Factory Of Sadness
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3 Cleveland Browns who could’ve been in the Hall of Fame before Joe Thomas

By Chad Porto

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 18: Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball against Jerraud Powers #25 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 18: Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball against Jerraud Powers #25 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 18, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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17 Sep 2000: Kevin Johnson #85 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball up the field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Steelers 23-20.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport
17 Sep 2000: Kevin Johnson #85 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball up the field during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Steelers 23-20.Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport /

Kevin Johnson

This may not be the most obvious receiver to make the list, as Braylon Edwards or even Josh Gordon would’ve been a more obvious selection of guys who were on their way to the Hall of Fame, but for me, fewer guys showed their versatility and skills as Kevin Johnson did. Especially since he was able to be a big-time playmaker during an era of the Browns where he was the only one who was doing so.

Through his first three years, he had 2,752 yards receiving, and 18 touchdowns. Had he played 10 or 12 seasons of comparable stats, he’d have well over 11,000 yards, 70+ touchdowns, and every Browns’ receiving record imaginable. Yet, he was cut in 2003 for some reason and then failed to catch on anywhere else.

He was benched in ’03, and according to the Browns president Carmen Policy, Johnson wasn’t happy about that. So general manager and head coach Butch Davis made the call to move on from Johnson. While it’s not confirmed, there are some who believe that he played through too many injuries and it sapped him of his playmaking skills. Though that’s speculation.

The biggest issue is that there are some who rightfully believe Davis benched Johnson because he wasn’t one of Davis’ players, as he gave his spot to receiver Andre’ Davis. (not linebacker Andra Davis).

Johnson would land in Jacksonville after, then Baltimore and Detroit, and was out of football at 29.

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