Cleveland Browns QB Colt McCoy Learns From Brett Favre

There's a lot of fantasy football buzz right now around Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy. The second-year QB played extremely well Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers, and now there's word he's been getting QB help from a Packers legend.

According to the NFL Network's Steve Mariucci, McCoy worked out with Brett Favre in Mississippi for several days this summer, learning the West Coast Offense (which the Browns currently run). Favre is considered a WCO whiz, playing in the offensive system for many years under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. Holmgren is now the Browns President.

McCoy reportedly worked out with Favre at a high school near where Favre lives.

McCoy appears to be a quick study. On Saturday night against the Packers, McCoy completed 9-of-10 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown.

NFL Lockout's Impact On The Cleveland Browns

The Browns will be one of the hardest hit teams by a lockout. Cleveland has a new head coach in Pat Shurmur, Colt McCoy is their quarterback and new defensive coordinator Dick Jauron runs a 3-4 defense. With McCoy and Shurmur, they won't be able to get together and learn a new offense. McCoy showed promise last year, but is nowhere near a lock to be Cleveland's starter. He needs reps in Shurmur's new offense if he's going make progress. As for the defense, Cleveland is going from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. That transition usually takes about two years because not every player on the current roster fits the 3-4 scheme. Cleveland needs running back Peyton Hillis to perform like he did last year, and that might only secure 2-3 wins for the Browns. They might be the front runner for worst NFL team in 2011.

2011 NFL Schedule: Cleveland Browns

(All Times ET)
Sept. 11 Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Sept. 25 Miami, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2 Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Oct. 9 BYE
Oct. 16 at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 23 Seattle, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 at San Francisco, 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 6 at Houston, 1 p.m.
Nov. 13 St. Louis, 1 p.m.
Nov. 20 Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Nov. 27 at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.
Dec. 4 Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Dec. 8 at Pittsburgh, 8:20 p.m.
Dec. 18 at Arizona, 4:15 p.m.
Dec. 24 at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
Jan. 1 Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Cleveland Browns put franchise tag on Phil Dawson

With the NFL franchise tag deadline looming on February 23, 2011, the Cleveland Browns have reportedly used their franchise tag on kicker Phil Dawson, that's according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and the Cleveland Leader.

Dawson, who is 36-years-old, made 23 of 28 field goals in 2011 and all 28 of his extra points.

The 12-year veteran has been with the Browns his entire career.

2011 Fantasy Football Scouting Report: Colt McCoy, QB, Cleveland Browns

2010 Stats (8 gms)	1576 yds.	6 TDs	9 INTs
2011 Projected	3005 yds.	14 TDs	17 INTs

The starting quarterback job isn't McCoy's just yet, but he'll have the edge against Seneca Wallace going into the season. McCoy did a nice job filling in last year for the Browns, but he's still not yet a viable fantasy football option. Also, the Browns lack of playmakers at wide receiver makes McCoy less appealing.