Mangini selects McCoy to start again

Associated Press

BEREA

Colt McCoy barely blinked as he tried to insist that it was just another day for the Cleveland Browns.

The rookie didn’t fool anyone. This was hardly routine.

Stepping way out of character, coach Eric Mangini named McCoy his starting quarterback for this week’s game at Cincinnati (2-11) and for the remainder of this season — home games against AFC North big boys Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

McCoy, who hasn’t played since spraining his left ankle on Nov. 21 at Jacksonville, has been entrusted with Cleveland’s offense for three games that could determine Mangini’s future.

“It’s no landmark day,” McCoy said before practice Thursday. “Today is the day that, now I know I’m the starter. I gotta go out and play and go out and get better and I gotta go out and help us win.”

After checking McCoy’s mobility for a final time on Wednesday, Mangini decided to put him back in the starting lineup ahead of veteran Jake Delhomme, who struggled last week in a loss at Buffalo.

Mangini said it was his call to go with McCoy, but that he consulted with team president Mike Holmgren before making it official.

“I felt like he’s earned this opportunity and I want to give it to him,” Mangini said. “I want to see how he continues to grow.”

McCoy received his original chance because of injuries to Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.