Since my Browns theme team can't play MUT now without getting beat by 40 points, I thought I'd put together a list of the perfect Browns theme team based on my own personal bias.
I mean, I can't throw the ball, I can't catch the ball. I can't run the ball, I can't run block or pass block. I can't cover anyone, I can't return kicks. It's really about as unplayable as it could possibly get. So here goes...
My perfect Browns Theme Team.
QB1 - Bernie Kosar. Sure he can't run, and he doesn't have the strongest arm. But he's probably as accurate as any other QB in the history of the game, and he's really good at changing plays (Unlimited Hot Routes?). Backing up Bernie would be Otto Graham. He's older than old school and can play the style of play I need. I'm not a great passer in Madden, but this has a lot to do with having QB's rated at 70 something for most of the year. It would be nice to finally have a QB that could both run and throw the ball well. Otto would be that guy.
HB1 - There are so many to choose from here. Leroy Kelly, Earnest Byner, Leroy Hoard? This list goes on for awhile. But for my money give me Nick Chubb. I just love the way the guy plays, one cut and go. Backing up Chubb would be Eric Metcalf. I'd need him for 3rd downs and kick/punt returns.
FB - Special consideration to Jim Brown as he's the best player in the history of the NFL. Kevin Mack gets a nod too. But this really has to be Marion Motely for me. The guy just looks amazing on film, and he has a great story being one of the first African American players in the NFL. Give me Marion Motely and then get out of my way! Can I get a backup at FB? Jim Brown and Kevin Mack would both be nice.
TE - I don't think there's any way to not put Ozzie Newsome here. Although Mark Bavaro played late in his career for the Browns too, and Bavaro is a better run blocker, so that might also be nice. I'd like to run a 3 TE offense so I'd really need one more guy here. Someone that could catch and block. David Njoku would work well.
WR1 - Paul Warfield is the king here. But I grew up in a time when Webster Slaughter was my hero. I need Bernie throwing to WebStar, and there's just no reason I wouldn't want this. For me, any other player at WR1 would be second best.
WR2 - Reggie Langhorne. He had speed and could block. Big tall guy. A great compliment to Webster Slaughter on the other side.
WR3 (Slot) - Dennis Northcutt. This is a another guy that I just love. He's was so scrappy and elusive. And he was always dancing around in the endzone making the other team furious. This guy could really get open anywhere on the field.
LT - Joe Thomas was the best of all time. He's the ONE legend Cleveland theme teams seem to always get. It's nice that we have at least one guy that's consistently there.
LG - Joel Bitonio. I loved when he got drafted everyone kept saying that he had a real nasty strike in him. That he was a bruiser. That he had that dawg in him. I can't wait for him to level up 6 months from now so I can put nasty streak on him in MUT. That will be fun.
C - I don't think this guy has ever been in Madden, but Steve Everitt was just a great great Center for the Browns. He was so fast they had him pulling on running plays, as a Center! Great run blocker out of old school running Michigan.
RG - Wyatt Teller. Dude is just a monster run blocker.
RT - Let's go with Gene Hickerson. This guy blocked for Jim Brown and went to the Hall of Fame. Can you imagine Everitt, Teller, and Hickerson all run blocking on that right side? Pancake city.
K - The optimistic side of me wants to say Cade York. But historically I like Phil Dawson or maybe Matt Barr. The Browns haven't really had a big time kicker in years (Lou Groza?). I guess give me Cade York, let's roll the dice.
P - I'll take Tom Tupa here. It's nice having a punter that can also play QB.
PR - Josh Cribbs. He'd also play WR4.
RE - Myles Garret. Duh.
LE - Carl "Big Daddy" Hairston. Love this guy. What a character, and great player.
I'd rotate in a third DE, Al "Bubba" Baker. Another character, and someone that is believed to actually hold the all time sack record after looking at the tape.
ILB1 - Pepper Johnson. Another guy I just loved having on the team. Always knew you'd get the most out of him.
ILB2 - D'Qwell Jackson. This always made plays.
I'd rotate in * "Bam-Bam" Ambrose to stop the run and deliver the wood.
OLB1 - Jamir Miller,another guy that just made plays every game. He played on some horrible Browns teams but still destroyed offenses.
OLB2 - Clay Matthews. A really smart player (as were all the guys I'm talking about here) but I just remember him always playing within himself. Late in his career he had to guard Thurman Thomas in his prime and it was a total mismatch, but Clay intercepted the ball on the 3 yard line to hand Buffalo a playoff loss, because he never gave up.
I'd rotate inJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, because I need someone to cover in today's passing game.
SS - I remember Eric Turner rotating between Strong and Free safety nearly every other play. I'd want him at Strong Safety because he was so good in run support. Some people like Sean Taylor, others like Ed Reed. I love Eric Turner. He made so many plays and was just better than anyone else early in his career. He was the anchor of the Cleveland Browns defensive strategy underBill Belichick, who believe (and still does) in having strength up the middle of the offense and defense.
FS - I'd put Felix Wright here. This guy never got his due. He was another super smart guy that always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
I'd back up Turner and Wright with Thane Gash, an explosive nightmare for wide receivers.
CB1 - Frank "Mighty" Minnifield
CB2 - Hanford Dixon
I really shouldn't have to explain why.
CB3 - Denzel Ward can play the slot.
and backing up these guys I'd put in Antonio Langham. What a brilliant zone corner. That guy had so many break ups and almost picks it seems like he'd have more than 14 career INTs.
That's it, that's my all-time Browns theme team. That's all the guys that I'll probably never see in MUT.
