Saban wrote:BD Sullivan wrote:In 1967, the Browns came close to losing their home game against the Cardinals in October and their two November home games:
*Against St. Louis, they led 17-16 with less than five minutes and facing a third and two. Frank Ryan, not known for his mobility, escaped a sack and got the first down, with Groza adding a FG.
*Against Minnesota, they trailed 10-7 with 3:30 left. Minnesota had the ball at midfield, but the Browns forced a fumble. They drove down the field and Leroy Kelly scored with 28 seconds left.
*Against Washington, Sonny Jurgensen threw for 418 yards and got the ball down to the Cleveland 25 with 48 seconds left and the Browns leading 42-37. Three tries went nowhere and then he was sacked by Bill Glass.
Here is what I think about those three games in Cleveland, for what it is worth:
St. Louis - The Cardinals always gave Cleveland a tough time in Cleveland in those days. They were always up for the Browns in their first games of those years (1964-69). Cleveland was a little lucky to win that one in 1967.
Minnesota - The Browns were vocal after their 55 to 7 loss to Green Bay and said some things that were bulletin board material for the Vikings. Hence, the Vikings came into Cleveland very high for that game. Minnesota was a better team than their record indicated and were getting close to becoming a dynasty. It turned out to be a tough, nasty game, and the Browns were fortunate to get the win.
Washington - Cleveland had beaten Washington about 8 or 9 times in a row and last lost to the Redskins in 1962. Might have had a hard time getting up for that game. Besides, they had their next game against the Giants who had beaten Cleveland in New York, so they may have been looking ahead. Cleveland's defense did play tough against the Giants the following week in Cleveland as the Browns won, 24 to 14.
Yes, Cleveland did have some close games at home in 1967, but were never blown out, as they were on the road. Their lone home loss was a 21 to 14 loss to Dallas in the opener.
BTW, I forgot to mention that Cleveland missed middle linebacker Vince Costello, who was traded to the Giants in the preseason. Middle linebacker became a problem area for the Browns from 1967 on for some years. Costello played well for New York in 1967 even though he was 35 years old. He was a key in the Giants 38 to 34 upset win over Cleveland that year. Too bad that Art had traded away Mike Lucci.
They also missed tight end Milt Morin, who missed much of the 1967 season due to injury. Ralph "Catfish" Smith was an adequate replacement, but Morin was a rising star.
Milt Morin was Cleveland's first round draft choice in 1966. He was big (6'4" and about 240 lbs.), could catch passes and was an excellent blocker. He could also run over tacklers after catching a pass. I guess that he had everything needed to be a very good tight end in the NFL. A good candidate for our Hall of Very Good, IMO.
Catfish Smith was a better than adequate backup tight end I believe. He played 8 years in the NFL, mostly as a reserve tight end (He backed up Pete Retzlaff at Philadelphia for 3 years and John Brewer in Cleveland in 1965 before Morin came to the Browns in 1966). Milt Morin was injured in 1967, so Smith was the starting tight end for Cleveland for most of that year.
Smith was traded to Atlanta in 1969, probably because the Browns 3rd round draft choice that year was Charles "Chip" Glass. who was about the same size as Morin and probably thought to have good potential. Glass backed up Morin in his time at Cleveland. Smith played one year in Atlanta before retiring.
I think that Catfish Smith must have been a good blocking tight end to last 8 years in the NFL and to play 4 years for Cleveland in those days. He was a star and all around athlete at U. of Mississippi. also being good at basketball, baseball, and track. He also was one of the heroes of the Cleveland Browns comeback win over the New York Giants in 1966 when Cleveland came from 20 points behind in the 3rd quarter to win 49 to 40.
