Normally people start off columns with some witty phrase or motto when trying to defend their backing of a player. I figured this is my first post, I need to point it out that I am probably the last sane Browns fan left. I see things "big picture." That's not being cocky, that's just being the realist I am. So hopefully you like my writing, because I'm not going to stop putting out articles that every Browns should read and ponder on.
As a lifelong 23 year old Browns fan, the only remembrance of the Browns I have is losing games and terrible, terrible drafting. There was that glimmer of hope in 2002 when the Brownies got into the Wild Card and got out to that lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers (Squeelers). Of course, in Brownies fashion, they gave us that glimmer of hope and then let it slip away. After that 36-33 loss, I remember thinking at the time, "it's okay, I'm just happy we made it to the playoffs. We will get some key players in the draft and at the very least make it back to the Wildcard. An off-season of hope awaits!" Oh to be young and naive again. What did the browns do that year in the draft?
Round 1, Pick 21: Jeff Faine C (Pro Bowler)
Round 2, Pick 52: Chaun Thompson LB
Round 3, Pick 84: Chris Crocker S
Round 4, Pick 115: Lee Suggs RB
Round 5, Pick 152: Michael Leh...
Okay, enough is enough. I was starting to get pissed reading that draft. Are you serious with these picks? Outside of Faine, who the hell were those other players? I wouldn't pick someone who spells their name "Chaun" regardless of talent. Lee Suggs sure ran hard for a few games! Let's be honest, since the return of our Cleveland Browns, we have had zero credibility from our front office. I mean just look at that 2002 draft. Instead of doing their research, and getting some solid defensive players to shore up our backfield/safeties, we go to the MAC for Chris Crocker and get a linebacker named Chaun. Just awful. The point I'm trying to make with this is we are finally in good hands with Tom Heckert. I know people aren't too high on Mike Holmgren but really the moves are made by Heckert and that to me speaks volumes. It's the first time I've literally trusted the front office to make the right moves. This brings me to the main point of this article.
1. 11 games; 155-293 for 1749 yards; 9 TD; 18 INT; 55.9 passer rating.
2. 11 games; 123-259 for 1663 yards; 7 TD; 14 INT; 54.9 passer rating.
3. 16 games; 259-450 for 3338 yards; 12 TD; 14 INT; 76.9 passer rating.
4. 14 games; 195-363 for 2282 yards; 8 TD; 13 INT; 65.5 passer rating.
5. 16 games; 285-480 for 3593 yards; 22 TD; 17 INT; 83.3 passer rating.
6. 13 games; 265-463 for 2,733 yards; 14 TD; 11 INT; 74.6 passer rating
Those first 5 numbers posted, in case you haven't figured out already, are the stats of future Hall of Fame players in their first year as a starter;
1. Troy Aikman
2. John Elway
3. Warren Moon
4. Steve Young
5. Jim Kelly
Who might number 6 be? Well it's none other than our starting quarterback Colt McCoy. He's one of the two players listed to have TD/INT ratio higher than 1. He has the 3rd most yards in that group, the 2nd highest rating, and the lowest amount of interceptions thrown. If you really think about it, it's remarkable that he did this considering how terrible our offense was. Our number 1 receiver was a 2nd round pick that had to sit out a year of college because of ineligibility reasons. McCoy had virtually no off-season to work with, had all new coaches who implemented a completely new offense, had virtually no pass protection, and had an offensive coordinator that was very simplistic in his offensive approach.
From NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, "Lombardi puts Brown's film on every week, calls a former NFL coach and relays the personnel group, formation, ball location and motion. The former coach has been correct 95% of the time in guessing the Brown's play..."
This was from last year and from Shurmurs' play-calling. It's amazing to me that McCoy was able to produce those kinds of stats in that type of offense. Yet, almost every Browns fan wants Brandon Weeden, QB from Oklahoma State, drafted in the first round. Hell, some even want Tannehill selected with the 4th pick! We may not have a world beater in Colt McCoy, but we have a tough, smart, winner who truly does work to get better. To judge him based on what he did last year is like judging a cheeseburger's taste by going to McDonalds. Not to mention, we have far greater needs on this team that getting rid of McCoy.
We need a WR/RT(we have the Raven's practice squad player Oniel Cousins currently as our starter. Yikes.)/RB/OLB. Not to mention we have the most draft picks available in the entire league, with 3 of those picks coming in the top 40. Draft those needs, surround McCoy with talent, and give him an off-season under his belt to really get the hang of the offense. If he regresses that much this year, with talent around him, and an off-season under him, then you start looking at trading up to get Matt Barkley.
Now, I'm not saying McCoy is going to be a Hall of Famer. He's has a LONG way to go to get there. What I'm saying is, if those quarterbacks were on the Browns and had those seasons, we would have wanted them thrown out for a QB like Weeden. It's just not logical to think that way. Turning quarterbacks in and out every year based off one performance is a terrible way to build a winner. Get weapons surrounded around the QB first, then look at his production and his wins. Come on and think with your heads and not your hearts Brown's fans and start using logic. Jamarcus Russell had a huge arm, look how that turned out.
*Quote from NFL Network's Michael Lombardi--NBC Sports
Mathew Mutlu
