Shurmur Not Letting McCoy Off the Hook

[Brown Warrior]

No coddling here.

Coach Pat Shurmur wants and expects more from Colt McCoy: Cleveland Browns Insider | cleveland.com

[Sez.EJ]

Colt has accepted the leadership role on the team.. That is exactly what the coach should do.. Challenge the leader.. That's good coaching..

[TheBestPlayersPlay]

BEREA, Ohio — Browns coach Pat Shurmur called on quarterback Colt McCoy to step up his game in Week 2 at Indianapolis.
McCoy completed only 19 of 40 attempts for 213 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception against the Bengals.
A 48 percent completion rate is unacceptable for any quarterback -- particularly for a QB known for his accuracy and for one directing a West Coast offense.
"I think just in terms of general efficiency, there were some [passes] when you look at it and say, 'My goodness,' " Shurmur said.
"I think what we're trying to build here is guys that are willing to say, 'I have to play better,' and I think that's what he'll tell you."
McCoy's 70.1 rating ranks 29th of 32 quarterbacks.
"I can be a lot more efficient," McCoy said. "I think collectively as a group we can be more efficient.
"As a passing team, we've got to be able to do better, get the ball outside a little more. I've got to make better throws, obviously. I can play better."
McCoy emphasized that the passing game has a long way to go.
"I think just as a whole, the passing game, you need to get the running back involved a little more, and we've got to understand the coverages better," he said.
"I think there's a lot of work to do in all of those areas. As a passing game, as a passing team, we've got a lot of work to do."
The offensive players stayed after practice Wednesday for extra work as they did the Wednesday before the opener.
"It's tough," McCoy said. "Guys work really hard. We were prepared going into the game and some things happened and we've just got to play better. That's the bottom line."
But McCoy remains optimistic.
"We learned a lot from that first game," he said. "We had a great practice today, all our thoughts and intentions are focused on the Indianapolis Colts and what we have to do to get back on track."
Hungry punter: New punter Brad Maynard, a 14-year veteran, is out to prove to the Bears and Texans -- who both cut him -- that he's not washed up.
"This team's getting a hungry man right now," said Maynard, who spent 10 seasons in Chicago before being released in July. "You've got a lot of people that don't think I can punt anymore."
Maynard is also one of the most experienced holders in the league, which should be a comfort to kicker Phil Dawson.
When he knew: Shurmur said he knew before the Bengals game that punter Richmond McGee had hurt his back in warm-ups.
"Just before kickoff I was made aware he had some soreness, which happens at time with players," he said. "The decision was made to just play him."
Massaquoi limited: Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was limited Wednesday with a hamstring injury.
Massaquoi, who missed all of preseason with a bone chip in his foot, most likely suffered the injury during the Bengals game, in which he caught three passes for 77 yards.
Others Browns to have problems with hamstrings this season include Usama Young, T.J. Ward, Peyton Hillis, Josh Cribbs and Ben Watson. Shurmur believes the injuries are a result of no work at game speed during the lockout.
Quick fix for quick snap: Cornerback Joe Haden said the defense has been working overtime on defending against quick snaps and has a solution.
"Corners and safeties and everybody just stay outside to get the calls," he said.
"We don't have to go into the huddle."
Extra points: Right tackle Tony Pashos said he is optimistic he won't need surgery on his left ankle. . . . The Browns signed fullback Will Ta'ufo'ou and running back Xavier Omon to the practice squad. Ta'ufo'ou spent the 2009 and 2010 seasons on the Bears' practice squad. Omon played in seven games with the Bills.

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Colt has accepted the leadership role on the team.. That is exactly what the coach should do.. Challenge the leader.. That's good coaching..

Huh, and I thought that was just "alienating players". *sarcasm alert*

[Jax Dawg]

I expect more from Shurmer! For a supposed WCO expert his play calling was questionable and the lack of discipline is atrocious. The 4th quarter "huddle" touchdown? Let's just say when in doubt, call timeout!

[Enigmatic Evil]

Well it's good he's trying to push him, or alienate him. Whatever way you want to look at it. If Colt responds then that is what we want to see. If Colt wants to be a leader, he has acted like a leader but you have to play like a leader too. He's going through some football growing pains, sophomore season in the NFL. We all want to see Colt step up, grow, and become the future of this football team but nothing is set in stone.

Lets not turn this into another Mangini vs Shurmur debate there's already like 100 threads with that BS going on.

[Masters]

Leaders, especially the QB of the team have to take that type of lump in the press. It comes with the territory. He didn't play as well as he can or should so Shurmer said it. If Colt ends up feeling allienated by such a statement then he probably doesn't have the make up to be a starting QB in the NFL or the leader of a team. For the Browns offense to succeed Colt is going to have to hold his own.

[nickers]

Colt will be fine,This is the natural process of a young QB growing into his role. This team was short changed as were a few via the lockout. Lets not toss the kid under the bus till the season or atleast a few games have passed then render judgment. Shurmur did right in challenging him. He wants Colt to make the jump to the next level. Im not in panic mode.

[Brown Warrior]

I'm not panicking. He had a bad game. He missed a ton of throws in the second half. The article's right: In a WCO with a QB who's forte is accuracy, not rocket shots... you want 65% completion.

Let's see what happens this week. I thought McCoy showed off some arm on the Watson TD and the heave to Mo, so I feel good about his physical ceiling. I just thought he played a bad game overall. His pocket presence was just off. He couldn't get the ball out of his hands (then again... suck-ass WRs) and he bailed on some pockets, took his eyes down.

[golfer704u]

Not to feed into your WR obession too much. But if you were right about how bad they looked off camera, and then add RTs who pretty much were out there with a big red cape (OLE!), then not sure how much you can grade Colt on that.

For sure he needs to play better, but so does about 93.7% of the team.

[Brown Warrior]

I agree, G... but there were too many intermediates he just missed to let him off the hook.

The WRs were the biggest culprits and I would never, EVER put #80 on the field again. It's comical. RT was right up there, too.

[Sez.EJ]

Colt is no sissy.. Giving him a reality check after a bad game is not going to break his weak little spirit..This kid is mentally tough. He will be motivated to play better, not hiding under the table to avoid his coach.. Challenging your players is not alienating them.. unless they are sissies and we don't need them anyway. Ditka used to challenge his players to fist fight him..

[Enigmatic Evil]

I think Colt needs to bounce back with his individual performance as much as the entire offense needs to step it up. Colt wasn't the lone culprit but that was certainly not his best NFL game to date by any stretch of the imagination. He played his best football against good football teams last year (the NE, NO games come to mind) and he played some great football in the pre-season. If Colt can come to week two with that kind of level of play, the doubters will be second guessing themselves. This is where we get to see how Colt rebounds from a bad game.

Originally Posted by Sez.EJ

Colt is no sissy.. Giving him a reality check after a bad game is not going to break his weak little spirit..This kid is mentally tough. He will be motivated to play better, not hiding under the table to avoid his coach.. Challenging your players is not alienating them.. unless they are sissies and we don't need them anyway. Ditka used to challenge his players to fist fight him..