2000 Cleveland Browns season

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2000 Cleveland Browns season
OwnerAl Lerner
General managerDwight Clark
Head coachChris Palmer
Offensive coordinatorPete Carmichael
Defensive coordinatorRomeo Crennel
Home stadiumCleveland Browns Stadium
Results
Record3–13
Division place6th AFC Central
PlayoffsDid not qualify
Pro BowlersNone

The 2000 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 48th season with the National Football League and 52nd overall. It was the second season of the "New Browns", which returned to the NFL in 1999.

Kicker Phil Dawson was the Browns’ leading scorer with 59 points.[1] The Browns total offense ranked 31st (last) in the league, while their total defense ranked 26th in the league.[2] The 2000 Browns’ 161 points scored (10.06 per game) is the third-fewest ever by a team in a 16-game schedule, tied with the 1998 Eagles and behind the 1992 Seahawks and 1991 Colts.[3] Additionally, their four games without scoring is the most in the NFL since the 1977 Buccaneers failed to score six times;[4] by contrast the 2016 and 2017 Browns went a combined 1–31 but never failed to score a point in any game. The 1999 Browns scored 217 points, or 3.50 more per game than in 2000.

Offseason

AdditionsSubtractions
QB Doug Pederson (Eagles)RB Terry Kirby (Raiders)
DT Orpheus Roye (Steelers)DE John Thierry (Packers)
RB Errict Rhett (Ravens)T Scott Rehberg (Bengals)
DE Keith McKenzie (Packers)G Orlando Bobo (Ravens)
G Everett Lindsay (Ravens)CB Ryan McNeil (Cowboys)
T Roman Oben (Giants)S Marquez Pope (Raiders)
S Percy Ellsworth (Giants)T Lomas Brown (Giants)
LB Marty Moore (Patriots)

2000 NFL draft

2000 Cleveland Browns draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 1 Courtney Brown  Defensive end Penn State
2 32 Dennis Northcutt  Wide receiver Arizona
3 63 Travis Prentice  Running back Miami (OH)
3 79 JaJuan Dawson  Wide receiver Tulane
4 95 Lewis Sanders  Cornerback Maryland
4 110 Aaron Shea  Tight end/Fullback Michigan
5 130 Anthony Malbrough  Cornerback Texas Tech
5 146 Lamar Chapman  Cornerback Kansas State
6 183 Spergon Wynn  Quarterback Southwest Texas State
6 206 Brad Bedell  Guard Colorado
7 207 Manuia Savea  Tackle Arizona
7 209 Eric Chandler  Defensive end Jackson State
7 225 Rashidi Barnes  Safety Colorado
      Made roster  

Undrafted free agents

2000 undrafted free agents of note
Player Position College
Kyle Allamon Tight end Texas Tech
Jeff Dyra Tackle Northwestern
Dwaune Jones Wide receiver Richmond
Jeff Kerr Linebacker East Carolina
Noel LaMontagne Guard Virginia
Shaun O'Hara Center Rutgers
Nate Terry Defensive back West Virginia
Kevin Thompson Quarterback Penn State

Personnel

Staff

2000 Cleveland Browns staff

Front office

  • Owner and chairman – Alfred Lerner
  • President and chief executive officer – Carmen Policy
  • Executive vice president/director of football operations – Dwight Clark
  • Executive director of player personnel – Joe Collins
  • Director of college personnel – Phil Neri
  • Director of pro personnel – Keith Kidd

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Tim Jorgensen
  • Assistant strength/pass rush consultant – Joe Kim

Final roster

2000 Cleveland Browns roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

 Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 15 reserve, 5 practice squad

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue
1 July 30 Philadelphia Eagles W 33–22 1–0 Cleveland Browns Stadium
2 August 12 at Chicago Bears L 6–19 1–1 Soldier Field
3 August 19 Washington Redskins L 0–24 1–2 Cleveland Browns Stadium
4 August 26 at Green Bay Packers L 33–34 1–3 Lambeau Field

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 3 Jacksonville Jaguars L 7–27 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,418 Recap
2 September 10 at Cincinnati Bengals W 24–7 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium 64,006 Recap
3 September 17 Pittsburgh Steelers W 23–20 2–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium 73,018 Recap
4 September 24 at Oakland Raiders L 10–36 2–2 Network Associates Coliseum 45,702 Recap
5 October 1 Baltimore Ravens L 0–12 2–3 Cleveland Browns Stadium 73,018 Recap
6 October 8 at Arizona Cardinals L 21–29 2–4 Sun Devil Stadium 39,148 Recap
7 October 15 at Denver Broncos L 10–44 2–5 Mile High Stadium 75,811 Recap
8 October 22 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 0–22 2–6 Three Rivers Stadium 57,659 Recap
9 October 29 Cincinnati Bengals L 3–12 2–7 Cleveland Browns Stadium 73,118 Recap
10 November 5 New York Giants L 3–24 2–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,718 Recap
11 November 12 New England Patriots W 19–11 3–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,618 Recap
12 November 19 at Tennessee Titans L 10–24 3–9 Adelphia Coliseum 68,498 Recap
13 November 26 at Baltimore Ravens L 7–44 3–10 PSINet Stadium 68,361 Recap
14 December 3 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 0–48 3–11 Alltel Stadium 51,262 Recap
15 December 10 Philadelphia Eagles L 24–35 3–12 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,318 Recap
16 December 17 Tennessee Titans L 0–24 3–13 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,318 Recap
17 Bye

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

AFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(1) Tennessee Titans 1330.813346191W4
(4) Baltimore Ravens 1240.750333165W7
Pittsburgh Steelers 970.563321255W2
Jacksonville Jaguars 790.438367327L2
Cincinnati Bengals 4120.250185359L1
Cleveland Browns 3130.188161419L5

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 10 10727
Browns 0 7 007

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • JAX – Jimmy Smith 2-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 11:44. Jaguars 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 97 yards, 7:53.
  • CLE – JaJuan Dawson 13-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 3:27. Tied 7–7. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:08.
  • JAX – Mike Hollis 50-yard field goal, 0:30. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 40 yards, 2:57.

Third quarter

  • JAX – Stacey Mack 3-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 7:39. Jaguars 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 4:10.
  • JAX – Mike Hollis 25-yard field goal, 1:20. Jaguars 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:33.

Fourth quarter

  • JAX – Chris Howard 9-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 4:28. Jaguars 27–7. Drive: 17 plays, 68 yards, 10:18.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 2: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 7 3724
Bengals 0 7 007

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: September 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,006
  • Referee: Phil Luckett
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • CLE – Phil Dawson 30-yard field goal, 6:29. Browns 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 6:54.

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – Marc Edwards 5-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 11:47. Browns 24–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:21.
Top passers
  • CLE – Tim Couch – 19/31, 259 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • CIN – Akili Smith – 15/43, 250 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers

With their first win over the Bengals since 1995, the Browns improved to 1-1 while also securing their first victory since Week 10 of 1999, snapping a 7 game losing streak.

Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 3: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 10 10020
Browns 14 0 3623

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Game information

First quarter

  • CLE – Aaron Shea 2-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 10:34. Browns 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 4:26.
  • CLE – Marc Edwards 21-yard pass from Tim Couch (Phil Dawson kick), 3:35. Browns 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 4:00.

Second quarter

  • PIT – Richard Huntley 4-yard run (Kris Brown kick), 13:34. Browns 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:01.
  • PIT – Kris Brown 41-yard field goal, 1:44. Browns 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 14 yards, 3:00.

Third quarter

  • PIT – Kris Brown 31-yard field goal, 12:39. Browns 14–13. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 2:21.
  • CLE – Phil Dawson 23-yard field goal, 10:12. Browns 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:27.
  • PIT – Jerome Bettis 10-yard run (Kris Brown kick), 5:47. Steelers 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:25.

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – Phil Dawson 28-yard field goal, 10:49. Tied 20–20. Drive: 11 plays, 87 yards, 5:06.
  • CLE – Phil Dawson 19-yard field goal, 2:45. Browns 23–20. Drive: 8 plays, 95 yards, 4:12.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

With their first win at home against Pittsburgh since 1993, the Browns improved to 2-1. Their first time above .500 since 1995.

Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals

Week 6: Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 7 0721
Cardinals 0 16 10329

at Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Arizona

  • Date: October 8
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 87 °F (30.6 °C), relative humidity 25%, wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
  • Game attendance: 44,296
  • Referee: Tom White
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CLE – Travis Prentice 1-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 14:26. Browns 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 2:14.
  • ARI – Thomas Jones 10-yard run (Cary Blanchard kick), 12:00. Browns 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 2:26.
  • ARI – Frank Sanders 53-yard pass from Jake Plummer (kick failed), 9:08. Browns 14–13. Drive: 2 plays, 57 yards, 0:51.
  • ARI – Cary Blanchard 36-yard field goal, 1:13. Cardinals 16–14. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 6:18.

Third quarter

  • ARI – Cary Blanchard 47-yard field goal, 8:55. Cardinals 19–14. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:27.
  • ARI – Frank Sanders 5-yard pass from Jake Plummer (Cary Blanchard kick), 1:55. Cardinals 26–14. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:59.

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – Travis Prentice 6-yard run (Phil Dawson kick), 12:43. Cardinals 26–21. Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:29.
  • ARI – Cary Blanchard 28-yard field goal, 3:00. Cardinals 29–21. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 5:59.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 14: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 14: Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 0 000
Jaguars 3 17 21748

at Alltel Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: December 3
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Clear, 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,262
  • Referee: Ron Blum
  • TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • JAX – Mike Hollis 40-yard field goal, 10:44. Jaguars 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 32 yards, 4:16.

Second quarter

  • JAX – Fred Taylor 3-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 14:56. Jaguars 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 1:58.
  • JAX – Mike Hollis 24-yard field goal, 3:09. Jaguars 13–0. Drive: 11 plays, 52 yards, 4:59.
  • JAX – Keenan McCardell 14-yard pass from Mark Brunell (Mike Hollis kick), 0:28. Jaguars 20–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 1:55.

Third quarter

  • JAX – Fred Taylor 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 7:45. Jaguars 27–0. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 2:39.
  • JAX – Mark Brunell 8-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 7:20. Jaguars 34–0. Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:06.
  • JAX – Fred Taylor 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 1:33. Jaguars 41–0. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 3:31.

Fourth quarter

  • JAX – Shyrone Stith 3-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 5:27. Jaguars 48–0. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 4:50.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Best performances

  • Tim Couch, Week 3, 316 Passing Yards vs. Pittsburgh Steelers[5]
  • Doug Pederson, Week 15, 309 Passing Yards vs. Philadelphia Eagles[6]

Awards and records

  • Led NFL, yards punted, 4,919 yards[7]

References

  1. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1, p. 216
  2. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1, p. 215
  3. Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1978 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points For.
  4. Pro Football Reference; In a single season, from 1940 to 2018, in the Regular Season, requiring Points For = 0, sorted by most games in season matching criteria
  5. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1, p. 206
  6. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1, p. 207
  7. NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-7611-2480-1, p. 202