CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns quarterback Colt McCoy credits his teammates with the success of the three lockout camps he's hosted over the past few months.
Josh Cribbs dubbed the sessions "Camp Colts'' but McCoy prefers to deflect the attention.
"My teammates are really willing to work hard and that's what's made them so great,'' said McCoy in a phone interview. "We don't accept the things that have happened, especially last year. We felt like we had the opportunity to win some games there and didn't get it done, so guys are really working hard, they're staying in shape and they're willing to make the extra effort.''
McCoy, who's organizing a full-squad session in the near future along with linebacker Scott Fujita, said players for the most part have paid their own expenses to Austin, Tex. twice and Cleveland once. The first and third camps were held at the University of Texas and the middle one at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea.
"Guys were willing to pay a little extra money for their flights and for their meals when we got together and it's all going to be worth it,'' said McCoy. "The turnouts have been great and it's all going to pay off during the season. I'm just proud of all of them for putting forth the effort.''
McCoy said the veteran players have helped the rookies and other young players pay their way to the camps.
"We do everything we can as a team to make sure everybody can get there,'' McCoy said. "The rookies and free agents don't have any money, so we definitely make sure that all the guys that want to be there, can be.''
One rookie that McCoy was especially glad to see at the last camp at Texas June 9-11, was receiver Greg Little, the second-round pick from North Carolina. Little sat out all last season on a suspension for accepting improper benefits.
"It was great having Greg there,'' said McCoy. "He's in shape, he ran great routes and he has good hands. Drafting him as high as they did, I think the coaches have high expectations for him. It was good to get him with Mo (Mohamed Massaquoi), Jordan Cameron (rookie tight end), Brian Robiskie, Ben Watson and Evan Moore. Those guys kind of took him under their wing and taught him a little bit.''
From what he saw of Little, McCoy definitely expects him to make up for lost time.
"He's not going to be missing a step,'' said McCoy. "I think he's done a great job of staying in shape and continuing to work. Obviously he wanted to play last season and that didn't happen, but he was in the same (West Coast) system that we're putting in in Cleveland, so system-wise I think he'll be fine.''
McCoy was also happy to have fellow quarterback Seneca Wallace making his first appearance.
"Having Seneca around, he's been in the West Coast, so without having a coach there, he was able to answer some of the deep playbook questions that I might have -- even though I feel like I have a great grasp of the playbook. It was nice to have an extra arm, and I'm blessed to have both Seneca and Jake Delhomme around to help me out. Jake was able to come to the second camp in Cleveland, and those guys provide some of the experience I lack.''
McCoy said he's excited to get the whole team together soon for a players-only camp if the lockout lingers. He declined to reveal the time and place.
"I think it will happen, but everybody will just have to know pending the lockout this is where we're going to meet and this is what we're going to do,'' he said. "But as we get closer (to the season), guys are getting more anxious and I think we'll have a great turnout on both sides of the ball.''
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/06/cleveland_browns_quarterback_c_14.html
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