Browns coach preaches patience in first season

Associated Press

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Pat Shurmur stood near the middle of the indoor practice field with one hand on his hip, the other clutching a rolled up play sheet like a track star holding a relay baton.

As Cleveland’s first-year coach prepared the Browns for their ninth game, this one against his former team, Shurmur took stock of his young team’s current state.

It’s troubled.

With key injuries mounting, an offense that can’t move the ball or score, a second-year quarterback taking far too many hits every Sunday and a portion of Cleveland’s fan base already wondering if he was the right man for the job, Shurmur has a lot on his plate. But despite his team’s numerous problems at the season’s halfway point, Shurmur remains upbeat.

He has no other choice.

“I’m really enjoying it, believe it or not,” Shurmur said Wednesday, a wide grin creasing his face. “I probably don’t show it. I’m enjoying the interaction with the coaches. I’m enjoying working with the players. I enjoy the process. I’m a very impatient guy. I don’t enjoy the results yet. People around me need to just tell me to keep going and relax.

“I don’t tend to listen to that very well.”

Maybe it’s time he starts.

The Browns (3-5) began practicing for this week’s game against the Rams (1-7) missing some vital parts.

The club’s top two running backs, Peyton Hillis (hamstring) and Montario Hardesty (calf), didn’t practice and will both sit out Sunday’s game with injuries. It’s still not known when either will be back in the lineup. Also, starting strong safety T.J. Ward has a cast on his injured right foot and will likely miss this week’s game — and maybe more.

Also, starting wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was again sent home as he continues to experience symptoms from a concussion on Oct. 23, his second head injury in 13 months.

Beyond that, the Browns were without safety Usama Young, nickel back Dimitri Patterson and starting right tackle Tony Pashos, who was limited because of an ankle injury that has nagged him all season.

The Browns are certainly not the only team dealing with medical issues, but there’s not another squad in the league playing two running backs that have been on the roster for less than a month combined. Chris Ogbonnaya and Thomas Clayton have barely been around long enough to know everyone’s names.

“We could spend all day talking about injuries and what-ifs and if who was here,” said quarterback Colt McCoy. “As a team, you can’t afford to do that. You can’t do that; we don’t have time to do that. We’ve got to go out and play with what we’ve got.”