Cleveland Browns TE Gary Barnidge and QB Josh McCown each have earned awards from the local chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) for the 2015 season. Barnidge was voted the the PFWA Player of the Year and McCown was named the PFWA Dino Lucarelli 'Good Guy Award' winner. The pair will be honored at the 36th annual Akron Browns Backers banquet in May at the Tangier Restaurant.
Barnidge is leading the team with 71 receptions, 977 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. His nine receiving touchdowns are tied with Hall of Famer Ozzie Newsome (1979) for the most by a Browns tight end in a season. Barnidge's 71 receptions are the sixth-most by a Browns tight end in a season and ninth-most by any Browns player. His 977 receiving yards are the fourth-most by a Browns tight end in a season. Barnidge is the first tight end to earn the award since its inception in 2001.
The 'Good Guy Award' is given annually to a player for his cooperation with the media and for the way the player carries himself in the community and with his teammates. McCown started eight games and completed 186 of 292 passes (63.7 percent) for 2,109 yards with 12 touchdowns, four interceptions and a 93.3 rating. He set the Browns single-game record with 457 passing yards at Baltimore on Oct. 11, and became the first player in team history to throw for 300 yards in three consecutive games. He broke his clavicle against Baltimore on Nov. 30, and was placed on injured reserve.
Cleveland Browns PFWA Player of the Year Winners:
2001 LB Jamir Miller
2002 RB William Green
2003 LB Andra Davis
2004 SS Robert Griffith
2005 RB Reuben Droughns
2006 LB Kamerion Wimbley
2007 QB Derek Anderson
2008 DL Shaun Rogers
2009 KR Joshua Cribbs
2010 RB Peyton Hillis
2011 LB D'Qwell Jackson
2012 K Phil Dawson
2013 WR Josh Gordon
2014 OL Joe Thomas
2015 TE Gary Barnidge
Cleveland Browns PFWA Dino Lucarelli 'Good Guy Award' Winners:
2001 QB Tim Couch
2002 DB Corey Fuller
2003 OL Shaun O'Hara
2004 DB Daylon McCutcheon
2005 OL Jeff Faine
2006 DB Brian Russell
2007 K Phil Dawson
2008 DB Brandon McDonald
2009 LB David Bowens
2010 OL Joe Thomas
2011 DB Mike Adams
2012 LB D'Qwell Jackson
2013 OL Joe Thomas
2014 QB Brian Hoyer
2015 QB Josh McCown
