Switching gears on gordon, sick about talking about dumb fucks.
http://blogs.clevelandbrowns.com/2013/06/19/top-5-underrated-browns-of-all-time/
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Top 5 underrated Browns of all-time [/h] Posted by Vic Carucci on June 19, 2013 – 10:35 pm
By Vic Carucci, Senior Editor
The editors at NFL.com asked me to assist them in putting together a list of the top five underrated Browns of all-time.
I weighed a number of factors in compiling the list, but mainly focused how each player was perceived nationally. My first area of focus was on anyone who has been unjustly ignored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After that, I looked at how the player was recognized (if at all) outside of the Cleveland.
I consulted with long-time Browns observers in the media and within the fan base.
Here’s the list, with an explanation for each:
Clay Matthews, Jr., LB (1978-93)
Browns followers widely consider Matthews the biggest of the team’s snubs for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and it’s hard to argue. Given the high-attrition associated with his position, his 19-year NFL career (16 with the Browns, three with Atlanta) is nothing short of incredible. It’s even more impressive given his relatively small frame for his position (6-foot-2 and 245 pounds). Matthews was highly versatile and played every linebacker spot, registering 1,430 tackles, 62 sacks, 14 interceptions, and 13 fumble recoveries with the Browns. To some, he’s better known as the father of Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III and brother to Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews.
Gary Collins, WR (1962-71)
After Matthews, Collins is generally viewed as the Browns’ second-biggest Hall-of-Fame snub. He was among the more versatile players in team history. Besides being a top-flight receiver, Collins also was a highly accomplished punter. He caught 331 career passes for 5,299 yards and 70 touchdowns, and punted 336 times for 13,764 yards. Surprisingly, Collins was selected to the Pro Bowl only twice in his 10 seasons with the Browns. The only real blemish on his career was the fact he never had a 1,000-yard receiving season, coming close only once with 946 yards in 1966.
Frank Minnifield, CB (1984-92)
Minnifield was an exceptionally talented player during his nine NFL seasons (all with the Browns). However, he wasn’t as highly regarded outside of Cleveland as he should have been largely because most of what he accomplished came while being paired with Hanford Dixon as one of the NFL’s top cornerback tandems. At 5-9, Minnifield lacked ideal height for the position. But it didn’t stop him from consistently shutting down opposing receivers. He also finished his career with only 20 interceptions.
Bill Nelsen, QB (1968-72)
Acquired in a trade with the Steelers, Nelsen spent three games as a backup to Frank Ryan before leading the Browns to the playoffs by winning nine of 11 starts. Nelsen would lead the Browns to the postseason two more times, but never seemed to receive a whole lot of recognition for being one of the franchise’s more successful quarterbacks. That was largely due to the fact he was plagued by slumps that prompted temporary benchings and knee injuries that would require five surgeries and ultimately force him into retirement.
Greg Pruitt, RB (1973-81)
When a franchise has two running backs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Jim Brown and Leroy Kelly), it’s easy to overlook others who also played the position exceptionally well … just not well enough to end up in Canton. Pruitt is one of those players. His 5,496 yards put him fourth in Browns history, behind Brown and Kelly. Pruitt also ranks or is tied for third in multiple rushing categories, including most games with 100 or more rushing yards (17). But he was more than a highly effective ball-carrier. Pruitt also was remarkably versatile, ranking third on the Browns with 323 receptions and first in average yards on kickoff and punt returns.
Sean Neumann, a guest contributor to NFL.com, came up with the following top five list of the overrated Browns of all-time: running back Peyton Hillis, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, tight end Kellen Winslow, Jr., quarterback Brian Sipe, and running back Charles White.
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Thoughts on the list?
