NFL: The 5 Worst Offseason Moves in Cleveland Browns History

Even the Cleveland Browns, one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, have had their share of offseason blunders.  Signings, trades, and releases that were a lot more hurtful than helpful.

Draft picks will not be included in this list because there is enough of those to fill their own slideshow (and then some).

So, here it is.  The five worst offseason moves in franchise history.

5. Trade for Corey Williams

Corey Williams was coming off of a solid 2007 season with the Packers, wracking up 35 tackles and 7 sacks, when former Browns GM Phil Savage traded a second round pick for him.

Savage signed him to a huge six-year, $38 million deal with $16.3 million guaranteed. Williams was moved to defensive end in Cleveland's 3-4 scheme where he totaled 4.5 sacks in his two years on the Browns.  

Williams had put up good numbers as a 4-3 interior rusher and it was foolish of Savage to think he could replicate those stats in a new system as an end.  Williams was a bust not because he lacked skill, but because he was out of position.  

While his failure might have been a product of the front office, he was still a failure.  In 2010 Williams was traded to the Lions for a fifth round pick, his value decreasing by three rounds in just two years.

4. Signing Andre Rison

Andre "Bad Moon" Rison was an elite receiver with the Falcons in the five years preceding his signing with the Browns, averaging 82 receptions, 1,126 yards and 12 touchdowns a season.  He was signed before the 1995 season to a five-year, $17 million contract; making him the highest paid wide receiver in NFL history at the time.

The expectations for Rison were pretty high, and owner Art Modell hoped that he would be the spark-plug that the Browns' offense needed.

However, Rison disappointed greatly in his only season as a Brown, catching 47 passes for only 701 yards and snagging a measly 3 touchdowns.  

The Browns relocated after the 1995 season, and Rison did not go with them.  The biggest receiver contract of all time, for a season in which Rison ranked 45th in the NFL in receiving yards. 

3. Releasing Bernie Kosar

I know that this move did not happen in the offseason, but titles be damned, this was one of the worst personnel decision in Browns history!  Bernie ranks third in franchise history in passing yards and fourth in touchdowns, but it is not his stats that made him a superstar in Cleveland.

Kosar was the epitome of a Browns' quarterback; he was gutsy, charismatic, efficient, and even though he wasn't the prettiest passer in the NFL, he got the job done and left it all on the field.

Though his 53-51-1 record with the Browns may not be amazing, Kosar was a winner; taking his team to the AFC Championship Game three times. He also set numerous NFL records including throwing 308 consecutive passes without an interception (this has since been broken) and passing for the most yards in a playoff game with 489.  

Kosar and coach Bill Belichick did not get along, and in 1993 Belichick released the hometown hero midseason. Though he won a Super Bowl as a backup in Dallas, he will forever be remembered in Cleveland as a fan favorite and one of the best to ever don the orange and brown.

2. Letting Jim Brown Retire

Jim Brown was possibly the greatest player in NFL history.  His career stats are simply ridiculous, rushing for 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns in only 93 games, with a career average of 5.2 yards.  He also gained 2,499 receiving yards and caught 20 touchdown passes.  

Brown was one of the most exciting rushers in the history of the game, with the power of a bulldozer, the speed of any Olympic sprinter, and a determination that will never be matched.

In the summer of 1966 Brown was filming "The Dirty Dozen" in England. After many delays, the movie's filming and the starting date of training camp became over-lapped.  Owner Art Modell refused to tolerate Brown's lateness to camp, but Brown wished to finish the movie.  Modell threatened to suspend him without pay should he be late, and Brown responded by retiring.  

While I am all for treating players equally, you cannot let Jim Brown retire because of his lateness.  He deserved some leeway, seeing as how he was the best player in league history.  Modell was wrong by being so strict, and though Leroy Kelly did a great job as Cleveland's new starter, no one will ever replace Jim Brown.

1. Moving the Franchise to Baltimore

The Browns are Cleveland.  From the days of Otto Graham dominating the AAFC to Brian Sipe leading the Kardiac Kids, the city was behind them the entire way.  Through all the highs, the lows, and everything in between, there was never any shortage of love for the Browns in Cleveland.

In 1995, Art Modell announced that he would be moving the Browns to Baltimore.  Modell cited the poor conditions of Cleveland Municipal Stadium as a reason for the move.  He felt that he would have a better chance of getting a new stadium if the team was located in Baltimore, thus making him more money.

Modell had some business logic behind the move, but the Browns were more than a business and sometimes the savvy business decision is not always the right one.

There seems to be hope for the new expansion Browns for the first time in a while, and the wounds caused by the relocation are finally starting to heal, but no one will ever forget the worst move in franchise history.