This is the fifth installment of the ClevelandBrowns.com Mailbag, where we answer questions submitted by you, the fans.
Trevor Lanford (Cleveland, Ohio) wanted to know how he can perform a halftime activity or request to get a football club, marching band, etc. into the halftime show.
The Cleveland Browns do not hold open auditions for anthem singers, halftime shows or bands. If you are interested in singing the National Anthem or performing during pregame or halftime, please send all of your contact information along with a DVD or CD of your performance to the address below:
Cleveland Browns Game Entertainment
100 Alfred Lerner Way
Cleveland, OH 44114
You can also email your request to bwilson@clevelandbrowns.com. Please be sure to attach an example of your performance. YouTube links are acceptable. Throughout the year, the Browns get hundreds of performance requests and unfortunately cannot accommodate all of them.
Richard Williams (Kannapolis, North Carolina) asked when was the last time the Browns won their first game of the season.
The Browns won the 2004 season opener against the Baltimore Ravens. In front of 73,068 fans at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 12, 2004, the Browns won 20-3. Going from their 24-14 win over the Ravens on October 23, 2001 to the 2004 opener, it was the Browns’ fourth victory over Baltimore in a seven-game stretch.
The Browns are 30-31-1 all-time in season openers. Their longest winning streak came from 1962-65 when they took five straight season openers.
Randy Daye (Mercer, Pennsylvania) asked which player snapped Bernie Kosar’s NFL record 308 consecutive passes without an interception.
Kosar, who threw an NFL record 308 straight passes (1990-91) without an interception, did not throw one during the first nine games in 1991. According to pro-football-reference.com, in the 32-30 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on November 10, 1991, Kosar was intercepted by Ben Smith.
Tom Simpson (Grove City, Ohio) wanted to know what a futures contract is.
The Browns have signed several players to reserve/futures contract, and according to the team’s media relations staff, a futures contract is for players that teams sign starting the day after the conclusion of the regular season through the Super Bowl. The name “futures” is merely a designation that the contract starts in 2011.
John Warner (Atlanta, Georgia) wanted to know what the Browns record is against the Dallas Cowboys and what years they beat the Cowboys.
The Browns are 15-11-0 all-time against the Cowboys, 9-4-0 in home games and 6-7-0 on the road. The two teams have met three times in the postseason and the Browns hold a 2-1-0 record in those games.
The Browns defeated the Cowboys in 1960, 1962, 1966, 1968, 1979, 1988 and 1994. They also beat Dallas twice in 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1969.
Kathy Burley (Parma, Ohio) thought Ozzie Newsome’s No. 82 was retired by the Browns but saw current tight end 
The Browns have five retired numbers, including Otto Graham’s 14, Jim Brown’s 32, Ernie Davis’ 45, Don Fleming’s 46 and Lou Groza’s 76.
Kenneth McGregor asked: when a player fumbles the football, does he get credit for the yards gained before the turnover?
Yes, the yards gained before a fumble do count toward a player’s total.
COMMENTS
Mike Bencivenga (Erie, Pennsylvania) said:
“No question, just wanted to say I’m proud of you all. I’m a long-time fan, even through the rough times. I can’t remember not being a Browns fan.”
Deana Willard (Walbridge, Ohio) said:
“To Whom It May Concern:
“I would like to personally thank your organization for going the extra mile for our high school athletes. I was heartened with the equipment donation, the ticket donation, and allowing the Lake High School football team to carry the flag onto the field. Now, you have amazed me by matching a $20,000 grant from the NFL!
“Words cannot describe the tragedy that our community experienced on June 5th, 2010. The lives lost, the homes destroyed, the seemingly endless path of destruction that shook us to our core. Losing the high school was like the icing on a very sad cake. Our very small, close community grew by leaps and bounds after the tornado. People from all over the country, all over the world, helped us in ways I never imagined. You were a very large part of that and I am forever grateful. Thank you so much for showing our youth that people still care, for supporting high school athletics and for becoming a part of our small community forever.
“Thank you does not seem enough.”
Alex Burik (Cleveland, Ohio) emailed:
“I just wanted to compliment the grounds crew for the condition and nice touches to the field for the final two home games. The outlines around the numbers, 20 and 50-yard lines stood out well and looked impressive on TV and in person. I'd like to see the field like this the entire season. Keep up the good work!
“Go Browns!”
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Do you have a question about the Browns? ClevelandBrowns.com has the answers and all you have to do is ask.
Once a month, ClevelandBrowns.com will select fan-submitted questions and post the answers for all Browns fans to enjoy.
To submit a question, complete the Browns Mailbag form or email them to mailbag@clevelandbrowns.com.
