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2006 Cleveland Browns

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2006 Cleveland Browns season
Head Coach Romeo Crennel
Home Field Cleveland Browns Stadium
Results
Record 4–12
Place 4th AFC North
Playoff Finish did not qualify
Uniform
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Timeline
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2005 2007

The 2006 Cleveland Browns season marked the 60th anniversary of the Browns franchise. It began with the team attempting to improve upon their win-loss record from 2005, where the team ended the year at 6–10. They were one of the most active teams during the free agency period, and looked to be one of the most improved teams of the season at the end of the NFL Draft. They experienced many setbacks during training camp, from which they never fully recovered. By the end of the season they had gone 4–12, losing two more games than the previous season.

Off-season[]

Free agency[]

The Cleveland Browns' front office was busy during the first several days off the free-agent signing period, looking to help the team by signing players who they felt would make immediate impacts upon the team. On the first day, the Browns signed center LeCharles Bentley, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.[1] Bentley and Shaffer were signed to help protect second-year quarterback Charlie Frye in the pocket, and Jurevicius was signed to provide veteran support to the Browns' young receiving corps, which then-consisted of Braylon Edwards, Josh Cribbs, and veteran Dennis Northcutt. On the second day of the free-agent period, the Browns signed punter Dave Zastudil to replace Kyle Richardson, and to establish a good punting game.[2] An interesting fact about the Browns' free-agent signings deals with the fact that Bentley, Jurevicius, and Zastudil are each Ohio-natives, and expressed their wish to play for the Browns at some point in their careers.[1] A day after signing Zastudil, the Browns signed veteran nose tackle Ted Washington in an attempt to improve the Browns' run defense.[3] After signing Washington, the Browns made their final key free-agent signing, by inking a deal with linebacker Willie McGinest.[4] McGinest was signed to provide veteran support among the Browns' linebacking corps, and brought back under the direction of head coach Romeo Crennel, who coached McGinest defensively through three Super Bowls while in New England.

2006 NFL Draft[]

As the 2006 NFL Draft neared in late April, the Browns had already filled in many of their holes through free agency, and would primarily be looking for players who would help the 3–4 defense. The Browns had their eyes set on Haloti Ngata, who they would presumably build up to take over for Ted Washington. On the day of the draft, the Browns traded their 12th pick to the Baltimore Ravens for the 13th pick and a 6th round pick. Baltimore used the pick to take Ngata, while the Browns selected outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, the player who Cleveland GM Phil Savage had wanted the whole time.[5] The selection of inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson in the second round created a linebacker core of Andra Davis, Jackson, McGinest, and Wimbley. Wide receiver Travis Wilson was selected in the 3rd round as a developmental project and future possession receiver.[6] On day two of the draft, seven other players were taken; linebacker Leon Williams, tackle Isaac Sowells, running back Jerome Harrison, cornerback DeMario Minter, fullback Lawrence Vickers, nose tackle Babatunde Oshinowo, and safety Justin Hamilton. Minter ended up being the only rookie not playing a down that season due to injury. The way the Browns handled the draft was mostly praised, filling in their voids and finding future starters in late rounds.[7][8]

Trades[]

During the 2006 off-season, the Cleveland Browns made two significant trades. Their first would be trading veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer to the San Francisco 49ers for fourth-year quarterback Ken Dorsey.[9] The trade was an important step in solidifying second-year quarterback Charlie Frye as the Browns' starting quarterback heading into the 2006 regular season. The other important trade the Browns made would fill the void at center left by newly-acquired free agent LeCharles Bentley. The Browns traded a conditional 2008 draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for center Hank Fraley. The Browns subsequently signed Fraley to a one-year contract.

Center troubles during training camp[]

On July 27, the first day of the Cleveland Browns' training camp, free-agent center LeCharles Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first contact play of camp.[10] Bentley was quoted as saying, "No one touched me. It was a freak thing. I took two steps, felt the injury and that was it. It felt like someone had kicked me." Bentley also said that he's "[...] never been a patient person," and that "[...] [l]earning to adjust my body and my limitations is going to be a difficult challenge. When it's all said and done, it's going to make me better."[11] Bentley was expected to help protect second-year quarterback Charlie Frye.

After news of Bentley's injuring, back-up center Bob Hallen left training camp, leaving the team without a center. On July 30, the Browns signed veteran center Todd Washington. On August 7, Washington announced his retirement. On August 12, Hallen announced his retirement, citing two herniated discs and stenosis as the reason for his retirement.[12] The Browns faced even more problems when third-string center Alonzo Ephraim, who was signed following Bentley's injury, was suspended for substance abuse.[13] August 17 saw the Browns center woes disparaging slightly, as they acquired Ross Tucker from the Patriots.[14] On August 24, the Browns acquired center Lennie Friedman from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2007 draft choice.[15] On September 2, the Browns finally found what they had been looking for when they traded a conditional 2008 draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for center Hank Fraley.[16] Upon signing Fraley, Ross Tucker's contract was terminated.

Pre-season[]

The Cleveland Browns started off with a 20–7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.[17] Next, they managed to get their first preseason win at home 20–16 against the Detroit Lions.[18] They then won their first preseason away game 20–17 against the Buffalo Bills,[19] before losing their final preseason game at home against the Philadelphia Eagles 20–7.[20] The Cleveland Browns came out of their pre-season with a record of 2–2. Their performance during the pre-season showed promise for the team heading into the regular season.

Roster[]

Cleveland Browns 2006 final roster
Quarterbacks

Running Backs

  • 34 Reuben Droughns
  • 35 Jerome Harrison
  • 42 Terrelle Smith FB
  • 47 Lawrence Vickers FB
  • 29 Jason Wright

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

  • 87 Darnell Dinkins
  • 82 Steve Heiden
  • 80 Kellen Winslow II
 Offensive Linemen
  • 63 Joe Andruzzi G
  • 71 Kelly Butler T
  • 60 Cosey Coleman G
  • 70 Nat Dorsey T
  • 66 Hank Fraley C
  • 62 Lennie Friedman G/C
  • 77 Kevin Shaffer T
  • 50 Rob Smith T/G
  • 61 Isaac Sowells T
  • 65 Eric Steinbach G
  • 72 Ryan Tucker T

Defensive Linemen

  • 98 Nick Eason DT
  • 75 Simon Fraser DE/DT
  • 93 Orien Harris DT
  • 78 Ethan Kelley DT
  • 97 Alvin McKinley DE
  • 90 David McMillan DE
  • 96 Babatunde Oshinowo DT
  • 69 J'Vonne Parker DT
  • 99 Orpheus Roye DE/DT
  • 92 Ted Washington DT
  • 95 Kamerion Wimbley DE
 Linebackers
  • 54 Andra Davis ILB
  • 58 D'Qwell Jackson ILB
  • 55 Willie McGinest OLB/DE
  • 59 Clifton Smith
  • 56 Nick Speegle
  • 52 Matt Stewart LB
  • 51 Chaun Thompson LB
  • 53 Mason Unck
  • 94 Leon Williams

Defensive Backs

  • 28 Leigh Bodden CB
  • 20 Ralph Brown CB
  • 38 Therrian Fontenot CB
  • 37 Mike Hawkins CB
  • 39 Daven Holly CB
  • 26 Sean Jones SS
  • 30 Antonio Perkins CB
  • 31 Jereme Perry CB/S
  • 21 Brodney Pool FS
  • 27 Brian Russell FS

Special Teams

Reserve Lists


Rookies in italics

Regular season[]

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Stadium Record Box scores Attendance
1 September 10, 2006 New Orleans Saints 19–14 Cleveland Browns Stadium 0–1 GameCenter 72,915
2 September 17, 2006 Cincinnati Bengals 34–17 Paul Brown Stadium 0–2 GameCenter 66,072
3 September 24, 2006 Baltimore Ravens 15–14 Cleveland Browns Stadium 0–3 GameCenter 72,474
4 October 1, 2006 Oakland Raiders 24–21 McAfee Coliseum 1–3 GameCenter 61,426
5 October 8, 2006 Carolina Panthers 20–12 Bank of America Stadium 1–4 GameCenter 73,520
6 Bye
7 October 22, 2006 Denver Broncos 17–7 Cleveland Browns Stadium 1–5 GameCenter 73,024
8 October 29, 2006 New York Jets 20–13 Cleveland Browns Stadium 2–5 GameCenter 72,507
9 November 5, 2006 San Diego Chargers 32–25 Qualcomm Stadium 2–6 GameCenter 65,558
10 November 12, 2006 Atlanta Falcons 17–13 Georgia Dome 3–6 GameCenter 70,793
11 November 19, 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers 24–20 Cleveland Browns Stadium 3–7 GameCenter 73,296
12 November 26, 2006 Cincinnati Bengals 30–0 Cleveland Browns Stadium 3–8 GameCenter 72,926
13 December 3, 2006 Kansas City Chiefs 31–28 Cleveland Browns Stadium 4–8 GameCenter 71,927
14 December 7, 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers 27–7 Heinz Field 4–9 GameCenter 55,246
15 December 17, 2006 Baltimore Ravens 27–17 M&T Bank Stadium 4–10 GameCenter 70,857
16 December 24, 2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 22–7 Cleveland Browns Stadium 4–11 GameCenter 69,603
17 December 31, 2006 Houston Texans 14–6 Reliant Stadium 4–12 GameCenter 70,097

Game summaries[]

See 2006 Cleveland Browns season game summaries

Standings[]

Template:2006 AFC North standings

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Browns buy a Bentley, sign Jurevicius, Shaffer. Archived from the original on 2006-12-14. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  2. ↑ Browns stay close to home, sign Zastudil. Archived from the original on 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  3. ↑ Browns sign veteran run-stuffer Washington. Archived from the original on 2006-12-13. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  4. ↑ McGinest reunites with Crennel in Cleveland. Archived from the original on 2006-12-15. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  5. ↑ Ravens land Ngata. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  6. ↑ The Browns Grab a Receiver. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  7. ↑ Team Grades for 2006 NFL Draft. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  8. ↑ Cleveland Browns '06 Draft Review. Archived from the original on 2006-11-22. Retrieved on 2007-01-20.
  9. ↑ Browns trade Dilfer to Niners for Dorsey, draft pick. Retrieved on 2007-02-25.
  10. ↑ Browns center Bentley out for season with torn tendon. Archived from the original on 23 August 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  11. ↑ Browns Bentley vows to come back better than ever. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  12. ↑ Browns C Hallen retires. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  13. ↑ Browns center Ephraim suspended four games. Archived from the original on 21 August 2006. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  14. ↑ Finding a center no snap for Browns. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  15. ↑ Browns acquire center from Bears. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  16. ↑ Browns waive Suggs, acquire center from Philadelphia. Retrieved on 2006-09-20.
  17. ↑ Cleveland @ Philadelphia GameCenter. Archived from the original on 2007-02-23. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
  18. ↑ Detroit @ Cleveland GameCenter. Archived from the original on 2007-02-18. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
  19. ↑ Cleveland @ Buffalo GameCenter. Archived from the original on 2007-01-02. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
  20. ↑ Chicago @ Cleveland GameCenter. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved on 2007-03-18.
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