There are a lot of warning signs with Colt, that being included. But he is also in a brand new system, hasn't started an entire season yet, and has one of the worst offensive supporting casts in the NFL. His current RB didn't play a down of football last year. Hillis is a mess. And our best receiver is a second round draft pick.
Most of the best passing teams have WRs drafted in the 2nd round or later at WR:
Mike Wallace 3rd round
Wes Welker undrafted
Greg Jennings 2nd round
Brandon Marshall 4th round
Marques Colston 7th round
Stevie Johnson 7th round
Sidney Rice 2nd round
DeSean Jackson 2nd round
Miles Austin undrafted
to name a few. Great QBs make great receivers, it generally doesn't work the other way around. Fitzgerald is arguably the most talented wide receiver in the NFL, but when Derek Anderson was his QB, he was hardly a factor. I'm not ready to write Colt of either, but, at worst, he has an average supporting cast around him. I'd much rather work with what the Browns have than the Bills, but somehow Fitzpatrick is getting things done. You could also make a case for the weaknesses in Brees' targets... none has elite size or speed except for Meachem, and he's a headcase. They make tons of plays with the likes of Colston, Sproles and Moore, all of whom have glaring weaknesses. Jimmy Graham is a great talent, and is utilized often, but without him they'd still have Drew Brees.
Again, Colt hasn't looked good this year. But this season isn't surprising in the least to me. He has regressed a shitload after closing last year pretty well. But I said it in the Browns thread coming into the season. I thought Colt was getting a raw deal when they didn't sign any skill players that would make his job easier. I also thought the new system would be a tough transition.
I agree with this premise, though I think Colt has looked worse than I had expected (hoped). The troubling thing is, he's getting worse on a game-by-game basis. That strikes me as a mental issue, and may not be something he snaps out of. Hopefully he gains some confidence after this win and starts to turn it back around.
And I disagree with Boobie on the arm strength. Colt has a weak arm, but it can work IMO. Tom Brady has a weak arm too. I don't think anybody in their right mind would think Tom Brady could have succeeded in the NFL with his arm strength but he makes it work with intangibles. BTW, the Patriots offense is MUCH closer to what Colt ran at Texas.
People forget Brady had a noodle arm coming out of college. However, Brady had a frame to build on, and physically matured late. I don't think we'll be as lucky with Colt. I don't think Brady's arm strength is a big question mark anymore. He might not have Manning's cannon, but it's close enough. We're also going to be a WCO team, and if Colt can't adapt, he's not our guy.
And I'd also like to add one point as well. For every throw I see him complete on a three yard crossing pattern, I see balls forced to receivers 5 yards downfield that are draped. He is missing some throws, but he's also forcing a lot of balls, and eating the football when players are covered as well. I think this entire system needs a lot of over-hauling and it starts with players learning it and having talent. This offense is terrible beyond Colt. Whether we displace Colt or not, there are holes everywhere on offense that need plugged.
I don't think throwing to receivers 5 yards down field is going to do much to stretch a defense. Like it or not, Little and Massaqoui are good enough to get NFL caliber separation. McCoy is often throwing his passes before his WRs running intermediate routes even make a cut, which means he's panicking. There are a lot of holes, including playcalling, and we don't have a Superbowl caliber offense by any stretch of the imagination. We do, however, have the weapons necessary to put up 20-some odd points on passing defenses as terrible as the Seahawks are. Especially with Trufant out. The only reason it didn't get done in this game rests squarely on McCoy. He has to get better.
