The Bernie Kosar era in Cleveland officially began 30 years ago today, on Oct. 6, 1985.
Kosar, who had been drafted No. 1 overall in the 1985 NFL Supplemental Draft, entered the game when starting quarterback Gary Danielson went out with an injury in the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Cleveland Stadium.
Kosar fumbled the snap on his first play but then went on to complete his first seven passes en route to helping lead the Browns to a come-from-behind 24-20 victory over the eventual AFC champions.
The Browns had jumped through hoops to draft Kosar with the intent of letting him stand on the sideline for most, if not all, of the season and learn behind Danielson, a heady veteran who had been acquired from the Detroit Lions in an offseason trade. At a time to be determined, the baton would be passed to Kosar with the hopes he could develop into the team’s franchise quarterback.
But that time was still far away when the 2-2 Browns, with Danielson firmly entrenched as the starter, hosted the Patriots of head coach Raymond Berry, a former Cleveland receivers coach.
That changed when Danielson got hurt. Although the two shared the job for most of the rest of the season, Kosar was named the starter in 1986 and pretty much remained in that role for the remainder of his 8½-year career with the Browns. Kosar’s first five seasons (1985-89) comprise one of the best periods in franchise history, as the Browns made the playoffs all five times, won four Central Division titles and advanced to the AFC Championship Game on three occasions.
The Browns led 14-13 at halftime on Earnest Byner’s nine-yard touchdown run and wide receiver Brian Brennan’s 33-yard scoring pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome on a trick play.
They increased the margin to 17-13 in the third quarter on Matt Bahr’s 44-yard field goal, but by the end of the quarter, they trailed for the first time, 20-17.
Then came the game-winning TD on Kevin Mack’s six-yard run.
Mack had a big game, rushing for 115 yards in 20 attempts and catching five passes for 85 yards.
In making his season debut after being injured in the preseason, Brennan had seven receptions for 104 yards. Newsome added six catches for 73 yards.
Cleveland had 447 total yards and was able to overcome five turnovers.
But the biggest story was – by far — Kosar, who was efficient in hitting nine of 15 passing attempts for 104 yards with an interception.
The Browns, who had been just 5-11 in 1984 and had poor quarterback play, were 3-2 and in first place in the division and had gotten their first real look at their franchise quarterback.
Life was much better in Cleveland.
