Those who know Colt McCoy well aren't afraid to send him into the Steelers' lion's den Sunday.
Colt McCoy's start on Sunday may be his first opportunity to make an impression in the NFL, but he's got plenty of backers among those who saw him in college and those who have watched him practice this season with the Browns.TONY GROSSI’S FOUR THINGS
ON BROWNS VS. STEELERS
1. Let your quarterback play: Colt McCoy has no chance in his first NFL start if the game plan calls for him to be shackled and handcuffed behind center. Sure, the running game has to be effective and productive. But no team beats the Steelers on the ground. The Browns have to trust McCoy with a few pet passing plays that he can execute to keep the defense honest and out of the tackle “box.” I would have McCoy throw on first down most of the time. Keep the routes short to get the ball in receivers’ hands quickly. Let their legs make the plays, not McCoy’s arm.
2. The Cribbs factor: Josh Cribbs has three kickoff TD returns in Pittsburgh. In last December’s upset win, Cribbs had two long kick returns and also his best day running out of the wildcat formation. Cribbs has to play an integral part for the Browns to have any chance. Use him in the passing and running games. Short throws right off the line of scrimmage, end-around runs, reverses. Some wildcat. Dust off that Cribbs wildcat pass to the quarterback. I’m sure McCoy can catch the ball. Throw the playbook at the Steelers.
3. Toppling Big Ben: The supreme defensive game plan used to baffle and tackle Ben Roethlisberger in December should be the blueprint for this game. Ben is not the smartest signal-caller in history, so you can flummox him with disguised coverages and rush schemes. The cornerbacks have to come up big. They cannot drop a single interception. A pick six would be nice, no?
4. Visit the Trauma Ward: How many Browns fans would like to see T.J. Ward lay the wood on Steelers receiver Hines Ward? Just make it a legal shot, please.
— Tony Grossi
PLAIN DEALER PREDICTIONS
Mary Kay Cabot (3-2)
Steelers 24, Browns 10: Big Ben’s return trumps Colt’s debut.
Tony Grossi (1-4)
Steelers 16, Browns 3: Phil Dawson breaks Lou Groza’s team field goal record. Rah.
Bill Livingston (2-3)
Steelers 27, Browns 6: Well, at least Ken Dorsey isn’t the Browns quarterback, right?
Terry Pluto (2-3)
Steelers 27, Browns 10: On any given Sunday, any team can win. This is not that Sunday for Browns.
Bud Shaw (3-2)
Steelers 24, Browns 13: Rash of high ankle sprains means Browns die with their boots on.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The folks who know Colt McCoy the best have no fear about throwing the rookie QB into the Steelers' lion's den Sunday.
"Going to Pittsburgh for his first NFL start is a tough deal but I'm sure he'll do everything in his power to be as prepared as possible for the challenge," said Texas coach Mack Brown through the Longhorns' media relations staff. "Playing at Texas, Colt was fortunate to compete in some of the toughest places in college football. He's played against the best teams college football had to offer and competed with and against a lot of players that are now in the NFL.
"I can't speak for what it will be like in the NFL, but he's overcome a lot of adversity in some really challenging college environments. He's a guy that does a great job of staying focused in difficult situations."
Brown knows one thing for sure: McCoy will be as prepared as possible to face the Steelers' fourth-ranked defense, and one that's first against the run.
"Colt is a gym rat who worked as hard as anybody I've ever been around to get ready for a game," said Brown. "He was always the last guy off the practice field and had a passion for studying film and really understanding the game plan. I can't imagine he's not doing the same thing in Cleveland. He's a tremendous leader and will leave everything on the field."
After replacing Vince Young at Texas, McCoy won more games -- 45 -- than any quarterback in NCAA history and set 47 school records. He led Texas to the 2009 BCS title game against Alabama -- a loss in which McCoy left early with a shoulder injury. He also set the NCAA record with a 76.7 completion percentage as a junior.
Said Young, in an email response: "Colt is a good guy. He's a hard worker, was always asking the right questions and dedicated to being a good football player. We've kept in touch through the years and I have a great deal of respect for him."
McCoy's close friend is former Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick who's now starting for the Rams.
"Colt has all the tools to be a tremendous quarterback," said Bradford in an email. "He can make plays with his feet. When he had time in college, we all saw the kind of player he is. I know that he'll do everything in his power to be prepared this week against the Steelers, I'll be pulling for him and I hope he does well."
Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has been impressed with McCoy this week. He took all of the first-team reps while Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace limped around in their walking boots.
"It's with no live bullets, but he's done a good job in the huddle with the older veterans," said Daboll. "He has an older, veteran offensive line. He's gotten the plays out quickly, he hasn't had any mistakes in that regard."
Daboll said McCoy has been preparing as a starter all season, even though this was supposed to be a "red-shirt" year.
"He's got his shot now," said Daboll. "This is obviously what he's always dreamt of. It didn't seem too big for him out there, where there were stars in eyes. Now he's got to go out and play well."
Daboll said the package installed for McCoy is "pretty expansive, it's not just a little list because he's pretty sharp. Now, it's go time. The lights are on."
Daboll said McCoy's No. 1 asset is his accuracy.
"He's sharp, he works the field, he knows his progressions, he can throw on the move, he can throw in the pocket and I'm excited for him," he said. "It's going to be a tough challenge, no question. He knows this, I know this, everybody knows it."
Eric Mangini said McCoy is not only accurate but efficient, which should help against a team that's first in the AFC with 12 takeaways.
"He has thrown down the field, but it's not going to be a function of forcing the ball anywhere," Mangini said. "You can't force the ball into spots against this defense."
In addition to defenders flying at him from all angles, McCoy will have to be aware of where ballhawk safety Troy Polamalu is at all times. Polamalu has two interceptions this season, 22 for his career.
"You've got to go with what you see and be confident and make sure you're not telegraphing your intentions," said Mangini. "You've just got to be definitive and not hold things."
The Browns are prepared to support McCoy with a power running game, use of the wildcat and a line that's on point. McCoy can also make plays with his feet when he needs to.
"He needs all the time he can get to sit back there and try to read the defense and figure out what they're trying to do," said Joe Thomas. "But he doesn't have to make it bigger than it is. This isn't the Super Bowl. He's a natural back there. The kid's a winner. He knows how to play the quarterback position."