Colt McCoy the Starting QB in 2011 via Pat Shurmur
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http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/..._pat_shu_3.html
INDIANAPOLIS -- There should be no doubt now that the Browns are committing 100 percent to quarterback Colt McCoy as "the guy."
Echoing previously stated sentiments of President Mike Holmgren, new coach Pat Shurmur and General Manager Tom Heckert hopped on the McCoy bandwagon on Friday and christened him their undisputed field leader.
In a conversation with Cleveland-area reporters, the men pledged their faith in McCoy and denied any concern about arm strength or his ability to win consistently at the NFL level.
"I would say that based on what I know to this point, I'm extremely excited about working with Colt and him being our guy. I think that's where we're going," Shurmur said in his first extensive interview since being introduced as Browns coach on Jan. 13.
"I thoroughly evaluated Colt last year [as Rams offensive coordinator] when we went through the [draft] process with Sam [bradford]. He's very talented, works extremely hard, football's important to him, he's an accurate passer, he understands timing, he's a good decision-maker. I think he has all the things you're looking for in a guy that can be your guy."
Does he have the arm strength to win in Cleveland in December?
"I don't have any question about Colt's arm," Shurmur said. "He has an NFL arm."
Heckert dismissed concerns about McCoy's throwing shoulder, which suffered nerve damage in the 2010 BCS Championship Game. He said too much was made about McCoy's comments at the Super Bowl that he never fully rehabbed the shoulder and it bothered him at times in his rookie season.
Heckert said his only question about McCoy was his lack of NFL experience. McCoy was 2-6 as a starter as a rookie and tossed six interceptions in his last two games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
"He's had some good days and some bad days," Heckert said. "We think he's going to be good."
Heckert said, philosophically, he would never pass a quarterback in the draft that he believed to be "great." But he sounded as if the Browns have no intention of using their No. 6 overall pick on top prospects Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton in this year's draft "unless something crazy happened."
"I think there are some teams saying we need to get a quarterback in free agency or the draft. We're definitely not at that point," Heckert said. "We have all the confidence in the world Colt's going to be good.
"If there was a guy completely separated [from players at other positions of need], then you'd do it in a heart beat. But I think at No. 6, I don't think we're going to be in that situation."
Heckert sounded lukewarm about taking receiver A.J. Green with the Browns' top pick. He couldn't disguise his high opinion of the top-rated defensive linemen available, along with cornerback Patrick Peterson. Heckert said he considered linebacker D'Qwell Jackson better suited for the 4-3 defensive scheme being implemented, denied the team needs a new right tackle in place of Tony Pashos and said he'd like to sign franchise kicker Phil Dawson long-term but hasn't heard from him or his agent.
Shurmur said his base offense starts with two running backs, both of whom must be able to catch the ball, and envisioned Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty in the backfield together. The coach said Benjamin Watson is an ideal tight end for his offense and conceded team speed has to be upgraded in all areas.
Excerpts of the one-hour conversation:
Taking a receiver high in the first round.
Both men said no "great" player should be exempted. Heckert said the receiver depth in this draft is good and he will target groups of players with the Browns' top two picks and weigh which package would be better, as he did in the 2010 draft.
"You have to think about it that way. You're trying to get as many good players as you can," Heckert said. "The only good thing about picking [sixth and 37th] is in the second round, I know we're going to get a good player."
Heckert feels a lot better about the linebackers on his roster than the defensive front.
He said he wants restricted free agent Jackson back and views him as the weakside outside linebacker. He considers Scott Fujita the prototypical strongside outside linebacker and projects Chris Gocong in the middle. He likes Marcus Benard as a situational pass rusher but doesn't know where he fits on early downs in the new scheme.
Defensive end vs. defensive tackle depends on players available.
"Normally you'd say if a guy can rush the passer outside, you'd take him over the [inside] guy if [their ranking] is equal," Heckert said. "But if you really like a guy that's special as a defensive tackle, he's still going to get pressure on the quarterback and he'll help you. So I don't think it's a huge difference."
The new regime will look for faster, if lighter, players.
"I think the NFL is a very fast league and I think the model we had in Philadelphia [is what we're] trying to employ," Shurmur said. "You don't want real small guys, but it really helps if you have team speed. I think that's an important thing, so you're always looking for guys that can move. I think that separates guys at every position."
The running backs play a huge role in Shurmur's West Coast offense.
"It sounds trite, but we're going to hand it to them and throw it to them," Shurmur said. "The running backs in this system are key because they're going to touch the football [a lot]."
Shurmur said the fullback must be able to block, run and catch. He said free agent Lawrence Vickers shows he can catch on tape, but he added two halfbacks can share the backfield if one of them [Hillis] is big.
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I like Heckert's approach. This confirms that he is taking a defensive lineman in the first, and a receiver possibly second or third at the most.
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I like Heckert's approach. This confirms that he is taking a defensive lineman in the first, and a receiver possibly second or third at the most.
I like Heckert's approach. This confirms that he is taking a defensive lineman in the first, and a receiver possibly second or third at the most.
To Me this confirms nothing until the draft actually happens and the lockout unfolds...They are liable to change thier minds at any given time...and depending who goes in the order...I say if AJ Green is there the Browns nab him...if not the take the BPA on defense...
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I like Heckert's approach. This confirms that he is taking a defensive lineman in the first, and a receiver possibly second or third at the most.
I like Heckert's approach. This confirms that he is taking a defensive lineman in the first, and a receiver possibly second or third at the most.
Where do you get these irrational thoughts?
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