June 19, 2013

What Is The Rush To Trade Colt McCoy?

April 27, 2012 by 63 Comments

The Browns have drafted the guy who they now view as their latest Quarterback of the future, Brandon Weeden out of Oklahoma State. He has the size and the arm strength that they covet for the West Coast offense. He is clearly here to play from the start. You don’t draft a 28-year-old quarterback to sit for a year or two and learn. If this is the guy that Tom Heckert and Mike Holmgren believe in, then lets see what he has on opening day.

That leaves the Browns with two other QBs who now have uncertain futures. Colt McCoy, the now deposed starter, and the backup for the last two seasons, Seneca Wallace.

During last night’s press conference, Heckert was asked a pointed question; what is the future of McCoy with the organization and would they consider trading him now that Weeden was brought in. ”

(A trade is)something we’ll talk about tonight and tomorrow,” he said.

The night turned to morning, and Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer was reporting that the Browns were talking to Green Bay about a possible trade of McCoy. The Packers lost their backup, Matt Flynn, to free agency, and just have former Texas Tech great Graham Harrell behind him. My question is this – what is the rush to get rid of McCoy so quickly?

The real question is why the Browns are so eager to dump Colt yet still want to keep Wallace?

Let us not forget that Seneca openly campaigned against McCoy and refused to mentor him over the past two seasons. This is the “team guy” you want to be the backup for Brandon Weeden, a guy you just drafted in the first round? So McCoy is good enough to be a backup in Green Bay, but not here in Cleveland?

If we have learned anything about Colt in his time in Cleveland, its that he is a hard working, team-first guy who will do anything he is asked. Can you say the same thing about Seneca Wallace? While the Browns may have done McCoy wrong by reportedly telling him they wouldn’t draft a QB in the first round, McCoy isn’t naive. He knows this is a business. What we saw of him last year showed that he is probably best as a backup QB. So why not have him as our backup QB?

The devil’s advocate on this will say that you won’t want McCoy around to bring up a QB controversy. What happens if McCoy looks great in preseason and Weeden struggles? As I said before, if the organization was sold on McCoy, they wouldn’t have drafted Weeden in the first round. He is here to play. McCoy will be a good soldier and a quality backup who would help the rookie QB adjust to the new system. I firmly believe that.

Seneca on the other hand? Who knows with that guy. He’s the guy that needs to be blown out of the organization, not McCoy.

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  • http://www.cinpleweb.com/ stin4u

    I totally agree but at the same time it puts the organization back into a hard position. The DA/Quinn/DA nightmares are slowly creeping back into my mind.

    What happens when Weeden spends the first eight games throwing 10 picks and 4 TD’s? How many people will be livid McCoy isn’t in? Can’t do it.

  • MrCleaveland

    Not to change the subject or anything, but we notice that hard-working and prolific WFNY draft guru Craig Lyndall hasn’t posted yet today.

    Now that the months of pre-draft hype and speculation have finally ended, can we assume that Craig is still face down on his front lawn clutching an empty bottle of Captain Morgan?

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    That would be a nice present for McCoy to go to GB.  If the Browns do trade him just add his name to the list of disposable QBs.  It’s almost as long as the list at head coach.  And people wonder why this organization has been so bad.

  • Razorzips

    They want to get rid of his dad as much as they want to get rid of Colt. 

  • http://twitter.com/Pelderskelter Patrick Elder

    Why are we assuming the Browns really want to trade Colt? They’re just looking into it. I don’t mind them moving him at all. It avoids a QB controversy, and I don’t think we are going to miss out on anything special by losing him. I would like it most if we could package him with a couple picks for a 2nd or 3rd rounder.

  • gren

    Agreed 100%. Seneca is the problem, not McCoy. If we get rid of McCoy, I almost hope we get rid of Seneca as well. There should be some good veterans cut before training camp that could come and coach up Weeden as he goes.

  • Jason

    Exactly – I applaud this decision. We’ve already seen what the QB controversy can do to the fan base. Agree or not, Weeden is their guy, they’re acting boldly by  eliminating any controversy – gotta applaud being definitive. No QB competitions! As for Wallace, I too am puzzled why he’s still around. If he’s not going to be a mentor, find someone who will be.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Are there any veteran QBs OLDER then Weeden who could be brought in now?  Maybe Jake Delhomme is available.  (Couldn’t resist)

    Anyways if they trade McCoy they’d be doing him a favor.  If I was McCoy I’d want out of here anyways.  Lets see what this great coaching staff can do now that they have “their guy.”  Lets see how they transform a spread shotgun QB into a WC master with the WR group they currently have now. 

    I watched Weeden at Okie State and now that he’s been drafted by the Browns it reminds me of Tim Couch.  But at least Weeden will have Richardson that’s more then Timmy had.

  • Boomhauertjs

    Is Bob LaMonte Seneca’s agent?

  • http://norcoastbias.blogspot.com/ Eric D

    Where is the guarantee that McCoy is going to be a good soldier? His dad already publicly threw the Browns under the bus. Right or wrong, that’s not the team first/good soldier mentality NFL organizations look for. Colt is probably pissed, and it is probably better for both parties to go their separate ways sooner rather than later, especially if we can pick up another mid-late round pick or a player who can contribute. (I heard talk about getting a WR back from GB. Maybe throw in a pick with Colt and bring Cobb/James Jones in.)
    Seneca is a back up. That’s all he’s ever going to be. Let him back up Weeden, if he doesn’t like it, too bad. Weeden isn’t a 22 year old kid on his own for the first time, he’s 28, he played professional baseball. Learn the offense from the coaches and let’s hit the ground running.

  • Vindictive_Pat

    I think somebody said it in yesterday’s comments already, but the hardest thing to me about the Weeden pick and possible McCoy move is that it means we are rebuilding (i.e. losing) for at least 2 more years… maybe more.  With a few exceptions, most college QBs need at least 2 years in the NFL to reach a level where you would call them “successful”.  Many take more than that.  A stud RB is useful, but there’s no indication that a stud RB by himself translates to Superbowl wins.  I think that is what really upset me yesterday more than the player we drafted or the spot where we got him… Tom Heckert is telling us that we need to hit Reset at the QB position, which basically means we are rebuilding again.

  • 216in614

    Agree. And to make matters worse we are hitting reset with out having either a true elite QB prospect or tools around him…

  • http://twitter.com/Pelderskelter Patrick Elder

    Cobb would be a fantastic pickup in my opinion.

  • http://twitter.com/Pelderskelter Patrick Elder

    When did we stop rebuilding? I don’t think anyone was really expecting even a nearly complete rebuild until at least 2013, probably 2014 anyways.

  • TSR3000

     Andy Dalton.

  • ClemJax

     Personality-wise, yes, Wallace should be the first one out. But if McCoy stays, DA/Quinn/DA is the best case scenario here. In all seriousness, can someone paint a picture here of what happens if McCoy comes out and has a DA circa 2007 season? In Quinn’s case, being a younger QB, keeping him on the bench was reasonable. If McCoy comes out and after being given some weapons significantly improves, what’s the Weeden plan? Trade Colt high next year and assume Weeden is the real deal? Pull a DA-contract and be stuck if Colt really isn’t that good?

    Granted, that’s a big “what if?” But even beyond that – what’s the over/under on the first time whoever is the backup’s name will be chanted at the stadium? 3 games? If you’re the management, you can’t even allow that to be an option. Nobody is going to call for Wallace over Weeden.

    In fact, this might sound insane, but I wouldn’t be surprised if McCoy AND Wallace go – go find a journeyman to be a backup (heck, with Tannehill, doesn’t Gerrard become expendable in Miami?), clean house, and hitch your ride to your pick. I can’t think of any scenario where keeping McCoy with Weeden actually works and doesn’t create an unnecessary and unmanageable amount of drama.

  • Vindictive_Pat

    Yep, if he has another good season you could probably count him as one of those exceptions I was talking about.

  • http://www.zfcomics.com dgriff13

    oh goodie. More quarterback controversies, something new and exciting for us.

  • http://www.zfcomics.com dgriff13

    SHOULD HAVE USED SARCASTIC FONT. ^^^^

  • Vindictive_Pat

    We could have stopped rebuilding this year… this is the NFL.  Teams can change their fortunes from good to bad with one draft.  The Browns were really not that far away if McCoy actually was the right piece at QB.  They needed a RB (got one), WR (can still get one), and a RT (can still get one) and then some depth.  No team has every piece in place when they win the Superbowl… look at the Giants last year.  They had one of the worst rushing attacks in football and their tight ends and cornerbacks were all considered subpar.

  • Max

    ZING!

  • cmm13

    As I stated in a different post; you don’t just trade McCoy…you trade McCoy and cut Seneca now that you have selected Weededn.

    With Quinn; er Colt in camp it creates a QB controversy.  Add that to Seneca clearly not wanting to play any type of supportive role on the team and you ask yourself why keep two problems in your locker room after I just cleaned house of Hillis.

    If they can get any sort of value (picks or players) for McCoy pull the trigger and be done.

    Cut Seneca and get yourself a vet off the scrap heap….I also wouldn’t be surprised to see them take another rook QB in the 5th or 7th along with the vet.

  • Steve

    You trade McCoy (and today) because you can get a draft pick for him. If you keep McCoy around for a biased QB “competition” and watch him lose, and ride the pine, you don’t realize any value, if it doesn’t completely plummet (who’s trading anything useful for a backup?), for at least another year. Cut your losses now and get something while you can.

    Keep Seneca, let him go, whatever. He’s an adequate backup. But I’m not sure a guy saying that he wants to start, and his entire focus is on how he can get the starting job is such a bad thing. I want guys on my roster who think they should be starters.

  • BenRM

    Honestly, I think they’re more interested in trading away Colt McCoy’s father than they are Colt McCoy himself. 

  • Vindictive_Pat

    I actually don’t think the Seneca Wallace comments are that big of a deal.  It’d be nice to have another coach on the field to help Weeden learn, but really that’s the job of the quarterbacks coach, Mark Whipple.  He’s also got Shurmur (a former QB coach), Brad Childress (ditto), and Mike Holmgren (tritto) in his ear.  There’s plenty of guys to teach the WCO to Weeden… he just needs to perfect what he hears.

  • mgbode

    no guarantee on Colt, but we already have a guarantee that Seneca will not be a “good soldier”

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Good luck Weeden your gonna need it!

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Isn’t this like deja vu or is it just me?  Seems like I’ve seen this horror flic before.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Jones maybe but not Cobb he’s to valuable with Driver’s age.

  • mgbode

    people probably don’t want to look at the end of Dalton’s season when teams figured out what he was good at (after Tenn game)

  • mgbode

    Thanks TD.  It needed to be said.

    First, I think Colt is better than Seneca.   I also think he has a longer future in the NFL and he has more potential at this point in their respective careers.  So, why would a team dump such a player while keeping the other?

    Colt is a big boy. He should be able to handle being the backup. “At least as well as Seneca has handled it.” The team needs to come out and state that Weeden is the starter after OTA’s and that Colt will be the backup. We already know that Seneca isn’t going to help Weeden learn the WCO, so why not at least see if Colt will? Of course, we could always draft Coleman/Lindley in the 6th or 7th round and have them at QB3 for a year and then QB2 in 2013.  Not a bad option, but still, why not Colt for QB2 in 2012 in that scenario too?

  • cmm13

    Also agree.  I said in days leading up to the draft that even if you landed TRich, Floyd and Massie you are still infusing rookies with 2nd year players going up against one of the toughest divisions playing one of the toughest schedules.

    We were picking in the top 10 again regardless next year.

    Knowing that why not land every top skill person you could this year to then go Dan Snyder in 2013 and sell the farm for the stud QB?

    Regardless of H&H want to say about their “strategy” anymore it is all out the window.  They hit the panic button when Lerner told them to fix the QB situation instead of staying the course.

  • mgbode

    why would GB give up their 2nd round WR pickup from last year for a backup QB that we don’t want?   not going to happen (I like Cobb too)

  • Steve

     Because, as is said above, you have a few guys already in the organization who are being paid to teach the QB. Your backup shouldn’t have to do that. The players should do what they can to make themselves the best players they can be. You want another QB coach, why not Colt’s dad? He seems to have a few opinions he’s willing to share.

    And because, especially for this team, the differences between Colt, Seneca, or whoever you sign for the minimum off the street at backup QB means next to nothing. You can turn McCoy into an asset that might actually be useful. Yeah, it’s probably going to be a crapshoot late-round draft pick. But you already know that McCoy is now bringing no added value, at least roll the dice on someone who can.

  • Steve

     Because, as is said above, you have a few guys already in the organization who are being paid to teach the QB. Your backup shouldn’t have to do that. The players should do what they can to make themselves the best players they can be. You want another QB coach, why not Colt’s dad? He seems to have a few opinions he’s willing to share.

    And because, especially for this team, the differences between Colt, Seneca, or whoever you sign for the minimum off the street at backup QB means next to nothing. You can turn McCoy into an asset that might actually be useful. Yeah, it’s probably going to be a crapshoot late-round draft pick. But you already know that McCoy is now bringing no added value, at least roll the dice on someone who can.

  • EyesAbove

    The Browns should absolutely trade McCoy if he asks to be traded. Keeping a disgruntled player never ends well, and there is especially no point in keeping a disgruntled backup QB. They could probably get a 5th rounder for Colt. Trade him while he still has some value. 

  • http://twitter.com/witzkea Alan Witzke

    Browns obviously bet on Weeden. Don’t hedge and try to keep Colt around. Backup QBs are a good team’s problem, not a rebuilding team’s. If Colt can be traded for assets that will help Weeden be a better QB then do it.

  • MS

    The fact that the word ‘value’ doesn’t appear on this page until the comment section says more than anything else I could type. What a stupid question.

  • http://norcoastbias.blogspot.com/ Eric D

    That was just one of the first names that popped into my head when I heard young receiver. For either one of those guys we would probably need to package a 3rd or 4th round pick as well.

  • DT91nmj

    “…the hardest thing to me about the Weeden pick … is that it means we are rebuilding (i.e. losing) for at least 2 more years…”

    This is an important draft and I’m not sure how this is going to turn out, but … it’s not like we’re going to make the leap to the SB this year, or next. We’re “only” rebuilding the QB position, thankfully we’re NOT rebuilding the whole regime as we usually do.

  • Vindictive_Pat

    That’s the thing though… the Superbowl depends almost entirely on the QB anymore.  Patriots had one of the worst defenses in the league last year and went to the Superbowl.  Their running back was the law firm of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, not even close to an elite RB.  So by rebuilding at QB, you might as well be rebuilding the entire team.

  • mgbode

    yeah, Denver/SF/Baltimore all had some of the best QBs in the NFL which landed them in the playoffs.

    #manywaystobuildateam

  • mgbode

    players shouldn’t work together?   they shouldn’t help each other to ensure we have the best team possible?   it isn’t a good thing to have another QB explain things that maybe hit home in a different way then the coach?

    And, I don’t think we get anything useful for Colt.  He has more value as a backup as we have seen the need for those here.

  • http://twitter.com/Dennymayo Denny

    Kellen Winslow would like a word, good sirs.

  • ac

    your negativity is exhausting

  • Vindictive_Pat

    Playoffs yes.  Superbowl no.  I’d be happy with making the playoffs, but if you think SF or Baltimore can win a Superbowl with Alex Smith or Joe Flacco, then you crazy.  I mean hey, I’d take the playoffs at this point… winning is better than losing.  But more than that, I’d love a Superbowl win.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Denver was the exception the other two in particular Baltimore had a decent QB in Flacco.  Granted SF and Baltimore did it with awesome defenses and great RBs but they did have QBs.

    The Browns have a RB but the defense is still severely lacking. 

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    LoL I knew your comment was towards me I’m just having fun because I think it’s funny that yet another QB was selected.  The fact he was older then when he was selected makes it even better.

    I’m not a die hard fan in fact I’m not really a Browns fan but I’ve talked with enough of them to know they are all confused by what was done yesterday.

  • http://www.redright88.com/ TitusPullo94

    The Browns need to do what is best for the team. I don’t see where having McCoy on the roster creates a controversy. Doesn’t matter who the QB is, there are some fans who will always call for the back-up quarterback to play.

    If the choices for back-up are McCoy and Wallace, I take McCoy 10 times out of 10. He’s younger and is more of a team player. If he is upset about the Browns drafting Weeden, boo-hoo. Go out there and make it difficult for the Browns to put you on the bench.

    If McCoy really is an NFL quarterback, that shouldn’t be too much to ask, should it?

  • mgbode

    you get a team to be competitve making the playoffs every year and you’ll get your superbowl eventually. 

    SF and Balt could have met in the SB last year if SF’s PR doesn’t fumble and Balt’s kicker doesn’t choke (or Mason holds onto that catch).   Not always on the QB which is my point.

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