Time for Colt McCoy to Ride Off Into the Sunset—and into Philly?

When the Cleveland Browns drafted Brandon Weeden late in the first round of the 2012 draft there was one thing that became clear. The guy that was once the most successful quarterback in the history of college football (until Boise State's Kellen Moore overtook him in 2011) has over-stayed his welcome in the Dawg Pound.

Colt McCoy is probably done in Cleveland.

The Browns are denying that they are looking to get rid of the former Texas Longhorn (and we all know how well NFL executives like to keep their word), but there is no other reason for the team to pick up a quarterback in the first round unless they were expecting to start him—especially one that is 28 years old like Weeden. That means that either Seneca Walllace or McCoy have to go. Of the two, McCoy would fetch more on the open market than Wallace.

Trading McCoy is not a bad idea. The former 2010 third rounder is still young and can improve his game. With the right coaching and some better weapons than he has had in two seasons with the Browns, he can look like the guy that the Longhorn faithful were enamored with for four seasons.

According to the Browns there are no discussions going on with anyone, but rumor has it that the Philadelphia Eagles have shown interest in McCoy. With the tools that the Eagles have in guys like LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson if there was ever a place a young quarterback could succeed it would be in the City of Brotherly Love.

Hold on—what about that Michael Vick guy they just signed to a $100 million contract?

Vick turned the NFL on its ear in 2010 looking sharper than he ever had setting career numbers in passing yards, passing percentage, QB rating, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns even though he only played in 12 games.

However, in 2011 he looked more like the sub-par passer he was before prison and worth nothing close to the $100 million contract he signed. His numbers were still better than they had been at any time in his career with the Falcons, but they were nothing special anymore.

So what are the Eagles to do? With at least $36 million guaranteed to Vick they are not ditching him anytime soon, but the man is also injury prone due to his physical style of play. Regardless of the money, if he doesn't perform the Philly faithful will demand the Eagles play someone else.

If the choice is a between a little known Mike Kafka from Northwestern or a former national champion, one of the most successful QBs in college football history, and a guy with 21 professional games under his belt…the choice is pretty easy.

Article by Travis Pulver