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McCoy hopes for a chance
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Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy passes during practice at the team’s headquarters in Berea, Ohio, on Tuesday.
Associated Press
BEREA
Colt McCoy has been promised a fair fight by the Browns.
He says he believes them and knows he’s the underdog.
Choosing his words carefully and sounding resigned to his fate, McCoy put on a brave front Tuesday as he discussed the inevitability that Cleveland’s offense will be led by a new quarterback this season.
McCoy took the initial snaps in practice with Cleveland’s starters. But it’s only a matter of time before first-round draft pick Brandon Weeden, with the cannon for a right arm, replaces him behind center. General manager Tom Heckert said Monday night that the “best guy is going to play” and the Browns selected the 28-year-old Weeden with the No. 22 overall pick last month “to be that guy.”
McCoy said all the right things during his first comments since last season. He offered his support to Weeden. He vowed to be a team player.
“This is the card that’s been dealt,” McCoy said after the Browns’ first day of organized team activities. “I can just say that I’m working as hard as I can. You never know what to expect. One of my favorite quotes by the NAVY Seals is, ‘The only easy day was yesterday.’ That’s just kind of how I have to live right now.”
Once viewed as a potential franchise QB, McCoy’s days with the Browns appear numbered. The team would like to develop Weeden, and to do that with complete commitment, the Browns may need to find a new team for McCoy or simply release him. He said he has not asked to be traded because “they told me I had a chance to compete.”
Following the draft, McCoy said the Browns called and told him he would have a chance to keep his job. He liked the idea of a challenge and said he’s doing all he can to embrace it.
“They just said, ‘Hey, come in here and compete.’ As a competitor, that’s all you need to hear, really,” said McCoy, who has recovered from the concussion that ended his second season. “Just come in with your head on right and give it all you can every day.”
It’s assumed Weeden will be the starter Sept. 9 against Philadelphia, but the rookie isn’t taking anything for granted.
“I have to earn that job,” he said. “They’re not going to hand it to me just because of where they took me. I have to compete and show I belong on the field. Every position — mine in particular with Colt and how good he played and how good of a player he is. The competition is fun. It should be better for everybody involved. That’s the mentality I’m taking. It’s not my job. It’s my job to win.”
McCoy didn’t have it easy last season. Now, he’s losing his job. It doesn’t seem fair, but McCoy isn’t complaining.
“I don’t want this to be a situation where it’s me vs. him or him vs. me. I want it to be a situation of — and I think we can all agree to this — let’s help our team the most. Let’s make it about the Cleveland Browns being a great football team next year. And if that’s the case, I’m all in.”