In his scribbles, Terry Pluto says Colt McCoy was solid in his second start and should earn more chances to play.
The Browns' defense stunningly left Drew Brees and the vaunted Saints offense as flat as the artificial turf of the Superdome on Sunday.NEW ORLEANS -- Scribbles after the Browns stun New Orleans, 30-17.
1. None of this is to proclaim Colt McCoy as the next Brian Sipe, or even a certain NFL starter. But here's what safely can be said about the rookie from Texas -- I want to see more.
His first two starts have been in Pittsburgh and New Orleans, and not once did he look rattled or overwhelmed. His stats (9-of-16 passing, 74 yards) against the Saints were underwhelming, but he guided an offense that had no interceptions, no fumbles, one sack and one false start.
2. You may say, "big deal." But think about how terrible interceptions led to touchdowns (and losses) to Atlanta and Kansas City. A third interception set up a key touchdown in a loss at Tampa. "Self-inflicted wounds," Eric Mangini called them. But that has not been the case with McCoy.
3. The coaches say McCoy struggled in many practices and training camp as the third quarterback. He didn't receive regular work, because he was backing up Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace. But when both veterans were hurt, McCoy's natural leadership showed. He was comfortable in the spotlight and under the pressure that comes with being a starting quarterback. When McCoy told the offense that he "expected to play well" right before the Pittsburgh game, some veterans wondered if he could deliver. So far, he has been what the Browns want -- solid.
4. Mangini loved how McCoy took over the offense in the fourth quarter with a 20-10 lead and the ball on their 19. The Browns went on a 13-play, 50-yard drive and chewed up six minutes and scored a field goal. Peyton Hillis carried the ball eight times for 38 yards. Nothing special, but he gained three first downs. He also threw a 13-yard pass to McCoy for a first down. It was a very mature drive on the road in one of the loudest places in the NFL.
5. Phil Dawson kicked three more field goals, his biggest was at the end of the fourth quarter drive to push the lead to 23-10. That came after he kicked a 43-yarder, but it was waved off because of Eric Steinbach's false start. Dawson regrouped, and then kicked it 48 yards. Dawson is 9-of-11 this season, 28-of-32 in the last two seasons. He's a kicker who only will fully be appreciated after he's gone.
6. While fans were excited by Reggie Hodges running 68 yards on a fake punt, the real story is how Hodges has averaged 44.5 yards per punt and has a nice touch dropping the ball inside the 20.
7. Scott Fujita had a sack and was an early factor at linebacker. It's hard to figure out why the Saints let him go. Fujita has 3.5 sacks and has forced two fumbles this season. Last year, he had only one sack for the Saints as they rarely used him on the blitz. His speed makes him a natural pass rusher. He also picked off a pass. He also didn't have an interception with the Saints last season.
7. The defense deserves praise for picking off four Drew Brees passes, but the run defense also was key. The Saints gained only 58 yards and two first downs running the ball. In addition to Fujita, the Browns received excellent run defense from Ahtyba Rubin, Matt Roth and Eric Barton. Marcus Benard had a sack and three quarterback hits as he's turning into the Browns' top pass rusher. Benard has eight sacks in his first 13 pro games dating back to last season.
8. Roth is becoming one of the NFL's better linebackers, especially tough against the run. On the first interception returned for a touchdown by David Bowens -- Roth had Drew Brees by the jersey and was dragging him down, forcing the poor throw.
9. There was nothing close to a helmet-to-helmet hit, but plenty of very hard hits. Barton was flagged for unnecessary roughness, but it was not for a helmet crash. The Browns had a season-low four penalties.
10. At the bye week, the Browns have had the second toughest schedule (behind Pittsburgh). With the next two games against New England and Jets, there is no immediate relief coming.