Other than the 49ers, there may not have been a more exciting NFL franchise to follow in the 1980s than the Cleveland Browns. After establishing a gritty identity where battles were lost or won in the final moments, the Browns built off this mettle to close out the decade as perennial championship contenders. Unfortunately, these repetitive teases with greatness made the franchise’s front office impatient, and after the 1989 season head coach Bud Carson parted ways with the storied franchise. Browns fans no doubt asked themselves whether, on the heals three AFC championship appearances in four years, the 90s would be the decade when their team would reclaim the glory of decades past?
As fate would have it, the 1990 Browns were a shell of their former selves, and the manner in which they are immortalized in Tecmo Super Bowl reflects this. Led by the legitimate Bernie Kosar, alias QB Browns, the offense suffers from a significant lack of speed in the skill positions. Their once proud defense is limited to a one-star line-up — and that star may not be who you think he is. For their own part, the Browns special teams has little to offer than a powerful halfback to return kicks.
Yet for whatever reason, the Browns continue to be a favorite choice among Tecmo gamers. Perhaps it’s the draw of the underdog trying to reverse the Curse of Cleveland, and lord knows QB Browns fights an uphill battle in a division featuring three of the league’s most dominant defensive backs. Or maybe it’s the fact that QB Browns, a top-5 QB in his own right, gets the chance to light up some pretty poor defenses when up against teams in their peer group. It’s also worthy of note that the Browns have possibly the widest domain of valid match-ups in Tecmo, ranging from the lowly Aints of New Orleans to the passing-fiend LA Rams. Thankfully, the Browns’ line-up is malleable enough, at least offensively, to accomodate multiple methods of attack.
Offense
Line-up — the personality of any offense is directly connected to its quarterback, and this couldn’t be more true for the Browns. QB Browns excells in the two most important stats of a Tecmo QB: MS (max speed) and PC (pass control ability). His 75 PC gives his receivers a chance on nearly every throw while making the possibility of INTs against mid-to-lower-tier defensive backs unlikely. At 63 REC (receiving ability), Webster Slaughter is QB Brown’s number 1 go-to, but his below-average 38 MS (max speed) minimizes his threat. Running Back Kevin Mack boasts an impressive 88 HP (hitting power) although his 31 MS makes him a reluctant option for a feature RB. The Browns’ offensive line lacks any dominant individuals, but it is servicable enough to allow QB Browns to scramble to daylight when needed.
The Browns default line-up isn’t a terrible way to start things off, but it certainly can be improved upon. It’s just a matter of rearranging the starters since the back-ups have so little to offer. The main adjustment I like to make takes advantage of Metcalf’s 56 REC by putting him out wide. Sending Metcalf deep early and often can go a long way in providing QB Browns time to throw underneath or move the chains with his feet. If you’re set on pounding the rock, however, you have the option to keep Metcalf as your RB and shift Mack to tight end to maximize his HP, if your run formations of choice call for this.
Notes from the Pros — When determining how to utilize a team’s strengths and compensate for their weaknesses, it’s never a bad idea to look at the best practices of the pros. There have been two moments in live Tecmo championship play where the Brownies have been used in different ways by masters of the game. But viewers beware: though well thought out, the strategies put into place also take practice and guts to produce desirable results. Don’t let the veneer of simplicity fool you!
Chet Holzbauer, playing as the Browns, chooses an Air Attack playbook. In addition to the common approach of disguising his plays between two primary formations (run & shoot and pro set), Chet seems to have several strategies in mind. First, he knows his QB Browns-to-Slaughter tandem is a mismatch against an extremely weak Packers defensive backs, and this connection alone leads to two first half touchdowns. Next, Chet notes that the Packers are a two-man defense. Both linebacker Tim Harris and nose tackle Bob Nelson must burn a lot of real estate if they hope to cover QB Brown’s deep passes, and neither are positioned well to defend Mack’s halfback dive or pitches outside. Last, Chet’s quick-strike mentality seems influenced by the mismatch his own defense faces on the other side of the ball: sure enough, Majik-to-Sharpe wind up connecting for one touchdown plus a key third down conversion of their own, as the highly entertaining match reaches its halfway point all knotted up at 14 apiece.
The video doesn’t show Chet making or changing his line-up, but he seems to have the one above in place. To the right is the playbook he uses for his Air Assault.
Next we have a different method of scheming with the Browns. Though the ending result is the same — a loss — it’s not for a lack of some solid execution by the Brownies both offensively and defensively.
In contrast to Chet’s pass-heavy offense, Daboys uses quite a different strategy when up against Chet, who is now playing as the Saints. Daboys employs a Ground and Pound playbook which he executes flawlessly to building a 14-0 lead with just seconds left in the first half. On his first drive, Daboys scrambles twice with QB Browns before committing to the run, then the past, then the run again for the score. Just as masterful as this 15 play, five-1st down effort is the following drive of 12 plays for another five first downs. This time, instead of sticking with streches of run, pass or scramble, Daboys’ unpredictability in mixing all three facets leads to the same success.
Common Opponent Defenses — While Chet and Daboys provide exellent examples of what to look for when facing the Packers and Saints defenses, respectively, these two teams aren’t by a long shot the only opponents Browns users are likely to face. What follows is a nutshell break-down of how the Browns might attack the defenses of their other common opponents.
Falcons — Atlanta features quite possibly the most one-dimensional defense in the game. “Neon” Deion Sanders will likely be the only player your opponent mans throughout the match, making playbook selection pretty straight-forward. These running plays simultaneosly put a body on Sanders at the CB1 position while allowing Mack to popcorn a 38 HP Darion Conner or stunt the movable Tim Green on the D-line. Each pass play sends at least two players both long and short causing the man-controlled Sanders to constantly make coverage decisions. Good luck doing both and stopping QB Browns’ happy feet too, Deion!
Steelers — The Steelers, on the other hand, present a defense that is nothing but stars. Poor Frank Minnifield would be riding the pine on this secondary! It’s thanks to an abysmal offensive (other than an above-average O-line) that places Pitt in the Brownies’ peer group. Daboy’s “Ground and Pound” playbook might not be a bad option against the insane Steelers secondary. One might also want to focus on Rod Woodson exclusively, who at the CB1 position calls for a similar approach as Deion. Or you could gameplan for both cornerbacks as you would for Dallas [below].
Cowboys — The Cowboys feature a pair of solid cornerbacks on an otherwise pedestrian defense. Given that your opponent will probably be manned with either Isaac Holt or Manny Hendrix (more likely the speedy latter), a playbook designed to put bodies on the cornerbacks just might do the trick.
Cardinals — Not only do the Cardinals have a good pair of safeties in Lonnie Young and Tim McDonald, but Ken Harvey holds his own at the LB1 position. An eclectic approach to a gameplan might be what the doctor ordered to dink and dunk under the Phoenix safeties while putting some trash in Harvey’s face.
Jets — The Jets defense is a bit of an enigma in its on right. While the offense doesn’t really provide much to sniff at, the defense boasts three studs who establish the identity of the team. Dennis Byrd and Kyle Clifton form an esteemed tandem at linebacker while Erik McMillan is a formidable foe from the free safety position. Below [right] is a playbook that might at least make things a bit interesting for Mr. McMillan.
Defense
Line-up — The Cleveland Browns defense is what you might call a one-man show. Mike Johnson is the lone star on this squad, although Frank Minnifield has been known to make a play out of the secondary. Johnson is conveniently placed at the LB3 position which gives him leniency to participate on both running and passing plays. However, situational football demands the user to play as specific positions sometimes, no matter how shoddy the supporting cast. How one navigates this challenge will greatly determine their level of success when manning the Brownies’ defense.
When it came to staffing their defensive line, the programmers of TSB gave our Browns the unquestionable shaft. Upon its first release, Tecmo players likely chose the Browns hoping to disrupt opposing offenses with one Michael Dean Perry. But the lone Pro Bowler of the 1990 Browns squad is oddly absent in this line-up. Instead we have Robert Banks, Chris Pike and Al Baker, all who rank just at or below average for linemen. In contrast to Johnson’s excellent strength, his three linebacker amigos rep a lowly 38 HP. On the upside, both David Grayson and converted defensive back Tony Blaylock carry above average INT (interception ability), so with any luck they’re both worth a pass defensed per game when facing John Elway or Bubby Brister. Thane Gash and Raymond Clayborn make up the league’s worst tandem of upper-screen defensive backs in a secondary that is dearly missing the presence of recently retired Browns great Hanford Dixon.
Notes from the Pros — If we take the two videos as examples once again, we see two defensive strategies employed by Chet and Daboys that are as different from each other as their offensive approaches.
Chet’s approach is marked on the one hand by allowing Majik-to-Sharpe to burn him for a pair of huge gains, one in each half. Aside from these risks gone bad, Chet plays some old school Brownie lock-down D. Johnson and Felix Wright pair up to control the middle of the field, while Blaylock is utilized to blow up the Packers running game. Noticably, Chet never man’s Minnifield, instead allowing the AI to get involved however it so chooses.
Daboys, on the other hand, mans Minnifield more than the rest of his squad combined, even to the point of having Minni snag an INT on the Browns first defensive series. For the most part Daboys is effective in this strategy, and doesn’t give up any defensive points until the Saints get a TD in the second half. After that the Browns are able to play bend-but-don’t-break in allowing two field goals, but unfortunately the final one is what gives Chet the decision.
How might you gameplan defensively for the Browns common opponents? The choice is very much up to you. There are arguments to be made for any number of approaches. You can go the obvious route of controlling Mike Johnson exclusively, but that might be exactly what your opponent is anticipating. Maybe you’ll challenge Mr. Minnifield to force a momentum-changing turnover. More than likely your best bet is to find out what your supporting cast is capable of and not push them too hard. This is a squad, after all, who has to live season after season under the Cleveland Curse.
Special Teams
Line-up — Cleveland’s kickers suck, plain and simple. God save the sorry soul who’s fate comes down to a 60-yd Jerry Kauric field goal. Thankfully, Tecmo punters can boot the ball a metric mile so Bryan Wagner’s wimpy 25 KA (kicking power) is a virtual nonfactor, unless you find yourself punting from behind your own 20 yardline. That’s unlikely to happen though, since Kevin Mack is a servicable kick returner if he’s not in BAD condition. The Browns Punt Returners are among the league’s worst, however, so it’s best to let Mr. Mack make no more than one juke before heading for the sideline.
As always, it’s best to be cautious when covering kicks. As our boy Daboys learned the hard way, the Saints and Steelers have the league’s best kick returners, so play it safe and don’t let Heyward or Hoge go yard on you. There’s no worse follow-up to a well-earned TD drive than allowing your opponent to knot it up without their offense stepping on the field. No teams with premier punt returners are in the Browns competitive tier, but one might want to look out for the Cardinals and Steelers return men nonetheless.
Final Thoughts
Do you have what it takes to bring the Browns back to glory? Are you nimble enough to get the most out of QB Browns? Do you have the patience to Ground and Pound with Metcalf? These are the gut-check questions you will have answer the next time the boys in orange are available in a man-to-man match-up. You may think they are powerless against the Pittsburgh defenses of the NFL or your quick-strike Andre Rison’s or Sterling Sharpe’s, but don’t be surprised if they prove you wrong. These Dawgs have got grit, and they’ll pack you a mean bite if you know how to lead them.
Thanks to coconuts0622 for the attribute corrections.
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