The 2006 Cleveland Browns season was the team’s 58th season as a professional sports franchise and its 54th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It began with the team attempting to improve upon their win–loss record from 2005, where the team ended the year at 6–10. They were one of the most active teams during the free agency period, and looked to be one of the most improved teams of the season at the end of the NFL Draft. They experienced many setbacks during training camp, from which they never fully recovered. By the end of the season they had finished 4–12, losing two more games than the previous season.
Offseason
Free agency The Cleveland Browns’ front office was busy during the first several days off the freeagent signing period, looking to help the team by signing players who they felt would make immediate impacts upon the team. On the first day, the Browns signed center LeCharles Bentley, wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer. Bentley and Shaffer were signed to help protect second-year quarterback Charlie Frye in the pocket, and Jurevicius was signed to provide veteran support to the Browns' young receiving corps, which then-consisted of Braylon Edwards, Josh Cribbs, and veteran Dennis Northcutt. On the second day of the free-agent period, the Browns signed punter Dave Zastudil to replace Kyle Richardson, and to establish a good punting game. An interesting fact about the Browns' free-agent signings deals with the fact that Bentley, Jurevicius, and Zastudil are each Ohio-natives, and expressed their wish to play for the Browns at some point in their careers. A day after signing Zastudil, the Browns signed veteran nose tackle Ted Washington in an attempt to improve the Browns' run defense. After signing Washington, the Browns made their final key free-agent signing, by inking a deal with linebacker Willie McGinest. McGinest was signed to provide veteran support among the Browns' linebacking corps, and brought back under the direction of head coach Romeo Crennel, who coached McGinest defensively through three Super Bowls while in New England.
2006 NFL draft As the 2006 NFL draft neared in late April, the Browns had already filled in many of their holes through free agency, and would primarily be looking for players who would help the 4–3 defense. The Browns had their eyes set on Haloti Ngata, who they would presumably build up to take over for Ted Washington. On the day of the draft, the Browns traded their 12th pick to the Baltimore Ravens for the 13th pick and a 6th round pick. Baltimore used the pick to take Ngata, while the Browns selected outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, the player who Cleveland GM Phil Savage had wanted the whole time. The selection of inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson in the second round created a linebacker core of Andra Davis, Jackson, McGinest, and Wimbley. Wide receiver Travis Wilson was selected in the 3rd round as a developmental project and future possession receiver. On day two of the draft, seven other players were taken; linebacker Leon Williams, offensive tackle Isaac Sowells, running back Jerome Harrison, cornerback DeMario Minter, fullback Lawrence Vickers, nose tackle Babatunde Oshinowo, and safety Justin Hamilton. Minter ended up being the only rookie not playing a down that season due to injury. The way the Browns handled the draft was mostly praised, filling in their voids and finding future starters in late rounds.
Trades During the 2006 offseason, the Cleveland Browns made two significant trades. Their first would be trading veteran quarterback Trent Dilfer to the San Francisco 49ers for fourth-year quarterback Ken Dorsey. The trade was an important step in solidifying second-year quarterback Charlie Frye as the Browns' starting quarterback heading into the 2006 regular season. The other important trade the Browns made would fill the void at center left by newly acquired free agent LeCharles Bentley. The Browns traded a conditional 2008 draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for center Hank Fraley. The Browns subsequently signed Fraley to a one-year contract.
Center troubles during training camp On July 27, the first day of the Cleveland Browns' training camp, free agent center LeCharles Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury during the first contact play of camp. Bentley was quoted as saying, "No one touched me. It was a freak thing. I took two steps, felt the injury and that was it. It felt like someone had kicked me." Bentley also said that he's "[...] never been a patient person", and that "[...] [l]earning to adjust my body and my limitations is going to be a difficult challenge. When it's all said and done, it's going to make me better." Bentley was expected to help protect second-year quarterback Charlie Frye.
After news of Bentley's injuring, backup center Bob Hallen left training camp, leaving the team without a center. On July 30, the Browns signed veteran center Todd Washington. On August 7, Washington announced his retirement. On August 12, Hallen announced his retirement, citing two herniated discs and stenosis as the reason for his retirement. The Browns faced even more problems when third-string center Alonzo Ephraim, who was signed following Bentley's injury, was suspended for substance abuse. August 17 saw the Browns center woes diminishing slightly, as they acquired Ross Tucker from the Patriots. On August 24, the Browns acquired center Lennie Friedman from the Chicago Bears for a conditional 2007 draft choice. On September 2, the Browns finally found what they had been looking for when they traded a conditional 2008 draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles for center Hank Fraley. Upon signing Fraley, Ross Tucker's contract was terminated.
Preseason The Cleveland Browns started off with a 20–7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Next, they managed to get their first preseason win at home 20–16 against the Detroit Lions. They then won their first preseason away game 20–17 against the Buffalo Bills, before losing their final preseason game at home against the Chicago Bears 20–7. The Cleveland Browns came out of their preseason with a record of 2–2. Their performance during the pre-season showed promise for the team heading into the regular season.
Personnel
Final roster
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Stadium Record Box Scores Attendance 1 September 10 New Orleans Saints L 14–19 Cleveland Browns Stadium 0–1 GameCenter 72,915 2 September 17 at Cincinnati Bengals L 17–34 Paul Brown Stadium 0–2 GameCenter 66,072 3 September 24 Baltimore Ravens L 14–15 Cleveland Browns Stadium 0–3 GameCenter 72,474 4 October 1 at Oakland Raiders W 24–21 McAfee Coliseum 1–3 GameCenter 61,426 5 October 8 at Carolina Panthers L 12–20 Bank of America Stadium 1–4 GameCenter 73,520 6 Bye 7 October 22 Denver Broncos L 7–17 Cleveland Browns Stadium 1–5 GameCenter 73,024 8 October 29 New York Jets W 20–13 Cleveland Browns Stadium 2–5 GameCenter 72,507 9 November 5 at San Diego Chargers L 25–32 Qualcomm Stadium 2–6 GameCenter 65,558 10 November 12 at Atlanta Falcons W 17–13 Georgia Dome 3–6 GameCenter 70,793 11 November 19 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–24 Cleveland Browns Stadium 3–7 GameCenter 73,296 12 November 26 Cincinnati Bengals L 0–30 Cleveland Browns Stadium 3–8 GameCenter 72,926 13 December 3 Kansas City Chiefs W 31–28 Cleveland Browns Stadium 4–8 GameCenter 71,927 14 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 7–27 Heinz Field 4–9 GameCenter 55,246 15 December 17 at Baltimore Ravens L 17–27 M&T Bank Stadium 4–10 GameCenter 70,857 16 December 24 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 7–22 Cleveland Browns Stadium 4–11 GameCenter 69,603 17 December 31 at Houston Texans L 6–14 Reliant Stadium 4–12 GameCenter 70,097
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1 vs New Orleans Saints
at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Charlie Frye completed a 74-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Braylon Edwards. However, because of a holding penalty on tackle Kevin Shaffer, the play was called back. The Browns would only manage 56 yards of total offense during the first half of play. By halftime, New Orleans was leading the game 9–0, because of three field goals (43 yards in the first quarter, 25 and 21 yards in the second) by kicker John Carney.
In the second half, Frye completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kellen Winslow, marking his first career touchdown reception. However, the Saints burgeoned their lead, with opposing quarterback Drew Brees completing a 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marques Colston. In the fourth quarter, Frye brought the Browns within two points of the lead when he rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. A 20-yard field goal from Carney put the Saints up for good, 19–14. The Browns were threatening in Saints territory as the clock was winding down, but a Frye pass deflected off Edwards' chest and into the hands of safety Josh Bullocks. With the loss the Browns began their season 0–1. 0–1 against NFC opponents. This would be the Browns last loss to the Saints until 2018.
Week 2 at Cincinnati Bengals
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
The Browns traveled to Cincinnati for their week two match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.
The Browns offense struggled for the second straight week, turning in only 56 rushing yards. Despite Charlie Frye passing for 244 yards, he threw no touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bengals scored three times in the first half. Wide receiver Kelley Washington caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Palmer, and wide receiver Chad Johnson caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Palmer, in the first quarter. Kicker Shayne Graham added three more points in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal. Phil Dawson put the Browns' only points on the board in the first quarter with a 30-yard field goal.
The second half was slightly better for the Browns, with their defense holding the Bengals scoreless in the third quarter. After a field goal from 37 yards by Graham in the fourth quarter, the Browns capped off a 76-yard drive with Reuben Droughns' first rushing touchdown of the season. The Browns had excellent field position for that drive because of a 75-yard pass from Frye to Braylon Edwards. Running back Rudi Johnson then scored two touchdowns from 1 yard and 9 yards out. Charlie Frye put the Browns' final points on the board when he ran in from two yards out for the score. In the end though, the Browns would end up losing Round 1 of 2006's Battle for Ohio while dropping to 0–2. 0–1 against division rivals and 0–1 in conference games.
Week 3 vs Baltimore Ravens
at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
The Browns returned home, still searching for their first win of the year, with a Week 3 division battle, against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens drew first blood in the first quarter, as kicker Matt Stover kicked a 32-yard field goal for the only score of the quarter. In the second quarter, the Browns came to life, as QB Charlie Frye completed a 58-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and Frye managed to get a TD on a 1-yard TD run. After a scoreless third quarter, it seemed that Cleveland would finally get its first victory, but in the fourth quarter, the Ravens managed to fly back into the game. QB Steve McNair would complete a 3-yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap. Finally, Stover would help Baltimore steal one from the Browns, with a 43-yard and a 52-yard field goal. With their last-second loss, the Browns fell to 0–3. 0–2 against division rivals and 0–2 in conference games.
Week 4 at Oakland Raiders
at McAfee Coliseum, Oakland, California