Today is the 51st anniversary of one of the most significant days in Browns history.

It was on Dec. 27, 1964 that the Browns stunned the heavily-favored Baltimore Colts 27-0 in the NFL Championship Game at Cleveland Stadium.

 

 

The Browns put together the greatest team effort in their history. Each player did exactly what he was asked to do, how he was asked to do it and when he was asked to do it. And all of the players did so without asking why.

It was a tremendous coaching job by Browns head coach Blanton Collier and his assistants. Collier told his players, “It’s amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.” The players listened to what he had to say, checked their egos at the door and pulled off a feat that is still being recalled today, more than a half-century later, as the Browns get ready to face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

Too bad that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam cares so little about the rich history of this team. He doesn’t know Frank Ryan from Meg Ryan, Gary Collins from Phil Collins, Monte Clark from Monte Hall or Vince Costello from Abbott and Costello.

If we were aware of what happened that day in 1964, then it could serve as a great aid to him as he tries to figure out whether or not to retain General Manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine.

Farmer, especially, and also Pettine – disappointingly so — are the antithesis of what Collier preached. They hate each other, and an in effort to get the upper hand in the silly little war that they have waged against one another for two years now, they are placing their own egos ahead of what’s best for the team. It’s not about what’s best for the Browns. It’s about what’s best for Farmer and Pettine.

It’s a disgrace, and it’s insubordination to the highest degree when you consider the millions of dollars Haslam is paying those men.

So forget about the bad record – 3-11 and counting – the NFL Draft record that’s the embarrassment of all embarrassments and the gross mishandling of the quarterback situation, particularly as it applies to Johnny Manziel. Certainly, all those things are enough to warrant the firing of both men.

But the selfishness is even worse. They and what they’ve done are a cancer on this team, and must be removed ASAP. They both should have been fired long before this. Why it hasn’t happened is anyone’s guess. It’s worrisome.

Is Haslam listening? Is he aware of what’s going on? Does he care enough to get this right, to do what’s right in this case?

We don’t know, but we can only hope he is.

The Browns can’t get better with Farmer or Pettine around.