Cleveland Browns: 15 Favorite players of the Dawg Pound Era
By Backwoods
The Top 2
Truthfully, I struggled with the top spot on this list. When two players stand worthy, what better option than to call it a tie. Both players in my top spot signify what being a Cleveland Brown should be. They were true technicians at their respective positions and two of the biggest Browns fans of all time. Their poise, charisma, heart, intelligence and loyalty are simply unmatched.
The two undeniable legends of my lifetime and my two favorite Browns: Joe Thomas and Bernie Kosar
Bernie Kosar
Bernie, Bernie!! Oh how long the song still lingers. Kosar was one of the greatest masterminds under center the league has ever known. From drawing up plays in the green-painted-dirt field at Municipal Stadium to taking astonishing beatings to throwing side-armed passes, there was not much that Bernie couldn’t handle with ease. While his scrambling certainly lacked finesse, his deep throws were as graceful as you would ever see.
Although both have since been broken by Tom Brady, Kosar was the long time record holder for passing yardage in a playoff game with 489 (1987-2018) and consecutive passes without an interception with 308 (1991-2011).
Joe Thomas
An offensive lineman quickly grows accustomed to a lack of notoriety, unless of course it’s of the negative variety. That is not the case here. Joe Thomas became a fan favorite with his draft-day fishing excursion and will remain a piece of the heart of Browns fans for generations to come.
There has never been a player to show more loyalty, more grit, and more heart than the greatest left tackle to ever play the game. With 10-straight Pro Bowls and over 10,000-straight snaps Thomas is the ultimate Iron Man. He too made the Browns All-Time Mount Rushmore (to learn the fourth you will have to give it a read).
Next: NFL 2018: Ranking all 32 WR corps
Perhaps Thomas will someday return to the Browns in an official capacity, but until then, I hope the fishing is good!
Only three names have made my list of favorites since the team’s return nearly 20 years ago. Both Baker Mayfield and Myles Garrett may soon prove worthy of a spot on a list in the future, as could several others on the current roster, but all things in time.