| 2015 Cleveland Browns season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Jimmy Haslam |
| Head Coach | Mike Pettine |
| General Manager | Ray Farmer |
| Home Field | FirstEnergy Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 3–13 |
| Place | 4th in AFC North |
| Playoff Finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | Alex Mack, C Joe Thomas, OT Gary Barnidge, TE |
| Uniform | |
 | |
| Timeline | |
| Previous Season | Next Season |
| 2014 | 2016 |
The 2015 Cleveland Browns season was the franchise's 67th season as a professional sports franchise and its 63rd as a member of the National Football League. The team failed to improve upon their 7–9 record from the previous season. It was the second and final season under the head coach/general manager tandem of Mike Pettine and Ray Farmer as both were fired January 3, 2016 following a 3–13 season, tied for the worst record in the league with the Tennessee Titans. The team finished in 4th place in the AFC North for a fifth consecutive season.[1] The Browns introduced new uniforms prior to the start of the season, along with updating its orange color to a darker hue.
Offseason[]
Personnel changes[]
On January 8, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left the Browns due to disagreements about the quarterback Johnny Manziel's readiness to start. Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains was fired the same day. Notably, Loggains was instrumental in the team's drafting of Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft. On January 15, wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel left the Browns by mutual agreement.
On January 21, John DeFilippo was hired as the Browns’ new offensive coordinator. DeFilippo, who has been the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach for the past three seasons, replaces Kyle Shanahan, who resigned earlier in the month. After his first stint as the Raiders’ quarterbacks coach (2007–08), DeFilippo worked with HC Mike Pettine for one successful season with the New York Jets. Under DeFilippo’s guidance, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez showed enough poise to lead New York to the AFC Championship. Pettine was the Jets’ defensive coordinator that season.
On January 27, Joker Phillips was hired as wide receivers coach.
On January 31, Kevin O'Connell accepted the position of quarterbacks coach.
Roster changes[]
Free agents[]
| Pos | Player | Tag | 2015 Team | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Miles Austin | UFA | Philadelphia Eagles | March 31 |
| SS | Johnson Bademosi | RFA | Cleveland Browns | April 23[2] |
| TE | Jordan Cameron | UFA | Miami Dolphins | March 12 |
| RB | Shaun Draughn | UFA | Cleveland Browns | March 6[3] |
| QB | Brian Hoyer | UFA | Houston Texans | March 11[4] |
| NT | Sione Fua | UFA | TBA | |
| FS | Tashaun Gipson | RFA | Cleveland Browns | [5] |
| NT | Ishmaa'ily Kitchen | RFA | TBA | |
| P | Spencer Lanning | ERFA | Tampy Bay Buccaneers | March 6[6] |
| SS | Jim Leonhard | UFA | Retired | |
| WR | Marlon Moore | UFA | Cleveland Browns | March 11[7] |
| ILB | Craig Robertson | ERFA | Cleveland Browns | April 23[8] |
| NT | Ahtyba Rubin | UFA | Seattle Seahawks | March 19[9] |
| OT | Ryan Seymour | ERFA | Cleveland Browns | March 9[10] |
| OLB | Jabaal Sheard | UFA | New England Patriots | March 11[11] |
| CB | Buster Skrine | UFA | New York Jets | March 10[12] |
| OLB | Scott Solomon | UFA | Cleveland Browns | Unknown |
| QB | Tyler Thigpen | UFA | TBA | |
| Players shaded in green re-signed with the Browns |
| UFA: Unrestricted free agent RFA: Restricted free agent |
Releases[]
| Pos | Player | Released | 2015 Team | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OL | Paul McQuistan | February 13 |
Signings[]
| Pos | Player | 2014 Team | Signed |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Brian Hartline | Miami Dolphins | March 10[13] |
| WR | Dwayne Bowe | Kansas City Chiefs | March 20[14] |
| TE | Rob Housler | Arizona Cardinals | April 9[15] |
| QB | Thad Lewis | Houston Texans | March 12[16] |
| QB | Josh McCown | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | March 2[17] |
| CB | Micah Pellerin | Dallas Cowboys | January 20[18] |
| CB | Varmah Sonie | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | February 18[19] |
| DE | Randy Starks | Miami Dolphins | March 16[20] |
| CB | Tramon Williams | Green Bay Packers | March 16[21] |
2015 draft class[]
- Main article: 2015 NFL draft
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | Danny Shelton | Defensive tackle | Washington |
| 19 | Cameron Erving | Guard | Florida State | |
| 2 | 51 | Nate Orchard | Defensive end | Utah |
| 3 | 77 | Duke Johnson | Running back | Miami (FL) |
| 96 | Xavier Cooper | Defensive Tackle | Washington State | |
| 4 | 115 | Ibraheim Campbell | Safety | Northwestern |
| 123 | Vince Mayle | Wide receiver | Washington State | |
| 6 | 189 | Charles Gaines | Cornerback | Louisville |
| 195 | Malcolm Johnson | Fullback | Mississippi State | |
| 198 | Randall Telfer | Tight end | USC | |
| 7 | 219 | Hayes Pullard | Inside linebacker | USC |
| 241 | Ifo Ekpre-Olomu | Cornerback | Oregon |
Notes
- The Browns acquired additional selections in the first (No. 19) and fourth (No. 111) rounds as part of a trade that sent the team's 2014 first-round selection to the Buffalo Bills.
- The Browns acquired an additional sixth-round (No. 202) selection in a trade that sent the team's 2014 seventh-round selection to the Baltimore Ravens.
- The Browns have traded picks in Round 2 (No. 51 for No. 43) with the Houston Texans for additional picks and upgrades in the later rounds in this years' draft (see above for updated selections). They also made swaps for higher picks with the Arizona Cardinals in rounds 4-7.
Gordon suspension[]
On January 25, it was announced that wide receiver Josh Gordon was facing a year-long suspension following a fifth failed drug test, this time for alcohol. This follows a 10-game suspension in 2014 for testing positive for marijuana. On February 3, the league imposed the suspension without pay for at least one year, possibly indefinitely. His earliest return would be training camp for the 2016 season.[22]
Manziel enters rehab[]
On February 3, 2015, quarterback Johnny Manziel voluntarily entered a rehab facility for dependence on alcohol. He exited the facility on April 12, shortly prior to the beginning of offseason workouts.[23]
GM Farmer suspension[]
In an incident widely dubbed as Textgate, it was announced on February 4 that the Browns faced sanctions amid allegations of text messages being sent from general manager Ray Farmer to coaches and coordinators during games during the 2014 season, a violation of NFL rules. On March 30, 2015 it was announced Ray Farmer was suspended for the first four games of the season without pay and the Browns were fined $250,000 for the incident. No loss of current or future draft picks were imposed.[24]
Logo and uniform changes[]
The Browns introduced new logos on February 24. The helmet remains the primary logo, changing the team's orange color to a darker hue, and changing the facemask from gray to brown. The team also premiered a secondary logo, which is a simplistic helmet, and a new logo for the Dawg Pound.
On April 14, the Browns premiered nine new uniforms. There are three jersey colors and three pants colors: orange, brown, and white, allowing for nine possible uniform combinations. The uniforms have "Cleveland" above the numbers on the front, "Browns" down the leg, and "Dawg Pound" inside the collar. The uniforms are the first in the NFL to utilize contrast stitching and chainmail/raised numbers. The team name down the leg are also NFL firsts.
Preseason[]
Schedule[]
This was the first preseason in 13 years in which the Great Lakes Classic was not played against the rival Detroit Lions.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 13 | Washington | L 17–20 | 0–1 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 20 | Buffalo | L 10–11 | 0–2 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 29 | at Tampa Bay | W 31–7 | 1–2 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 3 | at Chicago | L 0–24 | 1–3 | Soldier Field | Recap |
Moeller suspended[]
On September 7, the Browns suspended offensive line coach Andy Moeller indefinitely in response to an alleged assault Moeller is being investigated for.[25] He and the Browns mutually parted ways before the team's game on September 27.[26]
Regular season[]
Schedule[]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 13 | at NY Jets | L 10–31 | 0–1 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | ||
| 2 | September 20 | Tennessee | W 28–14 | 1–1 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | September 27 | Oakland | L 20–27 | 1–2 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 4 | October 4 | at San Diego | L 27–30 | 1–3 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap | ||
| 5 | October 11 | at Baltimore | W 33–30 (OT) | 2–3 | M&T Bank Stadium | Recap | ||
| 6 | October 18 | Denver | L 23–26 (OT) | 2–4 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 7 | October 25 | at St. Louis | L 6–24 | 2–5 | Edward Jones Dome | Recap | ||
| 8 | November 1 | Arizona | L 20–34 | 2–6 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 9 | November 5 | at Cincinnati | L 10–31 | 2–7 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap | ||
| 10 | November 15 | at Pittsburgh | L 9–30 | 2–8 | Heinz Field | Recap | ||
| 11 | Bye | |||||||
| 12 | November 30 | Baltimore | L 27–33 | 2–9 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 13 | December 6 | Cincinnati | L 3–37 | 2–10 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 14 | December 13 | San Francisco | W 24–10 | 3–10 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
| 15 | December 20 | at Seattle | L 13–30 | 3–11 | CenturyLink Field | Recap | ||
| 16 | December 27 | at Kansas City | L 13–17 | 3–12 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap | ||
| 17 | January 3 | Pittsburgh | L 12–28 | 3–13 | FirstEnergy Stadium | Recap | ||
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
2016 Pro Bowl[]
Despite the team's awful performance on the field, T Joe Thomas and C Alex Mack were invited to the 2016 Pro Bowl. This marks Thomas' 9th consecutive Pro Bowl selection and ties him with Hall of Famers Lou Groza and Jim Brown for the most pro bowl selections in Browns history. This marks Mack's 3rd appearance in the game.
Special teamer Johnson Bademosi, TE Gary Barnidge, and WR Travis Benjamin were named as alternates at their respective positions.
Standings[]
Division[]
Template:2015 AFC North standings
Conference[]
Template:2015 AFC standings
Staff[]
| 2015 Cleveland Browns Staff | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
| ||||||||
Final roster[]
| 2015 Cleveland Browns roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
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Offensive Linemen
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Defensive Backs
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Reserve Lists
Practice Squad
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References[]
- ↑ http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-part-ways-with-General-Manager-Ray-Farmer-Head-Coach-Mike-Pettine/d6a5e434-efcc-49ba-a46e-2d1c6ac2c655
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 23, 2015). Browns LB Craig Robertson, DB Johnson Bademosi sign tender agreements. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on April 23, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 6, 2015). Browns re-sign RB Shaun Draughn. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 10, 2015.
- ↑ Brian Hoyer chooses Texans. ESPN (March 10, 2015). Retrieved on March 10, 2015.
- ↑ http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/roster/Tashaun-Gipson/65f2572a-abdd-45e8-9cb8-389883a36a6c
- ↑ Jones, Kevin (March 6, 2015). Browns re-sign punter Spencer Lanning. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 10, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 11, 2015). Browns re-sign WR Marlon Moore. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 11, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 23, 2015). Browns LB Craig Robertson, DB Johnson Bademosi sign tender agreements. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on April 23, 2015.
- ↑ Farnsworth, Clare (March 20, 2015). Nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin signs with Seahawks. Seattle Seahawks. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Jones, Kevin (March 9, 2015). Browns re-sign offensive lineman Ryan Seymour. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 10, 2015.
- ↑ Patra, Kevin (March 11, 2015). Patriots sign Jabaal Sheard to two-year, $11M deal. ESPN. Retrieved on March 12, 2015.
- ↑ Cimini, Rich (March 10, 2015). Buster Skrine to sign with Jets. ESPN. Retrieved on March 10, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 10, 2015). Browns sign WR Brian Hartline. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 20, 2015). Browns sign WR Dwayne Bowe. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 9, 2015). Browns sign TE Rob Housler. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on April 9, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 12, 2015). Browns sign QB Thaddeus Lewis. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (February 27, 2015). Browns agree to terms with QB Josh McCown. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Chris Pokorny (January 20, 2015). Browns sign Micah Pellerin. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2014.
- ↑ Browns sign Varmah Sonie. Cleveland Browns (February 18, 2015). Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 16, 2015). Browns sign DL Randy Starks. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Gribble, Andrew (March 16, 2015). Browns sign DB Tramon Williams. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved on March 21, 2015.
- ↑ Report: Josh Gordon fails drug test, faces another ban. Fox Sports (January 25, 2015). Retrieved on January 25, 2015.
- ↑ Johnny Manziel enters treatment. ESPN (February 3, 2015). Retrieved on February 3, 2015.
- ↑ Browns GM suspended four games. ESPN (March 30, 2015). Retrieved on March 30, 2015.
- ↑ "Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Andy Moeller suspended indefinitely", The Plain Dealer, September 7, 2015. Retrieved on September 24, 2015. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015.
- ↑ "Browns part ways with O-line coach Andy Moeller", nfl.com, September 29, 2015. Retrieved on September 30, 2015.
External links[]
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