1999 Cleveland Browns season

The 1999 Cleveland Browns season was the Browns 51st season overall and 47th in the NFL. It marked the return of professional football to the city of Cleveland, Ohio for the first time since the 1995 season, when the franchise was temporarily deactivated following the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy, which ultimately established the Baltimore Ravens. While technically an expansion team, the team officially and legally are considered a continuation of the previous franchise, as the history and colors of the team remained in Cleveland. The franchise was still alive as a legal entity between 1996 and 1998 and its assets kept in a trust managed by the NFL until Al Lerner became the owner in 1998. That season the Browns were given full expansion team treatment via an expansion draft and receiving the number one overall draft pick of the 1999 NFL draft.

1999 Cleveland Browns season
OwnerAl Lerner
General managerDwight Clark
Head coachChris Palmer
Defensive coordinatorBob Slowik
Home fieldCleveland Browns Stadium
Local radioWTAM · WMJI
Results
Record2–14
Division place6th AFC Central
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The Browns' offense and defense both finished in the bottom of the league. The Browns scored 217 points and gained 3,762 yards of total offense, both last in the NFL. The Browns allowed 437 points and gave up 6,046 yards, ranking 29th and 31st, respectively.[1]

Season information

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During the course of the 1995 season, then-Browns owner Art Modell announced his decision to move the Browns to Baltimore. Modell's new team would begin playing in the 1996 season. It would be the first time since 1935 that Cleveland would be left without an existing football team and the first time since 1943 without a team playing, when the Cleveland Rams suspended operation for one year, so the other teams could have enough players during World War II.

However, many Browns fans and Cleveland city officials were determined to keep the team in Cleveland, and orchestrated a grassroots movement to keep the team in Cleveland. The NFL responded by working with city officials, and the two parties came to a unique agreement which would provide the city with a brand-new, state-of-the-art stadium and would promise the return of professional football to Cleveland by the beginning of the 1999 season. Modell also agreed to relinquish the Browns' name, colors and team history to the new owner of the Browns. Modell's new team would begin playing in the 1996 season as the Baltimore Ravens.

While the Browns' new stadium was being built on the site of the old Cleveland Stadium, the foundation of the front office was being set in place. Al Lerner won a bidding war for the new team for $750 million. Lerner hired former San Francisco 49ers front office staffers Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark as the Browns' president and vice president.

Football finally returned to Cleveland on September 12 when the Browns opened the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers at home; Cleveland native Drew Carey was present and gave a rousing pre-game speech. However, the fans were sorely disappointed as the Browns were defeated by the Steelers 43–0. The team would go on to lose their first seven games, but finally in week 8 of their inaugural season the "New Browns" got their first ever win over the New Orleans Saints. From the Browns' 42-yard line Tim Couch squared up and threw a Hail Mary pass that was tipped in the endzone by Saints defenders but then caught by the Browns' Kevin Johnson. The dramatic game-winning touchdown play happened in the last two seconds of the game, causing the final score to be 21–16. Two weeks later, the Browns defeated the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 16–15, for their second and final win of the year.

The Browns finished the season 2–14 and sixth in the AFC Central. It was, at the time, the worst record that the Browns had ever compiled at the end of a season. Since then, the Browns finished with worse records in 2016 and 2017. The Browns did not win a home game throughout the season.

Draft

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Expansion Draft

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Below are players selected from other teams in the Cleveland Expansion Draft, in order of selection.[2]

Pick Player Position Original NFL team
1 Jim Pyne^ C Detroit Lions
2 Hurvin McCormack^ DE Dallas Cowboys
3 Scott Rehberg^ OT New England Patriots
4 Damon Gibson^ WR Cincinnati Bengals
5 Steve Gordon C San Francisco 49ers
6 Tarek Saleh^ LB Carolina Panthers
7 Jeff Buckey G Miami Dolphins
8 Jason Kyle LS Seattle Seahawks
9 Rod Manuel DE Pittsburgh Steelers
10 Lenoy Jones^ LB Tennessee Titans
11 Tim McTyer^ CB Philadelphia Eagles
12 Elijah Alexander LB Indianapolis Colts
13 Pete Swanson OT Kansas City Chiefs
14 Gerome Williams S San Diego Chargers
15 Marlon Forbes^ S Chicago Bears
16 Justin Armour WR Denver Broncos
17 Paul Wiggins OT Washington Redskins
18 Duane Butler S Minnesota Vikings
19 Fred Brock WR Arizona Cardinals
20 Kory Blackwell^ CB New York Giants
21 Kevin Devine CB Jacksonville Jaguars
22 Raymond Jackson^ CB Buffalo Bills
23 Jim Bundren^ G New York Jets
24 Ben Cavil G Baltimore Ravens
25 Michael Blair RB Green Bay Packers
26 Antonio Anderson DT Dallas Cowboys
27 Orlando Bobo G Minnesota Vikings
28 James Williams^ LB San Francisco 49ers
29 Scott Milanovich QB Tampa Bay Buccaneers
30 Eric Stokes^ S Seattle Seahawks
31 Ronald Moore RB Miami Dolphins
32 Clarence Williams RB Buffalo Bills
33 Freddie Solomon WR Philadelphia Eagles
34 Brandon Sanders S New York Giants
35 Mike Thompson^ NT Cincinnati Bengals
36 Jerris McPhail RB Detroit Lions
37 Antonio Langham^ CB San Francisco 49ers

^ Made roster.

1999 NFL Draft

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1999 Cleveland Browns draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 1 Tim Couch  QB Kentucky
2 32 Kevin Johnson  WR Syracuse
2 45 Rahim Abdullah  LB Clemson Extra selection
3 62 Daylon McCutcheon  CB USC
3 76 Marquis Smith  S California
4 124 Wali Rainer  LB Virginia from San Francisco
5 148 Darrin Chiaverini  WR Colorado Extra selection
6 174 Marcus Spriggs  DT Troy from Chicago
6 187 Kendall Ogle  LB Maryland from Seattle
6 191 James Dearth  LS Tarleton State from New England via Seattle
7 207 Madre Hill  RB Arkansas
      Made roster  

Undrafted free agents

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1999 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Mike Cook QB William & Mary

Personnel

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Staff

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1999 Cleveland Browns staff

Front office

  • Owner and chairman – Alfred Lerner
  • President and chief executive officer – Carmen Policy
  • Executive vice president/director of football operations – Dwight Clark
  • Executive director of player personnel – Joe Collins
  • Director of college personnel – Phil Neri
  • Director of pro personnel – Keith Kidd

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Tim Jorgensen
  • Assistant strength/pass rush consultant – Joe Kim
  • Assistant strength – Aril Smith


Final roster

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1999 Cleveland Browns roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
51 active, 10 reserve, 5 practice squad

Preseason

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Hall of Fame Game

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  • Cleveland Browns 20, Dallas Cowboys 17 (Overtime)[3]

Regular season

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Schedule

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 Pittsburgh Steelers L 0–43 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
2 September 19 at Tennessee Titans L 9–26 0–2 Adelphia Coliseum Recap
3 September 26 at Baltimore Ravens L 10–17 0–3 PSINet Stadium Recap
4 October 3 New England Patriots L 7–19 0–4 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
5 October 10 Cincinnati Bengals L 17–18 0–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
6 October 17 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 7–24 0–6 Alltel Stadium Recap
7 October 24 at St. Louis Rams L 3–34 0–7 Trans World Dome Recap
8 October 31 at New Orleans Saints W 21–16 1–7 Louisiana Superdome Recap
9 November 7 Baltimore Ravens L 9–41 1–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
10 November 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 16–15 2–8 Three Rivers Stadium Recap
11 November 21 Carolina Panthers L 17–31 2–9 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
12 November 28 Tennessee Titans L 21–33 2–10 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
13 December 5 at San Diego Chargers L 10–23 2–11 Qualcomm Stadium Recap
14 December 12 at Cincinnati Bengals L 28–44 2–12 Cinergy Field Recap
15 December 19 Jacksonville Jaguars L 14–24 2–13 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
16 December 26 Indianapolis Colts L 28–29 2–14 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
17 Bye

Season summary

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Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Week One: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 7 13 61743
Browns 0 0 000

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

After being deactivated for three seasons, the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL, playing their first game since December 24, 1995 and first home game since December 17, 1995. The game was featured on ESPN Sunday Night Football and a pre-game speech was given by comedian Drew Carey, a Cleveland native. The celebration would be short-lived as the Steelers would shutout the Browns 43–0. The Browns would finish the game with only 40 yards of total offense and committed four turnovers and had a time of possession of just 12:11.

Week 2: at Tennessee Titans

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Week Two: Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 3 609
Titans 2 14 3726

at Adelphia Coliseum, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

Kicker Phil Dawson made a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter, scoring the Browns' first points of the season. Cleveland would score its first touchdown of the season in the third quarter, with a 39-yard pass from Tim Couch to Kevin Johnson. Despite this, the Titans thrashed the Browns 26–9.

Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens

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Week Three: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 0 3710
Ravens 3 7 7017

at PSINet Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C), wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 68,803
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • Box score
Game information

This was the first meeting between the reactivated Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens, the latter of which previously played in Cleveland as the Browns from 1946 to 1995 before a controversial relocation. As a compromise by the NFL, the Browns were officially deactivated in 1996 while the team in Baltimore was considered an expansion team. The game would be a defensive battle with poor offensive performance, as both teams committed three turnovers. The Browns, down by seven with 2:34 to go, had the ball and were looking to tie the game, but Tim Couch threw an interception to Chris McAlister. The Ravens would run out the clock to win the game.

Week 4: vs. New England Patriots

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Week Four: New England Patriots at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 6 7619
Browns 7 0 007

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 3
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,368
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • Box score
Game information

Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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Week Five: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 6 6 0618
Browns 0 14 0317

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Rain, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 73,048
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • Box score
Game information

Week 6: at Jacksonville Jaguars

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Week Six: Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 007
Jaguars 3 3 81024

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 71 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,047
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • Box score
Game information

Week 7: at St. Louis Rams

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Week Seven: Cleveland Browns at St. Louis Rams – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 003
Rams 14 7 31034

at Trans World Dome, St. Louis, Missouri

Game information

Week 8: at New Orleans Saints

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Week Eight: Cleveland Browns at New Orleans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 7721
Saints 7 3 3316

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

The 0–7 Browns headed to New Orleans to take on the 1–6 Saints. The Saints would score first, with quarterback Billy Joe Hobert throwing a five yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keith Poole. The Browns would respond midway through the second quarter with fullback Marc Edwards on a 27-yard catch-and-run from Tim Couch to tie the game at 7–7. New Orleans kicker Doug Brien made a 49-yard field goal in the waning seconds of the first half to put the Saints up 10–7. Cleveland would take its first lead of the game with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Couch to wide receiver Kevin Johnson in the third quarter. Brien would make two more field goals, giving the Saints a 16–14 lead with just 0:21 left in the game. Cleveland started the final drive at its own 25-yard line, needing to score a touchdown in under 15 seconds to win the game. On the first play, Couch's pass to wide receiver Darrin Chiaverini fell incomplete, being broken up by Willie Clay. The next play, Couch completed a 19-yard pass to Leslie Shepherd to the Cleveland 44-yard line. Head coach Chris Palmer would immediately call a timeout with just 0:02 left. Down to the Browns' last chance for a win, Couch would heave up a 56-yard Hail Mary that was caught by Johnson in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. With the last-second win, the Browns got their first victory since being reactivated and was the franchise's first win since December 17, 1995.

The Browns had 243 yards of total offense and maintained possession of the ball for only 19:10; the Saints had 351 total yards and possessed the ball for 40:50. However, Cleveland only turned the ball over once while New Orleans had five turnovers.

Week 9: vs. Baltimore Ravens

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Week Nine: Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Ravens 7 10 71741
Browns 3 0 069

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 47 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,898
  • Referee: Gerry Austin
  • Box score

Fresh off their first win since 1995, the Browns hoped to get revenge on the Ravens and get two wins in a row. However, thanks to a flurry of touchdowns and field goals by the Ravens, the Browns lost 41-9 and fell to 1-8.

Week 10: at Pittsburgh Steelers

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Week Ten: Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 0 0916
Steelers 3 0 9315

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information

The Browns traveled to Pittsburgh to square off against the Steelers, hoping to get revenge on what happened on opening day. In the first half, the Browns had a 7-3 lead. However, by the second half, their lead disappeared as the Steelers lead 15-13. With almost no time remaining, Phil Dawson made a 39-yard field goal, as the Browns defeated the Steelers 16-15; securing their second win of the season.

Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers

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Week Eleven: Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 14 7731
Browns 0 3 01417

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 48 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,818
  • Referee: Dick Hantak
  • Box score

Week 12: vs. Tennessee Titans

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Week 12: Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 7 6 13733
Browns 0 14 0721

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 38 °F (3 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,008
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar
  • Box score

Week 13: at San Diego Chargers

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Week Thirteen: Cleveland Browns at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 7 0010
Chargers 3 10 3723

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C), wind 7 MPH
  • Game attendance: 53,147
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • Box score
Game information

The Browns faced the 4–7 Chargers in San Diego. The first quarter started low-key as both teams notched field goals, respectively from Phil Dawson (33 yards) and John Carney (44 yards). However, by the second quarter, San Diego dominated the rest of the game, with touchdowns from Kenny Bynum and Jermaine Fazande, leading the Chargers to victory.

Week 14: at Cincinnati Bengals

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Week Fourteen: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 8 6728
Bengals 10 20 14044

at Cinergy Field, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Rain, 41 °F (5 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,972
  • Referee: Ron Winter
  • Box score

Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 14 3724
Browns 0 7 7014

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 39 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,038
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • Box score

Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts

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Week Sixteen: Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 13 61029
Browns 7 7 14028

at Cleveland Browns Stadium,Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 31 °F (−1 °C), wind 25 mph
  • Game attendance: 72,618
  • Referee: Phil Luckett
  • Box score
Game information

On a cold and windy afternoon, the 2–13 Browns hosted the 12–2 Colts, looking to end the season on a high note. The Browns led for most of the game and were up 28–19 at the beginning of the fourth, but were shutout in the final quarter as the Colts scored ten unanswered points to win 29–28.

Standings

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AFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(1) Jacksonville Jaguars 14 2 0 .875 396 217 W1
(4) Tennessee Titans 13 3 0 .813 392 324 W4
Baltimore Ravens 8 8 0 .500 324 277 L1
Pittsburgh Steelers 6 10 0 .375 317 320 L1
Cincinnati Bengals 4 12 0 .250 283 460 L2
Cleveland Browns 2 14 0 .125 217 437 L6

[4]

References

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  1. ^ "1999 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  2. ^ 1999 Cleveland Expansion Draft
  3. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1, p. 369
  4. ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1
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