Cleveland Browns: Eric Mangini Must Commit to a QB to Win

If there is one word in the Cleveland sports lexicon that brings has connotations associated with it, it's the word "decision", especially after former Cleveland Cavalier and current Miami Heat forward, LeBron James, and his self-glorifying "decision" to take his talents to South Beach. 

A close second is the indecision of the Cleveland Browns at the quarterback spot; since 1999, Cleveland has gone through 16 quarterbacks, and with Colt McCoy being under center, the Browns have actually shown some promise for the first time in a long time.

The Barnum and Bailey-like circus at quarterback is nothing new in Cleveland sports as Browns fans have had to endure controversies ranging from Milt Plum-Len Dawson to Frank Ryan-Jim Nikowski with a little bit of Bill Nelsen thrown in for good measure.

Former first round-pick, Mike Phipps was benched by Brian Sipe, Bill Belichick sacked Bernie Kosar for his "diminishing skills" and played Todd Philcox while Vinny Testaverde was injured back in 1993.

For the Browns to ever contend, they must make a decision at quarterback not only for the sake and confidence of whoever is under center but from a team and organization perspective as well.

Eric Mangini is not helping matters by remaining coy in not committing to McCoy as the starter.

Perhaps Mangini should examine the possibly of Peyton Hillis at QB since he has a 118.3 QB rating after his 13-yard completion to McCoy as a weighing tool.

If Mangini is to choose a starting QB, I would be comfortable with Seneca Wallace returning under center because statistically he has been the most productive by completing 63 out of 100 passes for 693 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Wallace also has a QB rating of 88.5 and a completion percentage of 63 percent. 

Wallace also brings more NFL experience than McCoy under center and has good mobility and a good arm, as his 693 yard passing are also the most on the roster. Currently, Wallace is 1-3 as Browns QB.  

McCoy really left his mark and a lasting impression among fans so far in his two starts both on the road against Pittsburgh and defending Super Bowl champion, New Orleans. 

McCoy is 32-of-49 for 355 yards along with one touchdown and two interceptions, is very respectable. What are also very impressive is McCoy's 63.5 percent accuracy and 76.5 QB rating against two top-level defenses, respectively.

While the fervor for McCoy to start is getting louder, I truly believe the McCoy should finish out the year, get his feet wet in Daboll's system and take his bruises.     

According to various media outlets, Jake Delhomme is most likely to return from his high ankle sprain under center against New England and considering the $14 million that he is signed for, Delhomme may be the worst investment this side of BP.

Delhomme has the lowest passing yards among the three with 324, a completion percentage at 55 percent, the most interceptions among the starters at four, and his QB rating is a Derek Anderson-like 48.2. 

In other words, not good at all. 

And while Delhomme has been injured, he has look slowed, indecisive and quite frankly, Derek Anderson 2.0 while under center.    

If Mangini is to choose his QB, in my eyes, it is between Wallace and McCoy based on the above stats alone, and I stand by my earlier column stating that the Browns needing to cut Delhomme as he has quite frankly not lived up to expectations.  

If Mangini chooses his quarterback then please, by all means, stick to your guns; at least that's one good thing that LeBron did.