2011 Cleveland Browns season

Off-season

Personnel changes

On January 3, 2011, one day after the 2010 season, the Browns fired head coach Eric Mangini. In two seasons with the Browns, Mangini had a record of 10–22 and a disappointing 2–10 record against division opponents.

On January 13, the team hired former St. Louis Rams' offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur to replace Mangini as head coach. Shurmur served as the Rams' offensive coordinator from 2009–2010, and was an offensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1999–2008. This is his first opportunity as an NFL head coach.

On January 21, Shurmur made his first addition to the coaching staff, by hiring Dick Jauron as defensive coordinator. Jauron, who most recently served as the Philadelphia Eagles' secondary coach, has served as defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995–98, head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1999–2003, and head coach of the Buffalo Bills from 2006–09. Jauron replaces Rob Ryan, who became the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

On January 25, the Browns hired Chris Tabor as special teams coordinator. Tabor most recently served as the Chicago Bears' assistant special teams coach from 2008–2010. Tabor replaces Brad Seely, who became the special teams coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

On January 31, the Browns added four new coaches to their staff. The Browns hired former Oakland Raiders defensive line coach Dwaine Board as defensive line coach, former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Billy Davis as linebackers coach, former University of Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple as quarterbacks coach, and former NFL wide receiver Mike Wilson as wide receivers coach.

The rest of the Browns' position coaches were retained from Mangini's staff. The Browns have not hired an offensive coordinator, as Shurmur intends to call the offensive plays for the team.

Scheme Changes

This season marks the Browns' transition into the West Coast Offense of Coach Pat Shurmur and the 4–3 defense of defensive coordinator Dick Jauron.

Roster changes

Free Agency

F The Browns placed the franchise tag on Dawson

Signings

Trades

2011 Draft class

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

The Browns did not have a 3rd or 6th round selection. The Browns traded their original 7th round selection but later received a new 7th round selection as a compensatory pick.

Undrafted free agents

• Weatherhead also played for the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League.

Uniform changes

On June 16, it was announced that the Browns would be wearing white jerseys for all home games. The Browns had previously worn white at home during the 1950s–1980s and again in the early 2000s. |access-date=August 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110619083357/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Ask-Matt/7d2d23e9-ca93-4b86-8174-dabec878ba30 |archive-date=June 19, 2011 |url-status=dead Because the home team for all Browns' away games chose to wear their colored jersey, the Browns wore the same uniform for all 16 games for the first time in franchise history (although the Browns wore their brown jerseys for three preseason games).

Staff

Roster

Preseason

Schedule

The Browns' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Roster Moves

After the third preseason game, all NFL teams had to reduce their rosters to 80 players. On August 28, The Browns released eight players, the majority of them being undrafted free agents.

After the final preseason game, all teams had to reduce their rosters to 53 players. The Browns released 25 players and placed two players – RB Brandon Jackson and G Eric Steinbach – on injured reserve. Notable players released include QB Jarrett Brown and DB Coye Francies.

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

• CIN (8:20) – Mike Nugent 24 yd field goal Bengals 3, Browns 0 Drive: 10 plays, 35 yds, 4:40
• CIN (2:22) – Jermaine Gresham 2 yd pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick) Bengals 10, Browns 0 Drive: 7 plays, 41 yds, 4:03 Second quarter
• CIN (11:30) – Mike Nugent 47 yd field goal Bengals 13, Browns 0 Drive: 9 plays, 42 yds, 4:24
• CLE (9:17) – Benjamin Watson 34 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick) Bengals 13, Browns 7 Drive: 4 plays, 57 yds, 2:13
• CLE (4:14) – Evan Moore 2 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick) Browns 14, Bengals 13 Drive: 9 plays, 90 yds, 3:21 Third quarter
• CLE (8:36) – Phil Dawson 20 yd field goal Browns 17, Bengals 13 Drive: 10 plays, 50 yds, 4:50 Fourth quarter
• CIN (4:28) – A. J. Green 41 yd pass from Bruce Gradkowski (Mike Nugent kick) Bengals 20, Browns 17 Drive: 5 plays, 62 yds, 1:51
• CIN (1:49) – Cedric Benson 39 yd run (Mike Nugent kick) Bengals 27, Browns 17 Drive: 3 plays, 46 yds, 0:18 Top passers
• CIN – Andy Dalton – 10/15, 81 yds, 1 TD
• CLE – Colt McCoy – 19/40, 213 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• CIN – Cedric Benson – 25 carr, 121 yds, 1 TD
• CLE – Peyton Hillis – 17 carr, 57 yds Top receivers
• CIN – Jermaine Gresham – 6 rec, 58 yds, 1 TD
• CLE – Benjamin Watson – 3 rec, 45 yds, 1 TD Top tacklers
• CIN – Reggie Nelson – 9 tackles, 1 sack
• CLE – D'Qwell Jackson – 11 tackles, 2 sacks The Browns began the season with a division game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals struck first, with two Mike Nugent field goals and a Jermaine Gresham touchdown reception. Down 13–0, the Browns struck back, with Colt McCoy completing two touchdown passes to give Cleveland the lead at halftime. Phil Dawson gave the Browns an insurance field goal, but late in the fourth, Bengals backup QB Bruce Gradkowski caught the Browns defense slow out of the huddle and hit A. J. Green for a 41-yard touchdown that proved to be the game winner. With the 27–17 loss, the Browns started the season 0–1.

Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts

First quarter

• IND (10:31) – Adam Vinatieri 39 yd field goal Colts 3, Browns 0 Drive: 10 plays, 67 yds, 4:29 Second quarter
• IND (14:15) – Adam Vinatieri 27 yd field goal Colts 6, Browns 0 Drive: 10 plays, 78 yds, 4:40
• CLE (7:53) – Evan Moore 16 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick) Browns 7, Colts 6 Drive: 11 plays, 55 yds, 6:22
• IND (3:53) – Adam Vinatieri 52 yd field goal Colts 9, Browns 7 Drive: 10 plays, 34 yds, 4:00
• CLE (0:15) – Peyton Hillis 1 yd run (Phil Dawson kick) Browns 14, Colts 9 Drive: 10 plays, 80 yds, 3:28 Third quarter
• IND (6:52) – Adam Vinatieri 36 yd field goal Browns 14, Colts 12 Drive: 9 plays, 42 yds, 3:52 Fourth quarter
• CLE (10:57) – Phil Dawson 20 yd field goal Browns 17, Colts 12 Drive: 7 plays, 19 yds, 3:49
• CLE (3:55) – Peyton Hillis 24 yd run (Phil Dawson kick) Browns 24, Colts 12 Drive: 3 plays, 28 yds, 0:55
• CLE (2:59) – Phil Dawson 23 yd field goal Browns 27, Colts 12 Drive: 4 plays, 9 yds, 0:24
• IND (0:24) – Dallas Clark 6 yd pass from Kerry Collins (Adam Vinatieri kick) Browns 27, Colts 19 Drive: 12 plays, 83 yds, 2:35 Top passers
• CLE – Colt McCoy 22/32, 211 yds, 1 TD
• IND – Kerry Collins 19/38, 191 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• CLE – Peyton Hillis 27 carr, 94 yds, 2 TD
• IND – Joseph Addai 14 carr, 64 yds Top receivers
• CLE – Mohamed Massaquoi 3 rec, 45 yds
• IND – Reggie Wayne 4 rec, 66 yds Top tacklers
• CLE – D'Qwell Jackson 8 tackles
• IND – Kavell Conner 10 tackles The Browns took on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2, with both teams looking to rebound from losses. The Colts moved the ball well early, but had to settle for two Adam Vinatieri field goals to take a 6–0 lead. The Browns answered with an Evan Moore touchdown reception from Colt McCoy. The Colts briefly regained the lead on another Vinatieri field goal, but the Browns responded with a Peyton Hillis touchdown run to take a 14–9 lead into halftime. The Colts added another field goal in the third, but the Browns scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth to put the game away and defeat the Colts 27–19. With the win, the Browns improved to 1–1.

Week 3: vs. Miami Dolphins

First quarter

• MIA (8:09) – Daniel Thomas 10 yd pass from Chad Henne (Dan Carpenter kick) Dolphins 7, Browns 0 Drive: 4 plays, 43 yds, 1:56 Second quarter
• CLE (7:16) – Joshua Cribbs 33 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick) Browns 7, Dolphins 7 Drive: 6 plays, 59 yds, 2:43
• MIA (0:27) – Dan Carpenter 23 yd field goal Dolphins 10, Browns 7 Drive: 11 plays, 75 yds, 3:38 Third quarter
• CLE (10:37) – Phil Dawson 30 yd field goal Browns 10, Dolphins 10 Drive: 9 plays, 68 yds, 4:23
• MIA (2:29) – Dan Carpenter 41 yd field goal Dolphins 13, Browns 10 Drive: 14 plays, 70 yds, 8:08 Fourth quarter
• MIA (3:23) – Dan Carpenter 38 yd field goal Dolphins 16, Browns 10 Drive: 8 plays, 39 yds, 2:57
• CLE (0:43) – Mohamed Massaquoi 14 yd pass from Colt McCoy (Phil Dawson kick) Browns 17, Dolphins 16 Drive: 13 plays, 80 yds, 2:40 Top passers
• MIA – Chad Henne 19/29, 255 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
• CLE – Colt McCoy 19/39, 210 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• MIA – Daniel Thomas 23 carr, 95 yds
• CLE – Montario Hardesty 14 carr, 67 yds Top receivers
• MIA – Brian Hartline 4 rec, 87 yds
• CLE – Benjamin Watson 5 rec, 64 yds Top tacklers
• MIA – Will Allen 5 tackles
• CLE – Ahtyba Rubin 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks The Browns faced the Miami Dolphins without their leading rusher Peyton Hillis in a Week 3 matchup. The Dolphins took an early lead, converting a Colt McCoy interception into a 7–0 lead on a touchdown pass from Chad Henne. The Browns tied the game on a touchdown pass from McCoy to Joshua Cribbs. The Dolphins took the lead again on a Dan Carpenter field goal, and took a 10–7 lead into halftime. The Browns again tied the game in the third with Phil Dawson's field goal. The Dolphins added two more field goals, and had the Browns down six points in the final minutes. McCoy led the Browns down the field, and hit Mohamed Massaquoi on a 14-yard touchdown pass to give the Browns a last-minute, 17–16 victory. With the win, the Browns improved to 2–1 and it also became the first season since 2007 to where the team was actually at least a game above .500.

Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• TEN –
• CLE – Top rushers
• TEN –
• CLE – Top receivers
• TEN –
• CLE – Top tacklers
• TEN –
• CLE – With the loss, the Browns dropped to 2–2, heading into their Week 5 bye.

Week 6: at Oakland Raiders

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE –
• OAK – Top rushers
• CLE –
• OAK – Top receivers
• CLE –
• OAK – Top tacklers
• CLE –
• OAK –

With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–3.

Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• SEA –
• CLE – Top rushers
• SEA –
• CLE – Top receivers
• SEA –
• CLE – Top tacklers
• SEA –
• CLE –

With the win, the Browns improved to 3–3.

Week 8: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE –
• SF – Top rushers
• CLE –
• SF – Top receivers
• CLE –
• SF – Top tacklers
• CLE –
• SF – With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–4.

Week 9: at Houston Texans

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE –
• HOU – Top rushers
• CLE –
• HOU – Top receivers
• CLE –
• HOU – Top tacklers
• CLE –
• HOU – With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–5.

In reaction to this game, Cleveland comedian Mike Polk filmed a video at Cleveland Browns Stadium in which he berated the Browns and dubbed the stadium a "factory of sadness", a nickname that has caught on for both the stadium and the Browns themselves.

Week 10: vs. St. Louis Rams

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• STL –
• CLE – Top rushers
• STL –
• CLE – Top receivers
• STL –
• CLE – Top tacklers
• STL –
• CLE – With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–6.

Week 11: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• JAC –
• CLE – Top rushers
• JAC –
• CLE – Top receivers
• JAC –
• CLE – Top tacklers
• JAC –
• CLE – With the win, the Browns improved to 4–6 and finished 2-2 against the AFC South.

Week 12: at Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE – Colt McCoy – 16/34, 151 YDS, 2 TD
• CIN – Andy Dalton – 21/31, 270 YDS, 1 TD Top rushers
• CLE – Peyton Hillis – 19 CAR, 65 YDS, 0 TD
• CIN – Cedric Benson – 21 CAR, 106 YDS, 1 TD Top receivers
• CLE – Jordan Norwood – 4 REC, 69 YDS, 0 TD
• CIN – A. J. Green – 3 REC, 110 YDS, 0 TD Top tacklers
• CLE – D'Qwell Jackson – 5 TKL, 4 AST
• CIN – Rey Maualuga – 6 TKL, 4 AST After being swept by the Bengals for the first time since 2009, the Browns dropped to 4–7.

Week 13: vs. Baltimore Ravens

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• BAL –
• CLE – Top rushers
• BAL –
• CLE – Top receivers
• BAL –
• CLE – Top tacklers
• BAL –
• CLE – With their 7th straight loss to the Ravens, the Browns fell to 4–8.

Week 14: at Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE –
• PIT – Top rushers
• CLE –
• PIT – Top receivers
• CLE –
• PIT – Top tacklers
• CLE –
• PIT – With their 8th loss in Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 4-9 and secured both their 9th consecutive season without a playoff berth and a last place finish in the AFC North for the 3rd time since 2008.

Week 15: at Arizona Cardinals

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE –
• ARI – Top rushers
• CLE –
• ARI – Top receivers
• CLE –
• ARI – Top tacklers
• CLE –
• ARI – With the loss, the Browns fell to 4–10 and finished 1–3 against the NFC West.

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• CLE –
• BAL – Top rushers
• CLE –
• BAL – Top receivers
• CLE –
• BAL – Top tacklers
• CLE –
• BAL – With their 8th straight loss to the Ravens, the Browns fell to 4–11 and finished 1-7 on the road.

Week 17: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter CLEVELAND: Dawson 26-yard field goal (6:03)

Cleveland Browns 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 0

CLEVELAND: Dawson 45-yard field goal (1:06)

Cleveland Browns 6, Pittsburgh Steelers 0

PITTSBURGH: Suisham 19-yard field goal (0:00)

Cleveland Browns 6, Pittsburgh Steelers 3

Third quarter

PITTSBURGH: Suisham 29-yard field goal (9:43)

Cleveland Browns 6, Pittsburgh Steelers 6

PITTSBURGH: Redman 7 Yd Run (Suisham Kick) (5:27)

Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 6

CLEVELAND: Dawson 49-yard field goal (1:59)

Pittsburgh Steelers 13, Cleveland Browns 9

Fourth quarter

• No scoring plays Top passers
• PIT – Roethlisberger, 221 yards
• CLE – Wallace, 177 yards Top rushers
• PIT – Redman, 92 yards
• CLE – Wallace, 44 yards Top receivers
• PIT – Brown, 90 yards
• CLE – Cribbs, 91 yards Top tacklers
• PIT – Timmons, 6 tackles
• CLE – Jackson, 13 tackles With the loss, the Browns finished the season 4–12 and they were swept by the AFC North for the first time since 2006. Cleveland also finished 3-5 at home.

Standings

References

References

1. Leahy, Sean. (January 3, 2011). "Cleveland Browns fire coach Eric Mangini". USA Today.
2. Withers, Tom. (January 13, 2011). "Browns' hire Pat Shurmur".
3. Withers, Tom. (January 21, 2011). "Browns name Dick Jauron defensive coordinator".
4. (January 25, 2011). "Tabor named special teams coordinator". ClevelandBrowns.com.
5. Florjancic, Matt. (January 31, 2011). "Browns add to coaching staff". ClevelandBrowns.com.
6. (2011-01-14). "Shurmur press conf. transcript-1/14".
7. "Lions sign RB Bell".
8. (July 30, 2011). "Browns sign kicker Dawson, draft picks".
9. "49ers sign ILB Costanzo".
10. (February 22, 2011). "Browns Franchise Dawson". ClevelandBrowns.com.
11. "Cowboys sign SS Elam".
12. Withers, Tom. (March 3, 2011). "Key Players Re-Sign with Browns Hours Before Becoming Free Agents".
13. (August 1, 2011). "Browns announce roster moves". ClevelandBrowns.com.
14. (August 4, 2011). "CHIEFS SIGN CB BRANDON CARR AND S SABBY PISCITELLI". KCChiefs.com.
15. (August 1, 2011). "Browns re-sign Derreck Robinson". ClevelandBrowns.com.
16. "Jaguars sign OLB Roth".
17. "Browns re-sign TE Smith".
18. (July 30, 2011). "Cardinals sign 5 free agents, 5 draft choices as camp opens". [[The Washington Post]].
19. "Dolphins sign ILB Trusnik".
20. "Texans sign FB Vickers".
21. Lutui, Deuce. (July 31, 2011). "Cardinals Sign Free Agent OG Floyd Womack".
22. "Lions sign CB Writht".
23. Grossi, Tony. (July 28, 2011). "Cleveland Browns make it official, confirm release of QB Jake Delhomme and two others". [[The Plain Dealer]].
24. (February 9, 2011). "Browns make roster moves". ClevelandBrowns.com.
25. "Cowboys Sign DE Coleman".
26. "Colts Claim DeVree off Waivers".
27. (March 1, 2011). "Saints sign veteran DT Rogers". The Sports Network.
28. DiMatteo, Steve. (August 3, 2011). "Browns Sign Punter Richmond McGee and Two Undrafted Rookies". Dawg Pound Daily.
29. (August 2, 2011). "Report: Browns agree with CB Patterson". Pro Football Weekly.
30. Cabot, Mary Kay. (July 31, 2011). "Cleveland Browns trade for Rams guard John Greco". [[The Plain Dealer]].
31. Jonas, Nick. (August 2, 2011). "Browns ink first-round pick Taylor". Sports Network.
32. On Day 1 of the draft, after trading with Atlanta (see below) the Browns traded their 1st and 3rd round picks (Nos. 27 and 70, used to select [[Jon Baldwin]] and [[Justin Houston]], respectively) to the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] for their first round selection (No. 21, used to select [[Phil Taylor (American football). Phil Taylor]])
33. On Day 1 of the draft, the Browns traded their 1st round pick (No. 6, used to select [[Julio Jones]]) to the [[Atlanta Falcons]] for their 1st (No. 27, traded to [[Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City]]), 2nd (No. 59, used to select [[Greg Little (wide receiver). Greg Little]]), and 4th (No. 124, used to select [[Owen Marecic]]) round picks, as well as the Falcons' first and fourth round picks in [[2012 NFL draft. 2012]].
34. On day 3 of the draft, the Browns traded their two 6th round picks (Nos. 168 and 170, used to select [[DeMarcus Love]] and [[Mistral Raymond]], respectively) to the [[Minnesota Vikings]] for their fifth round pick (No. 150, used to select [[Jason Pinkston]]).
35. In March 2010, the Browns traded their seventh round selection (No. 209, later traded to [[Detroit Lions. Detroit]]) to the [[Seattle Seahawks]] for QB [[Seneca Wallace]]
36. Cypert, Thomas. (July 30, 2011). "Browns Start Camp with Steinbach & Massaquoi Injured, 21 Undrafted Free Agents". Cleveland Browns Forum.
37. (July 26, 2011). "Browns sign undrafted free agents". [[The News Herald (Ohio).
38. Ulrich, Nate. (September 3, 2011). "Browns' 53-man roster by position and list of cuts". Ohio.com.
39. (August 28, 2011). "Cleveland Browns waive 8 players Sunday". [[WOIO]].
40. Petrak, Scott. (September 3, 2011). "Browns Cut 17 Players, Have 10 More to go Tonight". Chronicle Telegram Online.
41. Rados, Paul. (July 26, 2011). "Browns add a handful of undrafted free agents". [[Yahoo!]] Sports.
42. Gesk, Michael. (August 29, 2011). "NFL Roster Cuts: Cleveland Browns Released Eight To Get To 80 Players". SBNation.
43. Schefter, Adam. (November 21, 2011). "NFL announces Week 13 flex plan". espn.com.
44. (25 December 2011). "Steelers Week 17 Sunday Game Against Browns Flexed to 4:15 Kickoff".