~ AND ~ ? only 204 days and now 92 ? 57 ? 32 ? 19 ? YES really ! And still counting... ? ....​​​​​​​?

[Dutch Oven]

Not even a long night at a concert yesterday, and the sleepiness that is the result can keep me from informing you fine folks that today it is Greg "Tear Away Jersey" Pruitt days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. The Browns drafted the small buy dynamic running back out of Oklahoma in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft, after he had finished third in Heisman voting in 1971 and second in 1972. Pruitt was a rushing, receiving and at the beginning and end of his career, returning dynamo, and would play for the Browns for nine seasons. He lead the orange and brown in rushing five of those years, three times rushing for over 1000 yards, and was a four time Pro Bowler. He finished his career playing with the Raiders for three more seasons, one another Pro Bowl appearance, and helped them win Super Bowl XVIII. For his career, Pruitt rushed for 5672 yards (4.7 avg) and 27 touchdowns, caught 328 balls for 3069 yards and another 18 touchdowns, and had a combined 4521 yards in kickoff and punt returns, with two touchdowns. 

[Flugel]

@dutch-oven said:

Not even a long night at a concert yesterday, and the sleepiness that is the result can keep me from informing you fine folks that today it is Greg "Tear Away Jersey" Pruitt days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. The Browns drafted the small buy dynamic running back out of Oklahoma in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft, after he had finished third in Heisman voting in 1971 and second in 1972. Pruitt was a rushing, receiving and at the beginning and end of his career, returning dynamo, and would play for the Browns for nine seasons. He lead the orange and brown in rushing five of those years, three times rushing for over 1000 yards, and was a four time Pro Bowler. He finished his career playing with the Raiders for three more seasons, one another Pro Bowl appearance, and helped them win Super Bowl XVIII. For his career, Pruitt rushed for 5672 yards (4.7 avg) and 27 touchdowns, caught 328 balls for 3069 yards and another 18 touchdowns, and had a combined 4521 yards in kickoff and punt returns, with two touchdowns. 

Awesome write-up. Thanks Dutch!  Attached is a 22 minute video of him during his 1st 3 years of his career in 1973-76.  It will look like you can't view it but just click on the link where it says watch on youtube and it'll still play. I have an old football card of the AFC and NFC Pro Bowl Return Specialists.  The guy for the NFC was Terry Metcalf (Eric's dad) & Greg Pruitt was the AFC Pro Bowl Return man.  As soon as Leroy Kelly retired Pruitt transitioned from STs return guy to RB just a couple years before he became Flugel's avatar.  

[mjp28]

@dutch-oven said:

Not even a long night at a concert yesterday, and the sleepiness that is the result can keep me from informing you fine folks that today it is Greg "Tear Away Jersey" Pruitt days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. The Browns drafted the small buy dynamic running back out of Oklahoma in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft, after he had finished third in Heisman voting in 1971 and second in 1972. Pruitt was a rushing, receiving and at the beginning and end of his career, returning dynamo, and would play for the Browns for nine seasons. He lead the orange and brown in rushing five of those years, three times rushing for over 1000 yards, and was a four time Pro Bowler. He finished his career playing with the Raiders for three more seasons, one another Pro Bowl appearance, and helped them win Super Bowl XVIII. For his career, Pruitt rushed for 5672 yards (4.7 avg) and 27 touchdowns, caught 328 balls for 3069 yards and another 18 touchdowns, and had a combined 4521 yards in kickoff and punt returns, with two touchdowns. 

Well the  #34  Greg Pruitt a definite solid pick  on all counts good body of stats a good teammate he earned it.

I have a few Honorable Mentions who also wore the  #34  one was kind of a fan favorite who shared a record with only six other groups of players in  NFL history  and the other was a relative unknown in BROWNS history  ....... yeah you guessed it a defensive player.   They are  #34 RB Kevin Mack and  DB Mike Howell  ok how many of you got #1 but passed on #2 ?   OK we will look at #2 first.

Mike Howell  #34  102 games (1965-1972)  27 INTs  steady and dependable but no Greg or any other Pruitt in Cleveland. 

Kevin Mack  #34  99 games  (1985*-1993)  and  one of only six pairs of running backs in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards  in the same backfields.   And they are :

1,000-yard Duos:

• 1972 Dolphins - Csonka and Morris
• 1976 Steelers - Harris and Bleier
• 1985 Browns - Mack and Byner. <-- our guys
• 2006 Falcons - Dunn and Vick
• 2008 Giants - Jacobs and Ward
• 2009 Panthers - Williams and Stewart

And  Kevin Mack   #34  also went on to put up some decent numbers in his  9 years in Cleveland,   his only NFL team.  RRTDs  54.  But he might be remembered for at  6' 0"   244 lbs  he had the BIGGEST MAMMOTH shoulder pads on the field.

His 9 years as a RB took a toll on his body too ..... that's probably why it was 9 exciting "Kosar Years" and gone.    But some great memories  ......

[Flugel]

@mjp28 said:

Well the  #34  Greg Pruitt a definite solid pick  on all counts good body of stats a good teammate he earned it.

I have a few Honorable Mentions who also wore the  #34  one was kind of a fan favorite who shared a record with only six other groups of players in  NFL history  and the other was a relative unknown in BROWNS history  ....... yeah you guessed it a defensive player.   They are  #34 RB Kevin Mack and  DB Mike Howell  ok how many of you got #1 but passed on #2 ?   OK we will look at #2 first.

Mike Howell  #34  102 games (1965-1972)  27 INTs  steady and dependable but no Greg or any other Pruitt in Cleveland. 

Kevin Mack  #34  99 games  (1985*-1993)  and  one of only six pairs of running backs in NFL history to run for 1,000 yards  in the same backfields .

Hopefully Jerome Ford will keep up the little tradition going here with guys doing it proud.  I posted something a while back that 34 would be a good jersey to buy because of Pruitt and Mack.  Here's 1 final secret to Greg Pruitt's success (his strength). Here he is in the Superstars Competition putting an impressive amount of weight over his head for a RB that weighed about 185-190lbs.  

[Dutch Oven]

No love for this #34? 

[mjp28]

@dutch-oven said:

No love for this #34? 

Lot's of love  ?   for that little #34  ?   even with that dinky little picture. 

[mjp28]

@mjp28 said:

Lot's of love  ?   for that little #34  ?   even with that dinky little picture. 

Hey Dutch got any good jersey numbers coming up ?   I'll bet yes.    

[syd]

#34 ford out with a hammy ?

[Dutch Oven]

@mjp28 said:

Hey Dutch got any good jersey numbers coming up ?   I'll bet yes.    

Kind of a mediocre set of numbers coming up.... ?

[Dutch Oven]

I'm as excited as some old queen looking at photos of Brady Quinn shirtless and working out to tell all you fine gentlemen that we are now at Daylon McCutcheon days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season! The cornerback from USC was a third rounder in the expansion Browns first draft in 1999, and is the son of former Los Angeles Rams RB Lawrence McCutcheon. Daylon played his entire seven season career with the Browns, and in an era that had way more downs than ups, McCutcheon was a dependable professional. He played in 103 games with the Browns (started 96), had 463 tackles, 7 sacks, 12 interceptions and 8 forced fumbles. 

[gumby73]

@dutch-oven said:

I'm as excited as some old queen looking at photos of... 

2nd runner up !  WR #33 Reggie Rucker

Own only one Browns #33 Jersey 

Jordan Poyer's

 

Sashi Brown released Donte Whitner & Tashawn Gipson in 2015. To also lose Jordan Poyer, in week 6 to a lacerated kidney in 2016.  Bills signed Poyer as a FA in 2017 ? (the rest is _____)

Jordan Poyer is married to model  Rachel Bush.. 

  <<<< Mrs. Mahomo ain't all that !

[Dutch Oven]

I thought about doing Rucker, but he's got quite the checkered past.... 

[Flugel]

@gumby73 said:

2nd runner up !  WR #33 Reggie Rucker

Own only one Browns #33 Jersey 

Jordan Poyer's

 

Sashi Brown released Donte Whitner & Tashawn Gipson in 2015. To also lose Jordan Poyer, in week 6 to a lacerated kidney in 2016.  Bills signed Poyer as a FA in 2017 ? (the rest is _____)

Jordan Poyer is married to model  Rachel Bush.. 

  <<<< Mrs. Mahomo ain't all that !

Here's a #33 that's worthy of mention.  Leroy Hoard was the work horse on our 11-5 playoff team in 1994; and he was such an explosive/power RB that he actually made the Pro Bowl as a FB for the AFC despite the fact he only played RB.  He started 12 games and rushed for 890 yards and 5 TDs while also catching 45 passes for 445 yards and 4 TDs, Again this was in 12 starts only.  That year the Browns matched up against the impressive fronts in the NFC East featuring the Eagles, Cowboys, Giants and Redskins.  Hoard had some really good games against those teams...

[Dutch Oven]

Lets just get to brass tacks here gentlemen, for we have now come to the   *Greatest Damn Football Player  to ever lace on cleats, We are now Jim Brown days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Brown was the Browns 1st round pick of the 1957 season, sixth overall, from Syracuse. In his nine seasons with the Browns, he would go to the Pro Bowl every year, lead the NFL eight times and win the MVP another three times. The Browns would go to three NFL Championships with Brown at fullback, winning the NFL Title in 1964. As proud as he was of his NFL career, he was more proud of his civil rights activism, starting during his NFL career. Brown would finish his career with 12,312 yards rushing, 5.2 yards per carry and 106 rushing touchdowns. He would add 262 receptions for 2499 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

.... * So true from Cleveland BROWNS and most Football fans everywhere. 

[Flugel]

@dutch-oven said:

Lets just get to brass tacks here gentlemen, for we have now come to the Greatest Damn Football Player to ever lace on cleats, We are now Jim Brown days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Brown was the Browns 1st round pick of the 1957 season, sixth overall, from Syracuse. In his nine seasons with the Browns, he would go to the Pro Bowl every year, lead the NFL eight times and win the MVP another three times. The Browns would go to three NFL Championships with Brown at fullback, winning the NFL Title in 1964. As proud as he was of his NFL career, he was more proud of his civil rights activism, starting during his NFL career. Brown would finish his career with 12,312 yards rushing, 5.2 yards per carry and 106 rushing touchdowns. He would add 262 receptions for 2499 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

NICE!  When many 1st impressions of this franchise begin with Otto Graham and/or Jim Brown - we can thank or blame (or both) our parents and grandparents for the obstacle course to experiencing winning football again.  The sad thing?  This knucklehead wouldn't have it any other way!!!!  Thanks for my dad's memories that kind of became mine Jim!!!!!

Is it just a coincidence that the NFL waited until Jim Brown was terminally ill and passed away until they've made it full blown, unofficially-official that RBs do not deserve to be paid nearly as well as all other skill positions and linemen?  Of course, there's always a Jim Irsay around to remind us a RB like Jonathan Taylor is making way money than anyone on his practice squad.   Phew!!!!  There's a silver lining straight from the crack pipe.  Just 1 question for Jim?  While you continue to put junior achievement behind Center - Taylor rushed for 1811 yards & 18 TDs on 332 carries while adding 40 receptions for 360 yards & 2 TDs in 2021.  More specifically, you've certainly demanded the wear and tear from the 1 guy you don't want to pay as much as your next Carson Wentzwrong?  Good luck with that!   

[mjp28]

@dutch-oven said:

Lets just get to brass tacks here gentlemen, for we have now come to the   *Greatest Damn Football Player  to ever lace on cleats, We are now Jim Brown days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Brown was the Browns 1st round pick of the 1957 season, sixth overall, from Syracuse. In his nine seasons with the Browns, he would go to the Pro Bowl every year, lead the NFL eight times and win the MVP another three times. The Browns would go to three NFL Championships with Brown at fullback, winning the NFL Title in 1964. As proud as he was of his NFL career, he was more proud of his civil rights activism, starting during his NFL career. Brown would finish his career with 12,312 yards rushing, 5.2 yards per carry and 106 rushing touchdowns. He would add 262 receptions for 2499 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.

.... * So true from Cleveland BROWNS and most Football fans everywhere. 

Well when you talk about  #32 Jim Brown  its almost unanimous that he might be one of the IF not the   "first or best GOAT players ever"   in the NFL professional football league  He led the league in rushing in 8 of the 9 years he played,   I think that may be safe to say that  nobody will come close to that stat even though the defenses were set up so 11 guys were trying to stop 1 guy.  Year after year but they never could suceed even when he was a receiver.    

And it will go on and on there,  that and the greatest player ever did pass away this year 2023 and of course was and always be an immoral  Cleveland Brown ever  so I was just looking for some pictures to remember him playing the game ...... here are a few.

[Dutch Oven]

We've had a nice run of Browns legendary RBs, so lets shift gears, ahall we? We are now Frank Minnifield days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Small but a feisty bump-and-run cornerback, Minnifield walked on the Louisville football team, and started his pro football career in the USFL, playing in 1983 and 1984 for the Chicago Blitz and the Arizona Wranglers. He then signed with the Browns after the '84 USFL season ended, and would play in Cleveland for his entire NFL career, retiring after the 1992 season. He and Hanford Dixon formed one of the best cornerback duos in league history, and he would go to four consecutive Pro Bowls, starting in 1986. Minnifield was also named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. 

[syd]

@dutch-oven said:

We've had a nice run of Browns legendary RBs, so lets shift gears, ahall we? We are now Frank Minnifield days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Small but a feisty bump-and-run cornerback, Minnifield walked on the Louisville football team, and started his pro football career in the USFL, playing in 1983 and 1984 for the Chicago Blitz and the Arizona Wranglers. He then signed with the Browns after the '84 USFL season ended, and would play in Cleveland for his entire NFL career, retiring after the 1992 season. He and Hanford Dixon formed one of the best cornerback duos in league history, and he would go to four consecutive Pro Bowls, starting in 1986. Minnifield was also named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. 

thanks dutch

[mjp28]

@dutch-oven said:

We've had a nice run of Browns legendary RBs, so lets shift gears, ahall we? We are now Frank Minnifield days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Small but a feisty bump-and-run cornerback, Minnifield walked on the Louisville football team, and started his pro football career in the USFL, playing in 1983 and 1984 for the Chicago Blitz and the Arizona Wranglers. He then signed with the Browns after the '84 USFL season ended, and would play in Cleveland for his entire NFL career, retiring after the 1992 season. He and Hanford Dixon formed one of the best cornerback duos in league history, and he would go to four consecutive Pro Bowls, starting in 1986. Minnifield was also named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. 

Well  #31  Frank Minnifield  was a pretty much a run away winner here with  73 memorable games with that awesome BROWNS defense from  1984 to 1992 the beginning of   "the Dawgs !".     I think we all could agree with that.

And some distant  #31 jerseys  and games would be  Jamal Lewis 20, William Green 15  and  Donte Whitner 13.

"Woof,  Woof !"

[Dutch Oven]

Lets stay with the cornerback vibe fellas, as we are now Bernie Parrish days until the start of the 2023 Cleveland Browns season. Parrish, like Don Fleming, was a football and baseball player at the University of Florida, and was a ninth round pick of the Browns in 1958. Due to his pro baseball contract, Parrish wouldn't start playing for the Browns until the next season. He was a two time Pro-Bowler, helped the Browns win the NFL Title in 1964, and would play with the Browns until he asked for and received his release one game into the 1966 season. He'd finish his playing career in the AFL with the Houston Oilers, playing the rest of the '66 season there. During his playing career, he also was the team's union player representative.