South.

Roster (current estimate in brackets)

QB-Paul Justin(52), Tim Couch(41), Ty Deter(27)
RB-Terry Kirby(46), Sedrik Shaw(33), Jerris McPhail(24)
FB-Marc Edwards(63), Michael Blair(17)
TE-Irv Smith(50), James Dearth(16)
WR-Billy Davis(63), Leslie Shepherd(56), Kevin Johnson(50), Justin Armour(43), Damon Gibson(40), Darrin Chiaverini(25)
C-Steve Gordon(51), Dave Wohlabaugh(42)
G-Jim Pyne(51), Ben Cavil(26), Jeff Buckey(5)
T-Lomas Brown(56), Orlando Brown(53), Scott Rehberg(5)
K-Kris Brown(44)

[ColtCrazy]

Defense:
LB-Chris Spielman anchor's a defense led by vets like Jerry Ball and Marquez Pope. The bolster the defense, South signed LB-Dixon Edwards and S-Robert Blackmon. The defense, with 4 high quality starters, has a chance to keep the Browns competitive.

DE-Roy Barker(60), Derrick Alexander (49), John Thierry (48)
DT-Jerry Ball(66), John Jurkovic(56), Hurvin McCormack(34)
LB-Chris Spielman(74), Dixon Edwards(56), Elijah Alexander(47),Jamir Miller(45), Rahim Abdullah(38), Tarek Saleh(34)
CB-Marquez Pope(66), Antonio Langham(53), Tim McTyer(46), Daylon McCutcheon(23), Raymond Jackson(19)
S-Robert Blackmon (57), Marquis Smith(38), Duane Butler(11)

[ColtCrazy]

1st Quarter Report:

Game 1: Cleveland 22, Pittsburgh 17.
The home opener produced a stunner as the Browns became the first expansion team to win their opener since the Vikings did it in the 60s. Up 6-0 in the second quarter, nickelback Daylon McCutcheon picked off Kordelll Stewart and ran it back 37 yards for a touchdown. A third quarter TD by Jerome Bettis, who was held to only 75 yards on the day, cut the Browns lead to 15-3, but Justin's 2 yard scoring pass to James Dearth with 2 minutes left sealed the win. Stewart was a woeful 14-of-33 with 2 picks while Justin's ball control passing produced 151 yards and no turnovers. Leslie Shepherd caught 7 passes for 100 yards.

Game 2: Tennessee 20, Cleveland 13.
After shutting down Bettis last week, the Browns defense let Eddie George run wild for 160 yards, 6 yards per carry, and a touchdown. The Browns only got 41 yards on the ground, a miserable 2 yards a pop. Justin and Shepherd again hooked up for 7 passes for 96 yards, including a 44yd TD, but the offense could only score 3 points in the second half. Dixon Edwards was a bright spot in the defense with 8 tackles and a interception.

Game 3: Cleveland 24, Baltimore 21.
The Justin-Shepherd connection continued in a upset over the favored Ravens in Baltimore. Shepherd took a short passand turned it into an 88 yard score to give the Browns the lead. The running game, while still only managing 3.3 yards a carry, gave the offense enough to open up the passing game. Justin enjoyed his season's best game with a 20-35 322yd 3 TD performance. Justin also showed leadership throwing the winning TD pass to Kevin Johnson with 1:28 remaining. Shepherd hauled in 7 catches for the 3rd straight game and got 180 yards. Free agent find, Dixon Edwards, led the team with 7 tackles.

Game 4: New England 27, Cleveland 24(OT).
PERSONAL SIDE NOTE: I was actually at this game in 1999, and Terry Glenn scorched the Browns for 11 catches for 200+ yds. Guess what, he got 11 catches and 200+ yards in this simmed game too. WAY TOO WEIRD.
In an aerial show down in which both teams combined for 783 yds passing, the difference came down to special teams. Leading 24-17 with 4:30 left, the Browns had to punt. Troy Brown took the return 78 yds for the tying touchdown. Vinateri's FG in overtime gave the Patriots a hard fought win. Bledsoe threw for 406 yds on 27-for-44 passing a two scores. He found Terry Glenn 11 times for 212 yards and a TD. Justin kept the pace with 377 yds on 30-for-48 passing connecting to Shepherd 11 times as well for a buck 28.

[ColtCrazy]

1st Quarter stats:
Record (2-2) Division Standing: 2nd (tie)
Passing Leader:
Paul Justin 84-for-145 1,075 yds 6TDs 3Ints
Rushing Leader:
Terry Kirby 71 carries for 215yds and a TD
Receiving Leaders:
Leslie Shepherd 32 catches 504yds 2 TDs
Billy Davis 20 catches 294 yds 0 TDs

Tackles:
Dixon Edwards 28 w/ 8 assists.
Interceptions
5 with 1.
Sacks:
Roy Barker 4.5

Overall, the Browns have been a great surprise winning 2 games and staying close in the other two.