May 16, 2012

The Best Browns Since 1999 – Wide Receivers

February 15, 2012 By 9 Comments

Kevin Johnson won this one, but it was close with Braylon Edwards.  We all know that Edwards is a polarizing figure among Browns fans.  He never lived up to the spot he was drafted by most accounts.  His drops have become a favorite punchline.  Still, there’s no doubting Edwards ability and some of the numbers he put up in Cleveland.  Also, I’ve always stated how impressive it was for him to come back from his rookie year ACL injury as fast as he did.  The numbers don’t lie though.

Kevin Johnson scored 1254 first place votes to Braylon Edwards’ 1086.  Braylon Edwards had 729 second place votes to KJ’s 700.  In addition, out of nearly 3500 respondents to the offense poll, 993 Browns fans left Braylon off completely, which in my mind seemed pretty spiteful and ridiculous.

Then I calculated the same for Kevin Johnson and 977 Browns fans passed over KJ.  1263 passed on Jurevicius.  1760 skipped Dennis Northcutt.  3304 skipped MoMass.  2505 skipped Greg Little.  2508 Skipped Josh Cribbs.  Point being that even if Braylon’s unpopularity played a role in the results it was only a little bit.

When you add them all up, this is how they finished.  Obviously Greg Little has a real chance to make a jump on this list in the future.  Consider that Kevin Johnson had 66 receptions for 986 yards and 8 touchdowns in his rookie year before falling off in his sophomore campaign with 57 receptions for 669 yards and 0 TDs.  Greg Little had a rookie season where he only started 12 games.  He caught 61 receptions for 709 yards and 2 TDs.

That being said, this team must aspire to do better in the future acquiring wide receiver talent when Kevin Johnson is the best.  That’s not to say I don’t like KJ because I remember him fondly.  Let’s just say he isn’t headed for the hall of fame though.

Offensive Line - Left Tackle | Left Guard | Center | Right Guard | Right Tackle

Pass Catchers - Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

Runners - Running Backs | Fullbacks

Special Teams

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  • Impostor10

    When I first clicked the link for this article it came up 404 page not found.  That’s probably the correct answer to the question who is the best Browns WR since 1999 – he’s not yet been found.

  • Robbie

    I liked Kevin Johnson’s hands, but his 6 yard routes on 3rd and 7 kinda drove me crazy. Brayon’s hands… yeah, I think Joe Jurivicius has probably been my favorite WR so far during that one season.

  • @37crookshankave

    I loved the player Kevin Johnson was and thought he was a really good receiver didnt have the talent of Edwards but probably got way more out of his talent than edwards did, this doesnt really surprise me the voting went this way except to see antonio bryant so high I mean he was good in Dallas but from what I remember of his time here he was awful. cant wait for special teams and defense

  • @37crookshankave

    I loved the player Kevin Johnson was and thought he was a really good receiver didnt have the talent of Edwards but probably got way more out of his talent than edwards did, this doesnt really surprise me the voting went this way except to see antonio bryant so high I mean he was good in Dallas but from what I remember of his time here he was awful. cant wait for special teams and defense

  • Max

    The lack of a bias on your part, and the acknowledgement that there might be some spiteful behavior going on out there is very much appreciated Craig. 

  • mgbode

    “993 Browns fans left Braylon off completely”"977 Browns fans passed over KJ.”

    I think it’s more ridiculous that KJ was passed up than Braylon.  Braylon gave us 1 incredible, amazing, ridiculous year.  That year was great.  But, it was 1 year.  Outside of that, his numbers roughly compare to Greg Little’s rookie year, drops and all (in a putrid offense no less).    And that is if we ignore the even less than he did after he left us (it wasn’t just the Browns fault).  All that while giving us constant headaches off the field.

    Kevin Johnson was our ONLY offensive skill player in our first few years worth watching.  It was a sad time, but KJ still ilicits positive memories for his ability to hang onto virtually any ball despite getting absolutely creamed on many of them.  

  • mgbode

    the Browns since the return haven’t had a 4000yd passer
    the Browns since the return haven’t had a WR go for 1000yds twice
    the Browns since the return haven’t had a RB go for 1000yds twice

    man, that is just pathetic.   why are we rehashing again?

  • mgbode

    watch NO and GB play.  their WRs also catch alot of passes a yard or two short of the yard marker.  the difference is that they manage to juke or force their way across that line (sadly, KJ wasn’t good at that).

  • Govolsgo83

    Bryant had a solid 2005 year- 69 catches and over 1,000 yards in the Browns’ 4th-best season record wise in 14 years. He was a headache off the field though, and that’s why he bounced around the league.