Browns Mike Holmgren says "no more excuses" and Colt McCoy can be very good!
Cleveland Browns team president Mike Holmgren stated on Thursday that given the proper tools quarterback Colt McCoy could be very good. Although this is not what many would consider a ringing endorsement it does show that the Browns are willing to proceed with McCoy at starting quarterback, after a failed attempt to gain the number two spot in the up-coming draft to snag Robert Griffin III.
Holmgren was quick to state that the Browns did make a run for Griffin III, offering the Rams what he calls "every bit the offer", only to be turned down. Although he would not elaborate on what that offer was, he wasted no time shutting down rumors that the Browns had offered three first round picks and one second round pick--these rumors per Holmgren were false. Plan one, that of acquiring the pick necessary to grab Griffin III fell through, on to plan two--
“We were very, very aggressive and it didn’t work,” Holmgren said. “The other plan we talked about was to use those draft picks to make our football team better immediately ... to help our quarterbacks on the team, or anybody else who would come on the team, be better because we’ve surrounded the position with better players.”
Making such an aggressive approach at trying to replace McCoy with Griffin III is surely a sign that the Browns, although they think highly of Colt, are not sold on his ability to be what many would call a "franchise quarterback", however Holmgren and GM Heckert were quick to offer support for the young struggling quarterback.
.“We do think Colt has a big ceiling,” Heckert said. “It’s my job to get better players surrounding him. After the season we said we have to protect him better. We have to be able to run the football, which we did at times last year. If you look at the games when we ran well and protected well, Colt played very well
Surrounding McCoy with the offensive weapons he needs to be successful has been the subject matter of numerous articles and discussions by many sports analysts, bloggers and fans. The constant dropped passes along with the failure of the offensive line to protect McCoy was just one more problem added to the mix--a mix that consisted of new coaches and a new offensive system--the West Coast Offense, which Holmgren was quick in saying that the Browns would stick with it and that the big thing was learning the system.
“Now we don’t have those things to deal with,” Holmgren said. “We don’t have any more excuses, either. But those are real things that happened.”
If the browns are truly looking for an up-grade at the quarterback position they do not have many options left, after being on the losing end of the RGIII lottery. The Browns have stated on numerous occasions not to expect them to pursue a big name player in free agency, this along with not having shown any interest in free agent Matt Flynn leaves them with one option--the draft.
It is possible that once Andrew Luck and RGIII are off the board the Browns may pick Ryan Tannehill or possibly Brandon Weeden with the later pick, however neither of these can truly be considered an instant starter, leaving the final option:
“Colt has proven he can play in this league. As Coach Holmgren said, another year in the system and we get him better players, he has a chance to be really good.”
Given the failure to obtain the pick necessary to grab RGIII and what seems to be a lack of interest in Matt Flynn, it seems the Browns are content with acquiring better offensive players and moving forward with Colt McCoy.
Quotes from the News-Herald Tags: headline , hot , media , News , players
This post was written by: Author Name
Author description goes here. Author description goes here. Follow him on Twitter
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 Responses to “Browns Mike Holmgren says "no more excuses" and Colt McCoy can be very good!”
March 16, 2012 at 12:37 PM
The BROWNS continue to make make horrible moves. If they are so concerned with Colt McCoy, how about GETTING HIM SOME PROTECTION ( beef up that front line) get JOE THOMAS some help, as he cannot do it alone, that should be their number 1 priority. My guess is they will go out and draft a running back in the 1st round to replace Payton Hillis and let MATT KALIEL (USC) slip by them and still have that same AWFUL offensive line. By them NOT resigning Payton Hillis shows they are STILL not trying to win, their only concern is selling out homes games. They know that they have a VERY loyal fan base that will come out and support them even with the GARBAGE they continue to put out year after year. Whenever we have a good player or playmakers they let them go or they just flat out leave, because they ( the organization) are cheap they DONT WANT TO PAY. Instead of doing WHATEVER needs to be done to keep them. They are a CHEAP and poorly run organization that has no desire for winning. Payton Hillis came out no where and gave us ( THE DAWG PAWND) hope and something to cheer for and now he's gone. I figure i will put my Payton Hillis jersey with the rest of the EX-BROWNS jersey(s) I have in my closet. Being a life long die hard BROWNS fan in L.A. (born and raised) makes it VERY hard to support them. My suggestion is, are you ready for this? "BOYCOTT" the organization.. Thats right i said it.. STOP SUPPORTING THEM..... If they want to keep putting that garbage on the field year after year, week after week, " giving us a" freaking" stroke EVERY SUNDAY cause they can't block, dropping passes, or even worse can't make a freaking tackle..let's stop putting OUR hard earned money in their pockets and getting ABSOLUTELY nothing in return from them. Nothing will change if we continue to go to games and purchase product from them. If anything they should buy back these jerseys being thaey are useless now. Think about it.
March 16, 2012 at 1:50 PM
I'm not sold on McCoy quite yet and Flynn or Kolb does nothing for me either. As far as Weeden or Tannehill are concerned...well....I guess I'm on the fence with them two. Now that RG3 is gone, I just don't feel that Weeden or Tannehill are franchise material IMO! but then again look at Tom Brady..so who really knows!
It's a damn shame that we couldn't land Griffin, I mean that was our golden opportunity and a chance to really make a difference! it not only would of been a shot in the arm for the offense, but it would of lit up the city like a lightening bolt and most likely made free agency a heck of alot easier to get at least one good #1 or #2 reciever.
I'm really hoping that they don't screw this draft up. Obviously we really need some play makers on offense. I'd love to see either Blackmon, Floyd or maybe even Hill in a Browns uniform. Since agent Hillis is gone we could really use another beast of a RB, whether it's Richardson or who ever, like to get another beast like him.
If McCoy doesn't pan out, then I hope to god that this front office has another idea or plan, because if they don't.. we are DEFINATELY in trouble for sure! I'd like to say in "H&H WE TRUST" but so far I'm not completely convinced..who knows! they may pleasantly surprise us in this years draft, time will tell.
March 16, 2012 at 2:16 PM
Greg, I'm am also not totally sold on Colt. That being said I don't believe we can truly get an evaluation on his ability till other problems are addressed also. Weeden nor Tannehill impress me as I believe both have similar "problems" that have been pin-pointed in McCoy, not to mention both are in my opinion project QB's. Filling other much needed positions in offense will give us a true view of what we have in McCoy--then if need be, we can make an all-out run for a replacement in next years draft. Thanks for the comment!
March 16, 2012 at 2:30 PM
DAWG PAWND--you've brought up an interesting point and reading numerous Browns blogs and Browns forums there are many that are voiceing the same opinion and feeling the same pain as you. The Hillis situation is somewhat baffling to say the least. It has been rumored that the Browns (earlier this year) offered Peyton a 5yr contract worth 19 million--I find it hard to believe that Hillis could not "do the math" and realize that would be a tad better than 3 mill for one year. All in all--I believe the Browns had little if any interest in signing Hillis, and it seems odd that a man who was seeking elite running-back cash would settle for a one year contract at 3 mil---seems to me Hillis knew he was not wanted and took what he could get from KC. It will be interesting, due to the need to improve the OL and pick up a play-making WR and (lot's of ands) a power running-back to see if the Browns trade down to garner more picks due to the numerous needs they have to fill--Thanks for the comment!
March 16, 2012 at 3:33 PM
I think Cleveland should keep Colt McCoy he can get the job done, plus
Cleveland needs a good water boy. After the Browns take care of the
water boy situation however they need to get a starting quarterback who
can actually get the job done and doesn't suck completely like Colt has
the past couple of years. Colt McCoy was ruined by coming though the
mack brown system and he just isn't tough enough to play quarterback in
the NFL. To be honest he wasn't tough enough to play in college either
given that he got knocked out of the game vs Alabama and refused to go
back in.
March 16, 2012 at 3:37 PM
You can get Colt McCoy the best offensive line in the NFL and that isn't going to change the undeniable fact that he sucks, and just isn't good enough to play quarterback in the NFL. If the Cleveland Browns insist on keeping Colt McCoy, what they are really saying is that they can live with the Cleveland Browns not winning any football games!
March 16, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Of course Holmgren is saying that Colt McCoy isn't as bad as everybody knows he is, because the alternative is that he would have to admit that he failed completely at his job and was unable to get the Cleveland Browns an NFL caliber quarterback!
March 16, 2012 at 10:37 PM
I TOTALLY agree with you, and what really P----S me off about Holmgren and this front office is that they gambled with a later round QB (McCoy) that has a noodle arm..instead of going after a QB in the first round like they should have, THAT WAS PRETTY STUPID!!! look at all the potentially decent ones that they could of had instead of Colt, there were a few that had alot of potential.
Then they go after Hurtesty..er i mean Hardesty=BUST then Owen Marecic=BUST Vickers couldn't catch a fly, but he sure was one helluva blocker that could pave the way like a damn steam roller! I mean HEY they're not gonna hit the jackpot with every single draft pick, but with the shape that this team is in we almost have to! I've been VERY patient with this new regime, but lately I have been losing patience by the day! being a diehard Browns fan all these years is EXTREMELY FRICKEN PAINFUL MAN.
March 17, 2012 at 2:45 AM
BK summed it up in one phrase "he failed completely at his job"--Holmgren, no doubt was a good coach--however his tenor in other positions have failed miserably--Can you guys say SEATTLE!
March 17, 2012 at 1:00 PM
Oh man ain't that the truth brother!
March 17, 2012 at 1:09 PM
I couldn't agree with you guys more man. I'm really getting depressed thinking about having to start all over again with another regime....F--- Me!!! Tony Grossi had it right about Lerner, He's an Idiot!!! and probably set this franchise back even further by letting the Walrus run the show...DAMMIT! this city can't do anything right..can they!? we can thank Modell for that one...AS-H-LE!
March 17, 2012 at 3:50 PM
Greg--tell us how you really feel man! Hahaha---Yes Grossi had it right and Rizzo hit it dead on--"feeling like a kid with no toys on Christmas"----We are in year 3 of the 5 year plan and all we have seen is a 4 and 12 team that seems less functional than the teams before! You and Bernie seem to have an opinion that many Browns fans possess--Hey--send me an article and voice your opinion!!! Thanks for the comment and keep coming back!!!
March 17, 2012 at 4:22 PM
You betcha man!!! I have so much to talk about that I could write a damn book man..lol seriously though......
March 17, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Then send it to me--I love opinions and giving Browns fans the opportunity to express theirs. If I wanted copy and paste, rehashed articles written by ESPN--I call myself the Plain Deal--My Bad!! hahaha
Post a Comment