BEREA, OHIO (AP) - Browns rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will start Cleveland’s final three games this season, starting Sunday vs. Cincinnati (2-11).
McCoy sat out the past three games after suffering a high ankle sprain on Nov. 21, but after he looked good in practice on Wednesday coach Eric Mangini decided to move him back into the starting lineup ahead of Jake Delhomme. It’s unusual for Mangini to announce his plans at quarterback, but felt the timing was right for McCoy and the Browns (5-8).
“I felt like he’s earned this opportunity and I want to give it to him,” Mangini said. “I want to see how he continues to grow. This is by no stretch just throwing a young guy in for the sake of throwing a young guy in. If I didn’t think he could go out and lead us and be successful doing that, then I wouldn’t make this decision. But I do feel that way and I feel strongly about it.”
McCoy, who only received a chance to play this season because of injuries to Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, went 2-3 in five starts.
Mangini said Delhomme was a pro in handling the demotion.
“He couldn’t have been more supportive, not only of Colt but of the whole team,” Mangini said. “That’s just who he is. Colt is incredibly lucky to have someone like him in the building. You can’t ask for a better team player than Jake Delhomme.”
Mangini said he hasn’t decided if Delhomme or Wallace will back up McCoy.
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