Cleveland Browns: The unofficial 2000-2009 All-Decade team
By Chad Porto
Defense
Oh criminy. This is going to be so bad. So-so-so bad. The Browns defense during this decade was at an all-time low. I mean, never have I seen so much disarray defensively. There might be two or three Pro Bowlers on this entire list. In ten years. Joe Thomas went to three Pro Bowls on his own in three years.
DL Orpheus Roye
A long time Browns player and the best defensive linemen for the team during the 2000s. Playing eight seasons and was the only defensive starter to play in the 2002 playoff year and the 2010 ten-win year.
DT Shaun Rogers
Shaun “Big Baby” Rogers got his start in Detroit but a trade for Leigh Bodden brought the All-Pro noseguard to the Browns. Made it to the Pro Bowl, the only player from the defensive line to do just that.
DL Alvin McKinley
Didn’t record a sack until his fifth year in the NFL, fourth with the Browns. This is the type of player that makes the All-Decade team for the defense. Get ready.
DT Gerard Warren
He played a long time and didn’t entirely suck.
DT Corey Williams
I had to have bodies on this list.
DE Robaire Smith
He started on the 10-win Browns team.
DE Courtney Brown
Seriously, there was so much disarray, turnover, and pathetic performances that a bust like Courtney Brown is an obvious choice to make the 2000-2009 Cleveland Browns All-Decade team.
DE Kenard Lang
Actually a good player, Kenard Lang averaged just shy of seven sacks a year for his first three years with the team.
DE Kenyon Coleman
It was him or Ebenezer Ekuban.
LB Jamir Miller
The only other Pro Bowler on this side of the list, and he was considered a bust before his 13-sack year. In true Browns fashion, Miller tore his Achilles and had to retire the year following his Pro Bowl appearance.
LB Wali Rainer
Had 137 combined tackles as a rookie in 1999. Browns made a mistake letting him leave, as he would’ve been valuable replacing Miller as an outside linebacker next to Earl Holmes.
LB Dwayne Rudd
His helmet is still somewhere over Lake Eerie after he threw it during the end of the Kansas City Chiefs game.
LB Andra Davis
Had a better career than wide receiver Andre Davis that the Browns also took in the very same draft.
LB Earl Holmes
Shockingly only played one year with the team in 2002 and was fantastic.
LB Kamerion Wimbley
He started off so promising with his 11 sacks as a rookie.
LB Willie McGinest
For a guy who was at the end of his career, Willie McGinest put in some work.
CB Daylon McCutcheon
Played seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns and as arguably their best and most consistent player from 1999 to 2005. A knee injury in 2006 led to the end of his career, as the Browns cut him shortly after the 2006 season.
CB Anthony Henry
He had 10 interceptions as a rookie. Enough said.
CB Eric Wright
He was better than Leigh Bodden.
DB Brodney Pool
He was the starter on that 2007 10-win team. That’s about it.
DB Corey Fuller
An original 1999 acquisition, he and McCutcheon were valuable DB’s during their run together. Started for the 2002 playoff squad.
SAF Earl Little
He had five and a half seasons as the Browns starting safety. That’s honestly good enough to make this list.
SAF Sean Jones
Despite missing his rookie year and parts of his second year, Sean Jones became a valuable safety for the Browns 10-win team.
SAF Chris Crocker
I’m trying man, but dang. Some of these are just…I mean dang.