2008 Cleveland Browns season
The 2008 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 60th season as a professional sports franchise and its 56th season as a member of the National Football League. The Browns finished with a 4–12 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The season marked Romeo Crennel's fourth year as head coach of the Browns. Cleveland played all of their home games at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. To end the 2008 season, the Browns offense failed to score a touchdown for 25 consecutive quarters. Also from 2008 to present, the Browns have failed to surpass.500 and having a winning record, thus they failed to make the playoffs for the seventh straight season.
Off-season
Coaching staff changes
On January 7, the Browns signed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to a two-year contract extension, effectively allowing the coach to remain in Cleveland through the 2011 season. Chudzinski declined an opportunity to interview for the vacant head coach position of the Baltimore Ravens to remain in Cleveland.On January 11, it was announced by Crennel that the team had fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and that a replacement would be announced soon. Grantham's firing comes just months after signing a two-year contract extension. The next day, it was announced that Mel Tucker, defensive backs coach for the Browns, was given the job. After spending three years on the Browns defensive coaching staff, Cory Undlin was promoted to defensive backs coach to replace Tucker.
On January 29, the team announced that it had re-signed head coach Romeo Crennel to a two-year contract extension. General manager Phil Savage stated that Crennel did not ask for an extension, but rather that the team felt that it was the proper thing to do for the head coach.
Free agents
Signings
Releases
2008 NFL Draft
The Browns did not have a selection in the first three rounds.| Round | Pick | Name | Position | College |
| 4 | 5 | Beau Bell | Linebacker | UNLV |
| 4 | 11 | Martin Rucker | Tight End | Missouri |
| 6 | 24 | Ahtyba Rubin | Defensive Tackle | Iowa State |
| 6 | 25 | Paul Hubbard | Wide receiver | Wisconsin |
| 7 | 25 | Alex Hall | Defensive End | St. Augustine's |
Coaching Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule
Regular season
Schedule
Standings
7-9Regular season week-by-week results
Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Browns began their 2008 campaign at home against the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Cleveland trailed early as Cowboys RB Marion Barber got a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Browns responded with QB Derek Anderson completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow. Dallas would respond with QB Tony Romo completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens, along with another 1-yard TD run from Barber. In the third quarter, Cleveland's defensive struggles continued as RB Felix Jones got an 11-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Browns tried to rally, yet all they could come up with was a 34-yard field goal from kicker Phil Dawson.With the loss, Cleveland began its season at 0–1.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 6:40 DAL – Barber 1 yard run 7–0 DAL
- 12:43 CLE – Winslow 2 yard pass from Anderson 7–7
- 9:48 DAL – Owens 35 yard pass from Romo 14–7 DAL
- 0:26 DAL – Barber 1 yard run 21–7 DAL
- 6:24 DAL – Jones 11 yard run 28–7 DAL
- 10:13 CLE – Dawson 34 yard field goal 28–10 DAL
Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
With their 10th-straight loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 0–2.
This would be the Browns' last appearance on Sunday Night Football until 2019.
Scoring Summary
Second quarter- 6:29 PIT – Ward 11 yard pass from Roethlisberger 7–0 PIT
- 7:58 PIT – Reed 48 yard field goal 10–0 PIT
- 1:25 CLE – Dawson 31 yard field goal 10–3 PIT
- 3:21 CLE – Dawson 38 yard field goal 10–6 PIT
Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens
In the third quarter, Baltimore took control as RB Le'Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard TD run, safety Ed Reed returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown, and McClain getting another 1-yard TD run.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–3.
Scoring Summary
Second quarter- 14:52 CLE – Harrison 19 yard pass from Anderson 7–0 CLE
- 6:40 BAL – McGahee 5 yard run 7–7
- 1:04 CLE – Dawson 38 yard field goal 10–7 CLE
- 11:13 BAL – McClain 1 yard run 14–10 BAL
- 10:23 BAL – Reed 32 yard interception return 21–10 BAL
- 4:49 BAL – McClain 1 yard run 28–10 BAL
Week 4: at Cincinnati Bengals
With their first win of the season, the Browns' record improved to 1–3.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 9:29 CLE – Dawson 25 yard field goal 3–0 CLE
- 10:22 CIN – Graham 42 yard field goal 3–3
- 0:08 CIN – Graham 45 yard field goal 6–3 CIN
- 13:05 CLE – Edwards 4 yard pass from Anderson 10–6 CLE
- 11:06 CLE – Lewis 1 yard run 17–6 CLE
- 7:46 CIN – Ochocinco 4 yard pass from Fitzpatrick 17–12 CLE
- 0:32 CLE – Dawson 29 yard field goal 20–12 CLE
Week 5: Bye Week
Winslow's Staph Infection
Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow II was hospitalized on October 9 with an undisclosed illness. Winslow spent four nights in the hospital and did not play in the Browns' game against the Giants. Citing Winslow's privacy, the Browns did not comment on his illness.Week 6: vs. New York Giants
Coming off their bye week, the Browns went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a crucial Week 6 interconference duel with the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants, on Monday Night Football. Also Tom Coughlin’s first game in Cleveland since the 2001 Bottlegate incident when he was with the Jaguars.In the first quarter, Cleveland drew first blood as kicker Phil Dawson got a 28-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded as RB Brandon Jacobs had a touchdown run. The Browns would answer with two touchdowns: A run by RB Jamal Lewis and with QB Derek Anderson pass to TE Darnell Dinkins. New York closed out the half with QB Eli Manning completing a TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress.
In the third quarter, Cleveland added onto its lead as Dawson nailed a 26-yard field goal. The Browns pulled away in the fourth quarter with a touchdown pass from Anderson to WR Braylon Edwards, as well as an Eric Wright interception returned for a touchdown.
With the impressive win, Cleveland improved to 2–3. This was also the Browns' first win on Monday Night Football since 1993.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 10:08 CLE – Dawson 28 yard field goal 3–0 CLE
- 12:09 NYG – Jacobs 7 yard run 7–3 NYG
- 11:10 CLE – Lewis 4 yard run 10–7 CLE
- 2:15 CLE – Dinkins 22 yard pass from Anderson 17–7 CLE
- 0:12 NYG – Burress 3 yard pass from Manning 17–14 CLE
- 11:55 CLE – Dawson 26 yard field goal 20–14 CLE
- 14:55 CLE – Edwards 11 yard pass from Anderson 27–14 CLE
- 8:07 CLE – Wright 94 yard interception return 35–14 CLE
Crennel Named Coach of the Week
Week 7: at Washington Redskins
Coming off their impressive Monday Night home win over the Giants, the Browns flew to Fedex Field for a Week 7 duel with the Washington Redskins. After a scoreless first half, Cleveland trailed in the third quarter, as Redskins RB Clinton Portis got a 3-yard TD run. The Browns would respond with kicker Phil Dawson nailing a 37-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Washington answered with QB Jason Campbell completing an 18-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss. Cleveland tried to rally as QB Derek Anderson completed a 1-yard TD pass to WR/KR Josh Cribbs. However, Dawson's game-tying 54-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, preserving the Redskins' win.With the loss, the Browns fell to 2–4.
Scoring Summary
Third quarter- 7:38 WSH – Portis 3 yard run 7–0 WSH
- 2:48 CLE – Dawson 37 yard field goal 7–3 WSH
- 12:36 WSH – Moss 18 yard pass from Campbell 14–3 WSH
- 2:49 CLE – Cribbs 1 yard pass from Anderson 14–11 WSH
Winslow Suspended
Winslow planned to appeal the suspension, but the hearing was not scheduled until October 28, two days after the Jaguars game.
On October 25, the Browns rescinded Winslow's suspension. Although he did not play the game against the Jaguars, he received his game check minus a $25,000 fine.
Week 8: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Hoping to rebound from their last-second road loss to the Redskins, the Browns flew to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 8 duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Cleveland drew first blood as QB Derek Anderson completed a 3-yard TD pass to WR Donté Stallworth. In the second quarter, the Jaguars tied the game as QB David Garrard completed a 5-yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams. The Browns responded with RB Jamal Lewis getting a 2-yard TD run, along with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 32-yard field goal.In the third quarter, Jacksonville drew closer as Garrard completed an 8-yard TD pass to WR Matt Jones. In the fourth quarter, the Jaguars tied the game as kicker Josh Scobee made a 53-yard field goal. Afterwards, Cleveland regained the lead with Dawson nailing a 20-yard and a 42-yard field goal, with the defense fending off Jacksonville's last attempt at a comeback.
With the win, the Browns improved to 3–4.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 2:08 CLE – Stallworth 3 yard pass from Anderson 7–0 CLE
- 10:28 JAC – Williams 5 yard pass from Garrard 7–7
- 7:20 CLE – Lewis 2 yard run 14–7 CLE
- 4:09 CLE – Dawson 32 yard field goal 17–7 CLE
- 10:27 JAC – Jones 8 yard pass from Garrard 17–14 CLE
- 8:48 JAC – Scobee 53 yard field goal 17–17
- 4:35 CLE – Dawson 20 yard field goal 20–17 CLE
- 4:06 CLE – Dawson 42 yard field goal 23–17 CLE
Week 9: vs. Baltimore Ravens
In the third quarter, Cleveland took the lead as QB Derek Anderson completed a 28-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and a 7-yard TD pass to RB Jason Wright. The Ravens responded with FB Le'Ron McClain's 1-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore rallied as Flacco completed a 28-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason, Stover kicking a 22-yard field goal, and LB Terrell Suggs returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–5.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 10:43 BAL – Stover 41 yard field goal 3–0 BAL
- 5:28 BAL – Clayton 47 yard pass from Flacco 10–0 BAL
- 5:19 CLE – Cribbs 92 yard kickoff return 10–7 BAL
- 5:53 CLE – Dawson 23 yard field goal 10–10
- 0:32 BAL – Stover 32 yard field goal 13–10 BAL
- 0:07 CLE – Dawson 54 yard field goal 13–13
- 13:13 CLE – Edwards 28 yard pass from Anderson 20–13 CLE
- 6:17 CLE – Wright 7 yard pass from Anderson 27–13 CLE
- 1:15 BAL – McClain 1 yard run 27–20 CLE
- 14:07 BAL – Mason 28 yard pass from Flacco 27–27
- 5:40 BAL – Stover 22 yard field goal 30–27 BAL
- 2:52 BAL – Suggs 42 yard interception return 37–27 BAL
Quinn Named Starter
Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos
Hoping to rebound from their season-sweeping loss to the Ravens, the Browns stayed at home for a Week 10 Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos. In the first quarter, Cleveland trailed early as Broncos RB Ryan Torain got a 1-yard TD run. The Browns would respond as QB Brady Quinn, making his first career start, completed a 5-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow. In the second quarter, Cleveland took the lead as kicker Phil Dawson made a 24-yard field goal, along with Quinn hooking up with Winslow again on a 16-yard TD pass. Denver would answer with kicker Matt Prater making a 35-yard field goal. The Browns would close out the half with Dawson making a 52-yard field goal.In the third quarter, Cleveland added onto its lead as Dawson got a 33-yard field goal. The Broncos would reply with Prater making a 30-yard field. In the fourth quarter, Denver regained the lead as QB Jay Cutler completing a 93-yard TD pass to WR Eddie Royal and a 27-yard TD pass to TE Daniel Graham. The Browns would respond with RB Jamal Lewis getting a 1-yard TD run. However, the Broncos replied with Cutler completing an 11-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall. Cleveland tried to come back, but Denver's defense stiffened.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 3–6, making it impossible to improve on their 10–6 record from the 2007 season.
This also marked Cleveland's eighth-straight loss to Denver.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 7:08 DEN – Torain 1 yard run 7–0 DEN
- 3:47 CLE – Winslow 5 yard pass from Quinn 7–7
- 12:48 CLE – Dawson 24 yard field goal 10–7 CLE
- 10:36 CLE – Winslow 16 yard pass from Quinn 17–7 CLE
- 5:55 DEN – Prater 35 yard field goal 17–10 CLE
- 1:14 CLE – Dawson 52 yard field goal 20–10 CLE
- 10:25 CLE – Dawson 33 yard field goal 23–10 CLE
- 5:40 DEN – Prater 30 yard field goal 23–13 CLE
- 13:43 DEN – Royal 93 yard pass from Cutler 23–20 CLE
- 10:00 DEN – Graham 27 yard pass from Cutler 27–23 DEN
- 5:00 CLE – Lewis 1 yard run 30–27 CLE
- 1:17 DEN – Marshall 11 yard pass from Cutler 34–30 DEN
Week 11: at Buffalo Bills
In the third quarter, Cleveland answered with Dawson getting a 43-yard field goal. The Bills would reply with Lindell making a 31-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Browns greatly answered with RB Jerome Harrison getting a 72-yard TD run. Buffalo would immediately respond with CB Leodis McKelvin returning a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and would take the lead on a 1-yard TD run by Edwards. Afterwards, the Browns regained the lead as Dawson nailed a 56-yard field goal. Buffalo did try to make a comeback, yet Lindell's 47-yard field goal sailed wide right, preserving Cleveland's victory and preventing them from becoming the first NFL team to lose three straight games after having a lead of 13 or more points in each of them.
With the win, the Browns improved to 4–6.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 9:29 CLE – Dawson 40 yard field goal 3–0 CLE
- 2:28 CLE – Dawson 33 yard field goal 6–0 CLE
- 9:52 CLE – Cribbs 2 yard run 13–0 CLE
- 6:20 BUF – Lynch 18 yard pass from Edwards 13–7 CLE
- 0:00 BUF – Lindell 26 yard field goal 13–10 CLE
- 6:27 CLE – Dawson 43 yard field goal 16–10 CLE
- 0:22 BUF – Lindell 31 yard field goal 16–13 CLE
- 14:47 CLE – Harrison 72 yard run 23–13 CLE
- 14:33 BUF – McKelvin 98 yard kickoff return 23–20 CLE
- 11:32 CLE – Dawson 22 yard field goal 26–20 CLE
- 2:25 BUF – Edwards 1 yard run 27–26 BUF
- 1:39 CLE – Dawson 56 yard field goal 29–27 CLE
Phil Savage E-Mail controversy
You are easily the worst GM in the NFL. Chud, Crennel and Tucker should NOT have jobs. How the hell do you play prevent defense the entire game? How do you NOT use Jerome Harrison more? Why the hell would you throw the ball with 6 minutes left? This is officially a regime that is worse than Butch Davis's. By the way, just like last week – this email was written while the Browns still had the lead.
After the game, Savage promptly responded to the fan with the following:
Go root for Buffalo-f#@* you
Week 12: vs. Houston Texans
Coming off their MNF road win over the Bills, the Browns went home for a Week 12 duel with the Houston Texans. In the first quarter, Cleveland trailed early as Texans QB Sage Rosenfels completed a 17-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter. In the second quarter, Houston increased its lead as kicker Kris Brown got a 31-yard field goal. The Browns would respond with kicker Phil Dawson getting a pair of 32-yard field goals, but the Texans answered with Brown's 31-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Houston kept its momentum going with Brown nailing a 31-yard field goal. Cleveland tried to rally, but Houston's defense was too much.With the loss, the Browns fell to 4–7.
Scoring Summary
First quarterSecond quarter
- 13:43 HOU – Brown 31 yard field goal 10–0 HOU
- 8:03 CLE – Dawson 32 yard field goal 10–3 HOU
- 2:24 CLE – Dawson 32 yard field goal 10–6 HOU
- 0:07 HOU – Brown 31 yard field goal 13–6 HOU
- 8:53 HOU – Brown 36 yard field goal 16–6 HOU
Quinn out for season
Week 13: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Texans, the Browns stayed at home for a Week 13 duel with the Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Cleveland struck first as kicker Phil Dawson kicked a 34-yard field goal. The Colts answered with kicker Adam Vinatieri kicking a 30-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Browns regained the lead as Dawson nailed a 25-yard field goal. However, after a scoreless third quarter, Indianapolis' defense answered in the fourth quarter, as DE Robert Mathis returned a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown. From there on out, Cleveland was unable to come back.With the loss, the Browns stumbled to 4–8.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 9:09 CLE – Dawson 34 yard field goal 3–0 CLE
- 2:02 IND – Vinatieri 30 yard field goal 3–3
- 7:36 CLE – Dawson 25 yard field goal 6–3 CLE
- 9:55 IND – Mathis 37 yard fumble return 10–6 IND
Anderson out for season
Bruce Gradkowski signed
On December 2, the Browns signed free-agent veteran QB Bruce Gradkowski to a two-year contract. Gradkowski will serve as the backup QB under Dorsey for the Browns' next game against the Tennessee Titans.Week 14: at Tennessee Titans
Trying to rebound from back-to-back home losses, the Browns flew to LP Field for a Week 14 duel with the Tennessee Titans. Cleveland struck first in the opening quarter as kicker Phil Dawson got a 47-yard and a 41-yard field goal. The Titans took the lead in the second quarter, as QB Kerry Collins completed a 28-yard touchdown pass to FB Ahmard Hall, along with RB LenDale White got a 3-yard touchdown run. Tennessee would increase its lead in the third quarter as Collins completed a 9-yard touchdown to wide receiver Justin Gage. In the fourth quarter, the Browns to rally as Dawson nailed a 39-yard field goal, yet the Titans pulled away as RB Chris Johnson got a 25-yard touchdown run.With the loss, Cleveland fell to 4–9.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 11:58 CLE – Dawson 47 yard field goal 3–0 CLE
- 4:00 CLE – Dawson 41 yard field goal 6–0 CLE
- 14:10 TEN – Hall 28 yard pass from Collins 7–6 TEN
- 1:11 TEN – White 3 yard run 14–6 TEN
- 11:46 TEN – Gage 9 yard pass from Collins 21–6 TEN
- 13:30 CLE – Dawson 39 yard field goal 21–9 TEN
- 8:22 TEN – Johnson 25 yard run 28–9 TEN
Week 15: at Philadelphia Eagles
With the loss, the Browns fell to 4–10, the third time in four years under Romeo Crennel that the Browns have had double-digit losses.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 10:45 PHI – Curtis 14 yard pass from McNabb 7–0 PHI
- 6:48 CLE – Dawson 27 yard field goal 7–3 PHI
- 0:49 PHI – Akers 24 yard field goal 10–3 PHI
- 4:45 PHI – Samuel 50 yard interception return 17–3 PHI
- 3:34 PHI – Akers 34 yard field goal 20–3 PHI
- 14:52 PHI – Akers 34 yard field goal 23–3 PHI
- 11:14 PHI – Lewis 10 yard pass from McNabb 30–3 PHI
- 9:11 CLE – McDonald 24 yard interception return 30–10 PHI
Week 16: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With the loss, the Browns fell to 4–11, and ended the season 1–7 at home.
Scoring Summary
First quarter- 8:39 CIN – Hall 50 yard interception return 7–0 CIN
- 8:08 CIN – Henry 20 yard pass from Fitzpatrick 14–0 CIN
Week 17: at Pittsburgh Steelers
With the loss, the Browns ended their season at 4–12, with a record of 3–5 away from home. This also marked the Browns' eleventh straight loss to the Steelers. Also, it set off an 11 season losing streak lasting for more than a decade.
Scoring Summary
Second quarterThird quarter
- 5:39 PIT – Reed 22 yard field goal 17–0 PIT
- 9:45 PIT – Russell 3 yard run 24–0 PIT
- 8:52 PIT – Carter 32 yard interception return 31–0 PIT
Savage and Crennel fired
2009 Pro Bowl
Despite the disappointing performance by the team, LT Joe Thomas, DT Shaun Rogers, and LS Ryan Pontbriand were recognized for individual accomplishments as they were named to the AFC roster for the 2009 Pro Bowl. Thomas and Rogers were selected by the pro-bowl voters., and Pontbriand was selected as a "need" player by the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, who will be coaching the AFC squad.KR Josh Cribbs was named a first alternate, K Phil Dawson a second alternate, and LG Eric Steinbach and LB D'Qwell Jackson were named third alternates at their respective positions.