I did get curious about the whole "Invisible" team narrative and how it compares to the post-merger Browns.
1970 MNF Jets, @Oilers
1971 MNF @Raiders Playoffs Colts
1972 MNF @Chargers Playoffs @Dolphins
1973 MNF Dolphins
1977 MNF Patriots
1979 MNF Cowboys
1980 MNF Oilers, Bears Playoffs Raiders 1981 MNF Chargers, @Oilers
1982 Playoffs @Raiders
1983 MNF Bengals
1984 MNF Broncos
1985 MNF Steelers Playoffs @Dolphins
1986 MNF Dolphins, Bengals Playoffs Jets, Broncos
1987 MNF Rams Playoffs Colts, @Broncos
1988 MNF Colts, @Oilers, @Dolphins Playoffs Oilers
1989 MNF @Bengals, Bears Playoffs Bills, @Broncos
1990 MNF @Broncos, Bengals
1992 MNF Dolphins
1993 MNF 49ers
1994 None Playoffs Patriots, @Steelers
1995 MNF Bills, @Steelers
(Wins and Losses not included)
That's about 25 years or so of people at least having a clue as to who you are in the public eye. Some heartbreaks, sure. But people generally had an image of what that team was about.
I mean the point overall is a sentiment I've felt and I've ever heard Jim Donovan say. It does indeed at times (often) with this team that we're not really an "NFL" franchise per say, just one that happens to play them. (When we had that miniature run in 2014 he remarked how nice it was to actually feel like we were following an NFL football team for once.)
That's not a slam on the overall identity of Browns fans and how we indeed treat this franchise (in spite of it sure not deserving it). Rather it's how the rest of the NFL views us.