From Chumps to Champs; A Cleveland Browns Franchise

[Mike7Vinas]

From Chumps to Champs; A Cleveland Browns Franchise




Introduction

The Browns last reached an NFL Championship in 1964 on the back of possibly the greatest running back in NFL history, Jim Brown.

Plenty of time has passed and the Browns have been through a lot. The Drive, the fumble, the relocation to Baltimore, and much more. The Browns have been the laughing stock in the league for a while and now lets see if they could make waves and achieve former glory behind their new head coach.

Meet the Coach



Les Miles is your new coach in Cleveland! After being fired after a very successful stint at LSU, Miles and Cleveland have reached a deal worth about $4M over 2 years.

Miles went 141-55 in his career at LSU, including an impressive 62-28 record within the always competitive SEC. Successful college coaches don't always go on to be successful in the NFL. For example, Nick Saban went from being a coaching genius at LSU to being called mediocre in his time with the Miami Dolphins. Nobody knows is Miles will turn the Browns around but that question is answered with another; what do they have to lose?

House Rules

Quarters: 8 (no accel clock)
Speed: Normal
Difficulty: All-Madden
Sliders: Custom, tried to make the hardest set possible
Game: Madden 25
Reasoning: I decided on 25 purely on the ability to upload draft classes
Platform: PS3

[Mike7Vinas]

Browns Preseason; Year 1



Cleveland welcomes 2 new talented quarterbacks who were fighting throughout the preseason for the starting job; Cody Kessler, a rookie from USC with exceptional accuracy and a pretty good arm and newly acquired Robert Griffin lll who's career has gone nothing but down since being drafted number 2 overall by the Washington Redskins and taking them to the playoffs in his rookie campaign.

Both Quarterbacks were given equal reps and after a 3-1 preseason in Cleveland, Coach Miles would hold a press conference to announce their signal caller for this season. Here's his announcement on the starter:

Miles: "I know everybody here is itchin' to find out who will start but first I want to praise both of them, both played well and it was a very hard decision to make, but without further ado, your starting quarterback will be Robert Griffin lll, this decision isn't anything against Cody (Kessler) and he'll be on deck to step in whenever he is needed."

Now that the quarterback situation is settled the only other question is who would be the starting back, Duke Johnson Jr. or Isaiah Crowell? Miles would hit on that in the press conference as well.

Miles: "Now to address the running back situation, here we have two very talented backs that even with a backup role will still receive significant carries. Isaiah (Crowell) will be our #1 back heading into this season but Duke (Johnson) will receive a lot of carries, consider it close to a 60/40 split."


Notable Signings-
HB/FB- Andre Brown
FS- Desmond Southward
DT- Alameda Ta'amu
SS- Isaiah Lewis
Notable Releases- None

Preseason Schedule
Week 1- Los Angeles Rams, Loss 20-17
Week 2- vs Detroit Lions, Win 33-18
Week 3- @Indianoplis Colts, Win 34-10
Week 4- @Chicago Bears, Win 20-17

[Mike7Vinas]

Week 1; Year 1

Isaiah Crowell finds the endzone four times in victory over Dolphins

Browns fans everywhere had something to cheer about Sunday as Cleveland got a victory against the Miami Dolphins, 38-24.

The charge for the Browns was led by a tremendous performance by running back Isaiah Crowell. Crowell rumbled for 154 yards on 23 carries and 3 touchdowns. He also put up a touchdown in the receiving game.

The Dolphins would open up the game with a 69 yard drive ending in an Andrew Franks field goal to put the Dolphins up 3-0 through one quarter.

Early in the second the Dolphins would strike on a 25-yard touchdown grab by veteran Santonio Holmes to put the Fins up 10. It wouldn't take long for the Browns to strike back though, 6 plays later they found themselves at the 2-yard line, that's when Isaiah Crowell plunged in for his first score on the night.

The Browns would later tie it on a Cody Parkey 38-yard field goal. After an interception the Browns would find the endzone again, this time on a 43 yard scamper from Crowell. That wouldn't end the first half scoring for Cleveland as with 22 seconds to go Crowell would punch it in for the third time, this time on a 30 yard reception.

The Browns would open up the second half with a 77-yard drive, getting down to the Dolphin 11 yard line. Cleveland would spoil the opportunity though as Bene Benwikere would jump a RG3 pass and take it down to the Cleveland 9. It only took Miami one play as Ryan Tannehill would find Devante Parker for a touchdown to bring Miami within 7.

Cleveland wouldn't play games as Crowell would find the endzone once more, this time on a 43 yard rush to put the Browns up 14 heading into the final quarter.

After both teams traded interceptions the Dolphins found themselves in good field position at the Cleveland 35. That wouldn't last long as Demario Davis would intercept Tannehill of a ball tipped by Linebacker Christian Kirksey , that would be Tannehill's fourth interception on the night.

The Browns would then find the endzone on an 11 yard Gary Barnidge touchdown to put the dagger in for the Browns victory. The Dolphins would punch it in during garbage time to make the final score 38-24.

Next week the Browns will travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens for the first time this season.

Stat Leaders

Passing-
R.Tannehill- 25/42, 301 yards, 3TD, 4INT
R.Griffin lll- 13/22, 158 yards, 2TD, INT

Rushing-
I.Crowell- 23 CAR, 154 yards, 3TD
K.Drake- 10 CAR, 50 yards

Receiving-
K.Stills- 4 REC, 80 yards
C.Coleman- 4 REC, 45 yards

[Mike7Vinas]

Week 1 News

Breaking News

Duke Johnson Jr. sent to Chicago for 3rd and 7th round for draft picks




Cleveland struck a deal with the Bears sending running back Duke Johnson Jr. to Chicago for 3rd and 7th round draft picks for the 2017 draft. Johnson reportedly demanded a trade on a phone call with Coach Les Miles because of his lack of carries in the week one victory over Miami. Johnson didn't touch the ball one time in the win. You may ask who will fill the void as the only other running back on roster is Andre Brown who is mostly used as a backup fullback. Well the Browns made another move, signing free agent running back Taiwan Jones (1 year, $1M). Jones is known for his elusiveness and explosive speed but he'll be behind Isaiah Crowell who had a big game in the win over the Dolphins. Crowell finished the night with 23 carries for 154 yards with 3 scores and a receiving touchdown.

[Mike7Vinas]

Scouting Report #1

Samaje Perine, Deshaun Watson, and Kenny Hill Outline Talented 2017 Draft Class




In a draft class stacked with talent especially at the quarterback position with Kenny Hill (TCU), Deshaun Watson (Clemson), Ryan Burns (Stanford), Malik Zaire (Notre Dame), all garnering a first round projection this class could see up to 10 quarterbacks go in the first three or four rounds.

So far the projected #1 pick is Linebacker Dondre Lee, outside linebacker at Lehigh University (FCS) located in Pennsylvania.
Despite not attending a well-known school, Lee has broken multiple records both national and school. He led the FCS in tackles last season (140), had a career high 12 sacks, and won defensive player of the year. He is a force and is a dream pick for any team lucky enough to get him.

Samaje Perine (Oklahoma) isn't the only running back projected to go in the first round of the draft. He's joined by 5 other running backs; Darrel Williams (LSU), Jarvion Franklin (W. Michigan), Nick Chubb (Georgia), Ray Lawry (Old Dominion), and Dalvin Cook (FSU), all will most likely go right beside him in round one.

The downside of the otherwise talented class is the lack of quality offensive lineman. No linemen are projected to go in the first round and only two in the second round.

The Cleveland Browns have their eyes on a couple athletes:

QB- Malik Zaire, 22, 6'0" 225 (1,22)- Notre Dame
THP- B, SAC- B, MAC- B, DAC- D

QB Kyle Allen, 22, 6'3" 214 (3,11)- Texas A&M
THP- B, SAC- B, MAC- B, DAC- C

DT- Chris Bailey, 22, 6'2" 259 (2,3)- TCU
STR- B, PMV- B, FMV- B, BSH- D

SS- Trey Marshall, 23, 6'0" 209 (1,29)-
Florida State
MCV- C, ZCV- C, PRC- C, TAK- B

[TheRosterMaster]

I'm liking this so far. Great win to start the year and a couple of nice transactions.

Just a quick question, why are you putting Malik Zaire in your draft class?

[Mike7Vinas]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheRosterMaster

I'm liking this so far. Great win to start the year and a couple of nice transactions. Just a quick question, why are you putting Malik Zaire in your draft class?

I have no clue, he wasn't on the players leaving when I exported the draft class but he ended up on it.

[Mike7Vinas]

Week 2; Year 1

Isaiah Crowell leads Browns to victory again with 234 yard, 3 TD performance




The Browns had nothing going for them in this game besides the run, Isaiah Crowell put on a show stampeding for 234 years and three touchdowns.

It didn't take Crowell long to heat up, on the first play from scrimmage he rattled off an 85 yard run to give the Browns an early 7-0 lead. Baltimore would then have a solid drive lead by backup quarterback Ryan Mallett who is in for the injured Joe Flacco. The drive would stall on a 3rd and 1 give to Lorenzo Taliaferro that was eaten up by defensive tackle Danny Shelton for a loss. That forced Baltimore to kick a 33 yard field goal to put the score at 7-3.

Teams would trade interceptions and the Browns would find themselves up 14-3 after another long Isaiah Crowell touchdown, this one from 44 yards out.

The Ravens would find a bit of a spark with 3 consecutive first down carries by running back Lorenzo Taliaferro but it was for nothing as on 3rd and 5 from Baltimore's 49, Mallett would take off out of the pocket and receive a devastating hit from linebacker Christian Kirksey which would jar the ball free, resulting in a scoop and score for Cleveland's Corey Lemonier. Browns would then lead 21-3. They would increase their lead with 25 seconds remaining in the half with another Crowell touchdown run, this one from 68.

Leading 28-3 at the half the Browns wouldn't expect Baltimore to start to stage a comeback but they would do just that. On the Raven's first drive they would find the endzone in just three plays on a 40 yard bomb from Mallett to Mike Wallace. After another RGlll interception, Baltimore would strike again. Mallett would waste no time finding veteran Steve Smith for the 25 yard score to put the score at 28-17 heading into the fourth.

The Browns passing game would continue to struggle as three straight incompletions would result in a punt. After a nice drive consisting of only runs brought Baltimore down to the Brown's three. Mallett would then go play action on 3rd and Goal and find tight end Dennis Pitta to draw within 4.

The Browns found themselves in a difficult spot not being able to pass the football and Crowell being sidelined with cramps late. Robert Griffin would attempt to right his wrongs and take over this ball game, and that's exactly what he did. He would pass for 56 yards out of his total of 119 on the final drive, finishing it off with a keep to get into the endzone and cement this one at 35-24. Baltimore would not be able to strike back and the Browns would take it, going to 2-0 on this young season.

Next week the Browns will head to Minneapolis to take on another undefeated squad, the Minnesota Vikings led by Adrian Peterson and Teddy Bridgewater.

Stat Leaders

Passing
R.Mallett- 19/30, 282 YDS, 3TD, INT
R. Griffin lll- 9/16, 119 YDS, 2 INT

Rushing
I.Crowell- 18 CAR, 236 YDS, 3 TD
L.Taliaferro- 15 CAR, 49 YDS

Receiving
M.Wallace- 4 REC, 97 YDS, TD
C. Coleman- 3 REC, 56 YDS