Browns Considering The Rookie To Start

[Jabara]

So, basically this could be a very low scoring game filled with lots of game management, etc.
What else is new in our division? Therefore, anything could happen.
If Hillis is healthy enough to play, the Browns have a shot.
Although, the Steelers are coming off a bye and are at home.
This is Big Ben's first game of the season, meaning he's not up to game speed.
It'll take him some time to knock the rust off.
However, I think the Browns need to knock off this wildcat nonsense, line up and play some football.
The Browns won't ask much of McCoy, just to manage the game.
They may even give him some college-type plays, which sometimes in some weird dimension, can sometimes work in the NFL.

[mhead66]

[quote name='BrownsFan' timestamp='1286903069' post='505989']
So again I will ask.. who exactly should we start? We have two options.. McCoy and Ratliff. I'm sorry but Ratliff is nothing better than a 3rd QB at best. If you have to start one of these two then there is absolutely no reason to NOT start McCoy. I agree that it's probably one of the worst possible teams (if not the worst) to throw a guy out to for his first NFL start but we don't have a choice.

Again.. I don't WANT McCoy to start and I personally wish it was avoidable but it is what it is. We drafted and invested in McCoy to see if he has an NFL future; not Ratliff. He is simply insurance.
[/quote]
Sorry, I hate to say it... but I don't think the Browns will win, regardless of starting McCoy or Ratliff. If Mangini can understand that, then he will protect McCoy's psyche and start Ratliff. Ratliff will get beat up and the Browns will lose - but we're talking about the long-term effect on McCoy's confidence. Allowing him to continue to learn from the sideline would be preferable.

I know he's a pro, a big boy, and he's being paid... but if he's the future - if Mangini believes that - then he should consider "sheltering" him, and working McCoy in slowly. Obviously, Delhomme and Wallace aren't the long term answers, so bite the bullet, start Ratliff, bring McCoy along slowly, and he may prosper in the long run.

I'm not sure this is the best answer, but throwing him to the wolves seems worse.

Just my HO.

[Ravens Lover]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1286834747' post='505355']
The Browns just added Brett Ratliff.

HE will probably start against the Steelers. Sending Colt in will turn him into Tim Couch, IMO.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/11/browns-add-a-quarterback/
[/quote]

Hopefully they do that instead of putting in a rookie against the 3rd best D in the NFL

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1287107165' post='507654']
Sorry, I hate to say it... but I don't think the Browns will win, regardless of starting McCoy or Ratliff. If Mangini can understand that, then he will protect McCoy's psyche and start Ratliff. Ratliff will get beat up and the Browns will lose - but we're talking about the long-term effect on McCoy's confidence. Allowing him to continue to learn from the sideline would be preferable.

I know he's a pro, a big boy, and he's being paid... but if he's the future - if Mangini believes that - then he should consider "sheltering" him, and working McCoy in slowly. Obviously, Delhomme and Wallace aren't the long term answers, so bite the bullet, start Ratliff, bring McCoy along slowly, and he may prosper in the long run.

I'm not sure this is the best answer, but throwing him to the wolves seems worse.

Just my HO.
[/quote]

I don't honestly believe we have much of a chance to win either; I'm a realist and I know that we are the much-inferior team. As far as the starting QB goes it makes no sense to start Ratliff. He has no long-term potential future with the team and was only signed because he knows the system and could step in if absolutely needed. I am sure we could have found some scrub veteran QB to sign but what is the point if there's no chance they could play if they were needed this weekend?

I wish he wasn't starting truthfully but at some point you have to let him have his chance and right now is the best one he'll get. I certainly understand both sides of the argument and if it were between him and a veteran QB that knew our system I'd pick the veteran QB every time but between him and Brett Ratliff? I'm sorry but McCoy should win out in that argument every time.

[12th man]

Wouldn't you just love a rookie QB beat the steelers!!!!! I would love it so and than i would like to hear from all the so called sports writers to explain this one. Go browns!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ravensdfan]

I still think if they don't ask too much of McCoy it might be alright. Browns have improved a lot but I'm not certain on Hillis' status. If he's healthy and can manage even just average yards it will help keep Big Ben off the field. Clock control will definitely be the Browns' best friend on Sunday.

All I know is that the Steelers (with Big Ben) lost to the Browns last season and IMO the Browns are better this season. Never say never, any given Sunday, and all that. Go Browns!

P.S. No, I don't expect them to win. I just refuse to say it's impossible.

[JO_75]

[quote name='12th man' timestamp='1287161324' post='508059']
Wouldn't you just love a rookie QB beat the steelers!!!!! I would love it so and than i would like to hear from all the so called sports writers to explain this one. Go browns!!!!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]

Well certainly as a Ravens fan, if any team can beat the Steelers I'll be happy as long as the Ravens get a win along with it. Now Do I think The Browns should start Colt? HELL NO! Will The Browns be forced to start him, Yes. Certainly Colt would probably wish Ratliff would take all the hits and the loss against the Steelers and Jake/Seneca can play the next game so Colt won't have to start until the Browns are in "Raider Mode" where they pretty much go out and eliminate any team's chances of making the playoffs. Hopefully for Colt the Browns plan on running the ball down the throat of the Steelers defense with Hillis like they have the past couple weeks and that might just be able to get them the win.

I'll say this... In the NFL of today where we have seen the Cowboys and Vikings start off 1-3, the Rams can actually win the division, The Chiefs start 3-0 and the Cardinals with a Undrafted Rookie can upset the Super Bowl Champs... than why not Colt in his first start go out and beat the Steelers?

I wish Colt the best of luck on Sunday and if he makes it through and does decent then we may just see Colt the remainder of the year.

[Vademor]

I would have waited to start Colt for the first time. A rookie qb's confidence is fragile and to put him against the Steelers defense in Pittsbugh for his first start will most likely not help him in the long run...

[berad]

[quote name='Vademor' timestamp='1287264896' post='508726']
I would have waited to start Colt for the first time. A rookie qb's confidence is fragile and to put him against the Steelers defense in Pittsbugh for his first start will most likely not help him in the long run...
[/quote]

Agreed but Cleveland is in a bind. With Wallace and Delhomme both banged up and not looking very good when healthy, the rookie is really their only option. They signed Ratliff earlier in the week but throwing him in would be even worse for the team.

[Vademor]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1287265149' post='508729']
Agreed but Cleveland is in a bind. With Wallace and Delhomme both banged up and not looking very good when healthy, the rookie is really their only option. They signed Ratliff earlier in the week but throwing him in would be even worse for the team.
[/quote]

I see your point, but for me it would make more sense "forfeiting" this game away with Ratliff instead of risking the confidence of someone that is going to be your franchise quarterback who is most likely going to lose anyway.

[berad]

[quote name='Vademor' timestamp='1287265922' post='508736']
I see your point, but for me it would make more sense "forfeiting" this game away with Ratliff instead of risking the confidence of someone that is going to be your franchise quarterback who is most likely going to lose anyway.
[/quote]

Yeah, you're right, but I don't think Eric Mangini is high on "forfeiting" haha. He's already on the hot seat and not doing everything he can to win a game may cost him his job if he hasn't lost it already.

It comes down to who gives you a better chance to win on Sunday. At this point, it's probably McCoy because he's more familiar with their system.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Vademor' timestamp='1287265922' post='508736']
I see your point, but for me it would make more sense "forfeiting" this game away with Ratliff instead of risking the confidence of someone that is going to be your franchise quarterback who is most likely going to lose anyway.
[/quote]



Agreed. This was EXACTLY my point.

[RoflDogs]

R.I.P. Colt McCoy

[jaege]

I would love to see the Browns win. Personally, I have nothing against the Browns and I respect their fans. They are pretty loyal even though their team has struggled. (although I get the impression they hate the Ravens) I have nothing against the Bengals and their fans either, short of hoping we trounce them next time we meet. The only conference team (and fan base) I loath are the Steelers. I hate those little yellow towels.

I hope the Browns can pull out a win and shut the Steelers up.

[BrownsFan]

The game went pretty much as I expected.. we lost. McCoy showed some good stuff overall against a tough Steelers defense. Regardless of McCoy's numbers I still feel given the circumstances we were in it was the right call to start him.

[Pitts200]

To be quiet honest, I was pretty impressed with Colts play today.

He definitely had happy feet in the first 2 quarters but settled down when he realized that the O-line was picking up the Steelers.

The guy has some wheels and a pretty nice arm. I think the Brownies may have found their qb of the future but obviously it's way to early to tell.

[Shammy]

he looked sharp

[BloodRaven]

Not a bad start for to a career all things considered.

[JO_75]

Not bad for Colt at all. I give Colt a hand for what he did in Pittsburgh. The Browns I think finally found a good QB unless somehow they mess him up like every other QB they have messed up.

I think Colt McCoy needs a true # 1 Receiver and the Browns will be in good position to get a top receiver in the draft next year.

[BrownsFan]

I think McCoy needs a couple of receivers personally. I like Massaquoi but he's being asked to be a #1 receiver right now and he just isn't that. I'd put him as a #3 at best right now; maybe a #2 at some point.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='BrownsFan' timestamp='1287411470' post='512163']
I think McCoy needs a couple of receivers personally. I like Massaquoi but he's being asked to be a #1 receiver right now and he just isn't that. I'd put him as a #3 at best right now; maybe a #2 at some point.
[/quote]

Good thing for the Browns, some [i]really[/i] talented WRs will be in the draft next year.

[SteelersProphet]

everyone thought anderson was going to be the browns answer at qb too

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='STEELERS PROPHET268' timestamp='1287420491' post='512384']
everyone thought anderson was going to be the browns answer at qb too
[/quote]

Very true; which is why I'm not going to get too excited about McCoy's performance. He played well but it was only one game.

[thewarden86]

Don't care what the numbers say, Colt McCoy played his (butt) off yesterday. I was actually impressed and a bit happy for him. We sacked him and we picked him, but we never rattled him. I knew there was a reason I liked that kid.

[Vademor]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1287432910' post='512705']
Don't care what the numbers say, Colt McCoy played his (butt) off yesterday. I was actually impressed and a bit happy for him. We sacked him and we picked him, but we never rattled him. I knew there was a reason I liked that kid.
[/quote]


I think he has some potential to be a good qb. The Browns should stay with him for the rest of the season.