The backup quarterback market started rolling with Tarvaris Jackson moving from Seattle to Buffalo, but the other name everyone expected in that mix might not be going anywhere.
Browns coach Pat Shurmur praised Colt McCoy extensively Sunday, creating the impression he wants to keep McCoy as his backup.
“I think he’s done an outstanding job here in training camp,” Shurmur said, via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “I’m very pleased with where he’s at. I gained an even greater appreciation of him, the way he’s competed, the way he’s handled the situation, let’s just call it that. I’m very impressed with how he’s doing.
“I think that’s good for our team. He understands one of the primary things you need to understand as a backup at this point — to be ready to play — because you’re ankle injury from being in there, and he’s been on both sides of that coin and so he understands it.’'
McCoy posted a 138.0 rating working with the second offense against the Eagles, and his preseason rating’s an impressive 119.1. He’s looked good in the preseason before, but Shurmur said he’s impressed with how McCoy’s handled things.
“He’s had a full year now — a season and a full offseason to get to know our system better and I think it’s showing up that way,” Shurmur said. “So I’ve got a great deal of respect for what he’s done.”
Shurmur’s also said Thad Lewis as a player “worth developing,” creating the obvious speculation that there’s one job for either Seneca Wallace or McCoy.
McCoy would have more value to another team, but if you take Shurmur at face value (and this time of year, you most definitely should not with any coach), he might be staying put.