Jake Delhomme says he and Seneca Wallace won't "rock the boat" if the Browns keep rookie Colt McCoy as their starting quarterback.
View full sizeBrowns QB Jake Delhomme, who hasn't played since aggravating an ankle injury Oct. 10 vs. Atlanta, says the team is doing the right thing in letting Colt McCoy remain the starter. "We're not going to rock the boat, I'll tell you that much. Whatever's best for the team," Jake Delhomme said.
Two weeks ago, Seneca Wallace made the case that he should return as the starter when healthy. But after McCoy presided over the 34-14 win over New England -- his second in a row -- Wallace backed off.
"We're all trying to do the best thing for the team and win games," Wallace said. "Like I said, whoever's playing well [should] continue to be playing. You don't have to be switching it back and forth. The guy who's established and playing well, that should be the guy playing. Colt's playing well right now."
Delhomme spoke before taking the practice field for the first time since he aggravated his high ankle sprain Oct. 10 against Atlanta. He did it in relief of Wallace, who suffered his own high ankle sprain late in the first half of the same game. Wallace returned to the field for the first time Wednesday.
Coach Eric Mangini reiterated Thursday that there is no reason to declare a permanent starter until either Wallace or Delhomme is fully recovered. That is certainly not the case yet. Wallace might be available as McCoy's backup against the New York Jets. Delhomme isn't as close.
Thus Mangini would only say: "I think we're like every other week. We're heading in one direction."
Delhomme and McCoy have grown closer as the season has progressed. They often carpool to work. Delhomme said he's been "a sounding board" and not a coach for McCoy. He said he's proud of the way McCoy has played.
"We didn't get to see a lot of him in spring or training camp because Seneca and I did get the bulk of the reps," Delhomme said. "That's difficult for anyone. Because when you get in there you want to do well and you want to impress a little bit. It's one thing to be able to practice, but then to transfer over to the game, make some adjustments in the game and not have it be too big, it's something he's doing extremely well."
View full sizeColt McCoy hasn't been spectacular, but has been solid as the starter and is avoiding mistakes.Delhomme said he thought the light went on for McCoy in his second or third drive in the fourth preseason game against Chicago. That's when McCoy started playing without thinking, he said.
He was extremely impressed with McCoy's debut against Pittsburgh and said he's been progressing ever since.
"Against Pittsburgh, his first third down, to throw that corner route to Evan [Moore], to stand in there with pressure coming, eyes downfield, that was very big," Delhomme said. "If you're not excited about what he's done, then you're not watching what we're doing."
Delhomme said playing against Atlanta definitely set him back, but he doesn't regret going in. He said he never believed his season was over and surgery was not an option.
Reinforcement coming: Mangini admitted he'd like to spell running back Peyton Hillis more in games, especially with Hillis' hard-running style and possibly five games in inclement weather at the end of the schedule.
Mike Bell suffered a rib injury in the Patriots game after carrying six times for 7 yards. Bell has not been on the injury report this week.
Still, third back Thomas Clayton is getting more work on special teams this week, a precursor to a possible bigger load on offense.
"I feel I'm definitely improving weekly with the playbook and my skill level," Clayton said. "I think my style -- my quickness and slashing ability -- definitely complements [Hillis'] battering-ram style. Whenever my number's called, I'll be ready to go."
Comedy Central: Mangini critiqued Jets coach Rex Ryan's impersonation of his brother, Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.
"I thought he could've studied a little more film of Rob," Mangini said. "He didn't have the pulling the pants up. There wasn't enough swearing. There was a lot of good stuff. The wig was a little bit off."
Mangini joined in the good-natured ribbing of his counterpart.
"Rex has done a nice job with his weight loss. I think everybody in New York is happy about that, except maybe Macy's losing one of their [Thanksgiving Day parade] floats."
Brownie points: Besides linebacker Marcus Benard, who spent Thursday in a hospital after collapsing in the locker room, defensive end Kenyon Coleman did not practice. . . . Safety Mike Adams returned after getting cleared by doctors. He suffered a "slight concussion" in the New England game. . . . If the Browns beat the Jets, it would mark the first time since 1989 the franchise has scored three consecutive wins against teams with winning records.