A Look Back At The 1985 NFL Draft & How Bernie Kosar Picked The Browns

April 30, 1985.  I was finishing up my freshman year of high school, competing in varsity track, and obsessed with the NFL Draft, even though the Cleveland Browns were coming off a miserable 1984 season (5-11) that resulted in the midseason firing of Sam Rutigliano and the promotion of defensive coordinator Marty Schottenheimer to head coach.

The Browns, having allowed longtime starter and fan favorite Brian Sipe to depart to the USFL's New Jersey Generals after the 1983 NFL season, were going nowhere with Paul McDonald at quarterback.  In the video clip I have posted below, you will see a brief clip of McDonald throwing an interception from the 1984 season, as former Browns GM Ernie Accorsi is narrating about why it was so important for the Browns to land a quality quarterback.

I distinctly remember how the Browns were trying to hold onto their first pick, which was seventh overall, instead of trading their pick to Buffalo.  The Browns tried to trade linebacker Chip Banks to Buffalo, but Banks refused to go, so the Browns had to wind up giving up both their 1985 and 1986 first round picks.  No matter - the price was small, for the glory that Kosar helped to propel the Browns to from 1985-1989.  It truly was a shame that the Browns did not continue to build a quality offensive line around Kosar, as Kosar's career ended prematurely after the 1996 season.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000485965/Caught-in-the-Draft-The-clash-for-Kosar

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000485964/Caught-in-the-Draft-Cowboys-trade-Herschel-Walker

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000485927/Caught-in-the-Draft-Bills-draft-Bruce-Smith-and-Andre-Reed