BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have long been known for having some of the most supportive fans in the National Football League, but when new players come from the college ranks or other professional organizations, they are often surprised by that passion given the lack of success since 1999.
And that proved to be the case once again for running back Carlos Hyde, who experienced his first week of practices in front of the Browns fans at the team’s headquarters in Berea over the last week.
“Oh man, that was awesome,” Hyde said. “The first time since I’ve been in the league that I’ve seen a lot of fans at a practice. Just shows how loyal the Dawg Pound is, so it’s definitely good to see. Definitely expect more fans out here, and I’m looking forward to it.
“We had a little bit last year (in San Francisco). That was like the first time I’d see it, but not as good as here.”
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That fan support comes despite the history of struggles, especially recently.
By going 0-16 last year, the Browns are on a 17-game losing streak and are a league-worst 1-31 since the opening game of 2016.
The Browns have not won on a Sunday afternoon since December 13, 2015. The 33 straight Sunday losses are an NFL record, and their 4-49 mark in the last 53 outings is the worst in the league in that four-year span.
“It is a fresh start now,” quarterback Tyrod Taylor said. “Learn from last year. No matter how good or how bad the season was, this season is a totally new year and be excited about the opportunity we have in front of us to go out and win games, change the culture and change the perception of this team.”
Last season, the Browns broke the record for the worst 28-game stretch in NFL history, as they “bested” the previous mark of 2-26 set by the expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 1976-1977 seasons with a 1-27 mark that got four losses worse after Week 13.
In five seasons under the majority ownership of Dee and Jimmy Haslam, the Browns have posted an NFL-worst 15-65 record. Factoring in the remaining games of the 2012 season after the sale was approved at an NFL Owners Meeting in Chicago, the Browns have gone 19-70.
“It is a football city, a city that loves football,” Taylor said. “The organization lately has had a bad rap the past couple of years, but worldwide, they are known for football.”
Taylor knows a little bit about breaking long playoff droughts, as he helped guide the Buffalo Bills to their first postseason appearance since 1999. And Taylor is very much looking forward to snapping the NFL’s longest playoff drought for the second consecutive year, as the Browns have not made it to the postseason since the 2002 season.
“This city deserves a winning team, and I am going to do everything in my power to go out there and produce that, as well as help with the other guys on the team -- offense, defense and special teams,” Taylor said. “It is a collective effort, and we are working hard each and every day to do that.”
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