28. PAUL WIGGIN, DE, 1956, 6/73, Stanford, 1957-67. Became a starter in his second season and was at his peak when he retired in 1967, making the Pro Bowl that season and in 1965. Played the run well and was a strong pass rusher. Recovered 19 fumbles.
27. THOM DARDEN, S, 1972, 1/18, Michigan, 1972-81. The Browns’ all-time interception leader with 45. Led the NFL with 10 in 1978. First-team all-pro twice. Bounced back strong from a knee injury that cost him the entire 1975 season.
26. WALTER JOHNSON, DT, 1965, 2/27, Los Angeles State, 1965-76. Never missed a game. Became a starter his second season. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he utilized his strength and quick feet to excel as a pass rusher and, especially, as a run-stopper.
25. BERNIE PARRISH, CB, 1958, 9/108, Florida, 1959-66. Had a banner rookie campaign, then made two Pro Bowl teams and was a first-team all-leaguer in another season. Intercepted 29 passes. A smart player, and some, including Parrish, claim he had major input in the Browns’ defensive game plan for the 1964 championship game against the Colts. The Browns surprised the Colts and disrupted the precise timing of their passing game by having Parrish and cornerback Walter Beach essentially play what was later called bump-and-run coverage against Baltimore star wide receivers Jimmy Orr and Raymond Berry. The Browns won, 27-0.
24. DOUG DIEKEN, T, 1971, 6/142, Illinois, 1971-84. Lou Groza and Dick Schafrath had been, essentially, the only two starting left tackles in Browns history until Dieken, as a rookie, replaced the injured Schafrath. Dieken played all 203 regular season and four playoff games during his career, starting every one in his last 13 seasons. Made one Pro Bowl team and one second-team all-league. He has spent more than three decades as the analyst on the radio broadcasts of Browns games.
23. GALEN FISS, LB, 1953, 13/155, Kansas, 1956-66. Before joining the Browns, Fiss was a minor league catcher, playing one season for the Indians’ farm team in Fargo, N.D. that included Roger Maris. Played in two Pro Bowls and was first-team all-pro once. A sure tackler whose 18 fumble recoveries and 13 interceptions don’t begin to indicate how many big plays he made. If there had been a defensive MVP award given in the Browns’ 27-0 upset win over the Colts in the 1964 championship game, Fiss may well have won it.
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