IS THIS REALLY THE BIGGEST OFFSEASON IN BROWNS HISTORY? NO

By STEVE KING
All companies — entities — need to sell themselves, so from that standpoint, I can understand the essence of it.
But at the same time, a slogan on Cleveland radio airwaves calling this “the most important offseason in Browns history” is silly, misguided, misinformed and short-sighted. It’s just not accurate.
Really, this is the most important offseason the Browns have ever had? Really?
Hmmm.
Let’s take a look. Let’s think seriously about it.
Now, for starters, let’s make it clear that this is indeed an important — extremely important — offseason for the Browns. That’s blatantly obvious. If they can do the things necessary to build their struggling defense, and make it a real contributing piece, just like the offense, then they have a real shot to earn the team’s first Super Bowl berth.
But is it the most important offseason?
I think not.
Wouldn’t it have been a tremendously important offseason when the Browns were trying, after winning the All-America Football Conference championship in their first season of existence, to get another one in 1947?
Or following the 1949 season, when, after they captured four AAFC titles in a row, were preparing to go into the NFL in 1950 and prove they were legitimate?
Or following the 1962 season, when, after firing the man for whom the team is named, the Browns headed into 1963 with someone other than Paul Brown as their head coach?
Or following the 1964 season, when, after overwhelming the Baltimore Colts, the Browns were trying in 1965 to win their second consecutive NFL crown?
Or following the 1980 season, when, after the Kardiac Kids produced the most fun-filled experience in franchise history, they went into 1981 trying to better it with a longer run in the playoffs?
Or following the 1987 season, when, after the Browns won three straight Central Division titles, making it to the AFC Championship Game in the last two years, they tried to get over the hump in 1988 and get to the Super Bowl?
Or following the 2007 season, when, after the Browns went 10-6 and came within a whisker of winning the AFC North title, they went into 2008 as the nation’s choice to make it to the Super Bowl?
We could go on and on — we’re pointing out only the most glaring examples — but suffice to say that while certainly significant, this is not the biggest offseason in Browns history.