October 10th,  2004

 

CLEVELAND at PITTSBURGH

GAME 5

 

There are just SO many memories in this rivalry for me. And my memory only goes back as far as '71. What I wouldn't give to remember those Saturday Night slugfests at Cleveland Municipal Stadium in the 1950's and 1960's as the Browns ruthlessly and regularly pounded the weaklings from "down the Turnpike" thereby laying the groundwork for what became the greatest rivalry in professional football. I've covered this matchup several times now over the past few seasons and I think I'll dispense with the formula this time and go with a kind of "free-flowing" memory of THE rivalry for me.

 

NUMBER 1

1972  The game that began my hatred for the Urine and Black. A heated, back and forth contest, on a very sloppy Muni turf. Leroy Kelly churned lots of mud and Don Cockroft came through when it counted for a 26-24 Browns win.

 

NUMBER 2

1978  The no-fumble fumble. The Browns' losing streak at Three Rivers continued yet again after a wild ending. Steelers kick returner Larry Anderson fumbled a kickoff in overtime. But, remembered tackle Doug Dieken: ``The official said the ground couldn't cause a fumble."  But there'd been no contact by players so it had to have been a fumble. Anderson just dropped the ball. The Steelers won 15-9 two plays later, when Bradshaw hit Bennie Cunningham with a 37-yard flea-flicker for a touchdown in overtime. This is the game when my hatred for the Squealers was cemented, bronzed and preserved for all time. I am not exaggerating in the least when I tell you, that I am STILL pissed off about this robbery.

 

NUMBER 3

1982  On the surface a very non descript game in the rivalry. The Browns won 10-9 in a game long drizzly rain/ snow mess at Muni. The difference of course was that this was my first " in person" Browns - Steelers game. I sat in what would soon become the Dawg Pound and witnessed not one but two fistfights between Browns faithfull and Pittspuke pondscum. I had numerous flasks, bottles and rolled tobacco type items handed my way. Although the game was unmemorable other than the win, the atmosphere of that game will stay with me forever.

 

NUMBER 4

1999  My very best friend in life is a guy by the name of Ric. We've been buddies since 1981 when we worked together at the Sandusky Register. He's even my daughter Elizabeth's Godfather. Only problem is he's a diehard Squeeler fan. His house is like a damn Squeeler altar. For the past 20 years I have gone to my friends' Browns - Steelers party at his house. He always has said party when the Browns play at the confluence. '99 was easily one of the most memorable as the awful expansion Browns came in with little hope of a win. I'll never forget Phil Dawson dashing from the sidelines as the clock ticked under 10 seconds with Chris Palmer waving him franctically into the game. He never even paused for the "kicker's stance" as he nailed the game winning field goal as time expired. Browns won 16-15. I jubilantly shredded my friend Ric's home made "You're In Steeler Country" banner in celebration.

 

NUMBER 5

1993  The double Eric Metcalf punt return game. Another one of those back and forth games in the rivalry. The Steelers almost assuredly outplayed the Browns during this game and if I recall correctly were well ahead in almost every offensive category. Eric Metcalf saved the day. I'll never forget the electricity I felt even from my side of the TV screen as he streaked down the sidelines to put the Browns ahead for good 28-23 as the fans in Municipal Stadium went berzerk and the Squeeler nation simultaniously wilted.

 

NUMBER 6

1989  The 51-0 humiliation. It is my wish in life that the Browns play this way EVERY time they face Pittsburgh. As it was in Pittspuke, I was at my friend Ric's house along with a fair number of other Browns fans. With the score already 35-0 at the half, he could handle the constant jawing no more and booted us all out. We watched the second half from another friends house while calling Ric's house every few minutes to remind him of the mounting score. I've NEVER seen the Browns play such a fine defensive game since this one. It was incredible.

 

NUMBER 7

1976  The Browns defeat the defending Super Bowl Champions Squeelers with third string quarterback Dr. David Mays at the helm. Mike Phipps went down in the first game of the season, Brian Sipe was scratched with a concussion prior to kickoff and things did NOT look promising for Forrest Gregg's Browns against the mighty Squeelers. The Browns faught tooth and nail to stay in this game and Joe "Turkey" Jones mighty corkscrewing of Terry Baldshaw into the Municipal muck was the icing on the cake.

 

NUMBER 8

1986  After 16 miserable attempts the losing streak at Three Rivers finally ended when the Browns triumphed 27-24 on Oct. 5, 1986. Gerald ``Ice Cube'' McNeil had two long punt returns for touchdowns, one for 100 yards, which ranks fourth in Browns history, and Earnest Byner scored a touchdown late in the game. The Browns went on to win four games in a row in Pittsburgh and won 11-of-18 regular-season games between 1986-94.

 

NUMBER 9

1986  The Browns swept the Squeelers for the first time since 1969 and "Oh how sweet it was." Gary Anderson sent the game to overtime as time expired, but the Bernie Kosar to Webster Slaughter 36 yard bomb in Overtime brought out the brooms on the hated Urine and Black for the first time in 16 seasons.

 

NUMBER 10

1991  Laying flat on his back in the Municipal Stadium endzone. Browns running back Leroy Hoard saw a touchdown from heaven land squarely in his hands as the Browns won a squeaker, 17-14.

 

NUMBER 11

1999  The game itself was grim. The expansion Browns hosting the hated Squeelers on Sunday Night in the first game in Cleveland Browns Stadium found themselves easy fodder to the tune of 43-0. But there was SO much more to that day. That was the day that many of us here met, broke bread and slugged alcohol for the first time. It was incredible putting faces with all the names I had come to know online the previous 4 years. A ten hour tailgate party for the ages. Then the honor of berating Kordell Stewart from section 527 with none other than our resident madman, Ghoolie. The presence of the lovely KS Hutchins was the cherry on one of the most memorable Sundays I ever had.

 

I don't know if alot of you read these things I write. If you do, I hope you enjoy them. When it comes to these Steeler games, they mean so much more to me. A crappy season can be lifted by a win over those creeps. I really truly love reminiscing about this rivalry, but even more I want this football team to give me more reasons to write. I could live with a 2-14 season if both wins were over the Urine and Black. I want to welcome you....whoever reads these things....to respond with some Browns - Steelers memories of your own. Any of the above games or some other game that stuck in your mind as one for the ages for whatever reason. I love reading your stories every bit as much as I love writing about mine. If you've got a story to tell, I'm all ears.

 

The Browns have always lead the series...since Day 1. It currently stands at 55-49 counting the two postseason games. I think big gawky Findlay Ohio boy Ben Toothlessburglar is overrated and no one has yet pressured him into a mistake. That WILL end Sunday as the Browns DEFENSE wins a game. Lee Suggs will just crack a hundred yards and score two TD's as the Browns win in Brawl.

 

My prediction:

 

Cleveland Browns   14

Pittspuke Squeelers   3