Browns Blog: Pat Shurmur and Colt McCoy On the Hot Seat?

This has been quite the season to say the least.

It started like most Browns seasons, full of excitement and chants of "this is the year." But quicker then you can say "who-dey" the proverbial air was sucked out of our sails and we were back to where we always are: At the bottom looking up.

Things have gotten better, although in ugly fashion. We won a game we were supposed to against the Seahawks. Our running game is starting to become consistent (even if it's not from the expected running back), at least one receiver is making some catches (thank you Mr. Little who is tied for 2nd in catches by NFL rookies) and our defense is actually making some plays and even intimidating some people (big shout out to Joe Haden for that one!)

But amidst the successes of the season, there is still (as always) some gloom hanging around. Wonder-kid QB Colt McCoy has at times shown some great poise and ability to be our quarterback of the future, other times he just looks flat and confused, like he should take the 1 off his jersey, and hide behind the ghost of Tim Couch. McCoy is young and definitely doesn’t have the weapons to make him look any better than his counterparts (imagine the hype if he had Little and AJ Green to through to, or even Julio Jones) but even when Little or Watson has made some catches, he goes right back and throws low or wild or behind.

This might not be all McCoy’s fault, some of the blame and hot seat should be shared by his first year coach, Pat Shurmur. He was brought in with so much hype around his West Coast offense and how well McCoy would fit into it (not to mention he was Holmgren’s choice) we should have known something wasn’t right.  The offense has been flat and predictable all year long, and I know we don’t have any deep threats at receiver but 50 rinky-dink 3yrd passes don’t win games either (and for the love of brownie the elf will you play Josh Cribbs more than just on kick returns and trick plays?, the guy has been dying to get more time and with kickoffs being all but removed from the game, why not put him in somewhere, like I dunno, maybe the slot?)

The season is nearing the half way point and technically yes, we are still in the hunt for the division (especially with all the division games at the end of the season) but is that enough to keep either Shurmur or McCoy next season? Are you sold that McCoy is the answer? Even better, are you convinced McCoy in Shurmurs offense is the best quarterback/system combo for our city/team? If it’s not what do we do: Fire them both? Fire one? Any quarterbacks or coaches out there you think could do a better job.

Tressel? Anyone? Anyone?

Here we go Brownies, Here we go!