The Cleveland Browns, “Roadblocks”, and Colt McCoy

Each year the debate starts over. Each year the Cleveland Browns fan-base calls for change at quarterback. And the 2012 NFL offseason is no different. We should have seen it coming back in 1993 when Bernie Kosar was replaced by Vinny Testaverde. We should have known something horrible was about to happen. We all just assumed it was the loss of our franchise to Baltimore. But in reality it was a warning that for the next almost 18+ years, we would be metaphorically wondering the wilderness of the NFL without a franchise QB. 20 quarterbacks have stood under center since Bernie Kosar, (16 since coming back into the league in 1999) and we have yet to find “our guy”. Well actually, maybe we have and we just don’t know it yet.
Admittedly the Cleveland Browns had a dismal offense in 2011. They were at, or near the bottom in almost every conceivable category. But I truly do believe that the performance of the Cleveland Browns has less to do with Colt McCoy, and more to do with what Mike Holmgren called “roadblocks”. So let us examine what obstacles were in the way of Colt McCoy during the 2011 season.
The Running Game:
The lack luster running game of the Browns in the 2011 season was headlined by Madden cover-boy Payton Hillis. His inability to stay healthy (or happy) was the catalyst that stalled the offensive engine of the ground game. The Browns were 31st in the league in yards per attempt (3.7), and 28th in the league in yards per game (95.7). Without an effective running game the passing game will suffer. The opposing defense is able to play the pass much more efficiently.  The really sad news is that backup quarterback Seneca Wallace had the team high in yards per attempt (10.0). He of course did not run by design rather he ran out of necessity.

Receiving Corps:
The receiving corps of the Browns led the league in dropped passes (43), and did little (no pun intended) to help their quarterback. The Browns have no real deep-threat receiver. This allows the defensive secondary to focus on a shorter field making it much more difficult to complete passes. With less ground to cover the holes in a zone defense are almost non-existent. Route running also appeared to be an issue with some of Cleveland’s receivers, also recognizing a blitz and breaking off their routes was also an issue which attributed to the team being rank 16th in sacks allowed. However that should improve with experience. It is also clear that the receiver corps needs a serious upgrade which will “hopefully” be addressed in the draft.

New System, New Coach, and NO offseason:
It’s hard being a young quarterback in the NFL. According to Bernie Kosar, “50+ percent of all quarterbacks coming into the league ultimately fail at the NFL level.” But when you couple the inexperience at this level along with a new coach, new offensive system, and no offseason to learn it and a difficult prospect becomes almost impossible. These are all points made by Mike Holmgren in his various media appearances within the last few weeks. I particularly believe (like Holmgren, and Pat Shurmer) that the “West Coast” offense takes time to install, and execute successfully. The key to being successful in this offensive scheme is time in the scheme. It is unlike the basic philosophy taught in most offensive schemes, so it takes time to become successful.
Now as long as these issues are addressed in this offseason, (as I believe they will be) the Cleveland Browns will be a more competitive, and offensively successful team. The team and the Holmgren/Heckert regime has asked us to be patient. And with the success that Colt has had at every other level of competition, I am willing to give the Browns and Colt the opportunity to prove themselves.

Michael W. Youngman
(Lead Analyst C.B.R.)

http://www.clevelandbrownsreport.info/2012/03/cleveland-browns-roadblocks-and-colt.html