Super Bowl Safety Gives Cleveland His Flowers To Browns After NFL Honors
Tashaun Gipson Sr. was a valued member of the Cleveland Browns during the really tough years. Gipson's time in Cleveland spanned from 2012 through 2015 before he left for Jacksonville in free agency.
Gipson was a really good player for the Browns but unfortunately, he was one of the few at the time. Over his four seasons, the Browns had a 19-45 record including the biggest collapse and disappointment in the history of the franchise.
In 2014 Cleveland was playing some of the best football in the entire AFC. After Week 9, Cleveland was 6-3 and first in the AFC North and the team felt like it finally was turning the corner.
Nov 25, 2012; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) in the fourth quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cornerback Tashaun Gipson (39) is also in on the play. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
© David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Gipson recalls that time saying,
"We were sitting at 6-3 and we were still like, 'man is this real? are we really leading the AFC (north)? We were all like that. The way that the fans felt, the guys in the locker room were like 'man, we need to ride this wave!'"
Unfortunately, that wave came crashing down. Cleveland finished the season with a 1-6 record over the final seven games finishing last in the AFC North at 7-9.
2014 was maybe the most disappointing of the many years since the return.
The tune has changed amongst the Cleveland Browns. They have a roster that poses a threat to every other NFL team in the league and more importantly, that roster believes it can get the job done.
The rest of the NFL is beginning to notice.
The NFL Awards were a great example of what this team has. Myles Garrett took home the Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Stefanski was named Head Coach of the Year, Jim Schwartz snagged the Assistant Coach of the Year and Joe Flacco was named Comeback Player of the Year.
While the team will shift a bit this offseason, the core will remain, and that core believes that they can make a bunch of noise next year and for the years to come.
