Quarterback Colt McCoy practices, but his status remains undecided

[BernietheKid]

Quarterback Colt McCoy practices, but his status remains undecided

Published: Saturday, December 11, 2010, 3:30 AM Updated: Saturday, December 11, 2010, 4:05 AM

Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer


Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press
Colt McCoy isn't wearing a walking boot anymore and practiced Friday, but it's unknown if he will be activated Sunday against the Bills at Buffalo.

BEREA, Ohio — Browns quarterback Colt McCoy returned to the practice field on a limited basis Friday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in Jacksonville on Nov. 21.

He is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills, and coach Eric Mangini will decide today whether McCoy is healthy enough to be the third quarterback behind Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, or be inactive for the third straight week.

"How he feels [today] will really dictate whether or not he can be the third for Sunday," said Mangini.

McCoy participated in position drills Friday during the 30 minutes open to the media, and moved fairly well on the sprained left ankle. Because it's not his plant foot, he should be able to return sooner than Delhomme and Wallace did after their ankle injuries.

Based on the progression of the other two quarterbacks, McCoy is likely to see increased practice time next week, but might not be ready to play for another week or two.

"It's progress," said Mangini.

Said tight end Evan Moore, who's doubtful for the game with a hip injury: "Colt's not going to be out long. He's a fighter, man. If it can be done, he'll do it. Trust me. It's great to see him back out there. Unfortunately, I wasn't out there."


Benard back: Linebacker Marcus Benard missed Thursday's practice because his prematurely born son, Ashai Sharoz Marcello-Benard, came home from the hospital. The baby was born Nov. 15.

"Everything's good," said Benard. "He's doing good. He's 5 pounds, 2 ounces. But I just want to let everybody know that I appreciate everybody's concern throughout this whole process from the media to the fans. I got a lot of good responses, and I want to let them know that I appreciate that. But he's healthy and he's at home."

The baby's name means "a special gift."

Getty The Bills' Donte Whitner.

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said that in addition, Benard hasn't been healty all season because of a shoulder injury. "This kid's got so much talent, so much wiggle as a rusher but he's been battling through so many things it's unfortunate," said Ryan.

"The guy's really a hardnosed kid, he works hard. His best ball is in front of him. Hopefully one day he'll compete to lead the league with sacks and I think he will if he is ever healthy. It'd be great to get him in full speed one of these days."


Whitner impressive: The Browns are gearing up for a challenge from Cleveland native and Ohio State alum Donte Whitner, a safety and the Bills' first-round pick in 2006.

Whitner has posted 10-plus tackles in five of the past 10 games and ranks second on the team with 110 tackles. Last week, he had five tackles and interception, his first of the season.

"He's a really good player for us," said coach Chan Gailey. "He's very smart, a good tackler and he's made a lot of plays for us this year. As time goes on, he's going to be another guy that has a major impact on our football team in the years to come."

Moore's injury: Tight end Evan Moore (hip) is one of three players doubtful for the game. The others are linebackers Titus Brown (concussion) and Scott Fujita (knee).
"It's a hip/groin issue," said Moore. "It's not from a hit. It's just an issue that developed over time. It's nothing too serious. Just a muscular issue. I'm trying to let it get better and we'll see."

Five players besides McCoy are listed as questionable: linebacker Eric Barton (shoulder), defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee), receiver Josh Cribbs (foot), defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip), and guard Floyd Womack (knee, shoulder).

Rob on Joe: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has been enamored with rookie Joe Haden, who has an interception in four straight games and is tackling well.

PD Joe Haden

"If we did it all over again, I'm sure we'd have to trade up to get him with the first overall pick. He's been phenomenal. The kid works hard, he's tough, he gets better, he takes coaching. [Eric] Mangini's constantly on that guy and making him be great, and so is [defensive backs coach] Jerome [Henderson]. The kid has just been phenomenal."


Rob on Broncos: When asked if he has heard from the Broncos about their coaching vacancy, Ryan sidestepped the question and put in a good word for his friend Don
Martindale, the defensive coordinator. "That team will be alright if they just keep him there," said Ryan. "If they don't, then they lose out on a [heck] of a football coach."
Ryan told the New York Times earlier this season he would "be shocked" if he doesn't become a head coach next season.


Bills QB impressive: The Browns have spent the week praising Bills quarterback

Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has put up impressive numbers. He has 20 TDS, 11 INTs and a 84.5 QB rating. He ranks eighth in the league with a 99.8 rating on third down.

"He definitely does a good job of looking off of his receivers," said Haden. "He definitely could throw the safety off."

Said Ryan: "He's a real fine competitor, he stands in there. I've never seen anybody take as many hits as this poor guy has, but he's one [heck] of a competitive guy. I've really got a lot of respect for him."

But he added, "He'll skip the ball off your helmet with his low delivery. We ought to take advantage of that, [and] we will."

Quarterback Colt McCoy practices, but his status remains undecided: Cleveland Browns Insider | cleveland.com

[OconRecon]

This game is going to be a weather mess and a probable hand-off fest with some play-action mixed in.

Best case scenario is Delhomme wins another ugly one and McCoy is back for Cinci game. Just doesn't seem fair to bring him back only for Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

[DawgFan]

Interesting stuff about Buffalo...

They are the 32nd ranked rush defense (170+ per game)
They just lost their starting center and guard...so now have a couple of rookies at guard and a guard coming off injury going at center.

With the weather being miserable, it is all about the run game and controlling the line.

This is likely to be a grind it out game....but this league is all about matchups and the Browns match up in all the right ways.

I think it is a blowout game..that the score doesn't quite reflect. 20-7 or something like that. Delhomme will have held the fort until McCoy starts vs Cinci.

[Enigmatic Evil]

One thing is for certain to me, this won't be another 6-3 grudge match. Buffalo has been playing with a certain confidence lately that they've lacked and I am approaching this like the Carolina game where I would not be surprised if this was another ugly, close call kind of game for us.

Colt starts or not, that's not important. When he does start, I want him to be healthy. We shouldn't be getting him out there just because we can. Jake's capable and sure he throws a pick a game but really what else are we going to do. I feel more confident with Jake, knowing he can make all the kinds of throws that are required rather than having Seneca out there who, sure is mobile, can only throw comfortably to half of the field and cannot make a clutch deep pass to save his life.

Buffalo's riddled with injuries just like us. Hillis should be able to have a big game and I really don't see Buffalo containing him at all. Their secondary isn't that great either, Whitner aside, they've got a poorer secondary than we had LAST season... This is a game we SHOULD win, but I won't be surprised if we have another game like the Carolina game where we make mistakes, it comes down to the final minutes and we take a close one. Buffalo won't give us an easy win.

[Danamal]

We have an emerging secondary that continues to get better and this is a cold weather game,like Dawgfan says the matchups favor us and I agree this wont be close we will spank that ass and cover the spread!

[hiwaygal]

Bad weather? Means lots of running, right?

I love Peyton Hillis, but he tends to drop a lot when the weather isn't great.

Hopefully, he won't.

[Sez.EJ]

it's supposed to be rainy and wet.. Better off letting Colt get healthier than to expose him to those conditions.

[PlaygroundLegend]

Cant wait for Colt to come back, I have tickets to the Browns Steelers game!!! My g/f got them for me (her family is a bunch of steelers fans) she gave me 2 tickets so I can bring a friend, in the cold at CBS isnt her thing.

Hopefully we can somehow knock them out of the playoffs that day, hopefully JDH is starting so I dont have to see a pick 6 in person

Im psyched, I cant wait to tailgate.

She got me some pricey ones too, they were like $160 a piece

gotta get her a coach bag in return I guess