36 Years Ago Today...

[AP1]

The Brownies drafted Eric Metcalf. 

He's a HOFer, in my opinion. 

541 Receptions, 5,572 yards, 31 TDs

630 Carries, 2,392 yards, 12 TDs

3,453 Punt Return Yards, 10 TDs

5,813 Kickoff Return Yards, 2 TDs

1 Completion, 32 Passing Yards, 1 TD

A very special player who never really had a specific position. 

[Orion]

@ap1 said:

A very special player who never really had a specific position.

Indeed, a special player.  Metcalf up the Middle.

He held many positions at the same time.  He was the pass receiving RB and return specialist.  In the mold of Greg Pruitt...though Pruitt was more useful in the running game.  Eric's father Terry was a good RB / Returner also.

[Bob806]

Totally agree on the HOF. He's in the top 15 all time in all-purpose yardage.

He, Clay Matthews & Hanford Dixon belong in Canton. 

[AP1]

@bob806 said:

Totally agree on the HOF. He's in the top 15 all time in all-purpose yardage.

He, Clay Matthews & Hanford Dixon belong in Canton. 

I would add that Michael Dean Perry quietly put together an IDL HOF career as well.

6 Pro Bowls

AFC Defensive POY - 1989

First Team All-Pro - 1989, 1990

Second Team All-Pro - 1991, 1994

[AP1]

No doubt Metcalf's greatest moment was the two punts returned for TDs against the Steelers.

But the run in 1989, beating the Oilers in Houston around Christmas all the way through the AFC Championship was special.

[Flugel]

@ap1 said:

No doubt Metcalf's greatest moment was the two punts returned for TDs against the Steelers.

But the run in 1989, beating the Oilers in Houston around Christmas all the way through the AFC Championship was special.

I was at that playoff game.  That return was electric!  It's definitely an entrenched memory as well as Clay Matthews intercepting Jim Kelly at the goal line to secure the win!  We drove there from Rochester, NY in a very heavy snow quall that weekend.  I miss that old stadium and the fun in Flatts.

[Flugel]

@ap1 said:

I would add that Michael Dean Perry quietly put together an IDL HOF career as well.

6 Pro Bowls

AFC Defensive POY - 1989

First Team All-Pro - 1989, 1990

Second Team All-Pro - 1991, 1994

Yeah, here's another DT that had a great career.

In 1976, Jerry Sherk and Walter Johnson suffocated Pittsburgh's running game on the day most known for Turkey Jones' gentle sack on Bradshaw.  That was the 1st time I ever saw the Browns play in Cleveland (so much better than watching them play at Buffalo). They finished 9-5 that year and didn't make the playoffs.  Anyway, my dad started taking us to 1 game a year in Cleveland after that. It was only about a 4 hour ride; and it was fun staying there in the city for the weekend.

[AP1]

@flugel said:

I was at that playoff game.  That return was electric!  It's definitely an entrenched memory as well as Clay Matthews intercepting Jim Kelly at the goal line to secure the win!  We drove there from Rochester, NY in a very heavy snow quall that weekend.  I miss that old stadium and the fun in Flatts.

The Dual in the Dirt!

The 1989 Browns are my clearest and most organic early Browns memory. 

Not something I was told about or read about, but something I followed, kept up with, and watched weekly thanks to my Grandma filming games and mailing to us. 

Getting to watch the comeback in Houston and this game live were an absolute treat!