WHO WILL BE THE CLEVELAND BROWNS STARTING QB IN 2012 --- COLT MCCOY OR BRANDON WEEDON ????
In the 2012 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns drafted QB Brandon Weedon of Oklahoma State University in the first round (22nd. overall pick) which immediately created a QB controversy for the Cleveland Browns. The Browns management team, led by president Mike Holmgren, drafted Weedon because they had lost faith in McCoy's ability to become a quality starting QB in the NFL. In McCoy's defense, the Browns offensive line in 2011 was, at best, mediocre and their running game was atrocious.
Mike Holmgren is on record as saying that Weeden will have to beat out McCoy (yeah right, Mike) for the starting job but drafting a QB in the first round usually means the rookie will start, if at all possible. Let's consider some reasons as to why starting Brandon Weedon in his rookie year, over Colt McCoy, would "NOT" be a good decision.
Mike Holmgren is on record as saying that Weeden will have to beat out McCoy (yeah right, Mike) for the starting job but drafting a QB in the first round usually means the rookie will start, if at all possible. Let's consider some reasons as to why starting Brandon Weedon in his rookie year, over Colt McCoy, would "NOT" be a good decision.
1.) In the last two seasons, McCoy has played in 21 games, which gives him a decided edge over Weedon in NFL game experience. Colt has had a chance to adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL game and to the size of the players in the NFL. Adjusting to the speed of the NFL game compared to the speed of the college game may be a rookie QB's biggest adjustment to make coming in from college football.
2.) Playing with the Browns for two seasons has given Colt a chance to make friendships and develop chemistry with his offensive line, running backs, and, most importantly, with his wide receivers, something that will take Brandon Weedon time to develop.
3.) Weedon played in a spread offense at Oklahoma State and operated primarily out of the shotgun formation most of the time in a "hurry up" offensive scheme. In the Cleveland offense, he will have to take snaps under the center, something that is a minor adjustment but is still something he must become comfortable with in the pro game.
4.) At Oklahoma State, Weedon played against weak competition and had superior wideouts (Justin Blackmon) to take advantage of the inferior defenses he played against. In the NFL, the competitive level, week in and week out, will be at a much higher level than any competition Weedon faced at Oklahoma State.
5.) At Oklahoma State, Weedon was known as a QB who couldn't handle pressure if the "pocket" collapsed. He would get "rattled" and throw the ball away, often to soon or just "go down" . Think NFL defensive co-ordinators won't be blitzing him with everything and everyone but the kitchen sink? The competition is a lot stiffer in the NFL than in the college game.
6.) At the University of Texas, McCoy played against superior competition at the collegiate level than Weedon played against. McCoy even played in a national championship game (even though he got hurt and wasn't able to finish the game against the University of Alabama). This higher level of competition in the college ranks "hardened" McCoy and made him a better pro prospect than Weedon.
7.) McCoy has decent foot speed (as a Texas Longhorn he rushed for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns) and has good "pocket presence". He has been solid under pressure, makes good decisions when having to run to avoid the defense and is much more mobile than Weedon. With the problems Cleveland had with their offensive line last year , mobility and throwing on the run would be key issues in their quarterback competition.
8.) Colt McCoy had no competition at the QB position until the Browns drafted Brandon Weedon. This is not to say that McCoy is a "slacker" and didn't push himself to become the best QB he could be, but, the addition of Weedon does give Colt competition he previously lacked. Weedon will "push" McCoy in a way that McCoy wasn't "pushed" to excel before the Browns drafted Weedon. McCoy will have to work even harder than he did before if he wants to keep his job as the starting QB.
9.) The Browns drafted two offensive lineman, Mitchell Schwartz and Ryan Miller along with former University of Alabama running back, Trent Richardson in this year's draft. The new offensive lineman and Trent Richardson should improve the passing and running game for Cleveland. This would take a lot of the pressure of McCoy and would lead to an improvement in his game as opposing defenses could not longer afford to ignore the Brown's rushing attack.
10.) McCoy is entering his third year in the NFL. He has had his baptism by fire in the NFL the last two years, years in which he has had to play with mediocre talent around him. In 2012, with an improved team around him he should be able to vastly improve his game. McCoy has always been a winner at every level. If Cleveland can build a quality team around him, I believe he would be a "winner" in the NFL.
3.) Weedon played in a spread offense at Oklahoma State and operated primarily out of the shotgun formation most of the time in a "hurry up" offensive scheme. In the Cleveland offense, he will have to take snaps under the center, something that is a minor adjustment but is still something he must become comfortable with in the pro game.
4.) At Oklahoma State, Weedon played against weak competition and had superior wideouts (Justin Blackmon) to take advantage of the inferior defenses he played against. In the NFL, the competitive level, week in and week out, will be at a much higher level than any competition Weedon faced at Oklahoma State.
5.) At Oklahoma State, Weedon was known as a QB who couldn't handle pressure if the "pocket" collapsed. He would get "rattled" and throw the ball away, often to soon or just "go down" . Think NFL defensive co-ordinators won't be blitzing him with everything and everyone but the kitchen sink? The competition is a lot stiffer in the NFL than in the college game.
6.) At the University of Texas, McCoy played against superior competition at the collegiate level than Weedon played against. McCoy even played in a national championship game (even though he got hurt and wasn't able to finish the game against the University of Alabama). This higher level of competition in the college ranks "hardened" McCoy and made him a better pro prospect than Weedon.
7.) McCoy has decent foot speed (as a Texas Longhorn he rushed for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns) and has good "pocket presence". He has been solid under pressure, makes good decisions when having to run to avoid the defense and is much more mobile than Weedon. With the problems Cleveland had with their offensive line last year , mobility and throwing on the run would be key issues in their quarterback competition.
8.) Colt McCoy had no competition at the QB position until the Browns drafted Brandon Weedon. This is not to say that McCoy is a "slacker" and didn't push himself to become the best QB he could be, but, the addition of Weedon does give Colt competition he previously lacked. Weedon will "push" McCoy in a way that McCoy wasn't "pushed" to excel before the Browns drafted Weedon. McCoy will have to work even harder than he did before if he wants to keep his job as the starting QB.
9.) The Browns drafted two offensive lineman, Mitchell Schwartz and Ryan Miller along with former University of Alabama running back, Trent Richardson in this year's draft. The new offensive lineman and Trent Richardson should improve the passing and running game for Cleveland. This would take a lot of the pressure of McCoy and would lead to an improvement in his game as opposing defenses could not longer afford to ignore the Brown's rushing attack.
10.) McCoy is entering his third year in the NFL. He has had his baptism by fire in the NFL the last two years, years in which he has had to play with mediocre talent around him. In 2012, with an improved team around him he should be able to vastly improve his game. McCoy has always been a winner at every level. If Cleveland can build a quality team around him, I believe he would be a "winner" in the NFL.
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