Cleveland Browns: 10 Things Brett Favre Taught Colt McCoy This Summer

Cleveland Browns second-year quarterback Colt McCoy did a very smart thing this summer in calling up future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for some advice on the West Coast offense.

Favre holds records for most career touchdowns, consecutive starts and interceptions, and there are very few QBs who have had as much success in the NFL as Favre.

So what exactly did the Ole' Gunslinger have to teach the young Texas product?

I can think of a few things.

Footwork and Timing Are Key

One of the biggest keys to running the West Coast offense successfully is good footwork on the three and five-step drop and getting rid of the ball quickly on those timing routes.

Much is made of Favre's crazy helter-skelter plays, but he was an exceptional pocket passer.

With Mike Holmgren as his coach in Green Bay, he led the Packers to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances running the West Coast offense.

Favre might be the greatest ever.

Keep the Play Alive

While Favre was one of the best pocket passers in history, he is also the best improvisational passer ever; no one kept the play alive quite like Brett Favre.

While nobody would claim that Favre was a great runner, he was very nimble on his feet and never gave up on a play. He would run around like crazy waiting for a receiver to get open.

To say that Favre ad-libbed a lot would be an understatement.

While it's funny to watch some of those old crazy plays, you have to remember that was what made Favre great. He never gave up on a play and turned bad into good so often.

Take It Easy with the Pain Killers

Many people forget about the dark days of Brett Favre's career back prior to the 1996 season when he spent 46 days in drug rehab for Vicodin addiction.

Okay, I bet they didn't actually talk about this, but you can imagine Brett just mentioning it as an aside with that Mississippi drawl, "Oh yeah, and take it easy with pain killers now. Them things 'll mess ya up."

Make a Fake Pass After Every Hand-off Even Though It Looks Ridiculous

Alright, this one probably didn't happen either, but it would be fun to watch Colt McCoy hand the ball off to Peyton Hillis on a dive play and follow it up by whirling around, faking like he's making a throw that no normal QB would ever make.

But that's the kicker I guess—Brett Favre wasn't exactly "normal" was he? It was a little trick/gimmick that probably will only work for Favre.

It's too bad, though. I always loved that move; a nice bit of comic relief.

Have Fun

Football is a very serious sport,  but sometimes players take it a little too seriously.

Football is, at its heart, a child's game and no one played with more youthful exuberance than Brett Favre.

The picture of Favre running down the field in the Super Bowl after a long touchdown bomb to Andre Rison with that million-dollar smile and his helmet lifted to the sky says it all. (Maybe just keep the helmet on though McCoy, that is a penalty now.)

Even at the ripe old age of 40, Favre was still lurking around the practice field doling out playful butt slaps.

I love that stuff. There's no reason to play if not for the love of the game, it keeps you young and fresh.

Don't Bother with Your Backups

Don't waste your time training your replacement! Aaron Rodgers, Matt Hasselbeck, Mark Brunell and Tarvaris Jackson all turned out fine!

Be Fearless

Obviously Brett Favre was never afraid of making a mistake or throwing an interception.

I'm not saying that McCoy should play with reckless abandon, but a quarterback will never be able reach his full potential playing in fear.

That goes double considering the division the Browns play in, going up against the Ravens and Steelers twice a year.

Colt McCoy showed that same fearlessness his rookie season and we need to see more of the same.

Wranglers!

Real. Comfortable. Jeans.

They're great to wear when you're playing football out on the farm with other guys wearing Wranglers diving in the mud and stuff.

They're a great sponsor that won't turn their backs on you, even with off-field screw-ups.

Which reminds me...

Be Careful with Cell Phones and Pretty Girls

There are a lot of things I could write here. But for the sake of not getting kicked off the site we're just going to move on.

Play Like a Champion

I think the one thing I loved most about Brett Favre was that he never gave up and always played to win. His leadership and drive to be great compelled his teams to do just that.

Even when he threw the interception in the NFC Championship Game at the end of regulation for the Vikings two years ago, he was still trying to win the game.

"Why settle for a field goal when I can just throw for a touchdown?" must have been Favre's ever-present thought.

Don't get me wrong, I hope Colt McCoy takes a little better care of the ball and doesn't throw nearly as many picks as Favre, but you can't beat the way he was always trying to win.

It didn't matter if it was a preseason game or the Super Bowl, Favre played with a fire and intensity that infused his teammates.

McCoy can certainly learn a lot of textbook information from Favre, but above all, I hope he learned how to be a leader and a champion.

That is what this Browns team needs most.

You can follow me on Twitter @ClevelandFlack