1954 Cleveland Browns season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Paul Brown |
Home field | Cleveland Stadium |
Local radio | WGAR |
Results | |
Record | 9–3–0 |
Division place | 1st NFL American |
Playoff finish | Won NFL Championship |
The 1954 Cleveland Browns season was the team's fifth season with the National Football League. The Browns' defense became the first defense in the history of the NFL to lead the league in fewest rushing yards allowed, fewest passing yards allowed and fewest total yards allowed. Assistant coach Weeb Ewbank left the club to coach the Baltimore Colts.
Defensive Back Don Paul arrived via a trade with the Washington Redskins. The Redskins acquired Paul from the Chicago Cardinals. Upon his arrival in Washington, he fell in disfavour with George Preston Marshall of the Redskins.
The 1954 NFL Draft was one of the biggest busts in Browns history. With the first overall pick in the draft, the Browns selected quarterback Bobby Garrett out of Stanford University. The plan was that he would be the heir to Otto Graham. Garrett suffered from a stuttering problem which hindered his performance in the huddle. Eventually, Garrett would be traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Babe Parilli, although Parilli would not play for the Browns until 1958. Later in the first round, the club selected John Bauer. He would never play for the Browns and only played in two NFL games in his career.
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.