Cleveland Browns: 6 best one-year wonders since the 1999 return

Jamir Miller

Jamir Miller is an unsung hero here in Cleveland. Many don’t know this or seem to remember but Miller actually came in during their very first year by signing the former first-round pick. Miller was drafted tenth overall in the 1994 NFL Draft and never lived up to the hype of a top-ten pick while with the Arizona Cardinals. He left Arizona and signed a one-year deal with the Browns in 1999, and he became one of their starting outside linebackers in their inaugural season.

Two years, and a contract renewal later, Miller had earned a place as a respected and viable veteran next to Wali Rainer and recently signed Dwayne Rudd. Rudd would have 100+ tackles in his first year with the team, while Miller would do the unthinkable and earn his first Pro Bowl selection at 28. Miller followed Rudd’s 100 tackles with his own century mark and added 13 sacks to his totals as well.

After Rainer left for Jacksonville, the Browns signed Earl Holmes and the expectations were that Holmes, Rudd, and Miller would lead a trio of 100-tackle linebackers to the promised land of the playoffs. The team achieved that goal in only year four, but Miller wasn’t apart of it. Miller tore his Achilles tendon in the preseason and never again played football again.

The loss was dramatic and devastating to the defense. Courtney Brown, who missed all but five games in 2001, had four and a half sacks in the games he played, a tribute to Miller’s influence on the defense. If Miller’s healthy in 2002, maybe Brown shakes off the bust label and finds that extra gear of confidence. Replacing Miller’s production was journeymen Mark Ward who mustered eight sacks, and while Kenard Lang had five in 2002.