The biggest story in Cleveland is what to do with rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. Seneca Wallace told reporters recently that he deserves to be the starter when healthy. Jake Delhomme was brought in to be the starter (but he's been hurt). McCoy was impressive in his debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it was McCoy who was under center when...
Seneca Wallace The biggest story in Cleveland is what to do with rookie quarterback Colt McCoy, writes James Walker of ESPN.com. Seneca Wallace told reporters recently that he deserves to be the starter when healthy. Jake Delhomme was brought in to be the starter (but he's been hurt).
McCoy was impressive in his debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it was McCoy who was under center when the Cleveland Browns pulled off the upset against the New Orleans Saints.
Walker checked with Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. -- to get some answers.
Williamson: If I were the Browns, I think the No. 1 priority the rest of the season has to be 'Do we need a quarterback, or do we have a quarterback?' I think they need to know that by draft day. The other two quarterbacks don't matter. McCoy has to be the starter. Cleveland needs to know if he's ready, or if he's not capable of being a starter in this league.
Wallace says he still wants to be the starter. What are your impressions of him?
Williamson: He's one of the better backups around, and I think he's still proven to be a backup. He's better coming off the bench, because teams can't prepare for his legs, and he comes in as a big change-up. Wallace has that role going forward. But I don't think he's a starter. He gets exposed after he puts two or three games of film together.
Helmet to helmet
The Cleveland Browns have had their share of violent hits. Josh Cribbs was knocked out against Pittsburgh and Mohamed Massaquoi also suffered from a hit in that same game.
Ohio.com's Stephanie Storm writes how the Cleveland Clinic is working on two ways to assess concussions in all sports more quickly and thoroughly.
Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic are developing technology called an ''Intelligent Mouthguard,'' equipped with sensors that measure head orientation and the velocity and acceleration at which the player's head moves. The information is transmitted wirelessly to a computer on the sidelines that would be shared with the training or medical staff.
Dr. Damir Janigro, is leading work on a blood test that helps detect concussions and could ultimately spare patients from an expensive CT scan or MRI. Storm also writes how Janigro's team is conducting a preclinical investigation on college football players to determine whether the blood test is useful in identifying if and when players are fit to return to the field.
Joe Haden
Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is happy with cornerback Joe Haden, writes News-Herald reporter Jeff Schudel. Through seven games Haden has 19 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception.
"I think (Haden) has done an excellent job of tackling and hitting," Rob Ryan said." I think he's covering really well. He competes. He's growing fast and I think he's doing a good job."
The Browns have a bye-week this week, but they return to the field next Sunday against New England.
Haden could have the difficult assignment of covering Patriots lightning-bug receiver, Wes Welker. If so, he will earn his pay. Welker, 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, leads the Patriots with 37 catches and three touchdowns.
Chat with Randy Lerner
CantonRep.com reporter Steve Doershuk interviewed Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner. He talked to Lerner about Mike Holmgren, Jim Brown, Eric Mangini and other issues related to the team.
Doerschuk: In the process of opting not to attend the Ring of Honor ceremony, Jim Brown used some harsh language toward the Browns, specifically alluding to Mike Holmgren. What would you like people to understand about the Jim Brown issue?
Lerner: Jim is an old friend. He was a friend of my father’s. He is a friend of my mom’s. He knows my children. It’s been a very nice relationship for me. I’ve learned a lot about football. I’ve learned a lot about other things from Jim. Certainly Jim was an adviser, but in practice what Jim did was he worked down with Jerry Butler in that area (player development), with players and with coaches, and dealt with matters that he has a background in. Social matters. Competitive matters. Football matters ... so on and so forth. And he played a real role with this organization. So, from a practical perspective, that’s what he was doing. From a nominal perspective, we had the word adviser. I understand that.