Is Colt McCoy the right fit for the Cleveland Browns
To this point in the NFL off-season calendar the top NFL story-lines have been focused on the quarterback position. With Payton Manning and Matt Flynn on the free agent market, and the first two picks in the NFL draft likely both being quarterbacks (Andrew Luck & Robert Griffin III) it really is not surprising.
The Cleveland Browns have been desperate for a franchise quarterback since returning to the league in 1999. And over the past 12 seasons the Browns have had 16 different quarterbacks taking snaps under center. So like so many other years in recent history the QB debate in Cleveland is heating up. But have the Browns given their current quarterback Colt McCoy a fair shake?
The 2nd year signal caller from Texas appeared in 13 games during the 2011 season. During that stretch he had completed 57.2% of his passes, and a passer rating of 74.6. In comparison Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens had a 57.6% completion and a passer rating of 80.7. If you look at the two quarterback’s statistics side-by-side for the 2011 season Joe Flacco’s numbers are only marginally better. So why did the two teams have such different records?
The most shocking stat for the Cleveland Browns in their 2011 campaign was the amount of dropped passes the team had. The Cleveland Browns led the league by far with a staggering 43 dropped passes. That is more than double the number of drops that each of the top seven teams in the same category (#1 Minnesota Vikings 20 drops).
Added to the mix is a 28th ranked running game (occasionally) featuring Payton Hillis who went from Madden cover-boy to social pariah. And a Swiss-cheese offensive line that gave up 39 sacks (16th) it starts to become clear that the lack of offensive success may not be the fault of Colt McCoy.
And for added measure (just in case the deck was not already stacked against him) this is the second offensive system that Colt has had to learn in as many years and no off-season program due to the NFL strike.
But a new season brings new hope. Through off-season acquisitions the Browns can shore up their offensive line and receiving corp. And with a second year in the same system under head coach Pat Shurmer we will hopefully get a better look at what we have in McCoy.
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7 Responses to “Is Colt McCoy the right fit for the Cleveland Browns”
March 10, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Cleveland Browns + Colt McCoy = Cleveland Clowns... brought to you by a couple of NFL "gurus" who couldn't care less about the Browns... Shurmer/Heckert/Holmgren... abbreviated "shh"
March 10, 2012 at 3:34 PM
Setting aside the unfounded hopes that the Browns would be Super Bowl contenders last season (wishful thinking at best) if one looks at the drafting of Heck they will find improvement from the last regime. As one who is quick to judge Holmgren I will admit that the man did state he had a 3 to 5 year plan--that said--I will wait till then to give a final opinion on the "Gurus". In defense of Colt--name me one of our receivers or a majority of our OL that would be "headlining" on the Packers, Giants, Patriots etc. Thanks for the comment.
March 10, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Fair warning, I am a Texas fanboy, and I am only following the Browns because of Colt. It is always easy to blame the quarterback, but his receivers are horrendous, and his OL is so bad that not even a Brady could win there. Hopefully they really did address those needs in the OS, but I don't see it really.
Trade him to Dallas, and take Romo off our hands PLEASE!!!!
March 10, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Now Barlow--you have made a great point about the failure of other members to perform--not just Colt's Fault--however---Trade McCoy for Romo!!!--Now thems fightin words buddy!!--hahah, thanks for the comment!
March 10, 2012 at 6:35 PM
Tom Heckert has don well Heckert has drafted well the past two years. Sixteen picks have yielded eight starters and six reserves. Only two of those picks aren't on the team anymore and none are out of the league.
March 11, 2012 at 1:49 AM
And this is something the Heck critics side step and do not mention when slamming the Browns for not picking up or selling the farm for "This weeks Flavor"--good point and thanks for the comment!!
March 12, 2012 at 9:23 AM
Been bleedin' Brown and Orange since '68...I agree 1 more year for Colt with settled run game... an amped up W/R core (1st pick)... additional depth at DB (2nd pick)... more talent on O-line/improve depth at LB (3rd/4th pick wherever most talented is)... then best available... DON'T be afraid of free agency and know that even us die hards have grown weary of the Cleveland cry "wait 'til next year") !!! Come back DAWGS and GO BROWNS!!!
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