Browns general manager John Dorsey's reasoning for acquiring Odell Beckham Jr. was simple.
"I know Odell is very passionate, know he's competitive and I know he can help this football team," Dorsey said Thursday. "If you can get the chance to acquire a guy like that, you know what? Take a shot at him."
The news of Beckham's acquisition sent shockwaves -- no, more accurately, it sent fans into the streets, shouting and jumping for joy.
One even drew a visit from the Shaker Heights police:
Another was so overcome, he couldn't make words:
Cleveland's fans matched Beckham's passion when word spread that the superstar wideout was to become a Brown. That same word reached other prospective Browns who had yet to sign on the dotted line.
Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson had already decided he was heading to Cleveland. But when he saw the Beckham news?
"They cookin' over there now," Richardson said reactively. ... "That was insane. I did not see that coming at all. Nobody did. Nobody saw that one coming. More pieces to the puzzle. Trying to right the ship. It is just that simple."
New tight end Demetrius Harris, a former Dorsey draft pick in Kansas City, wasn't influenced by the Beckham deal, either. But he was both happy to see it completed and inspired by it.
"It just makes you want to work harder because that's one of the best receivers in the game right now," Harris said. ... "It just motivated me to just worker harder, man, because Dorsey is putting up a good team around Mayfield. Just Cleveland as a whole, the whole city of Cleveland, I'm just excited. Dorsey's doing a great thing around here and we're just all ready to just get to work."
Take a look at a selection of photos of new Browns wideout Odell Beckham Jr., including ones from his time with new teammate Jarvis Landry back when they both attended LSU.
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) celebrates a touchdown catch during a week 12 NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on November 27, 2016 in Cleveland. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) and Cleveland Browns' Baker Mayfield (6) greet each other after a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Browns won 20-10. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Damarious Randall (23) hugs New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) after an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018 in East Rutherford, NJ. (NFL Photos via AP)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) hugs at the end an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Giants defeated the Dolphins 31-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, left, and Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Christian Kirksey, right, meet on the field during practice before an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
OUT OF CAMERA FILE - New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham makes a one-handed catch during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) exchange jerseys at the end an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Giants defeated the Dolphins 31-24. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2014, file photo New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) in the second quarter of an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J. Beckham grabbed The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year award for 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham runs the ball in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14), New York Giants wide receivers coach Adam Henry and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) following a preseason week 1 NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on August 12, 2016 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018, file photo, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. gestures prior to the team's NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in East Rutherford, N.J. Two people familiar with the blockbuster trade say the Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire Beckham from the Giants. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2012, file phot, LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham (3) returns a punt 89-yards for a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in Baton Rouge, La. Beckham was selected in the first round, 12th overall, by the New York Giants in the NFL draft on Thursday, May 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham (3) runs past Furman safety Adekunle AK Olusanya (28) during the second half of the NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct, 26, 2013. LSU won 48-16. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham (33) and Jarvis Landry(80) react to an LSU touchdown during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game against Georgia, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, in Atlanta. LSU won 42-10. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2013, file photo, LSU wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) celebrates his touchdown reception with wide receiver Odell Beckham (3) in front of Kent State cornerback Malcom Pannell (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La. Beckham and Landry combined for more than 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving for LSU last season. Now the best of friends are about to join the NFL, where they'll likely have to find their way without each other. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
FILE - In this Oct. 1, 2011, file photo, LSU wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. (33) and Jarvis Landry (80) celebrate after Beckham scored a touchdown against Kentucky during an NCAA college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La. Beckham and Landry combined for more than 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving for LSU last season. Now the best of friends are about to join the NFL, where they'll likely have to find their way without each other. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
Richardson, newly acquired pass-rusher Olivier Vernon and the rest of the Browns' defense forms an improved group that should hold up its end of the bargain. And when they're not on the field, Harris expects the fireworks to fly, much like they did with his old team in Kansas City.
"I got to experience that last year and it was a great feeling," Harris said. "It was the best season and the most fun I've had since I've been in the league. It's most definitely fun when you have everybody and a powerful offense like the Browns do, like we have now. It's just exciting. I just can't wait. I'm just like everybody else. I just can't wait to see what we have in store. I'm pretty sure, I know we're going to have an explosive offense. It's just going to be exciting. I'm just ready for it."
So Beckham didn't lure the team's newest additions to Cleveland. But his addition to the team sure makes things sweeter, much like fireworks make everything better on the Fourth of July -- or maybe just a Tuesday night in suburban Cleveland:
