If that quote isn't familiar, that is Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren the day after drafting Colt McCoy. Sometimes things just don't go according to plan, and sometimes when the plan goes a awry at what might be the worst times possible.
He has not had much, if any, practice time with the first-team offense. He was playing behind an atrocious offensive line in the preseason, but it still stood out that he didn't look very comfortable with a lot of his throws, especially on deep passes. If McCoy can only work in short passes that barely go beyond the line of scrimmage, Pittsburgh is going to feast on him.
Yikes.This is a quote from SB Nation's Joel Thorman, the NFL page editor as well as Arrowhead Pride's fearless leader (along with his brother Chris). I saw Colt play this preseason, and he didn't look anything like the all time college football leader in wins. In fairness, if he can some how, some way win this game, Colt McCoy will live forever in the hearts of Browns fans.
We'll see what Colt can do. Even though it may be easy to do, perhaps he shouldn't be dismissed, given the play in tough spots of two QB's we know now. Ben Roethlisberger came in versus Baltimore as a rookie, and Max Hall, who led the Cardinals in a victory over the Saints as an undrafted QB in his first start just last week.
An interesting thought from this article on USA Today's "The Huddle". And there is even a poll. Do what you feel you need to do BTSC.
Keeping An Eye On Our Next Opponent
Offensively, the top off-season transaction was trading quarterback Brady Quinn, the ex-Notre Dame star, to Denver for running back Peyton Hillis.
He's no longer the unknown commodity he was to most when they made this trade, and suddenly not the "stupidly wasted 14th round fantasy pick" I got him for (is he Todd?). Hillis could prove to be the biggest step in the right direction this franchise has made since selecting William Green, Gerard Warren, Courtney Brown... okay seriously though, definitely since Joe Thomas, that kid's a beast. This article from the Beaver County Times highlights the new direction that Cleveland is moving towards under Mike Holmgren's mindful eye.
You don't just swap running backs with a team because one team is getting the better player at the position; this sounds like a case of the Eagles taking a disgruntled back off of our hands in exchange for someone who won't be disgruntled.
This from Chris Pokorny, of Dawgs By Nature, reacting to the tradethat sent preseason expected starter Jerome Harrison to Philadelphia in exchange for Mike Bell, another runningback. Each is on the final year of their deal, and Jerome Harrison was reportedly unhappy taking a backseat to Peyton Hillis. Mike Bell, now in his fifth season as a pro from Arizona, is more of a journeymen runningback, as Cleveland will be his fourth team in those five years. He has yet to match his production in Denver as a rookie, but came close last year with New Orleans.
Eleven players didn't practice today for the Cleveland Browns, including quarterbacks Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace and starting running back Peyton Hillis....
Also not practicing today: defensive end Kenyon Coleman (knee), Delhomme (ankle), center Alex Mack (shoulder), nose guard Shaun Rogers (elbow), tight end Robert Royal (shoulder), defensive end Robaire Smith (back), safety Nick Sorensen (calf), offensive tackle John St. Claire (ankle), Wallace (ankle) and offensive guard Floyd Womack (knee).
Injuries flaring up in Cleveland, although HC Eric Mangini did say that Peyton Hillis will play in today's article on Yahoo!. How these injuries play out and effect the Browns this Sunday will remain to be seen.
"My surprise player would be second round draft pick T.J. Ward. The young man is all over the field and making plays. One thing is for sure, the man can hit."
This is from Josh Jeffi, President Strongsville Browns Backers, the Cleveland Browns international fan club, with chapters in every state. This is from a compilation article, where several members of the organization weighed in with their most surprising players this season. Ward will be one to watch for, as the second round pick from Oregon has been playing pretty well so far this season.
For those out of market fans without the Sunday Ticket, here is a regional distribution map, showing what games will be shown where nationally. I'm going to try and include this either here or in a fanshot every week, if I can.