The 2008 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 60th season as a professional sports franchise and its 56th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The Browns finished with a 4–12 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The season marked Romeo Crennel's fourth (and what would be final)Browns to fire Crennel after Savage ousted year as head coach of the Browns. Cleveland played all of their home games at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. To end the 2008 season, the Browns failed to score an offensive touchdown for 24 consecutive quarters and were shut out in their final two games, the last time a team would be shut out in back-to-back games until the Carolina Panthers were shut out in their final two games 15 years later. The Cleveland Browns failed to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
Offseason
Coaching staff changes On January 7, the Browns signed offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski to a two-year contract extension, effectively allowing the coach to remain in Cleveland through the 2011 season. Chudzinski declined an opportunity to interview for the vacant head coach position of the Baltimore Ravens to remain in Cleveland.
On January 11, it was announced by Crennel that the team had fired defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, and that a replacement would be announced soon. Grantham's firing comes just months after signing a two-year contract extension. The next day, it was announced that Mel Tucker, defensive backs coach for the Browns, was given the job. After spending three years on the Browns defensive coaching staff, Cory Undlin was promoted to defensive backs coach to replace Tucker.
On January 29, the team announced that it had re-signed head coach Romeo Crennel to a two-year contract extension.Crennel signs 2-year extension General manager Phil Savage stated that Crennel did not ask for an extension, but rather that the team felt that it was the proper thing to do for the head coach.
Free agents Pos. Player Tag Signed Team Contract LB Keith Adams UFA FB Charles Ali ERFA March 13 Browns 1 year QB Derek Anderson RFA February 29 Browns 3 yearsBrowns, Anderson, agree on multiyear contract DB Gary Baxter UFA March 13 Browns 1 year WR Tim Carter UFA May 22 Texans 1 year DB Ricardo Colclough UFA March 1 Panthers 2 years OL Nat Dorsey UFA DL Simon Fraser RFA March 7 Falcons OL Lennie Friedman UFA March 12 Browns 1 year LB Kris Griffin RFA March 26 Browns 1 year DE Bobby Hamilton UFA CB Daven Holly RFA February 28 Browns Second-round tenderNotes: Thompson, Holly, others DEJustin HuntUFA DT Ethan Kelley UFA RB Jamal Lewis UFA February 21 Browns 3 yearsLewis, Browns agree on new three-year deal G Seth McKinney UFA March 28 Browns 1 year DL Alvin Smith ERFA LB Matt Stewart UFA April 18 Cardinals 1 year LB Chaun Thompson UFA March 14 Texans 2 years NT Ted Washington UFA UFA: Unrestricted free agent; RFA: Restricted free agent; ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent
Signings Pos. Player Signed Contract Acquired CB Terry Cousin May 23 2 years free agent C Rex Hadnot March 10 2 years free agent LB Shantee Orr March 21 1 year free agent DE Shaun RogersInstead of Bengals, Browns land DT Shaun Rogers from Lions March 1 6 years trade with Lions WR Donté StallworthBrowns agree to deal with WR Stallworth March 1 7 years free agent DE Corey WilliamsBrowns agree to deal with QB Anderson, close to trade for DT Williams February 29 6 years trade with Packers
Releases Pos. Player Tag Signed Team ContractS Gary BaxterBaxter's contract terminated UFA C LeCharles BentleyBrowns, Hunt part ways UFA DEJustin HuntUFADE Orpheus RoyeBrowns terminate contract of veteran DE Roye UFA Steelers CB Kenny WrightWright's contract terminated UFA
2008 NFL draft The Browns did not have a selection in the first three rounds.The Browns do not have a first, second, or third round selection due to trades made to other teams. The first-round selection was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in order to acquire quarterback Brady Quinn in the 2007 draft, the second-round selection was traded to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Corey Williams, and the third-round selection was traded to the Detroit Lions for defensive tackle Shaun Rogers RoundPickNamePositionCollege4The Browns received two fourth round selections (104th and 111th overall) from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for the Browns' fourth-round selection (#122 overall), fifth-round selection (#155 overall) and 2009 NFL draft third-round selection.5 (104)Beau BellLinebackerUNLV411 (111)Martin RuckerTight endMissouri6The Browns received a sixth-round selection from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for quarterback Charlie Frye24 (190)Ahtyba RubinDefensive tackleIowa State6The Browns traded this sixth-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles as a condition for receiving center Hank Fraley. The Eagles returned the pick to the Browns in exchange for the Browns' 5th-round pick in 2009.25 (191)Paul HubbardWide receiverWisconsin725 (231)Alex HallDefensive endSt. Augustine's
Coaching staff Cleveland Browns 2008 coaching staffHead coaches Head coach – Romeo Crennel Assistant head coach/quarterbacks – Rip Scherer
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Rob Chudzinski Running backs – Anthony Lynn Wide receivers – Wes Chandler Tight ends – Alfredo Roberts Offensive line – Steve Marshall Offensive line – Mike Sullivan Senior offensive assistant – Dave Atkins Offensive assistant – Frank Verducci Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Mel Tucker Defensive line – Randy Melvin Linebackers – Mike Haluchak Defensive backs – Cory Undlin Assistant defensive backs – Richard McNutt Defensive assistant – Bob Trott Defensive quality control – Umberto Leone
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Ted Daisher Assistant special teams/head coach liaison – Chris Caminiti
Strength and conditioning Head strength and conditioning – Tom Mylinski Assistant strength and conditioning – Alan DeGennaro
Final roster
Preseason Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue TV Recap 1 August 7 New York Jets L 20–24 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Ian Eagle, Greg Buttle, Sam Ryan/Jim Donovan, Bernie Kosar, Dave Chudowsky Recap 2 August 18 at New York Giants L 34–37 0–2 Giants Stadium Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser, Suzy Kolber Recap 3 August 23 at Detroit Lions L 6–26 0–3 Ford Field Jim Donovan, Bernie Kosar, Dave Chudowsky/Gus Johnson, Desmond Howard, Matt Shepard, Charlie Sanders Recap 4 August 28 Chicago Bears L 10–16 0–4 Cleveland Browns Stadium Dave Barnett, Erik Kramer, Lou Canellis/Jim Donovan, Bernie Kosar, Dave Chudowsky Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 7 Dallas Cowboys L 10–28 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 2 September 14 Pittsburgh Steelers L 6–10 0–2 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 3 September 21 at Baltimore Ravens L 10–28 0–3 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 4 September 28 at Cincinnati Bengals W 20–12 1–3 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 5Bye 6 October 13 New York Giants W 35–14 2–3 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 7 October 19 at Washington Redskins L 11–14 2–4 FedEx Field Recap 8 October 26 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 23–17 3–4 Alltel Stadium Recap 9 November 2 Baltimore Ravens L 27–37 3–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 10 November 6 Denver Broncos L 30–34 3–6 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 11 November 17 at Buffalo Bills W 29–27 4–6 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 12 November 23 Houston Texans L 6–16 4–7 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 13 November 30 Indianapolis Colts L 6–10 4–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 14 December 7 at Tennessee Titans L 9–28 4–9 LP Field Recap 15 December 15 at Philadelphia Eagles L 10–30 4–10 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 16 December 21 Cincinnati Bengals L 0–14 4–11 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 17 December 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 0–31 4–12 Heinz Field Recap
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Regular season week-by-week results
Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Browns began their 2008 campaign at home against the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Cleveland trailed early as Cowboys RB Marion Barber got a 1-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Browns responded with QB Derek Anderson completing a 2-yard TD pass to TE Kellen Winslow. Dallas would respond with QB Tony Romo completing a 35-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens, along with another 1-yard TD run from Barber. In the third quarter, Cleveland's defensive struggles continued as RB Felix Jones got an 11-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Browns tried to rally, yet all they could come up with was a 34-yard field goal from kicker Phil Dawson.
With the loss, Cleveland began its season at 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Hoping to rebound from their disappointing home loss to the Cowboys, the Browns stayed at home for the first of five primetime games with a Week 2 AFC North duel against their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in very high winds due to the remnants of Hurricane Ike. After a scoreless first quarter, Cleveland trailed as Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger completed an 11-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh increased its lead with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 48-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Browns got on the board with kicker Phil Dawson getting a 31-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Cleveland tried to rally, but the only thing that came out of it was Dawson's 38-yard field goal.
With their 10th-straight loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns fell to 0–2.
This would be the Browns' last appearance on Sunday Night Football until 2019.
Week 3: at Baltimore Ravens
Trying to snap their two-game losing streak, the Browns flew to M&T Bank Stadium for a Week 3 AFC North duel with the Baltimore Ravens. After a scoreless first quarter, Cleveland got on the board with QB Derek Anderson completing a 19-yard TD pass to RB Jerome Harrison. The Ravens would respond with RB Willis McGahee getting a yard TD run. The Browns would close out the half with kicker Phil Dawson hitting a 38-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Baltimore took control as RB Le'Ron McClain scored on a 1-yard TD run, safety Ed Reed returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown, and McClain getting another 1-yard TD run.
With the loss, the Browns fell to 0–3.
Week 4: at Cincinnati Bengals
Still searching for their first win of the year, the Browns flew to Paul Brown Stadium for a Week 4 AFC North duel with the Cincinnati Bengals in Round 1 of 2008's Battle of Ohio. In the first quarter, Cleveland drew first blood as kicker Phil Dawson got a 25-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals responded with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 42-yard and a 45-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, the Browns began the fourth quarter with QB Derek Anderson completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards and RB Jamal Lewis getting a 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati would answer with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ochocinco (with a failed 2-point conversion), yet Cleveland pulled away with Dawson nailing a 29-yard field goal.
With their first win of the season, the Browns' record improved to 1–3.
Week 5: Bye Week The Browns entered their bye week with a record of 1–3. The team used the bye week to rest and allow injured players to recover. The Browns also used the extra week to better prepare for their Week 6 opponent: the defending champion New York Giants.
Winslow's Staph Infection Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow II was hospitalized on October 9 with an undisclosed illness (later revealed to be a staph infection).Browns keep Winslow's Staph from Team Winslow spent four nights in the hospital and did not play in the Browns' game against the Giants. Citing Winslow's privacy, the Browns did not comment on his illness.Winslow Remains Hospitalized for Undisclosed Illness
Week 6: vs. New York Giants