Decision On Mccoy Will Determine Draft Picks
-
Decision on McCoy will determine draft picks
Deciding whether to spend the fourth pick in the draft on a quarterback could be the biggest decision Tom Heckert makes as general manager of the Browns, even if he holds onto the job for 10 more years.
From now until the draft -- if the team doesn't answer the question in free agency first -- debate will continue about whether Colt McCoy is the quarterback to lead the Browns not just to the playoffs but to their first Super Bowl.
Eight quarterbacks in the playoffs this year were first-round draft picks, and three of those eight -- the Lions' Matthew Stafford, the Giants' Eli Manning and the 49ers' Alex Smith -- were picked first overall. Manning was drafted by the Chargers and traded to the Giants in 2004, but he was still the first overall pick that year.
The remaining first-round quarterbacks in the playoffs on wild-card weekend were the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, the Broncos' Tim Tebow and the Falcons' Matt Ryan.
The Packers' Aaron Rodgers and the Ravens' Joe Flacco were on byes in the opening rounds. Both were first-round choice.
Historically, Cleveland team president Mike Holmgren doesn't draft quarterbacks in the first round. The highest he picked a quarterback when he was in charge of the Seahawks' draft was Brock Huard in the third round in 1999. He drafted Josh Booty in the sixth round in 2001 and Jeff Kelly in the seventh round in 2002. Holmgren was stripped of his general manager title by the time the Seahawks drafted Seneca Wallace in the fourth round in 2003.
The only quarterback picked by the Eagles when Heckert was the GM in Philadelphia from 2006-09 was Kevin Kolb in the second round in 2007. With Donovan McNabb entrenched as the starter beginning in 1999, the Eagles never worried about quarterback for almost a decade. The only quarterbacks they drafted between McNabb and Kolb were A.J. Feeley in the fifth round in 2001 and Andy Hall in the sixth round in 2004. Both were viewed strictly as backups.
Obviously, the Browns have never been in that enviable position. When they take a stab at a quarterback, they do so with the hope he could start. But if they spend a first-round pick on Robert Griffin III of Baylor or Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M, it would be with the idea of him starting.
Early draft projections have Tannehill as a late first- or early second-round pick, but the quarterback crop in 2012 is thin because USC's Matt Barkley and Oklahoma's Landry Jones elected to return to school. That means some team desperate for Griffin or Tannehill is likely to overpay to trade up.
Fans don't want to think about it, but it would not be a shock if the Browns trade the fourth pick if Griffin is available and they decide they don't want him.
"We have a lot of evaluations to do, and we're going to get the best players we can at any positions," Heckert said. "If we do it at a certain position early in the draft, then that guy is going to be the guy for us, probably. We have a lot of time to think about what we want to do in the draft and free agency, but if we think a guy will help us, we'll go ahead and do it."
The Browns have taken two quarterbacks in the first round since returning to the NFL. Neither worked out. They took Tim Couch first overall in 1999 and Brady Quinn 21st in 2007.
NOTES, QUOTES
Heckert hopes to bring back D'Qwell Jackson, Dawson
--Eleven players on the Browns' roster will be unrestricted free agents when the league year begins March 12 if they do not sign new contracts before then. The most prominent in the group are running back Peyton Hillis, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson and kicker Phil Dawson.
General manager Tom Heckert has said the Browns want to re-sign Jackson and Dawson, but the team has been intentionally noncommittal about Hillis. Jackson was the Browns' leading tackler in 2011, and Dawson said this past season was the best of his 13-year career with the Browns. The Browns gave Dawson the franchise tag last year and could do the same again.
--Safety Mike Adams will also be an unrestricted free agent. He was projected as a backup to Usama Young when training camp began, but he beat out Young and started every game.
Adams made $1.1 million in 2011. The Browns could re-sign him without breaking the bank. The larger question is whether they want to turn the job over to 2011 seventh-round draft pick Eric Hagg. They could also decide Adams is a more reliable backup than Young and re-sign Adams to keep him in the rotation.
--The Browns failed to score a touchdown in four games in 2011. In two games against the Steelers, they scored a total of four field goals.
--Joshua Cribbs had his best season as a receiver by far in 2011. He caught a career high 41 passes and had a career-high four touchdown catches. Cribbs caught 10 passes from Seneca Wallace in the last three games.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Every player that we have here, I expect that they are going to improve, develop and produce. That is what I expect from (Colt McCoy). If you produce well enough, you become elite." -- Browns coach Pat Shurmur.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Coach Pat Shurmur plans no changes on his staff with the huge exception of adding an offensive coordinator. Shurmur doubled as offensive coordinator this season in his first year as a head coach.
Shurmur said calling plays on Sunday is a fun part of the job, but if the Browns hire a coordinator who can do it better, Shurmur will relinquish the role.
"I think it's important that I get the best coordinator I can for us," Shurmur said. "I think that's one of the details that will get worked out as we go through the process."
Possibilities include Brad Childress and current quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple. Childress and Shurmur worked together on Andy Reid's staff in Philadelphia.
The Browns were 30th in points scored (218) in 2011. It was their lowest output since they scored 217 in 2000.
-
Interesting to me that our front office has never drafted a QB in the first round. That doesn't bode well for Camp RGIII. I also found it interesting that they're saying nothing about Hillis. I think he's gone. Also, Shurmer is willing to give up the playcalling duties, I think that is a big plus.
-
"We have a lot of evaluations to do, and we're going to get the best players we can at any positions," Heckert said. "If we do it at a certain position early in the draft, then that guy is going to be the guy for us, probably. We have a lot of time to think about what we want to do in the draft and free agency, but if we think a guy will help us, we'll go ahead and do it."
This sounds to me like he's talking about QB you really wouldnt make a run for any other position early in the draft....
-
"We have a lot of evaluations to do, and we're going to get the best players we can at any positions," Heckert said. "If we do it at a certain position early in the draft, then that guy is going to be the guy for us, probably. We have a lot of time to think about what we want to do in the draft and free agency, but if we think a guy will help us, we'll go ahead and do it."
This sounds to me like he's talking about QB you really wouldnt make a run for any other position early in the draft....
-
Interesting to me that our front office has never drafted a QB in the first round. That doesn't bode well for Camp RGIII. I also found it interesting that they're saying nothing about Hillis. I think he's gone. Also, Shurmer is willing to give up the playcalling duties, I think that is a big plus.
Interesting to me that our front office has never drafted a QB in the first round. That doesn't bode well for Camp RGIII. I also found it interesting that they're saying nothing about Hillis. I think he's gone. Also, Shurmer is willing to give up the playcalling duties, I think that is a big plus.
That is exactly why I don't think we draft a QB in the 1st couple rounds. Heckert hasn't done it before. What he does like to do is trade down. So I wouldn't be surprised if he does the same this year and grabs at least another 2nd rounder..
As for Hillis, he won't be in Cleveland unless he lowers his demanding price. I think we will offer him a deal but it won't be anywhere near the kind of money he wants. If no one else really wants to pay him big money, then he will stay. I do think he is gone though. Either way, I see us drafting a RB somewhere in rounds 2-4. Hardesty just can't stay healthy enough to be anything close to reliable..
-
Is it safe to conclude that HArdesty is a flop ?
-
Interesting to me that our front office has never drafted a QB in the first round. That doesn't bode well for Camp RGIII. I also found it interesting that they're saying nothing about Hillis. I think he's gone. Also, Shurmer is willing to give up the playcalling duties, I think that is a big plus.
Interesting to me that our front office has never drafted a QB in the first round. That doesn't bode well for Camp RGIII. I also found it interesting that they're saying nothing about Hillis. I think he's gone. Also, Shurmer is willing to give up the playcalling duties, I think that is a big plus.
Everything coming out of Heckert's, Holmgren's and Shurmur's mouths is nothing but the above. A big smokescreen. You'd think they were fighting the Battle of the Coral Sea.
-
Alex Smith? In the playoffs?
Yeah... but he was drafted in 2005. Just because you draft a qb high, doesn't make your team a winner.
For lands' sakes, you qb dreamers !
The Browns need to fix major things wrong. If Colt is holding them back, then they can draft a qb later.
btw, Matt Lienart was drafted first round, tenth overall.... a year later.
Big frickin no difference maker then, too. A new qb won't make the Browns a better offense. The new qb will
just get his helmet handed to him, complete with several handfulls of turf, after getting slammed into
before he can finish his three step drop and throw to no open receivers.
geesh.
************************
-
If you believe the QB is a franchise guy, and your current QB isn't and your in position to get that franchise guy, you do it, you dont wait until next year and hope to get one. I think they will evaluate Colt and if RG3 is there at 4 and they believe he is a franchise QB then they will pick him. If they don't believe he is the guy they won't. You don't pass on franchise QBs and hope to get one next yr.
-
If you believe the QB is a franchise guy, and your current QB isn't and your in position to get that franchise guy, you do it, you dont wait until next year and hope to get one. I think they will evaluate Colt and if RG3 is there at 4 and they believe he is a franchise QB then they will pick him. If they don't believe he is the guy they won't. You don't pass on franchise QBs and hope to get one next yr.
If you believe the QB is a franchise guy, and your current QB isn't and your in position to get that franchise guy, you do it, you dont wait until next year and hope to get one. I think they will evaluate Colt and if RG3 is there at 4 and they believe he is a franchise QB then they will pick him. If they don't believe he is the guy they won't. You don't pass on franchise QBs and hope to get one next yr.
Excatly what he said
-
If you believe the QB is a franchise guy, and your current QB isn't and your in position to get that franchise guy, you do it, you dont wait until next year and hope to get one. I think they will evaluate Colt and if RG3 is there at 4 and they believe he is a franchise QB then they will pick him. If they don't believe he is the guy they won't. You don't pass on franchise QBs and hope to get one next yr.
You don't pass on franchise QBs and hope to get one next yr.
why not?
seriously. why not when you've got about 12 holes to fill? why not when they just drafted a QB 2 years ago?
every year there are 'franchise' QBs coming out of college. last year did you even hear about RGlll? now he's the flavor of the month.
-
@king-ghoolie-lives said:
Ghoolie to Earth, Ghoolie to Earth, Earth are you listening?
Colt McCoy is done. Good grief, didn't any of you watch this loser this year? He is worse than Charlie Frye and Tim Couch on their worst days.
You look at the guys playing in the playoffs, Colt is SOOOOOO very slow to release the ball it isn't even funny.
He may be a nice guy but he is a shit QB. Time to change the diapers and get rid of this lump of shit.
I gotta newsa for U...He'll be our starter next campaign
-
If you don't have a franchise qb, you have to draft one? Really?
BS again. The squeelers didn't have one back before bengayrothickbooger. Let's see...
Here's a list of first round draft picks by the squeelers since 99...
they drafted a wr. And wr. and a NT. and an OG. And Troy Pollyisfullofpoopoo, DB.
When they figured they had most of the pieces in place, they drafted their qb when that was
the most dramatic first round impact player for that draft.
they didn't draft a "franchise qb" in 99. It's a team game, and you have to
get all the pieces in place.
1999 13 Edwards, TroyTroy Edwards WR Louisiana Tech
2000 8 Burress, PlaxicoPlaxico Burress WR Michigan State
2001 19 Hampton, CaseyCasey Hampton DT Texas [l]
2002 30 Simmons, KendallKendall Simmons G Auburn
2003 16 Polamalu, TroyTroy Polamalu DB USC [m]
2004 11 Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger QB Miami (OH)
2005 30 Miller, HeathHeath Miller TE Virginia
2006 25 Holmes, SantonioSantonio Holmes WR Ohio State [n]
2007 15 Timmons, LawrenceLawrence Timmons LB Florida State
2008 23 Mendenhall, RashardRashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
2009 32 Hood, EvanderEvander Hood DT Missouri
2010 18 Pouncey, MaurkiceMaurkice Pouncey C/G Florida
2011 31 Heyward, CameronCameron Heyward DE Ohio State
-
If you don't have a franchise qb, you have to draft one? Really?
BS again. The squeelers didn't have one back before bengayrothickbooger. Let's see...
Here's a list of first round draft picks by the squeelers since 99...
they drafted a wr. And wr. and a NT. and an OG. And Troy Pollyisfullofpoopoo, DB.
When they figured they had most of the pieces in place, they drafted their qb when that was
the most dramatic first round impact player for that draft.
they didn't draft a "franchise qb" in 99. It's a team game, and you have to
get all the pieces in place.
1999 13 Edwards, TroyTroy Edwards WR Louisiana Tech
2000 8 Burress, PlaxicoPlaxico Burress WR Michigan State
2001 19 Hampton, CaseyCasey Hampton DT Texas [l]
2002 30 Simmons, KendallKendall Simmons G Auburn
2003 16 Polamalu, TroyTroy Polamalu DB USC [m]
2004 11 Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger QB Miami (OH)
2005 30 Miller, HeathHeath Miller TE Virginia
2006 25 Holmes, SantonioSantonio Holmes WR Ohio State [n]
2007 15 Timmons, LawrenceLawrence Timmons LB Florida State
2008 23 Mendenhall, RashardRashard Mendenhall RB Illinois
2009 32 Hood, EvanderEvander Hood DT Missouri
2010 18 Pouncey, MaurkiceMaurkice Pouncey C/G Florida
2011 31 Heyward, CameronCameron Heyward DE Ohio State
2001 19 Hampton, CaseyCasey Hampton DT Texas [l]
2011 PHIL TAYLOR DT
2002 30 Simmons, KendallKendall Simmons G Auburn
2009 ALEX MACK C
2003 16 Polamalu, TroyTroy Polamalu DB USC [m]
2010 JOE HADEN CB
2004 11 Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger QB Miami (OH)
2012 ???????????????????????????
-
2001 19 Hampton, CaseyCasey Hampton DT Texas [l]
2011 PHIL TAYLOR DT
2002 30 Simmons, KendallKendall Simmons G Auburn
2009 ALEX MACK C
2003 16 Polamalu, TroyTroy Polamalu DB USC [m]
2010 JOE HADEN CB
2004 11 Roethlisberger, BenBen Roethlisberger QB Miami (OH)
2012 ???????????????????????????
----------------------------------------------------
I like your thinking htownbrown, but you have to remember that Pittsburgh already had virtually every other offensive position filled in: Plaxico Burress WR, Hines Ward WR, and a whole bunch of 1st and 2nd round offensive lineman all from previous drafts.
The similarities show that Cleveland is finally rebuilding the right way, but Roethlisberger was the final piece of their offensive puzzle. If the Browns were to try to pick out their franchise QB now, he would have very few other playmakers on offense to work with. In other words, he wouldn't have any success with the offense the way it is now..
-
I'd like to see us trade down and select Tannehill. He's going to be a great NFL QB..
I just hope we don't go so far down we get snookered and someone else grab him
I do agree, Colt sucks. He may be our starter next season, but as long as we have that guy leading the team, we will never be better than 8-8 even if we have a team of all-stars.
-
I have never been of the pollyanna nature, but we did get screwed this season by the lockout.
I don't care about an oc until the team can execute the plays.
And I certainly don't buy in to the idea that we should change the quarterback every damn season.
Had shittsburg drafted Tim Couch he probably be all pro.
Had the browns drafted big gay Ben he'd be working at Lowes in Fremont.
I say trade down build a nucleus from good middle of the first round and second round players.
Only then does the quarterback make a big big difference.
WSS
-
@king-ghoolie-lives said:
If he is, then the Browns will go 4 - 12 again. He is so slow to see the open reciever it is like watching Couch all over again. The guy is just not capable of firing up a team nor making big plays.
Perhaps the Browns will attempt winning the way teh 90s Steelers did.......... and then finally get a real QB.
I think McCoy blows but, we will see.
Being at the last game against the steelers, I saw several throws that that should have been made instead of the safe 4-5 yard out route that Colt missed multiple times. But let me say this, as everyone else knows, we do need to shore up or OL. If these playoffs say anything it is saying that we need to give our QB time. We also, need to stretch the field. How many plays have we seen this play off where the actual play called breaks down, yet the receivers are far enough out that they can actually come back to the QB and let both QB and WR make a play. For that to happen you have to give your QB time and you need to call the right plays and stretch the field.
But what we also saw was Rodgers being pressured. Defense still wins games.
Yes, we have a lot of holes... and frankly as much as I would like to draft RG3, who I believe would be an improvement, I want what our FO thinks we need. We need a Stud WR, LB, and a much improved OL. And an OC.
-
Zombo said:
Everybody got screwed by the lockout.
Jim Harbaugh didn't meet his players until August, they were one game better than us last year, today they are practicing for the NFC Championship game.
Zombo
In other words, you are saying that it is not the choice of QB or any other position that is most important to a team's success, but the choice of HC.
And in last year's draft of HC's it seems the 49ers got Payton Manning while the Browns chose Ryan Leaf?
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better π
Register Login