Aug. 10, 1999
CANTON, Ohio (AP) – Their prized rookie quarterback played like a seasonedveteran. So did the first-year cornerback. The defense was as tough asadvertised and their special teams were terrific.
Born again after three years, the Cleveland Browns aren’t a typicalexpansion team. And in their debut Monday night on national TV, they didn’tplay like one.
Capping a night of pageantry and passion, the new Browns made a victoriousreturn to the NFL with a 20-17 overtime victory against the Dallas Cowboys inthe Hall of Fame game.
For the Browns and their fans, there couldn’t be a sweeter ending to theirthree-year comeback.
“I think what was impressive is how we won it,” said linebacker ChrisSpielman, who played his first game in two years. “We competed. I’ll tell youwhat, we’re going to be a competitive football team.”
Before the Browns start getting ahead of themselves, their performancewasn’t flawless. But for an expansion franchise given just 11 months to getready for its first game – Jacksonville and Carolina had two years – the Brownsare off to a flying start.
Phil Dawson kicked a 20-yard field goal with 8:06 remaining in overtime forthe Browns, who had a chance to win in regulation. But Danny Kight missed a47-yarder as time expired.
The winning drive was set up by rookie cornerback Daylon McCutcheon’s secondinterception.
“This is a great start for me,” said McCutcheon, whose father, Lawrence, aformer NFL running back, was in the stands. “But that’s all it was. Now, Ihave to build on this. We all have to build on this.”
Browns rookie quarterback Tim Couch dazzled in his pro debut. Couch, the No.1 overall pick in April’s college draft, showed great poise in his firstappearance in an NFL uniform.
He completed 11 of 17 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown, and ran twicefor 14 yards.
After replacing starter Ty Detmer early in the second quarter, Couchoverthrew his first attempt before completing 10 straight. He and rookie KevinJohnson hooked up for 24-yard scoring play in the second quarter, giving theBrowns a 14-7 lead.
“It was good to get that first touchdown pass out of the way,” Couch said.”Especially to get it to Kevin. Hopefully, that will be the first of many forus.”
Cleveland president Carmen Policy grinned from ear to ear talking aboutCouch, signed by the Browns to a seven-year, $59 million deal before draft day.
“You saw a little bit of why we wanted him,” Policy said. “A littlebit.”
Jason Garrett threw two TD passes for Dallas, which rested most of itsregulars after the first quarter. Troy Aikman finished 9-for-11 for 85 yards inlimited action.
“I thought Jason executed the offense very well,” Dallas coach Chan Gaileysaid.
But whether they had won or lost, the night belonged to Cleveland and theBrowns, whose first win also came in Chris Palmer’s debut as an NFL head coach.
“It was emotional,” Palmer said. “This is for the fans of Cleveland.They’ve suffered for three years.”
Browns fans hadn’t been able to cheer their beloved team since Dec. 17,1995, the final game at Cleveland Stadium after former owner Art Modellannounced he was moving his team to Baltimore.
But once Modell left and the shock wore off, Cleveland fought back andconvinced the NFL to bring a team back in 1999. The league also agreed to keepthe new team’s nickname, colors and history the same.
To showcase the Browns’ return, the league switched this year’s Hall of Famegame from Saturday to Monday night so a prime-time audience could see the newBrowns’ debut.
“It’s a proud night for the NFL and Cleveland,” commissioner PaulTagliabue said moments before kickoff. “Now the tradition and history can goon for another century.”
Clad in brown and orange, some wearing jerseys with names like Kosar, Brownand Kelly stitched on their backs, Browns fans arrived early to tailgate inparking lots and on tree-lined side streets before walking to Fawcett Stadium,packed with a record 25,156 fans.
“We’ve waited three years,” said Scott Moot of Canton. “Nothing mattersnow, our Browns are back.”
Even the Cowboys were happy to see the old orange helmets again.
“It’s good to see the Dawg Pound back in the NFL,” Aikman said. At times, the Browns looked like any first-year franchise. They committedthree straight penalties on a drive in the first quarter, and were guilty of 11infractions overall. Dallas was even sloppier with 17 penalties.
But Cleveland’s defense, expected to carry the team, forced four turnovers.Corey Fuller picked off a pass from Aikman in the back of the end zone to stopone drive.
“This was everything I expected and more,” said Cleveland defensive tackleJerry Ball, one of three carryovers on the roster from the old Browns. “Webattled. We went to overtime and we won. You can’t get better than that. TheCleveland Browns came back a winner.”
