Brian Sipe had a slow journey from San Diego State to NFL stardom, as the 13^th Round Pick needed two years on the taxi squad before making the Browns team.

Sipe was a backup in his first two years, starting seven times, and while he was believed to be talented, there was no reason to think he was going to be a Pro Bowler.  He was elevated to the team's starting Quarterback in 1976, and after a few years of the team treading water, Sipe had a breakout at age 30 (1979), leading the NFL in Touchdown Passes (28), though also in Interceptions (26), with 3,793 Yards.  The Browns were now contenders and known for their comebacks, earning them the "Kardiac Kids" nickname for their heart-stopping moments.

Sipe had his best year in 1980, taking the team to AFC Conference Finals.  In the regular season, he had 30 Touchdown Passes but reduced his picks to 14.  He also had a career-high 4,132 Passing Yards, and he led the NFL in Passer Rating (91.4).  Sipe was awarded the AP and UPI MVP Award for his efforts.

The Browns struggled afterward, but Sipe was still considered a good QB, though he was benched during 1982.  Following the 1983 Season, Sipe bolted for New Jersey of the USFL, which was the league where he ended his career.

Sipe threw for 23,713 Yards and 154 Touchdowns, and was named a Cleveland Browns Legend in 2002.

After establishing himself as one of the top Guards of the 1970s with the Buffalo Bills, Joe DeLamielleure was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 1980.  

DeLamielleure, who had five Pro Bowls with the Bills and was a blocker for O.J. Simpson star turns, made history in his first season with the Browns.  Not only did DeLamielleure earn his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl, but he also became the first lineman to block a 2,000-yard rusher (Simpson) and protect a 4000-yard passer (Brian Sipe).  Sipe won the MVP, and arguably, it would not have happened without DeLamielleure.

A Second Team All-Pro in 1980, DeLamielleure was so again in 1983, though his Pro Bowls were behind him.  He was still a solid veteran in the locker room, and his blue-collar style of play was perfect for the rust belt franchises he played for.  After being released before the 1985 season, he rejoined the Bills for one last year.

DeLamielleure was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and is a member of both the Browns Ring of Honor and Bills Wall of Fame.

Frank Ryan played his first four NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, and while he was never a primary starter, he was considered a Quarterback with potential.  When the Rams drafted Roman Gabriel, Ryan was traded to Cleveland, where he would have the best run of his career.

Ryan was pegged to be the backup to Jim Ninowski, but an injury to the incumbent elevated Ryan to the role of starting Quarterback, and he would become one of the most underappreciated pivots of the game.  Ryan flourished in the role, leading the NFL in Touchdown Passes twice (1964 & 1966), and he led Cleveland to the NFL Championship in '64.  

Ryan went to three Pro Bowls, and as a Brown, had a TD-INT record of 134-88, which does not seem impressive but was remarkable for his era.  He is the second Quarterback and last after Otto Graham, to win a title as a Brown.  The Browns named Ryan as one of their Legends in 2005.

An exceptionally popular player during his days in Cleveland (the local McDonalds franchises even had a sandwich named after him for a time), Michael Dean Perry was a defensive beast who, while with the Browns, was one of the leaders of a strong defense.  MDP would go to five Pro Bowls as a Brown (his sixth coming with Denver), and the big man was a First Team All-Pro and Second Team All-Pro twice.  He was also named the AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1989.

In 2001, Perry was part of the first group of four who was named a Legend by the team.