It’s widely believed that first-round draft pick Brandon Weeden is the quarterback of the future in Cleveland, and that Colt McCoy doesn’t have much of a future with the Browns. But McCoy doesn’t see it that way.
McCoy, who’s back home in Texas this week running a youth football camp, told the Abilene Reporter-News that he’s still holding out hope that he can be the Browns’ franchise quarterback, and looking forward to a future in Cleveland.
“I really like Cleveland,” McCoy said. “I’ve always been a guy that wants to finish what he starts.”
McCoy said all he wants is the opportunity to compete with Weeden and Seneca Wallace and prove that he’s the Browns’ best bet at quarterback.
“That’s part of my nature,” McCoy said. “You’re getting everything I have, whether that’s working, preparing, studying or practicing. Unfortunately, a lot of things are out of my control. The main thing for me is not to worry about those things I can’t control. I have to go in, do my job and have high character and compete my tail off, if the opportunity’s available. Other than that, there’s not much you can do. So that’s what I try to do every day.”
Still, McCoy seems to realize that the Browns want an upgrade over what he has provided them.
“It’s been a rough ride thus far,” McCoy said. “We’ve had our ups and downs. I’ve had three [offensive] coordinators going into my third year. Two head coaches in two years. There’s been some ups and downs and things you have to fight through. Most are things out of your control. But for me, I would just like a little consistency. I love the town. I love the fans. I think they truly deserve a winning football team. That’s what I want to do. I want to be there for the ride of turning that thing around. We’ll see what happens.”
What we’ll probably see is McCoy leaving Cleveland. But he’s not ready for that.
..nights like last night remind a guy just how much he misses that aspect of it . 
once i get the electric bill
With Sports Illustrated's Peter King on vacation this week, he allowed Indianapolis Colts rookie tight end Coby Fleener to write this week's edition of Monday Morning Quarterback. It ended up being a good fit because Fleener was able to keep a diary of the four days he spent at the AFC Rookie Symposium last week.
As part of the event, Fleener explained that the rookies were participating in an "Ultimate Rookie Challenge." What did that entail?
Four times during the symposium, rookies were given eight different questions and 10 seconds to answer each of them. The top five prizes for the teams that won were: 5th: Xbox Kinect, 4th: Beats headphones, 3rd: Bose Soundlink Wireless music system, 2nd: Bose Music System 3, and 1st: iPad.
The Browns ended up taking third place, finishing behind the Patriots and the Chargers. Fleener added a playful jab at Browns rookie linebacker Emmanuel Acho, wondering how he was able to get so many answers buzzed in before everyone else:
I'm convinced that Emmanuel Acho, formerly of Texas and now a linebacker for the Browns, was somehow cheating the system after he registered the fastest correct answer four separate times.
We've got a genius on our hands. Fleener noted that in addition to the Browns, he was equally skeptical to the fact that the Patriots took first place. Now that I can understand.
A little unrelated, this article has a photograph of Brandon Weeden from when he visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. His choice of attire? That Cleveland Indians shirt that he seems to adore, a Cleveland Browns cap, and a backpack. The guy is still a kid at heart.
Sweeeeeet!!!A little unrelated, this article has a photograph of Brandon Weeden from when he visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. His choice of attire? That Cleveland Indians shirt that he seems to adore, a Cleveland Browns cap, and a backpack. The guy is still a kid at heart.
..i got my second chance thanks to the judge that " suggusted " i leave my hometown and join the US army or go to jail again . those were my options . options that arent available to people anymore for some reason .In past years, the process of signing draft picks didn’t heat up until after the Fourth of July. This year, more than 200 draft picks already have inked four-year deals.
As of this posting, 31 rookies remain unsigned. Of that amount, 14 were picked in the first round.
None of the top eight picks in the draft have agreed to terms. Browns running back Trent Richardson, the third overall pick, has said he’ll wait for the first two selections (Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin, III) to sign their deals. Luck’s contract supposedly is close, according to owner Jim Irsay. But that was nearly two weeks ago.
Four of the top eight picks are represented by CAA, and all eight are believed to want fully-guaranteed contracts without so-called “offset language.” The teams are resisting, and no one is blinking, yet.
At No. 20, the Titans and receiver Kendall Wright could be squabbling over whether he’ll get a four-year fully-guaranteed deal, given that the player taken in the 20th spot last year (Bucs defensive end Adrian Clayborn) received a four-year fully-guaranteed contract, even though the three players taken before him didn’t. Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden, taken No. 22 in the draft, reportedly wants a fully-guaranteed contract even though the player taken in that slot last year didn’t get four years of fully-guaranteed compensation.
Though it’s too early to worry about training-camp holdouts, the shrinking class of unsigned players only becomes more glaring as more of the unsigned players sign their rookie contracts. It would be a surprise if there isn’t at least one draft pick who fails to make it to training camp on time, regardless of the reality that the vast majority already have ensured their attendance.
TGIF Lounge HOUNDZ
Hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th
Four of the top eight picks are represented by CAA, and all eight are believed to want fully-guaranteed contracts without so-called “offset language.” The teams are resisting, and no one is blinking, yet.If their agents weren't so damn Greedy
Hangs sign on door ...gone racing ..damn its hot
As the Browns prepare to embark their second season under Pat Shurmur there are many questions that remain. With training camp opening Sat. July 28, we’re going to take a position-by-position analysis of the current roster as the team heads to camp over the next few weeks.
Part three is the wide receiver position.
Candidates: Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi, Josh Cribbs, Jordan Norwood, Carlton Mitchell, Rod Windsor, Travis Benjamin, Josh Cooper, Bert Reed, Owen Spencer and Jermaine Saffold.
For the past two years, fans and media alike have called for the Browns to add a top tier wide receiver to the group, but the Browns have not done so.
However, it wasn’t for the lack of trying. They did try to add to their receiving corps, but missed out on Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan in free agency.
Then in the draft, they reportedly, were set to draft Kendall Wright with their 22nd pick, but the Titans selected him two spots ahead of them. Feeling none of the other receivers remaining were worthy of a first-, second- or third-round pick they didn’t select a receiver until they took Benjamin in the fourth-round.
Tom Heckert didn’t want to add a veteran just to add one. Shurmur and Heckert both feel the current group will take a major step up in 2012—and they’re counting on it.
Shurmur said during minicamp that Little and Massaquoi were the starters from the onset. Little came to camp 11 pounds lighter than his rookie season and looks like he is ready to take a big step in just his second year.
Mike Holmgren called out Massaquoi at least twice during the off-season, saying he expected him to have a breakout year. Massaquoi’s biggest goal might be trying to stay healthy as he’s been dinged in each of the past two seasons, with a broken foot and at least two concussions.
Shurmur and Heckert have both alluded to the fact that Brandon Weeden will make the receivers better. If that doesn’t happen, it will be obvious where the blame will lie.
Benjamin must make an impact. He has the speed to stretch the field and the Browns are hoping he could become as big an impact player as DeSean Jackson is to the Eagles. He showed he has the speed but it’s an unknown yet if he can get away from bigger, more physical NFL cornerbacks.
Little (6-2, 220, 2nd year, North Carolina) – As a rookie, Little played in all 16 games, including 12 starts. He caught 61 passes for 709 yards. His totals were 20 more than the second receiver on the team. Little caught 6 passes in three different games with his biggest yardage production coming against the Cardinals with 131 yards and a score. The Browns are expecting him to emerge as their true No. 1. His biggest problem as a rookie was the inability to hang on to passes as he dropped 12 passes. However, he feels it was a lack of concentration and thinks those problems have been corrected.
Massaquoi (6-2, 207, 4th year, Georgia) – Massaquoi had 31 receptions for 384 yards (12.4 avg.) and two touchdowns in 14 games. Massaquoi caught 34 passes as a rookie and 36 in his second season. His career average per reception is 14.8 yards per reception. Massaquoi had a broken foot at the start of training camp in 2011 and he got off to a slow start. He also suffered his second concussion that sidelined him for two games.
Cribbs (6-1, 215, 8th year, Kent State) – Cribbs had his most productive season as a receiver with 41 receptions for 518 yards (12.6 avg.) and 4 touchdowns, which was good enough for second on the team. His previous best was 23 receptions for 292 yards and one touchdown. He showed last year he can be a productive NFL receiver, especially breaking tackles in the open field.
Norwood (5-11, 180, 2nd year, Penn State) – Norwood saw his most playing time in 2011 as he played in 14 games with four starts. He ended up with 23 receptions for 268 yards and a touchdown. His 11.7 avg. was the third best on the team. He suffered a concussion against the Cardinals and was inactive for the final two games. His best game was a five reception game against the 49ers. He’s the leading contender for the slot position. His biggest question, similarly to Massaquoi is his durability.
Mitchell (6-3, 215, 3rd year, South Florida) – Mitchell had a finger injury that required surgery during training camp that put him behind and he was never able to make a significant contribution. He was active for 11 games and made his first NFL reception in the 15th game against the Ravens. He caught two passes for 12 yards in that game and caught a 19-yard pass in the season finale against the Steelers. He finished the season with 3 receptions for 31 yards (10.3 avg.). Mitchell could be the dark horse player to emerge as he is one of the more intriguing players. He has the size and speed to be productive and could be a boom or bust type player. This is a make or break year for him.
Windsor (6-2, 205, one year, Western New Mexico) – Windsor was on the practice squad for most of the 2011 season until he was activated to the 53-man roster for the final two games. He was inactive for both games. He caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown during the preseason.
Benjamin (5-10, 175, Rookie, Miami (Fla.) – Benjamin was drafted in the fourth round, making him the biggest off-season acquisition at wide receiver. Benjamin has blazing speed, but the question remains will he be able to get off the line against bigger and more physical NFL cornerbacks.
Cooper (5-10, 190, Rookie, Oklahoma State) – Cooper had a very impressive rookie OTAs and minicamp. He is a security blanket for Weeden after being his second receiver behind Justin Blackmon in college. Cooper will battle to be the slot receiver with Norwood and several others to make the roster. As an undrafted free agent, Cooper could be a candidate for the practice squad.
Reed (5-10, 180, Rookie, Florida State) – As an undrafted rookie free agent, Reed needs to have a big training camp to find a roster spot. He flashed in the spring practices, showing good hands and quickness. Reed most likely, is in a battle for a spot on the practice squad.
Saffold (6-0, 200, Rookie, Missouri State) – Similarly to Reed, Saffold is a long shot, at best, to make the team.
Spencer (6-3, 185, Rookie, N.C. State) – Spencer is in an uphill battle as another undrafted rookie free agent.
Better than 2011? One of the factors the front office is counting on is that the returning receivers all know the system and what’s expected of them. They expect Little to take a major step from a very productive rookie season and emerge as the team’s top receiver. Massaquoi is also expected to step up in a big way. Cribbs showed he can be productive and between Mitchell and Norwood, the Browns are expected one of them to break out.
Benjamin is the only new addition and his blazing speed should stretch the defense, but it’s hard to know if he can be the game-changing receiver the Browns hope as a rookie. The Browns will give Benjamin every opportunity to break into the lineup.
Weeden’s bigger arm should help make the receivers look better. The biggest question is whether they will be able to hang on to the ball after leading the NFL as a group in dropped passes in 2011.
