Browns present arrives in Colt McCoy

[BernietheKid]

Nate Ulrich: Browns present arrives in Colt McCoy
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 11:56 a.m. EST, Dec 24, 2010

If you didn't get every gift on your holiday wish list, don't worry. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy is playing Sunday.

So far, McCoy has given Browns fans just about everything they have asked of him during his first professional season. Well, maybe everything except more wins.
Sure, his record of 2-4 as a starter isn't great, but think about all the questions he has answered.

Will he be intimidated by NFL defenses? Not at all. He proved it in Week 6 during his regular-season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Browns (5-9) lost 28-10, but McCoy showed poise under siege. He completed 23-of-33 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions against the best defense in the league. His composure was also evident during the next two games, wins over the New Orleans Saints and the New England Patriots.

Can he make a clutch throw with the game on the line? Without a doubt. In Week 10, the Browns trailed the New York Jets 20-13 late in the fourth quarter, but McCoy accounted for all 59 yards on a 10-play scoring drive that tied the score with 44 seconds left. During the march, McCoy completed 5-of-9 passes for 58 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi. He also gained a first down with a 1-yard run. He might have led the Browns to victory instead of a 26-20 defeat, but wide receiver Chansi Stuckey fumbled at the Jets' 32-yard line in overtime.

How will the kid from Texas play in the cold Midwest? Fine. He wasn't fazed last week in a 19-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Despite encountering temperatures in the 20s, he completed 19-of-25 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

Can he come back from an injury and excel while less than 100 percent? Definitely. He suffered a left high-ankle sprain Nov. 21 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was sidelined for the following three games. He returned last week against the Bengals and finished with a career-high passer rating of 132.6.

Now McCoy will take perhaps the toughest test of his young career when he faces the Baltimore Ravens (10-4) for the first time at 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Ravens' red-hot defense will contrast with Northeast Ohio's wintry weather to create a challenge worthy of the postseason.

The Ravens have been criticized this season for dialing down their trademark pressure. But in their 30-24 win over the Saints last week, Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison cranked up the heat.

Baltimore brought blitzes on about half of New Orleans' passing plays. The Ravens recorded three sacks, two quarterback hits and two forced fumbles as result. After the game, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his defense will continue to routinely send five or more defenders with intentions of tormenting quarterbacks.

One of the knocks on McCoy before this year's draft was his pocket presence. He doesn't look comfortable when pressured, and he locks onto his targets when he's under fire.

Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has toiled to help McCoy correct those weaknesses. The long hours of studying should come in handy Sunday against the likes of outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and nose tackle Haloti Ngata, who have 11 and 5 1/2 sacks, respectively, and will undoubtedly harass McCoy.

Daboll could really help McCoy by calling plays conducive to rolling out. Let McCoy use his mobility and throw on the run, as long as he knows where safety Ed Reed, who has 50 career interceptions, including a team-high four this season, is at all times.

McCoy will need to do just about everything right for the Browns to have a shot at upsetting their AFC North Rivals Sunday. But who knows? He might have another gift in store for Cleveland.

Ohio.com - Nate Ulrich: Browns present arrives in Colt McCoy

[OconRecon]

When the going gets tough, McCoy gets tough.

When it's crunch time, he elevates.

And he still has a pile of bad rookie games in his poker hand. Peyton Manning's stats in the first year we not good. It's crazy how well he has done, against top competition, with no-separation WR's, in his rookie year, with an injury to boot.

He's accurate. He runs a crisp and productive 2-minute drill. He's the man.

Christmas indeed.

Keep running the show Colt.

[dogpaddle]

It's still way too early for us to see how his career will pan out.

That said, it would be an awesome present if several years down the road, multiple teams are kicking themselves for passing on him.

Ravens will throw out all the stops against him and Hillis this weekend. If the Ravens lose to us, the Steelers are division champs.

[OconRecon]

Stats for QBs w/150+ passes, Colt McCoy is:

• 5th in yards per att. (8.01)
• 7th in completion percentage (65.8)
• 12th in rating (93)

[DawgFan]

Originally Posted by OconRecon

Stats for QBs w/150+ passes, Colt McCoy is:

• 5th in yards per att. (8.01)
• 7th in completion percentage (65.8)
• 12th in rating (93)

and FIRST in all categories for ROOKIES (except total yards...but hey, he only has 6 games)

[Riffer X]

Love Colt McCoy, he has everything you want and is a great kid to represent the team. I wanted him desperately in the draft and he has lived up to all my expectations and more. The kid should have started game one if we are being honest here.

I don't need to see anymore to know the kid can play, he has IT.

[Sez.EJ]

We have the answer for Ngata.. Mangini's wise first round draft pick Alex Mack was drafted just for that job..him and for Hampton.. and whatever NT the Bungles have from year to year.. Now for Suggs.. we don't have the RT to answer that.. Colt better have his ice skates on this week.

[OconRecon]

On McCoy's stats YPA > 8 is outstanding. Only 5 QBs w/career YPA > 8:

• Otto Graham
• Sid Luckman
• Norm Van Brocklin
• Tony Romo
• Ben Roethlisberger

Granted McCoy has his career yet ahead of him, but interesting stuff.

[SoCalBrownsFan]

Love Colt. He's poised, accurate, and doesn't make a lot of stupid mistakes.