Colt McCoy Speaks After First OTA, but Media Still Favoring Weeden

You always hear that Colt McCoy is a competitor, but it is clear as day that Brandon Weeden will be the team's starting quarterback this season. For the first time this offseason, both quarterbacks were together at Day 1 of organized team activities (OTA's). Head coach Pat Shurmur deferred to the veterans when it came to determining the depth chart on Day 1, meaning McCoy took more snaps with the first team offense. After practice, McCoy spoke more in-depth with the media for the first time since the team unexpectedly drafted Weeden at No. 22 overall.

"I got a phone call and [they said], ‘Hey, just come in here and compete,’" McCoy said, relaying what he was told after Weeden was drafted. "As a competitor, that’s all you need to hear, really. You just come in here with your head on right and give it all you have every day."

"As long as I'm given an opportunity to compete, if it's a fair competition, that's all you can ask for,'' McCoy said after the first day of organized team activities.

Here is the thing, though: there really isn't going to be a competition. I don't care how much of a media charade the quarterbacks or the coaching staff put on. All you have to do is listen to what general manager Tom Heckert said the other day (or just use a little bit of common sense, quite frankly). What McCoy will really be competing for is the backup quarterback role behind Seneca Wallace. If you ask Tony Grossi, he thinks McCoy deserves a fresh start elsewhere.

Even though McCoy got the first-team snaps on Tuesday, it was Weeden who continued getting the positive reviews. From Jeff Schudel of the News Herald:

Brandon Weeden threw the ball better than Colt McCoy. During an 11-on-11 drill near the end of the 90-minute session, a pass by McCoy over the middle was intercepted by linebacker Chris Gocong about 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. McCoy handed off to a running back on the next play.

Weeden completed a pass to Greg Little about 20 yards downfield when it was his turn in the rotation. Earlier in the day, during seven-on-seven, Mohamed Massaquoi cut in front of cornerback Joe Haden on an inside slant. Weeden put the ball on target and Massaquoi never broke stride. Weeden threw the ball downfield more often than McCoy or Seneca Wallace. At one point McCoy threw the ball to the ground disgustedly when he could find no one open.

From Marty Gitlin of CBS Sports:

Watching the wobbly passes from QB Colt McCoy followed by the crisp, tight spirals from rookie Brandon Weeden makes it immediately apparent why the Browns drafted the latter in the first round and are planning on starting him.

A little harsh for Day 1 reviews? Perhaps. But it's clear that the media approves of what they see in Weeden's arm versus McCoy's.