2007 Cleveland Browns season

2007 Cleveland Browns season
OwnerRandy Lerner
General managerPhil Savage
Head coachRomeo Crennel
Home fieldCleveland Browns Stadium
Local radio
Results
Record10–6
Division place2nd AFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersT Joe Thomas
TE Kellen Winslow II
QB Derek Anderson
WR Braylon Edwards
KR Joshua Cribbs
LS Ryan Pontbriand
Uniform
Jamal Lewis rushes during Cleveland's 33-30 OT win at Baltimore, week 11

The 2007 Cleveland Browns season was the franchise's 59th season as a professional sports franchise and its 55th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The season began with the Browns attempting to improve upon their 4–12 record from the 2006 season, in which the team finished in fourth place in the AFC North. The Browns also attempted to overcome the many injuries that plagued the team throughout the 2006 season. The Browns remained under the supervision of head coach Romeo Crennel and they played all of their home games in Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.

During the 2007 NFL draft, the Browns selected Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas with the third overall selection.[1] The Browns were also able to draft Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn with the 22nd overall selection,[2] after completing a trade with the Dallas Cowboys,[2] which saw the Browns send their second-round pick in the 2007 draft, along with their first-round pick in the 2008 NFL draft, to the Cowboys for their first-round selection at number 22.[2] The Browns completed their first-day draft by selecting UNLV cornerback Eric Wright,[3] following another trade with Dallas,[3] which saw the Browns giving up their third- and fourth-round picks in the 2007 draft and swapping sixth-round picks with the Cowboys.[3]

During the off-season, the Browns signed key free agents Eric Steinbach (Cincinnati, offensive guard),[4][5] Jamal Lewis (Baltimore, running back),[6] and Robaire Smith (Tennessee, defensive end).[7]

The Browns ultimately finished the season with a 10–6 record but nevertheless failed to qualify for the playoffs. They were beaten for the division title on a tiebreaker by the Pittsburgh Steelers and lost another tiebreaker for a wildcard berth to the Tennessee Titans. The team finished the season having scored 402 points with 5,621 yards of total offense, both 8th best in the NFL; however, the defense allowed 382 points (21st best) and gave up 5,753 yards (30th best).[8]

As of January 3, 2021, this remains the second-best record and the second of four winning seasons the Browns have had since returning to the NFL in 1999. This was the Browns’ last winning season until 2020.

  1. ^ "Browns select Joe Thomas". Archived from the original on May 30, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "Browns trade up, get Quinn". Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c "Another trade brings CB help". Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  4. ^ "Browns sign Steinbach". Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2007.
  5. ^ "Browns agree to terms with Steinbach". Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
  6. ^ "Lewis stops waiting on Ravens, agrees with Browns". Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  7. ^ "Browns, Smith Reach Contract Agreement". Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved March 15, 2007.
  8. ^ "2007 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2021.