Cleveland, OH

Colt McCoy is making strides at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns despite the fact that there have been a number of things working against him this season.

A lack of a consistant running game, nagging injuries and at times spotty protection have been just some of the things McCoy has overcome to establish himself as a leader in Cleveland.

In his second season out of Texas, McCoy has thrown for 2,181 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has had two of his best rated games in Cleveland's last two contests, throwing a big touchdown pass Sunday to lead the Browns to a 14-10 victory over Jacksonville.

McCoy has been taking a beating of late and threw a bad interception inside Jacksonville's 20-yard line but rebounded with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Josh Cribbs in the fourth quarter to lead Cleveland to victory.

It was the kind of performance that goes to show that McCoy is growing, both in confidence and as a leader.

"Things are coming together for us a little bit. I think we talk week-to-week what do we have to do, what are the things we've been working on," McCoy said. "I just think everyone is becoming a little bit more comfortable, not happy or not settling in, but just a little bit more comfortable with where we are."

With injuries to Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty crippling the run game, more has fallen on the shoulders of McCoy and the pass game. It has taken a while for the offense to come together, both because of the injuries and being in the first year with new coach Pat Shurmur's West Coast attack, but McCoy sees the team turning the corner.

"We're doing some things better, we're getting lined up better, we're running routes better, we're running the football a little better and I think all those things when you put those together it allows you to play and feel more comfortable out there," McCoy said. "I think just overall for our offense, that's kind of where we're at right now."

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