Minus two starting wide receivers and any NFL regular-season experience, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy got more than a passing grade in his debut, sports columnist Bud Shaw writes.
View full sizeColt McCoy was under considerable duress from James Harrison (left), Lawrence Timmons and the rest of the Steelers' defense Sunday afternoon. But the rookie Browns QB handled himself well, regardless of the final outcome, says Bud Shaw.PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- For Colt McCoy, Sunday brought the clear reminder of the difference between playing quarterback at Texas and playing quarterback for the Browns.
He had more weapons at Texas.
Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi were there for McCoy one minute, then gone the next on a day in which the Steelers already owned every conceivable advantage except a time machine comeback by Bradshaw, Swann and Stallworth.
McCoy termed the hit on Massaquoi "ugly," but in terms of complicating his day the loss of Cribbs in a helmet-to-helmet collision with Steelers' linebacker James Harrison was the truly hideous development.
I think it was that noted NFL analyst Hilary Clinton who said it takes a village to raise a child quarterback's play, especially in his NFL debut and even more so against the Steelers on the road.
Cribbs in the wildcat was meant to be McCoy's primary support system. The wildcat had been pretty much a rumor this season. Sunday it was a staple, a necessity. Then just as quickly the Browns had to abandon it.
"When [Cribbs] went down, you know you don't have that to lean on, ever," McCoy said.
Instead, McCoy had to stand on his own two feet with Peyton Hillis rushing for only 41 yards. By the way, that's the first bit of promising news to share where McCoy's debut is concerned.
He was still standing afterwards. McCoy surpassed that low standard for what constitutes progress for Browns' quarterbacks -- two good feet, no high ankle sprain -- and kept going, completing 23 of 33 passes for 281 yards and a touchdown in the 28-10 loss.
It wasn't storybook, obviously. The Steelers sacked him five times. They intercepted him twice. They could've easily made it three when Lamarr Woodley made a welcome-to-the-NFL drop in coverage and nearly picked off a pass meant for Brian Robiskie.
"That's a completion in college," McCoy said.
Overall, his play was enough to change how the organization views him, or at least his timetable. The Browns went from no interest in having him play in 2010 to intrigue about what comes next.
The most promising aspects of the Colt McCoy Experience were his poise in the pocket and his sense of self before and after. How else to explain his message when he addressed teammates Saturday night as the team's latest starting quarterback.
"I just told 'em the hay is in the barn," McCoy said. "For some of the city folks I had to [explain]."
As his head coach and a number of teammates said Sunday, the game didn't look too big for McCoy. After his run-for-cover training camp, that was a welcome sight.
Give Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll credit. They didn't send the kid into the ring and tell him to clinch and cover up. They let him come out swinging. Where the Browns offense is concerned, this is a relative term, of course.
McCoy threw on first down early (or at least tried). He completed a dozen passes for 10 yards or longer. Six covered 20 yards or more. A chunk of his 281 yards happened late, but there was less garbage time than the final score indicates. He did more than dink and dunk.
"He took control of the huddle," guard Eric Steinbach said. "That's what a quarterback has to do. I don't care if he's a first-year guy or a 12-year vet."
Speaking of old guys, Jake Delhomme isn't close to playing. He's got ankle sprains high and low. Seneca Wallace, too, is still limping.
A week after finding himself in a duel with Ben Roethlisberger, McCoy will likely need to face Drew Brees and the Saints at high noon in New Orleans.
As quarterback options go for the Browns, at least until after the bye week, the hay is in the barn. Surprisingly Sunday, Colt McCoy didn't get buried under it.