Browns Making a Mistake in Giving Up on Colt McCoy

After the selection of Oklahoma State's Brandon Weeden in Round 1 of the 2012 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns have a quarterback competition on their hands: or don't they?

According to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora, the Browns' Colt McCoy has not asked for a trade:

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is not requesting a trade, sources with knowledge of the situation said Friday.

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That said; regardless of what happens between McCoy and the Browns, it's reasonable to suspect that Weeden will enter the 2012 campaign as the starter.

Now yes, he's a proven gunslinger with over 9,000 yards the past two seasons and a record of 23-3 between 2010 and 2011. However, McCoy entered the pros as college football's all-time winningest quarterback (since broken by Kellen Moore) and Weeden didn't come from a pro style system.

McCoy showed much promise when playing last season and he did so without any standout receivers or ground game. The selection of Weeden creates a quarterback competition and if Cleveland sticks to Weeden, here are a few reasons why the Browns hurt themselves for giving up on McCoy.

Experience

Starting Weeden over McCoy is by no means a wrong decision, but it does set the Browns back a few years at the quarterback position.

McCoy has already spent two seasons in Cleveland and has developed rather well considering the lack of talent around him. So, McCoy knows how to play without any stud skill players on the outside or a consistently reliable ground game.

Weeden however, had the luxury of targeting Justin Blackmon during 2010 and 2011. Blackmon was the No. 5 overall pick by Jacksonville and had compiled over 3,300 yards from Weeden in two seasons.

Therefore, Weeden's biggest adjustment will be transitioning to a pro style set and without any true No. 1 receivers to connect with. McCoy already has this experience and is more mobile to get outside the pocket on waggles, roll outs and against blitzes.

Weeden's strong arm and impressive accuracy will benefit Cleveland, but McCoy is better at selling play-action and a better marksman on the run; which is where he throws receivers open.

Improvement

Before we knock the numbers of Colt McCoy, his production was damn impressive considering the non-existent ground game and having to target receivers that couldn't consistently beat single coverage.

Through 12 games in 2011, McCoy had compiled over 2,500 yards with 14 touchdowns to just nine interceptions; and only once did he throw more picks than touchdowns in a game.

Now Weeden's numbers of 71 touchdowns to only 26 interceptions are worth noting, but he can be extremely interception-prone at times. When he's on, Weeden is as good as anyone in the draft; however, when Weeden goes cold it cost Oklahoma State big time.

Perhaps there's not better example than the Iowa State game in 2011. There, Weeden threw a season-high three interceptions and it was his fourth multi-interception game of the season. A year earlier in 2010, Weeden had five multi-interception games.

Against a tough schedule and arguably the NFL's best division, no matter what Weeden's positives are, the Browns won't win anything by turnovers. McCoy if anything, is careful with the rock and is a much better decision maker than given credit for.

Potential

Early in the 2012 NFL season, Colt McCoy turns 26 years old and already has two NFL seasons under his belt. Brandon Weeden on the other hand, turns 29 years old and even if he becomes the starter, Cleveland will be shopping for its next quarterback much sooner than later.

McCoy has proven he deserves at least one more shot to start in the NFL; and although Weeden has that potential as well, time is already against him.

For one, Weeden's learning curve will take a bit longer as the Cowboys didn't run a pro offense and the AFC North defenses will only make his development even tougher. If the Browns surround McCoy with some talent, his development will take flight because of that previous experience.

Lest we forget; but McCoy's respectable 2012 season comes after the NFL lockout and with a new head coach. Now, Cleveland's addition of Weeden does help he and McCoy in terms of forcing development.

Competition will make both McCoy and Weeden better quarterbacks; however, Weeden's age and inexperience with a lack of legitimized receiving targets is most concerning regarding his potential.

John Rozum on Twitter.