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2008 Cleveland Browns season

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2008 Cleveland Browns season
General managerPhil Savage
Head coachRomeo Crennel
Home fieldCleveland Browns Stadium
Results
Record3-5
Division place3rd AFC North
Playoff finishTBD

The 2008 Cleveland Browns season is the team's 62nd season as a franchise and will also be the team's 58th season as a member of the National Football League. The Browns will be attempting to improve upon their 10-6 record and second-place finish in the AFC North in the 2007 season. This season marks Romeo Crennel's fourth year as head coach of the Browns, who will play all of their home games at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Off-season

Coaching staff changes

On January 7, the Browns signed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to a two-year contract extension, effectively allowing the coach to remain in Cleveland through the 2011 season.[1] Chudzinski declined an opportunity to interview for the vacant head coach position of the Baltimore Ravens to remain in Cleveland.[1]

On January 11, it was announced by Crennel that the team had fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and that a replacement would be announced soon.[2] Grantham's firing comes just months after signing a two-year contract extension.[3] The next day, it was announced that Mel Tucker, defensive backs coach for the Browns, was given the job.[4] After spending three years on the Browns defensive coaching staff, Cory Undlin was promoted to defensive backs coach to replace Tucker.[5]

On January 29, the team announced that it had re-signed head coach Romeo Crennel to a two-year contract extension.[6] General manager Phil Savage stated that Crennel did not ask for an extension, but rather that the team felt that it was the proper thing to do for the head coach.[7]

Free agents

Pos. Player Tag Signed Team Contract
LB Keith Adams UFA
FB Charles Ali ERFA March 13 Browns 1 year
QB Derek Anderson RFA February 29 Browns 3 years[8]
DB Gary Baxter UFA March 13 Browns 1 year
WR Tim Carter UFA May 22 Texans 1 year
DB Ricardo Colclough UFA March 1 Panthers 2 years
OL Nat Dorsey UFA
DL Simon Fraser RFA March 7 Falcons
OL Lennie Friedman UFA March 12 Browns 1 year
LB Kris Griffin RFA March 26 Browns 1 year
DL Bobby Hamilton UFA
DB Daven Holly RFA February 28 Browns Second-round tender[9]
DL Ethan Kelley UFA
RB Jamal Lewis UFA February 21 Browns 3 years[10]
OL Seth McKinney UFA March 28 Browns 1 year
DL Alvin Smith ERFA
LB Matt Stewart UFA April 18 Cardinals 1 year
LB Chaun Thompson UFA March 14 Texans 2 years
DL Ted Washington UFA
UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent

Signings

Pos. Player Signed Contract Acquired
CB Terry Cousin May 23 2 years free agent
OL Rex Hadnot March 10 2 years free agent
LB Shantee Orr March 21 1 year free agent
DL Shaun Rogers[11] March 1 6 years trade with Lions
WR Donté Stallworth[12] March 1 7 years free agent
DL Corey Williams[13] February 29 6 years trade with Packers

Releases

Pos. Player Tag Signed Team Contract
S Gary Baxter[14] UFA
OL LeCharles Bentley[15] UFA
DL Orpheus Roye[16] UFA
CB Kenny Wright[17] UFA

2008 NFL Draft

The Browns did not have a selection in the first three rounds.[18]

Round Pick Name Position College
4[19] 5 (104) Beau Bell Linebacker UNLV
4 11 (111) Martin Rucker Tight End Missouri
6[20] 24 (190) Ahtyba Rubin Defensive Tackle Iowa State
6[21] 25 (191) Paul Hubbard Wide receiver Wisconsin
7 25 (231) Alex Hall Defensive End St. Augustine's

Roster

Cleveland Browns roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

Practice squad


Rookies in italics

Roster updated September 5, 2024

52 active, 8 inactive, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

→ AFC rosters → NFC rosters

Schedule

Template:2008 Cleveland Browns schedule

Division standings

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 347 223 W1
(6) Baltimore Ravens 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 385 244 W2
Cincinnati Bengals 4 11 1 .281 1–5 3–9 204 364 W3
Cleveland Browns 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 232 350 L6

Regular season week-by-week results

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

1 2 3 4 Total
Cowboys 7 14 7 0 28
Browns 0 7 0 3 10

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

The Browns began their 2008 campaign at home against the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Cleveland trailed early as Cowboys RB Marion Barber got a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Browns responded with QB Derek Anderson completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow. Dallas would respond with QB Tony Romo completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens, along with another 1-yard TD run from Barber. In the third quarter, Cleveland's defensive struggles continued as RB Felix Jones got an 11-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Browns tried to rally, yet all they could come up with was a 34-yard field goal from kicker Phil Dawson.

With the loss, Cleveland began its season at 0-1.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

  • 12:43 CLE - Winslow 2 yard pass from Anderson (Dawson kick) 7-7
  • 9:48 DAL - Owens 35 yard pass from Romo (Folk kick) 14-7 DAL
  • 0:26 DAL - Barber 1 yard run (Folk kick) 21-7 DAL

3rd Quarter

  • 6:24 DAL - Jones 11 yard run (Folk kick) 28-7 DAL

4th Quarter

  • 10:13 CLE - Dawson 34 yard field goal 28-10 DAL


Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

1 2 3 4 Total
Steelers 0 7 3 0 10
Browns 0 0 3 3 6

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Hoping to rebound from their dissapointing home loss to the Cowboys, the Browns stayed at home for the first of five primetime games with a Week 2 AFC North duel against their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in very high winds due to the remnants of Hurricane Ike. After a scoreless first quarter, Cleveland trailed as Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh increased its lead with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 48-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Browns got on the board with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 31-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland tried to rally, but the only thing that came out of it was Dawson's 38-yard field goal.

With their 10th-straight loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 0-2.

Scoring Summary

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

  • 7:58 PIT - Reed 48 yard field goal 10-0 PIT
  • 1:25 CLE - Dawson 31 yard field goal 10-3 PIT

4th Quarter

  • 3:21 CLE - Dawson 38 yard field goal 10-6 PIT


Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens

1 2 3 4 Total
Browns 0 10 0 0 10
Ravens 0 7 21 0 28

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Trying to snap their two-game losing streak, the Browns flew to M&T Bank Stadium for a Week 3 AFC North duel with the Baltimore Ravens. After a scoreless first quarter, Cleveland got on the board with QB Derek Anderson completing a 19-yard TD pass to RB Jerome Harrison. The Ravens would respond with RB Willis McGahee getting a yard TD run. The Browns would close out the half with kicker Phil Dawson nailing a 38-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Baltimore took control as RB Le'Ron McClain got a 1-yard TD run, safety Ed Reed returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown, and McClain getting another 1-yard TD run. Cleveland tried to respond, but the Ravens defense was too much to overcome.

With the loss, the Browns stumbled to 0-3.

Scoring Summary

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

  • 11:13 BAL - McClain 1 yard run (Stover kick) 14-10 BAL
  • 10:23 BAL - Reed 32 yard interception return (Stover kick) 21-10 BAL
  • 4:49 BAL - McClain 1 yard run (Stover kick) 28-10 BAL


Week 4: at Cincinnati Bengals

1 2 3 4 Total
Browns 3 0 0 17 20
Bengals 0 6 0 6 12

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Still searching for their first win of the year, the Browns flew to Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 4 AFC North duel with the Cincinnati Bengals in Round 1 of 2008's Battle of Ohio. In the first quarter, Cleveland drew first blood as kicker Phil Dawson got a 25-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals responded with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 42-yard and a 45-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, the Browns began the fourth quarter with QB Derek Anderson completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and RB Jamal Lewis getting a 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati would answer with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco (with a failed 2-point conversion), yet Cleveland pulled away with Dawson nailing a 29-yard field goal.

With their first win of the season, the Browns' record improved to 1-3.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

  • 9:29 CLE - Dawson 25 yard field goal 3-0 CLE

2nd Quarter

  • 10:22 CIN - Graham 42 yard field goal 3-3
  • 0:08 CIN - Graham 45 yard field goal 6-3 CIN

4th Quarter

  • 13:05 CLE - Edwards 4 yard pass from Anderson (Dawson kick) 10-6 CLE
  • 11:06 CLE - Lewis 1 yard run (Dawson kick) 17-6 CLE
  • 7:46 CIN - Ocho Cinco 4 yard pass from Fitzpatrick 17-12 CLE
  • 0:32 CLE - Dawson 29 yard field goal 20-12 CLE


Week 5: Bye Week

The Browns entered their bye week with a record of 1-3. The team used the bye week to rest and allow injured players to recover. The Browns also used the extra week to better prepare for their Week 6 opponent: the defending champion New York Giants.

Winslow's Staph Infection

Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow II was hospitalized on October 9 with an undisclosed illness (later revealed to be a staph infection) [22]. Winslow spent four nights in the hospital and did not play in the Browns' game against the Giants. Citing Winslow's privacy, the Browns did not comment on Winslow's illness. [23]


Week 6: vs. New York Giants

1 2 3 4 Total
Giants 0 14 0 0 14
Browns 3 14 3 15 35

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Coming off their bye week, the Browns went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a crucial Week 6 interconference duel with the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants, on Monday Night Football.

In the first quarter, Cleveland drew first blood as kicker Phil Dawson got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded as RB Brandon Jacobs had a touchdown run. The Browns would answer with two douchdowns: A run by RB Jamal Lewis and with QB Derek Anderson pass to TE Darnell Dinkins. New York closed out the half with QB Eli Manning completing a TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress.

In the third quarter, Cleveland added on to its lead as Dawson nailed a 26-yard field goal. The Browns pulled away in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass from Anderson to WR Braylon Edwards, as well as an Eric Wright interception returned for a touchdown.

With the impressive win, Cleveland improved to 2-3. This was also the Browns' first win on Monday Night Football since 1993.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

  • 10:08 CLE - Dawson 28 yard field goal 3-0 CLE

2nd Quarter

  • 12:09 NYG - Jacobs 7 yard run (Carney kick) 7-3 NYG
  • 11:10 CLE - Lewis 4 yard run (Dawson kick) 10-7 CLE
  • 2:15 CLE - Dinkins 22 yard pass from Anderson (Dawson kick) 17-7 CLE
  • 0:12 NYG - Burress 3 yard pass from Manning (Carney kick) 17-14 CLE

3rd Quarter

  • 11:55 CLE - Dawson 26 yard field goal 20-14 CLE

4th Quarter

  • 14:55 CLE - Edwards 11 yard pass from Anderson (Dawson kick) 27-14 CLE
  • 8:07 CLE - Wright 94 yard interception return (Anderson pass to Edwards) 35-14 CLE

Crennel Named Coach of the Week

After the Browns' victory over the Giants, head coach Romeo Crennel received NFL Coach of the Week honors for Week 6. [24]


Week 7: at Washington Redskins

1 2 3 4 Total
Browns 0 0 3 8 11
Redskins 0 0 7 7 14

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

Coming off their impressive Monday Night home win over the Giants, the Browns flew to Fedex Field for a Week 7 duel with the Washington Redskins. After a scoreless first half, Cleveland trailed in the third quarter, as Redskins RB Clinton Portis got a 3-yard TD run. The Browns would respond with kicker Phil Dawson nailing a 37-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Washington answered with QB Jason Campbell completing an 18-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss. Cleveland tried to rally as QB Derek Anderson completed a 1-yard TD pass to WR/KR Joshua Cribbs (along with a 2-point conversion pass to WR Braylon Edwards). However, Dawson's game-tying 54-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, preserving the Redskins' win.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 2-4.

Scoring Summary

3rd Quarter

  • 7:38 WAS - Portis 3 yard run (Suisham kick) 7-0 WAS
  • 2:48 CLE - Dawson 37 yard field goal 7-3 WAS

4th Quarter

Winslow Suspended

On October 21, the Browns suspended TE Kellen Winslow II for one game because of comments made after the Browns' loss to the Redskins. Winslow said he was unhappy about the way the Browns organization treated him while he was out last week for an undisclosed illness, which has since been confirmed to be a staph infection. He told reporters that he felt as though he was being treated like "a piece of meat," and that he was unhappy that general manager Phil Savage did not contact him while he was hospitalized. Savage announce that Winslow was being suspended for the team's game against the Jaguars, without pay, for "conduct detrimental to the club." [25]

Winslow planned to appeal the suspension, but the hearing was not scheduled until October 28, two days after the Jaguars game.

On October 25, the Browns rescinded Winslow's suspension. Although he did not play the game against the Jaguars, he received his game check minus a $25,000 fine. [26]


Week 8: at Jacksonville Jaguars

1 2 3 4 Total
Browns 7 10 0 6 23
Jaguars 0 7 7 3 17

at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

Hoping to rebound from their last-second road loss to the Redskins, the Browns flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 8 duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Cleveland drew first blood as QB Derek Anderson completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Donté Stallworth. In the second quarter, the Jaguars tied the game as QB David Garrard completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams. The Browns responded with RB Jamal Lewis getting a 2-yard TD run, along with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 32-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Jacksonville drew closer as Garrard completed an 8-yard TD pass to WR Matt Jones. In the fourth quarter, the Jaguars tied the game as kicker Josh Scobee made a 53-yard field goal. Afterwards, Cleveland regained the lead with Dawson nailing a 20-yard and a 42-yard field goal, with the defense fending off Jacksonville's last attempt at a comeback.

With the win, the Browns improved to 3-4.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

  • 10:28 JAC - Williams 5 yard pass from Garrard (Scobee kick) 7-7
  • 7:20 CLE - Lewis 2 yard run (Dawson kick) 14-7 CLE
  • 4:09 CLE - Dawson 32 yard field goal 17-7 CLE

3rd Quarter

  • 10:27 JAC - Jones 8 yard pass from Garrard (Scobee kick) 17-14 CLE

4th Quarter

  • 8:48 JAC - Scobee 53 yard field goal 17-17
  • 4:35 CLE - Dawson 20 yard field goal 20-17 CLE
  • 4:06 CLE - Dawson 42 yard field goal 23-17 CLE


Week 9: vs. Baltimore Ravens

1 2 3 4 Total
Ravens 10 3 7 17 37
Browns 7 6 14 0 27

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Coming off their road win over the Jaguars, the Browns went home for a Week 9 AFC North rematch with the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, Cleveland trailed early as Ravens kicker Matt Stover kicked a 41-yard field goal, along with QB Joe Flacco completing a 47-yard TD pass to WR Mark Clayton. The Browns immediately responded with WR Joshua Cribbs returning a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Cleveland increased its lead with kicker Phil Dawson kicking a 23-yard field goal. Baltimore responded with Stover making a 32-yard field goal, yet the Browns replied with Dawson's 54-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Cleveland took the lead as QB Derek Anderson completed a 28-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and a 7-yard TD pass to RB Jason Wright. The Ravens responded with FB Le'Ron McClain's 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore rallied as Flacco completed a 28-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason, Stover kicking a 22-yard field goal, and LB Terrell Suggs returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown.

With the loss, the Browns fell to 3-5.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

  • 10:43 BAL - Stover 41 yard field goal 3-0 BAL
  • 5:28 BAL - Clayton 47 yard pass from Flacco (Stover kick) 10-0 BAL
  • 5:19 CLE - Cribbs 92 yard kickoff return (Dawson kick) 10-7 BAL

2nd Quarter

  • 5:53 CLE - Dawson 23 yard field goal 10-10
  • 0:32 BAL - Stover 32 yard field goal 13-10 BAL
  • 0:07 CLE - Dawson 54 yard field goal 13-13

3rd Quarter

  • 13:13 CLE - Edwards 28 yard pass from Anderson (Dawson kick) 20-13 CLE
  • 6:17 CLE - Wright 7 yard pass from Anderson (Dawson kick) 27-13 CLE
  • 1:15 BAL - McClain 1 yard run (Stover kick) 27-20 CLE

4th Quarter

  • 14:07 BAL - Mason 28 yard pass from Flacco (Stover kick) 27-27
  • 5:40 BAL - Stover 22 yard field goal 30-27 BAL
  • 2:52 BAL - Suggs 42 yard interception return (Stover kick) 37-27 BAL

Quinn named starter

On November 3, it was announced that quarterback Derek Anderson would be benched in favor of QB Brady Quinn for the Browns' next game against the Denver Broncos.[27]

References

  1. ^ a b Jackson, Zac (2008-01-07). "Chudzinski signs 2-year extension". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Press Release (2008-01-11). "Grantham not retained for '08". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ Associated Press (2008-01-11). "Poor defensive showing costs Browns coordinator his job". nfl.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Jackson, Zac (2008-01-12). "Tucker named defensive coordinator". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Press release (2008-01-12). "Undlin named defensive backs coach". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Crennel signs 2-year extension
  7. ^ Walcoff, Jeff (2008-01-09). "'We'll do right by him'". clevelandbrowns.com. Retrieved 2008-01-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Browns, Anderson, agree on multiyear contract
  9. ^ Notes: Thompson, Holly, others
  10. ^ Lewis, Browns agree on new three-year deal
  11. ^ Instead of Bengals, Browns land DT Shaun Rogers from Lions
  12. ^ Browns agree to deal with WR Stallworth
  13. ^ Browns agree to deal with QB Anderson, close to trade for DT Williams
  14. ^ Baxter's contract terminated
  15. ^ Browns, Bentley part ways
  16. ^ Browns terminate contract of veteran DE Roye
  17. ^ Wright's contract terminated
  18. ^ The Browns do not have a first, second, or third round selection due to trades made to other teams. The first-round selection was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in order to acquire quarterback Brady Quinn in the 2007 Draft, the second-round selection was traded to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Corey Williams, and the third-round selection was traded to the Detroit Lions for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers
  19. ^ The Browns received two fourth round selections (104th and 111th overall) from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the Browns' fourth-round selection (#122 overall), fifth-round selection (#155 overall) and 2009 NFL Draft third-round selection.
  20. ^ The Browns received a sixth-round selection from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Charlie Frye
  21. ^ The Browns traded this sixth-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles as a condition for receiving center Hank Fraley. The Eagles returned the pick to the Browns in exchange for the Browns' 5th-round pick in 2009.
  22. ^ Browns keep Winslow's Staph from Team
  23. ^ Winslow Remains Hospitalized for Undisclosed Illness
  24. ^ Crennel Earns Coach of the Week Honors
  25. ^ Winslow Suspended
  26. ^ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/25/AR2008102502509.html Cleveland Browns Rescind Winslow's suspension
  27. ^ http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=9077 Quinn to start Thursday
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