1995 Cleveland Browns season

50th season in franchise history, final one before being "deactivated" August 2023 March 2026 Cleveland Browns 1995 Bill Belichick Steve Crosby Rick Venturi Art Modell Cleveland Municipal Stadium 5–11 4th AFC Central Did not qualify 1999 none Browns seasons The 1995 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 50th season overall and 46th in the National Football League (NFL). The team finished 5–11, fourth in the AFC Central, though most of the season was overshadowed by the team's decision to leave the city following the season. The team was documented in NFL Network's A Football Life.http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/NFL-Networks-A-FOOTBALL-LIFE-to-Return-912-20120828 NFL Network's A FOOTBALL LIFE to Return 9/12 tv.broadwayworld.com 2012-09-11 During the season, the Browns were swept by the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, thus becoming only the second team in the Super Bowl era to be swept by an expansion team, joining the 1966 Houston Oilers, who were swept by the Miami Dolphins that season. After finishing 11–5 in 1994 and winning a playoff game for the first time since 1989, the Browns were favored by many to reach Cleveland's first Super Bowl.http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/year-by-year-results/1995.html Cleveland Browns | 1995 2014-03-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20140602053944/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/year-by-year-results/1995.html 2014-06-02 dead It was supposed to be the season of dreams. The 1995 Browns were finally going to make it to the Super Bowl, adding to their already impressive resume the one thing that was lacking. The fans were primed for it. So, too, were the players and coaches. And also the national media. None other than Sports Illustrated picked the Browns to get to the big game and lose to the defending Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers, 34-13. The Browns started by winning three of their first four games and were 4–4 halfway through the season. On November 6, the day after the Browns recorded their fifth loss, a 37–10 blowout against the Houston Oilers, owner Art Modell announced that he intended to move the team to Baltimore at the end of the season. Afterwards the team collapsed and only won one of their remaining seven games and head coach Bill Belichick was fired after the season. As part of the agreement reached in February 1996 to allow Modell to move, the city of Cleveland was allowed to keep the Browns name, franchise history and all memorabilia and agreed to build a new stadium by 1999. In return, Modell was allowed to take the player contracts from the Browns, as well as the bulk of his organization, to Baltimore, but his franchise, later named the Baltimore Ravens, would be considered a 1996 expansion team. The NFL agreed that the Browns would be reactivated no later than 1999, by way of an expansion draft or relocated team. Offseason‌ Additions SubtractionsWR Andre Rison (Falcons) RB Eric Metcalf (Falcons)RB Lorenzo White (Oilers) DT James Jones (Broncos) 1995 expansion draft 1995 NFL expansion draft + Cleveland Browns selected during the expansion draft Round Selection Name Position Expansion team 16 32 Mark Carrier Wide receiver Carolina Panthers NFL draft 1995 NFL draft 1995 Cleveland Browns 1 30 Craig Powell Linebacker Ohio State yes 3 84 Eric Zeier Quarterback Georgia yes 3 94 Mike Frederick Defensive end Virginia yes 5 136 Tau Pupua Defensive tackle Weber State 5 147 Mike Miller Wide receiver Notre Dame 7 231 A. C. Tellison Wide receiver Miami (FL) no no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/1995_draft.htm 1995 Cleveland Browns Draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com October 2, 2014 Draft trades made Traded Eric Metcalf and 1x26 to Atlanta Falcons for pick 1x10https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/26/sports/sports-people-football-browns-trade-metcalf-for-first-round-choice.html SPORTS PEOPLE: FOOTBALL; Browns Trade Metcalf for First-Round Choice The New York Times 26 March 1995 Traded 1x10 to San Francisco 49ers for 1x30, 3x94, 4x119, and 1996 1st round selection.http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/draft-history/1990s.html Cleveland Browns | Draft History 1990s 2015-04-26 https://web.archive.org/web/20140422232102/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/draft-history/1990s.html 2014-04-22 dead Traded 4th round pick to Jacksonville Jaguars for 5x136 and 1996 6th round selection. Traded 4x119 to Philadelphia Eagles for 5x147 and 1996 5th round selection. Traded 7th round pick to New England Patriots for 7x231. Undrafted free agents + 1995 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeVashone AdamsSafetyEastern MichiganDonny BradyCornerbackWisconsinToby CatesWide receiverSouth CarolinaGreg DeLongTight endNorth CarolinaJoe FlemingDefensive linemenNew HampshireElliott FortuneDefensive endGeorgia TechDon HicksonLinebackerGeorgia TechEarnest HunterRunning backSoutheastern Oklahoma StateSale IsaiaGuardUCLARandy NealLinebackerVirginiaPulu PoumeleGuardArizonaAndre RoyalLinebackerAlabamaJoe SmigielOffensive linemenArizonaAvrom SmithRunning backNew Hampshire Personnel Staff 1995 Cleveland Browns Owner and president – Art Modell Director of player personnel – Michael Lombardi Director of pro personnel – Ozzie Newsome Head coach – Bill Belichick Offensive coordinator – Steve Crosby Wide receivers – Mike Sheppard Offensive line – Kirk Ferentz Assistant offensive line/tight ends – Pat Hill Offensive assistant – Ernie Adams Offensive assistant – John Settle Defensive coordinator – Rick Venturi Defensive line – Jacob Burney Linebackers – Chuck Bresnahan Secondary – Jim Bates Defensive Assistant - Tom Spann Special teams – Scott O'Brien Coaches Assistant - Eric Mangini Strength and conditioning – Jerry Simmons Pass Rush Consultant - Joe Kim National Football League Official 1995 National Football League Record & Fact Book Workman Publishing Company New York July 1, 1995 37 0761100105 https://books.google.com/books?id=KfwfEtaoWlcC November 12, 2014 Roster 1995 Cleveland Browns roster Quarterbacks 12 Vinny Testaverde 10 Eric Zeier y Running backs 21 Earnest Byner 23 Earnest Hunter y 22 Ricky Powers 44 Tommy Vardell FB 34 Lorenzo White Wide receivers 85 Derrick Alexander wide receiver 83 Michael Bates American football 86 Ray Ethridge 81 Michael Jackson wide receiver 87 Keenan McCardell 80 Andre Rison 84 Rico Smith Tight ends 89 Harold Bishop American football 48 Frank Hartley American football 88 Brian Kinchen LS Offensive linemen 70 Herman Arvie T 77 Orlando Brown American football, born 1970 T 72 Bob Dahl G 60 Jed DeVries T 61 Steve Everitt C 66 Tony Jones offensive tackle T 67 Quentin Neujahr C 68 Lonnie Palelei G 63 Wally Williams American football G Defensive linemen 90 Rob Burnett American football DE 96 Chad Eaton y DT 78 Dan Footman DE 94 Mike Frederick y DT 73 Tim Goad DT 99 Rich McKenzie DE 98 Anthony Pleasant DE 75 Pio Sagapolutele DT 79 Larry Webster DT Linebackers 58 Carl Banks OLB 56 Mike Caldwell linebacker OLB 51 Gerald Dixon OLB 52 Pepper Johnson MLB 54 Eddie Sutter MLB Defensive backs 43 Vashone Adams y FS 24 Donny Brady y CB 26 Mike Davis defensive back, born 1972 CB 28 Don Griffin CB 25 Dana Hall American football FS 41 Tim Jacobs American football CB 38 Antonio Langham CB 27 Stevon Moore SS 42 Louis Riddick SS 20 Johnny Thomas cornerback CB 37 Bennie Thompson American football SS Special teams  3 Matt Stover K  7 Tom Tupa P Reserve lists 36 Issac Booth CB IR -- Elliott Fortune y DE IR 33 Leroy Hoard RB IR 64 Sale Isaia y G IR 95 Rick Lyle DE IR 59 Craig Powell American football y LB IR 92 Tau Pupua y DT IR 50 Frank Stams MLB IR 29 Eric Turner American football S IR Practice squad 65 Pulu Poumele y T Rookies in italics 53 active, 9 inactive, 1 practice squad Regular season Schedule The Browns' record was 4–5 on November 6, the day that owner Art Modell announced the team would be moving to Baltimore, Maryland for the 1996 season. Cleveland ended the season losing six of their final seven games. The Browns became the first NFL team to be swept by an expansion team, losing twice to the Jacksonville Jaguars.https://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2002_3600990/texans-inaugural-season-texans-experimenting-with.html February 2022 Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 3 at New England Patriots L 14–17 0–1 Foxboro Stadium 60,126 Recap 2 September 10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 22–6 1–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 61,083 Recap 3 September 17 at Houston Oilers W 14–7 2–1 Houston Astrodome 36,077 Recap 4 September 24 Kansas City Chiefs W 35–17 3–1 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 74,280 Recap 5 October 2, 1995 Buffalo Bills L 19–22 3–2 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 76,211 Recap 6 October 8 at Detroit Lions L 20–38 3–3 Pontiac Silverdome 74,171 Recap 7 Bye 8 October 22 Jacksonville Jaguars L 15–23 3–4 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 64,405 Recap 9 October 29 at Cincinnati Bengals W 29–26 (OT) 4–4 Riverfront Stadium 58,639 Recap 10 November 5 Houston Oilers L 10–37 4–5 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 57,881 Recap 11 November 13, 1995 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 3–20 4–6 Three Rivers Stadium 58,675 Recap 12 November 19 Green Bay Packers L 20–31 4–7 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 55,388 Recap 13 November 26 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–20 4–8 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 67,269 Recap 14 December 3 at San Diego Chargers L 13–31 4–9 Jack Murphy Stadium 56,358 Recap 15 December 9, 1995 at Minnesota Vikings L 11–27 4–10 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 47,984 Recap 16 December 17 Cincinnati Bengals W 26–10 5–10 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 55,875 Recap 17 December 24 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 21–24 5–11 Jacksonville Municipal Stadium 66,007 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Season summary Week 16 vs. Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns 1995 2; text-align:center collapsed Week 16: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns December 17 1:00 p.m. EST Bengals 0 3 0 7 Browns 0 17 6 3 Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio 55,875 Overcast, 29 F C NBC Charlie Jones, Randy Cross and Jim Gray First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter CLE – Frank Hartley 1-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick), 14:55. Browns 7–0. CIN – Doug Pelfrey 30-yard field goal, 11:10. Browns 7–3. CLE – Matt Stover 37-yard field goal, 7:17. Browns 10–3. CLE – Keenan McCardell 16-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (Matt Stover kick), 0:19. Browns 17–3. Third quarter CLE – Matt Stover 42-yard field goal, 11:15. Browns 20–3. CLE – Matt Stover 19-yard field goal, 7:03. Browns 23–3. Fourth quarter CLE – Matt Stover 35-yard field goal, 10:03. Browns 26–3. CIN – Eric Bieniemy 1-yard run (Doug Pelfrey kick), 6:51. Browns 26–10. Top passers CIN – Jeff Blake – 22/46, 257 yards, INT CLE – Vinny Testaverde – 22/23, 241 yards, 2 TD Top rushers CIN – Harold Green – 7 rushes, 33 yards CLE – Earnest Byner – 31 rushes, 121 yards Top receivers CIN – Carl Pickens – 5 receptions, 90 yards CLE – Earnest Byner – 7 receptions, 36 yards The game marked the final game at Cleveland Stadium and the franchise's final home game until 1999. thumb|During the last Browns game played in the stadium, December 17, 1995, against the Cincinnati Bengals. Standings Relocation to Baltimore Cleveland Browns relocation controversy Modell announced on November 6, 1995, that he had signed a deal to relocate the Browns to Baltimore in 1996—a move which would return the NFL to Baltimore for the first time since the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis after the 1983 season. The very next day, on November 7, 1995, Cleveland voters overwhelmingly approved an issue that had been placed on the ballot at Modell's request, which provided $175 million through a 10-year extension of the existing sin tax to refurbish the outmoded and declining Cleveland Stadium.Voters Extend 'Sin Tax' To Rehab Browns' Stadium https://apnews.com/article/161b5e024f7ef2ec2046bf1e5d6b368c Associated Press Harris, Rich November 8, 1995 APNews.com October 3, 2021 After the move was announced, protests were held in Cleveland and even at Browns away games, and several lawsuits were filed, including a breach of contract by the city, which would have required the Browns to remain at the stadium until the end of the 1998 season.Ohio judge blocks move of Browns https://www.baltimoresun.com/1995/11/25/ohio-judge-blocks-move-of-browns-modell-says-delay-for-trial-on-lease-wont-alter-96-plans/ November 25, 1995 Morgan, Jon Baltimore Sun October 3, 2021 A compromise was reached in early February 1996. Modell was granted permission by the league to move the team, but only personnel. The Browns franchise, including its history, colors, logos, and other intellectual property, remained in Cleveland and the NFL officially regards the franchise as suspended for the 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons. Modell's organization, later named the Baltimore Ravens, is officially regarded as a 1996 expansion team. The NFL agreed to revive the Browns no later than the 1999 season, by way of an expansion draft or another team relocating. The city of Cleveland agreed to drop its lawsuits and build a new stadium by 1999, funded by the sin tax passed to renovate Cleveland Stadium. The old stadium was demolished in late 1996 and early 1997 and Cleveland Browns Stadium (now known as Huntington Bank Field) was built on the same site, opening in August 1999. While multiple teams threatened to move to Cleveland or were mentioned as considering it, the league chose in 1998 to return the team via an expansion draft and the team resumed play in 1999. References External links 1995 Cleveland Browns at Pro Football Reference (Profootballreference.com) 1995 Cleveland Browns Statistics at jt-sw.com 1995 Cleveland Browns Schedule at jt-sw.com 1995 Cleveland Browns at DatabaseFootball.com Cleveland Category:Cleveland Browns seasons Cleveland