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Browns' QB McCoy is committed to Cleveland | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2012/08/browns_qb_mccoy_is_commited_to.html

With first cuts looming and trade speculation swirling, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy made it clear Sunday he's still 100 percent committed to the Browns and doesn't want to leave.

"If it comes to that, if they decide to do something, [I'll deal with it] at that point," he said. "But no one has said anything to me yet, and there's no place I'd rather be than here. I'm invested in this city and this team, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

McCoy heard the rumors again last week when he was in Green Bay, that perhaps the Packers might want him as a backup to Aaron Rodgers. They're not enamored of Graham Harrell, who struggled against the Browns, and are reportedly looking into Seattle's Tarvaris Jackson. The Arizona Cardinals are also possibly pondering a new No. 2.

"You hear all of the rumors," McCoy said. "I keep a real tight mind-set that my job is quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. And I'm going to go out here and compete and give my best to this city and this organization, because this is where I was drafted, and I don't want to be anywhere else."

Browns coach Pat Shurmur, who announced earlier this month that the No. 2 job was up for grabs in camp, said Sunday that he'll let the competition continue through the final two preseason games.

The Browns face the Eagles Friday, with first roster cuts to 75 coming three days later, next Monday. Final cuts to 53 are Aug. 31, a day after the final preseason game in Cleveland against the Bears.

"I don't see a real urgency right now to settle that," said Shurmur. "Everybody's out there working hard. Week 1, it will pretty much be unveiled who's two and who's three. I don't necessarily see the drama in it, quite frankly."

Shurmur said McCoy and Seneca Wallace are still being evaluated every snap. "We'll make a decision when we have to line them up," said Shurmur. "That's where it is."

As for McCoy, he has no plans to ask for a trade or release. With most quarterbacks playing into the third quarter this week, though, injuries might occur, and his value could increase.

"I don't think that's part of my job," he said. "My job is to come out here and be the best for the Browns, and until someone tells me different, then that's it."

He said the subject of whether or not he'll be traded or released has never come up, and he hasn't pushed it.

"They're spending a lot of time getting Brandon [Weeden] ready," he said. "I'm spending a lot of time in my playbook and watching a lot of tape. I feel pretty comfortable with what we're doing."

But he really wants to stay, even as a backup?

"I come out to practice every day, and I'm still competing," he said. "I'm still working toward being the best player that I can be. I know I can play, and until somebody tells me different, I'm a Cleveland Brown, and I'm going to give everything I have for this organization and for my teammates."

McCoy stressed that he's been all in for the Browns since he was drafted in 2010.

"I was excited day one when I came here, and I want to be here to see us turn this thing around," he said. "Will that be as a starter? I don't know. I want to be the quarterback. But I love those guys in that locker room, and I love competing, and those are two things that drive me every day."

McCoy, who has posted a 105.1 passer rating through his five preseason series, said it's his teammates who would make it hard to walk away.

"I don't forget the struggles and the hard times that we went through last year, and I want to be here to see it through." he said. "My heart and soul is invested in the 52 guys that are in that locker room. I'd do anything to win football games for them and for this place.

"We're getting to the point where we have an opportunity to do that, and I want to be a part of that. But I also trust that I'll be in the place I need to be."

McCoy said that in addition to grasping the West Coast offense, his arm is feeling stronger than it has since severely pinching the nerve in his shoulder in January 2010. He revealed that world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews told him then that it could take years to heal completely.

"He told me, 'You can play, but this could be a two- to three-year ultimate recovery where you feel completely 100 percent,'" said McCoy. "And I think I've almost reached that point where the ball is coming out sharp. I'm pretty accurate. I'm putting the ball where I want to put it. My teammates have been saying I'm on point.

"It's a combination of nearing the point where Dr. Andrews said I'd feel really good, and I'm seeing things quicker."

Working strictly with the second team, McCoy has completed 10 of 14 attempts (71 percent) for 146 yards with no TDs and no interceptions. He's produced a field goal and a 14-play TD drive.

"I've grown up," he said. "I've improved. The whole offense has. Instead of worrying about what my guys are doing like last year, I'm going out there and playing and reading coverages, and guys are getting to their spots faster. Things have slowed down. It's coming a little easier."

The question is, will he ever show that here?

McCoy is a very high character individual. There is no reason to trade him that has to do with his personality or the way he will act.

There are only two reasons he should be traded/released:

#1 He isn't good enough to be the backup QB.

I don't think that is the case. Most people have always said he is the perfect backup QB.

#2 He needs to be traded because the fans will call for him as soon as Weeden struggles.

Should the front office really be making decisions based on the fans emotions?

It has always been clear that McCoy is the better of the two options between him and Wallace. McCoy is cheaper and Wallace has said, in the past, that he is unwilling to help out the starter.

The only argument really between trading McCoy and Wallace. Is how much you're getting in return.

So if the difference in what you're getting back isn't THAT great, you keep McCoy. Assuming what you're getting for him is worth it to begin with.

With the news of Seattle looking to trade/release Jackson, who I would rather have over both Wallace and McCoy honestly..

The price has gone done.

We may just end up cutting Wallace.

I see Jackson and McCoy as very similar players. Both have major deficiencies (Jackson always seems to make that one bone headed play, McCoy has physical limitations) but can be quality players in short spurts. Both also run pretty much the same system.

Jackson is much more expensive than McCoy (Jackson is due $4 million, but it has been said he might be willing to restructure to facilitate a trade).

If both are on the market (and both might be) I probably would give up more for McCoy due to his salary and youth (McCoy is three years younger).

Also, if Jackson wanted to make things difficult he could just refuse to restructure, at which point Seattle would release him and he would go to whatever team he wanted.

If we could get a fourth rounder for McCoy I think he is gone. I don't think we can get that for him. And he is more valuable than a 5th, 6th, or 7th round pick.

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We may just end up cutting Wallace.

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This I agree with. I think we will put him on the market and hope a team throws us a 7th round pick because they don't want Wallace to be able to go to another team.

It may come down to 3 things ....

1) How much of a difference does the staff see between McCoy and Wallace?

2) If there is not much of a difference, then which player brings an offer from another team?

3) How does the team feel about Lewis as the #3? Do they feel that he might have a future in the NFL?

Well, considering that 7 third string qbs have started for us since the return, you may have a point. (McCoy, Anderson, McKown, Gradkowski, Pederson, Dorsey and Wynn).

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With the news of Seattle looking to trade/release Jackson, who I would rather have over both Wallace and McCoy honestly..

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Say what?...Tarvaris Jackson...no thanks.

Field all the offers and interest, we should listen to everyone. But I keep McCoy. Serve yourself first. So let us worry about level of play: I think Weeds will prove an improvement, the line gets better, and as such, we call a better offense this season. I think we have what we need in house to get by.

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"It's a combination of nearing the point where Dr. Andrews said I'd feel really good, and I'm seeing things quicker."

Working strictly with the second team, McCoy has completed 10 of 14 attempts (71 percent) for 146 yards with no TDs and no interceptions. He's produced a field goal and a 14-play TD drive.

"I've grown up," he said. "I've improved. The whole offense has. Instead of worrying about what my guys are doing like last year, I'm going out there and playing and reading coverages, and guys are getting to their spots faster. Things have slowed down. It's coming a little easier."

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This^ Upside potential -vs- the maxed out Wallace. Keep McCoy, send Wallace to whoever needs a WCO backup.

If 3rd string QB is a a consideration, then Wallace AND McCoy will be staying, because Lewis, so far, looks every bit as terrible as he did last year.

Hmmmmm........usually when I see an article talking about someone being commited to Cleveland I soon after read an article about them being traded/cut/signed to a new team.

Keep Colt. More upside and knows the offense.

Really. I don't even see why we are discussing this.

J/C

As many have stated, unless McCoy is a problem or distraction, there is NO WAY I'd trade him. What happens if Weeden gets injured the first play of the year? While our year may be over anyways, at least if we played Colt (who knows the system better than anyone else) then our other young players will still make progress.

I saw the interview and the losing his job may be exactly what he needed to raise that level of maturity. It was more his mannerism than just the words. Unless I get a 4th for Colt, I keep him. He will push Weeden.

My only prediction for the season .... Weeds will not play the full season .. He is going to take some serious shots do to lack of mobility ..

well said. agreed that all I care about is the Browns playing well no matter who is the one to step up. that goes for QB, WR, RG, etc.

Hmmm... then who the heck am I thinking of that was our 3rd stringer last year? Whomever that was, they were beyond terrible..... I thought it was Lewis. I reckon not.

Eh, it's 3rd string.... we don't need anybody, anyway. If you get down to that level, you aren't winning games, so it doesn't much matter.

If I was McCoy, I would love to be traded to Denver. As a Browns Fan, I would love to keep him.

OMG.. you mean.. you mean.. you mean to tell me tha Mary Kay Cabot would stir the pot .. ??!!!

I think that it's safe to say that we have two guys who are backup types and the other is more of a developmental type.

Do we keep both back ups or do we go the more traditional route of a backup and developmental backup?

I'm not sure what you are eluding to ?

I just think whom ever is the #2 will see some action this season .. Weeds is a rook and he is going to take some shots due to his lack of mobility .. He will learn to read and release faster as the season goes on , or will get creamed ..

general reply.

I look at this from a perspective of what do you need at qb.

We've got weeden who is the starter.
We've got mccoy who was the starter
We've got wallace who is a career backup
and lewis who is developmental.

In the best situation a team would have an undisputed starter, a reliable backup, and a guy in development.

Weeden gets the nod as the starter because he has the most talent. He also is the least experienced. He isn't the 'undisputed' starter like Brady, or Manning, he's the best that we have, and thats what we hope he becomes.

McCoy imo still has the potential to develop into a starter, but his window of opportunity closed with the drafting of mccoy.

Wallace for whatever reason was never tagged as a starter.

Both McCoy and Wallace fit the mold of what you want in a backup. Experience. Wallace wins out in that regard, but Colt wins out in upside potential.

Lewis is the same...he's in development, his ceiling is probably backup, but who knows.

I can see them keeping colt unless someone offers us a stupid pick. He just might evolve into a better qb. He should have never seen the field as soon as he did. He needed time.

Now the argument could be made for keeping wallace too, and i wouldn't be upset about it, but this team is now building thru the draft and developing its players like winning teams do. This means they keep lewis until they have a shot to get someone with more upside, or he proves he'll never cut it.

Right now we have 2 guys who we are hoping the light goes on for. Weeden and McCoy. Wallace is what he is, a backup.

Of course a trade could make all this a moot point, but I don't think that it's going to be as easy of a decision as in years past, because I genuinely believe they like all four QB's and Lewis will weigh heavily in the decision making process.

Which is why i think unless someone offers us SOMETHING for Wallace, we'll just end up cutting him.

New owner, jobs on the line, you keep the best players to help you win. Thats McCoy and Wallace. Lewis is the odd man out in my mind.