In recent days, a report/rumor emerged in Cleveland that quarterback Colt McCoy, widely regarded as a steal in round three, could be cut. Coach Eric Mangini did nothing to dispel the speculation, explaining that he could keep four quarterbacks on the roster -- or he could keep only two in Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace.
The situation suggests that there’s something about McCoy’s skills, work ethic, and/or demeanor that troubles the Browns, and that they’re trying to get the rookie to realize that he’s not on scholarship for 2010.
In three preseason appearances, McCoy has played like a guy who couldn’t earn a scholarship to Prarie View A&M. He has generated a passer rating of 34.3, which is lower than the passer rating from throwing an infinite number of passes that bounce off the ground.
After the final play of Saturday’s loss to the Lions, cameras provided a glimpse of the frustration that McCoy has caused for coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
After McCoy heaved a final-play Hail Mary that landed well to the right of the end zone, Daboll met McCoy at the sideline, gesturing and speaking in a way that suggested that Daboll was saying something along the lines of,"Why in the hell didn’t you throw it in bounds?” Then came Mangini, with a priceless mixture of impatience and exasperation on his face as he gestured toward the 500-square-yard target into which the football should have landed. McCoy made the mistake of trying to explain himself, which resulted in more chatter from the coach.
Though I’m no lip reader, I think Mangini eventually said something like, “Just f--king throw it up.” Or maybe he said they should sweep together.