The 2012 season was the Cleveland Browns' 60th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 64th overall. Although they improved their record to 5–11 this season from their 4–12 finish in 2011, they still placed fourth in the AFC North. They also failed to break their nine-year playoff drought, the longest in franchise history. The 2012 season was the third season under the leadership of team president Mike Holmgren and general manager Tom Heckert, and the second season under head coach Pat Shurmur. The Browns also had Jimmy Haslam as their new owner, after buying the team from Randy Lerner.
Off-season
Ownership change On August 2, team owner Randy Lerner sold the controlling interest of the Browns to Tennessee businessman Jimmy Haslam. Haslam is the owner of Pilot Flying J travel centers and was previously a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The amount of the sale was in excess of US$1 billion.
The sale was approved on October 25, 2012.
Coaching changes
On January 11, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson left the Browns to take the same position with the Dallas Cowboys.
On January 18, the Browns hired Nolan Cromwell as a senior offensive assistant. Cromwell replaces Keith Gilbertson, who retired following the 2011 season.
On January 23, the Browns hired former Tennessee Titans' assistant secondary coach Tim Hauck to replace Henderson as defensive backs coach. Hauck was on the Titans' staff from 2009 to 2010, and served as an assistant at the collegiate level prior to that.
On January 27, the Browns hired former Minnesota Vikings' head coach Brad Childress as offensive coordinator. Childress coached the Vikings from 2006 to 2010. From 2003 to 2005, he was the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, where he worked with current Browns' head coach Pat Shurmur.
Roster changes
Free agency Pos Player Tag Date signed 2012 team FS Mike Adams UFA March 15 Denver Broncos DE Marcus Benard RFA ILB Titus Brown ERFA/UFA G Oniel Cousins UFA March 15 Cleveland Browns K Phil Dawson UFA/FT March 13 Cleveland Browns G John Greco UFA March 13 Cleveland Browns T Artis Hicks UFA March 15 Miami Dolphins RB Peyton Hillis UFA March 14 Kansas City Chiefs ILB D'Qwell Jackson UFA February 27 Cleveland Browns P Brad Maynard UFA WR Jordan Norwood ERFA April 16 Cleveland Browns CB Dimitri Patterson UFA March 15 Cleveland Browns DT Brian Schaefering ERFA March 15 Cleveland Browns TE Alex Smith UFA March 13 Cleveland Browns C Steve Vallos UFA March 19 Philadelphia EaglesRFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent, FT: Franchise tag Player re-signed by Browns
Releases Pos Player Date released Date signed 2012 Team P Richmond McGee March 12 DE Jayme Mitchell March 16 June 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers T Tony Pashos March 12 RB Armond Smith May 14 May 15 Carolina Panthers G Eric Steinbach March 14 July 26 Miami Dolphins
Signings Pos Player Date signed 2011 Team DE Juqua Parker March 15 Philadelphia Eagles DE Frostee Rucker March 14 Cincinnati Bengals
2012 Draft Class
The draft occurred from April 26–28. The Browns had an NFL-high eleven selections. Round Selection Player Position College1 3 Trent Richardson RB Alabama 22 Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State 2 37 Mitchell Schwartz T California 3 87 John Hughes DT Cincinnati 4 100 Travis Benjamin WR Miami (FL) 120 James-Michael Johnson LB Nevada 5 160 Ryan Miller G Colorado 6 204 Emmanuel Acho LB Texas 205 Billy Winn DT Boise State 7 245 Trevin Wade CB Arizona 247 Brad Smelley FB Alabama
NOTES: On Draft Day, The Browns acquired the Minnesota Vikings' first-round pick (No. 3) for their own first- (No. 4), fourth- (No. 118), fifth- (No. 139) and seventh- (No. 211) round selections. The Browns acquired the Atlanta Falcons' 2012 first- (No. 22) and fourth- (No. 118, traded to Minnesota) round selections and 2011 first-, second-, and fourth-round selections for Cleveland's 2011 first-round selection. The Browns traded their third-round pick (No. 67) to the Denver Broncos for their third- (No. 87) and fourth- (No. 120) round picks. The Browns acquired the Denver Broncos' fifth-round selection, as well as a 2011 sixth-round selection and RB Peyton Hillis in exchange for QB Brady Quinn during the 2010 offseason. Although the Browns have two sixth-round selections, they traded their original selection in this round to the Minnesota Vikings for DE Jayme Mitchell. Compensatory selection
Undrafted free agents Pos Player College Signed Released CB Mike Allen James Madison April 30 May 30 G Matt Cleveland Idaho April 30 August 26 WR Josh Cooper Oklahoma State April 30 August 31 CB Emanuel Davis East Carolina April 30 August 26 LB JoJo Dickson Idaho May 14 August 26 C Garth Gerhart Arizona State April 30 August 31 S Tashaun Gipson Wyoming April 30 DE William Green Florida April 30 August 31 WR Antwuan Reed Pittsburgh April 30 August 26 WR Bert Reed Florida State April 30 August 26 WR Jermaine Saffold Missouri State April 30 August 26 G J.B. Shugarts Ohio State April 30 August 31 LB Andrew Sweat Ohio State April 30 May 14Sweat was placed on the reserve retired list after choosing to pursue law school rather than a career in football RB Adonis Thomas Toledo May 14 August 31
Supplemental Draft On July 12, the Browns selected WR Josh Gordon of Baylor with a second round pick in the supplemental draft. The Browns will forfeit their second round pick in the 2013 NFL draft. Gordon became only the second player drafted by the Browns in the supplemental draft, the other being QB Bernie Kosar in 1985.
Other news and notes
LB Fujita suspension On May 2, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced a three-game suspension for LB Scott Fujita for his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal in 2009. Fujita was suspended along with former Saints teammates Jonathan Vilma, Anthony Hargrove, and Will Smith for what the commissioner called "conduct detrimental to the NFL as a result of their leadership roles."
Fujita and the three other players have appealed the suspensions, however on July 3 Goodell upheld the suspensions.
On September 7, two days before the Week 1 game, the suspensions against Fujita and the other players were overturned. Fujita started the Week 1 contest.
DT Taylor injury On May 10, starting DT Phil Taylor tore his left pectoral muscle while doing bench presses in the weight room. Taylor, the Browns' 1st round draft choice in 2011, will be out for several months and may miss the entire season.
Suicide of grounds crew member A member of the Browns' grounds crew killed himself at their practice facility in Berea, Ohio, a team spokesman said Sunday, December 2, 2012. The man's body was found Saturday morning, December 1, 2012, at the facility in suburban Cleveland, the same day Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher committed suicide after killing his girlfriend. Browns spokesman Neal Gulkis confirmed to The Associated Press that a team employee died of a suicide, but provided no other details. He released a statement calling the man a good friend and an outstanding employee and saying the team's heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
Staff
Rosters
Opening training camp roster
Week 1 Roster
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 at Detroit Lions W 19–17 1–0 Ford Field Recap 2 at Green Bay Packers W 35–10 2–0 Lambeau Field Recap 3 Philadelphia Eagles L 10–27 2–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 4 Chicago Bears L 20–28 2–2 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
LB Gocong injury On August 4, starting LB Chris Gocong tore his right Achilles tendon during morning practice. He will likely miss the entire season.
QB Weeden named starter On August 6, coach Pat Shurmur named Brandon Weeden as the starting QB. Weeden, 28, was picked 22nd overall by the Browns in the 2012 NFL draft.
First roster cuts All NFL teams were required to cut their rosters from 90 players to 75 by August 27. One day earlier, the Browns released nine players, most notably WR veteran WR Carlton Mitchell.
The Browns also placed LBs Emanuel Acho and Chris Gocong on injured reserve, waived/injured DEs Marcus Benard and Auston English and CB Antwaun Reed. The team also placed DT Phil Taylor on the physically unable to perform list.
With one open roster spot, the Browns claimed DE Ernest Owusu off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings.
Second roster cuts All NFL teams were required to cut their rosters from 75 players to 53 by August 31. The Browns cut quarterback Seneca Wallace; running back Adonis Thomas; fullback Brad Smelley; wide receivers Josh Cooper and Rod Windsor, tight ends Dan Gronkowski and Evan Moore; offensive linemen Dominic Alford, Stanley Daniels, Garth Gerhart, Jerrod Shaw, and J.B. Shugarts; defensive linemen Ronnie Cameron, William Green, Ernest Owushu, Brian Schaefering, and Kiante Tripp; linebackers Benjamin Jacobs and Quinton Spears; and defensive back James Dockery. In addition, DT Phil Taylor remained on the physically unable to perform list.
Cameron, Cooper, Gerhart, Jacobs, Shaw, Shugarts, and Smelley were added to the Browns' practice squad.
Captains elected On September 2, the Browns elected offensive tackle Joe Thomas, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson, and kicker Phil Dawson as captains.
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.comrecap 1 September 9 Philadelphia Eagles L 16–17 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 2 September 16 at Cincinnati Bengals L 27–34 0–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap 3 September 23 Buffalo Bills L 14–24 0–3 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 4 at Baltimore Ravens L 16–23 0–4 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 5 October 7 at New York Giants L 27–41 0–5 MetLife Stadium Recap 6 October 14 Cincinnati Bengals W 34–24 1–5 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 7 October 21 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–17 1–6 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 8 October 28 San Diego Chargers W 7–6 2–6 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 9 November 4 Baltimore Ravens L 15–25 2–7 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 10 Bye 11 November 18 at Dallas Cowboys L 20–23 2–8 Cowboys Stadium Recap 12 November 25 Pittsburgh Steelers W 20–14 3–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 13 December 2 at Oakland Raiders W 20–17 4–8 O.co Coliseum Recap 14 December 9 Kansas City Chiefs W 30–7 5–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 15 December 16 Washington Redskins L 21–38 5–9 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 16 December 23 at Denver Broncos L 12–34 5–10 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap 17 December 30 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–24 5–11 Heinz Field Recap
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Browns opened their season against the Philadelphia Eagles. They got their first points of the 2012 season when Phil Dawson kicked a 43-yard field goal to make the score 3–0 for the only points of the opening quarter. The Eagles responded to tie the game at 3–3 when Alex Henery kicked a 42-yard field goal followed by Michael Vick finding Jeremy Maclin in the end zone on an 18-yard touchdown pass to make the halftime score 10–3. Heading into the third quarter and extending into the 4th, the Browns scored 13 unanswered points starting with Dawson's field goals from 42 (for the only score of the quarter) and 22 yards out shortening the Eagles' lead from four to just a point from 10–6 to 10–9. And then, the Browns retook the lead when D'Qwell Jackson ran for a 13-yard touchdown for a 16–10 game. However, the Philadelphia Eagles were able to complete the comeback as Vick found Clay Harbor on a 4-yard pass making the final score 17–16.
The Browns started their season 0–1 for the eighth straight year.
Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals