Big day of Browns birthdays today:
The great Bill Willis — Hall of Famer, original Brown, and pioneer of what became the middle linebacker position — celebrates his 85th.
Also, Bobby Franklin turns 70 today. Paul Brown converted the former Ole Miss QB into a defensive back, and he picked off eight passes as a rookie, returning two for touchdowns in a 42-0 win over Chicago. A member of the ’64 championship team, Franklin also served as Lou Groza’s holder during his seven years in the NFL before launching a successful coaching career.
Another DB from Mississippi, Jeremy LeSueur, was also born this day. With injuries to their top three cornerbacks and their rookie draftee DeMario Minter, LeSueur, 26, would have had every opportunity to see the field this year. The former Wolverine was signed after the training camp Lee Suggs/Derrick Strait trade fell through, but he was placed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. Rather than release him with a settlement, the Browns apparently want him back in camp next year. If he turns into a fraction of the player that Franklin or Willis was, it will be cause for celebration indeed.
