BEREA, Ohio -- Browns coach Eric Mangini isn't ready to hand the offensive reins over to rookie quarterback Colt McCoy just yet.
Mangini said Monday that he's been impressed and pleased with McCoy, who won his second game on Sunday when the Browns (3-5) thrashed the New England Patriots, 34-14. McCoy, thrust into the starting lineup because of injuries to Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace, is 2-1 in three starts with wins over Drew Brees and Tom Brady, two of the NFL's top quarterbacks.
Mangini, though, was not ready to name McCoy his starter for Sunday's game against the New York Jets (6-2).
"He's making the discussion harder and harder each week," Mangini said.
Mangini wants to wait to see what kind of progress Wallace and Delhomme have made before he has a thorough analysis on McCoy's role for the remainder of the season. He plans to meet with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and team president Mike Holmgren before announcing his decision.
McCoy was 14 of 19 for 174 yards and did not throw an interception against the Patriots. He also did not have a turnover in his previous start, when the Browns stunned the New Orleans Saints.
Mangini believes McCoy has won over the trust of his teammates, some of whom may have been leery about starting a rookie.
"The guys have seen now that, given that responsibility, he can respond to that responsibility," Mangini said. "You don't know with a rookie how that's going to go. He becomes more and more trustworthy as we go, and I think the best indication of that is being able to give him a little bit more each week without trying to give him so much that it becomes counterproductive."
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
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