2006 Cleveland Browns season
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The 2006 Cleveland Browns season began with the team trying to improve on their 6-10 record in 2005.
Offseason
On March 11, 2006, the Browns signed free-agent wide receiver Joe Jurevicius from the Seattle Seahawks, offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley from the New Orleans Saints and offensive lineman Kevin Shaffer from the Atlanta Falcons. The team hopes the addition of Jurevicius can provide veteran support in the receiving corps, and the addition of Bentley and Shaffer can help establish a stronger offensive line to protect quarterback Charlie Frye. One day later, on March 12, the Browns signed punter Dave Zastudil from the Baltimore Ravens. On March 15, 2006, the Browns signed free agent LB Willie McGinest from the New England Patriots, hoping that his league-leading sacks would provide core defense for the franchise, plus it reunited him with current Browns coach Romeo Crennel. (Jurevicius, Bentley and Zastudil are also natives on the Cleveland-Northeast Ohio area who grew up cheering for the Browns.)
In the 2006 NFL Draft, the Browns used their first pick (acquired from the Ravens) on Florida St. DE Kamerion Wimbley. Then, they used their next pick (acquired from the Saints) on Maryland LB D'Qwell Jackson. The rest of their picks included Oklahoma WR Travis Wilson, University of Miami(Fl.) LB Leon Williams, Indiana Guard Isaac Sowells, Washington St. RB Jerome Harrison, Georgia CB DeMario Minter, Colorado Fullback Lawrence Vickers, and Stanford DT Babatunde Oshinowo.
Later in the 2006 offeason, veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer, who had been the team's starter in the beginning of the 2005-2006 season but was eventually benched for Frye, was traded to San Francisco for backup QB Ken Dorsey. This move cemented the Browns' decision to go with Frye as the team's starter. By getting Ken Dorsey, the Browns reunited former Miami Hurricanes teammates, Ken Dorsey and Kellen Winslow, who didn't get to play in the 2005 season due to a motorcycle injury. On July 27, 2006, Pro Bowl Center LeCharles Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury in Training Camp. This is a huge loss for the Browns as they were counting on him to help shore up their offensive line to protect Charlie Frye and aid the running game production, as there were only 4 rushing touchdowns by the Browns in 2005. This was not the last of their Center troubles. Bob Hallen, who would start after LeCharles' injury, claimed that he had back problems and decided to retire. Alonzo Ephraim, next in line is suspended for 4 NFL games for violating the substance abuse policy. Cleveland finally found a starting Center in the pre-season. The Browns Preseason ended August 31st, losing 20-7 to the Bears, but having a 2-2 record in Preseason. Since the re-birth of the team, Cleveland has not had a 10-win season. Their best record since returning to the league is 9-7 (back in 2002), and many analysts do not expect that the Browns will reach 10 wins for at least several years.[citation needed]
Regular season
New Orleans Saints
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 3 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
| Browns | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
The Browns opened the regular season at home against the New Orleans Saints on September 10.
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