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NFL: Browns in town
Second-year Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur as anxious for wins as the fans
YOUNGSTOWN
Pat Shurmur under- stands Browns fans’ frustrations.
He’s there. He gets it.
“We just have to make it happen,” the second year Cleveland coach said.
The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber hosted “Football Friday with the Cleveland Browns” at the Maronite Center, and prior to speaking with board executives and fans, Shurmur expressed his antsy intentions to make the Browns a winner.
“Trust me, I’m as impatient as anybody to get this thing turned around and to start winning,” he said. “We’re trying to build a sustainable winner and there’s certain steps that you have to take.
“I understand, at times, when folks say they want to win right now. As coaches, we’re just as wired with a sense of urgency.”
A draft class headlined by running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden is that first step.
Shurmur had a chance to see the rookies up close for the first time at last weekend’s first-year player minicamp.
“There’s a teaching process, we’re educators and we try to teach players how to prepare and to do business in the systems,” he said. “We gave them some schemes and they handled it all extremely well. After one weekend just working with rookies, they have not disappointed me one bit. I’m looking for them to take the next step.”
The 23-year coaching veteran and Michigan State graduate admitted that Weeden and Colt McCoy will be fighting for the starting QB position. But there will be no timetable for when a decision is made.
“Any time you draft a player at a certain position, we draft them for a certain reason,” Shurmur said. “What you want him to do is come in a show us why we drafted him. Then, for the guys at that position on the team — they have to show us why they’re there as well.
“They’re going to do the very best that they can and it’s my job to put the best quarterback out there when we start playing.”
Shurmur has a history of grooming young quarterbacks into a starting job. As St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator, he directed 2010 first-overall pick Sam Bradford into a record-setting season where he won rookie of the year.
Making Shurmur’s job a little easier on the offensive side is the addition of his close friend and colleague, Brad Childress. The two were assistant coaches with the Philadelphia Eagles in the early 2000’s.
“Brad and I learned the NFL offense together in Philadelphia,” Shurmur said. “I’ve worked with him a long time and I trust his judgement. We kind of see it the same way. Brad’s going to be a big help not only to me, but to the Browns organization.”
This week, Cleveland holds its first round of Organized Team Activities in Berea with a full accompaniment of players.
“We’ll make a lot of progress between now and Father’s Day,” Shurmur said. “I’m excited with the direction that we’re heading.”