DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Norv Turner on Weeden, Trent, Gordon

Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner likes what he's seen from quarterback Brandon Weeden | cleveland.com
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ss..._special-report

AKRON, Ohio --Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner quelled a little of the Brian Hoyer-mania on Monday night and sounded as if he's counting on Brandon Weeden to be his guy in 2013.

"Brandon is a one-year player in the NFL who did a lot more good things than people give him credit for," Turner said before his speech to the Akron Browns Backers banquet at Tangier Events Center. "I like his composure, the way he competes, he's worked awfully hard. He's got to be one of the hardest-working guys on our team. So you look and say, 'Hey, you hope there's a big upside.' "

Turner stressed that Weeden's woes and 5-10 record as a starter last season can be attributed to being a rookie surrounded by rookies.

"What happened to Brandon, Brandon was in here with a very young group of guys," Turner said in his first remarks about Weeden since seeing him practice against the defense in organized team activities. "So when you have a lot of young guys and they're trying to feel their way together, it's hard. All those guys having a year together, including Brandon, will help him a great deal."

Turner also threw a little water on the notion that Hoyer, a native of North Olmsted and St. Ignatius grad, is being brought in to potentially challenge for a starting role. Hoyer, 27, signed his two-year deal on Friday and will be on the field Tuesday for the second week of organized team activities.

"I think there have been more stories written about Brian Hoyer being a Brown over the last four months than probably any player in history," Turner said. "He was released. He was available. He's a guy that has been with some good teams in backup situations. He's played very little football, but I do think we like his skill set."

Turner stressed it's difficult to assess the quarterbacks after only three days of OTAs, but he likes the group.

"I think we have three talented guys," said Turner, who was asked specifically about Weeden, Campbell and Hoyer. "We have a vastly different group of guys. Jason's played nine years in the league. He's proven he can win in this league. When he's been with good teams, he's played better than when he's been with bad teams. And then with Brian, you've got a guy that's been a backup in some good situations. He really hasn't played enough to know where he's at, and we like the way he throws the ball. We like a lot of things about him."

Turner acknowledged that it will be tough to find enough quality reps for the quarterbacks, especially those with the first-team offense.

"That's probably the hardest thing," he said. "If you have a veteran quarterback who's played a lot you can kind of take care of him and limit a little bit his reps. But the real good veterans I've been around want all the reps anyway. But that's to be a real hard one. That's one of the reasons having a guy like Jason Campbell – he's played so much you hope maybe once we get going with everything we're doing he doesn't need as many reps as maybe a young guy does. But my experience with young quarterbacks, a guy that's in his second year you need all the reps you can give him."

One thing is certain: Turner will vote for keeping three QBs on the 53-man roster.

"I think if you don't, you're playing with fire," he said. "I think it's too valuable a position."

Turner stressed he's only seen Weeden practice three times, "but the things I've seen is what we saw on film. He's got a big arm. He's very intelligent. He makes good decisions. He throws the ball up the field the way we would like to, but he's very accurate underneath. He's like all our guys. He's learning a new system. We have a lot of work to do."

He also believes it's been overstated that Weeden will fare better in the new vertical scheme.

"Good players play," he said. "They play in any system, and they play when they're comfortable...he's responded to everything we've asked him to do. He likes football an awful lot, he's a very competitive guy and he's made it clear he wants to be the guy and now you go out and do it."

TURNER ON RICHARDSON: Turner is excited to have Trent Richardson in the backfield: "If you want to be a good offense, you better have good players, and Trent is outstanding and he's a young player that got a taste of it last year. He had to fight through the ups and downs of being a rookie, the injuries, those things. Hopefully we don't have to deal with that and that he can make that big step from year one to year two."

TURNER ON GORDON: Turner also has high hopes for Gordon, among others: "When we came in from San Diego on that miserable cold, rainy day I stood about as I am from you to Josh Gordon and I said, 'Wow – now I know why they took him.' He's an impressive guy. He's young. He has a lot of work to do but he has a lot of ability. You put those two things together and just grind as a player and as a coach, I think he can really be a fine player."

Guess I wasn't paying attention, I didn't see any Brian Hoyer Mania.. Anyway, Turner seems to be more Pro Weeden than anyone thought.

I mean, I don't expect him to come out and say,, Weeden sucks or anything like that LOL

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"They play in any system, and they play when they're comfortable..

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I hope this statement hits home - look I know as fans we like to make our own assessments...Oh his feet, Oh he drops his shoulder, Oh he locks on, Oh, Oh OH - but the fact is we don't see enough reps to make certain evaluations. I believe in the simplifications of things.

With QB - a QB noted with a lot of the tools coming in. That is so so important "THEY PLAY WHEN THEY'RE COMFORTABLE. " This coming from one of the greatest NFL QB Teacher. I keep insisting on how Out of a comfort level Weeden was put in last season - it truly was one of the WORST coaching jobs I saw regarding a Rookie QB.

Daman...its not all about the board...lol regarding the Hoyer fervor. I would only assume Norv said what he said was because the Local sports journalist would always ask about Hoyer well before he was a Brown.

Its so obvious that Weeden is their QB. They want a competition but in most cases 99% of the time a coach will know Just KNOW who is the guy. It doesn't mean he will not fall on his face but that is what needs to happen for Weeden NOT TO BE OUR STARTING QB. Campbell can get along being the veteran with minimal reps with the #1. Meaning he ain't coming in unless Weeden falls on his face. The concentration is to prepare Weeden - Competition is just a word. Hoyer is not even a thought of vying gor our starting QB. Just replacing Lewis as our #3. Who gets way too much love on this board.

I really hoped we would trade him (Lewis) to the Eagles for a 7th rounder or player they were looking to cut??? Now they will just wait for us to release him. Oh well.

Weeden is the man...until he falls on his face - something I just hope we do not see!

JMHO

The funny thing about that quote is that it is truth and contradictory at the same time.

The whole point that people were making with systems is that Weeden should be more comfortable immediately.... hence, bearing out that the system change should help him whereas discomfort with that horrible rendition of the WCO we had was more than uncomfortable (for everyone, I might add, lol).

Media was making way to much out of Hoyer and personally, I think he will have trouble beating out Thad.

Weeden working hard and not only hard but being one of the hardest workers on the team??? but didnt his college coach endorse another guy in the draft for working hard, which really meant that Weeden was a lazy turd?

BTW I saw some highlights of Weeden in camp on ESPN and his footwork did look vastly improved. Playing up on his toes and creating greater distance with each step. Forgot who he worked with this summer but they apparently did a good job. One of my biggest criticisms last year was that he was quick stepping and not getting deep enough on his drops.

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"Brandon is a one-year player in the NFL who did a lot more good things than people give him credit for," Turner said before his speech to the Akron Browns Backers banquet at Tangier Events Center. "I like his composure, the way he competes, he's worked awfully hard. He's got to be one of the hardest-working guys on our team. So you look and say, 'Hey, you hope there's a big upside.' "

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I couldn't ageee more...

In Cleveland, blaming the QB is a game some fans, some in the media and some of the talking heads love to play. It's like a game within the game for those folks.

Finally someone that matters stands up for Weeden...bout time !

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Turner stressed that Weeden's woes and 5-10 record as a starter last season can be attributed to being a rookie surrounded by rookies.

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Again, I couldn't agree more...

Too many looked at our rookies and our 1 and 2 yr guys and expected them to play like seasoned veterans with tons of experience. This was a very young team in 2012 and they should benefit from the 2012 experience.

Weeden was a rookie playing with a rookie RB...RT...2 WRs...

Turner is simply stating the obvious...which gets overlooked at times, in Cleveland.

Weeden has a good mentor in Turner.

Turner:
"He also believes it's been overstated that Weeden will fare better in the new vertical scheme."

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This what I have said from the get go. It is not the "vertical offense" that will make Weeden better.

It is Weeden that will make Weeden better. He has to "see the field" , know who to throw too and when. It is all about recognition, timing and accuracy.

He should be better. That is his job. There should mental growth yearly. Experience is a great teacher for those who take it to heart.

Know doubt that Weeden is their guy at this point. He will be given every chance to succeed.

This year.

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Media was making way to much out of Hoyer and personally, I think he will have trouble beating out Thad.

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What I was saying is, I didn't hear that much hoopla surrounding Hoyer from anyone. again, maybe I was just asleep at the switch or something.. dunno.

As for Thad, we didn't see alot of him but what I saw, didn't look bad. Maybe not a starter, but as a third stringer with thoughts of moving to 2nd. possible I suppose.

I've NEVER seen Hoyer play so it's not fair for me to say anything positive or negative about him. he's a local kid and as always, I'll root for him..

Everyone is going to draw their own conclusions from this article, mine is the same thought I've had since the new staff was hired.

Weeden will be the starter. Not because he is good, but because what he can bring to the table is still an unknown and he seems to have some good tools.

Norval seems to perceive Campbell and Hoyer the same way I do, as guys who really can't put a team on their backs and lead them to victory.

If someone wants, you can quote me on this, and the many others who will probably share the same opinion: this year is pretty much the Weeden experiment. You shouldn't go in with any expectations of winning, just the expectation of seeing whether he can be an NFL QB or not.

If he succeeds, great. If he doesn't, on to Bridgewater/Boyd/McCarron/Mariota/Manziel or whoever else might be a good rookie QB, but Weeden will be getting a shot.

Off Topic:

The more I read, the more I hear about the 2013 and 2014 QB draft classes. The more I come to the conclusion that taking Brandon Weeden was probably the right move. Would I take Weeden over EJ Manuel or Geno Smith. Yes.

If anyone wants to see the video in its entirety, it's on the ABJ's website:

Video: Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner praises, defends QB Brandon Weeden - Cleveland Browns - Ohio
http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-brow...weeden-1.399436

As far as Hoyer mania ...... I think that is has been more media than anything ......barraging us all the time about how much Lombardi loved Hoyer. How, if he were the GM of the Niners, he would have gone after Hoyer ...... and so on. There have probably been a couple hundred stories that reference that particular aspect of the story. Many others even opined that Hoyer had a chance to come in and compete for the starting job. There were even some people on the board who bought into the hype.

There was mania and I missed it? Dangit!

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I like .... the way he competes,

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kiss of death right there.

j/c

I see our QB situation as pretty easy to discern. Weeden must play lights out IMO for us to NOT draft a QB in the 1st Round next year. That means we either are a playoff team, or we draft a QB IMO (Even if we sit that QB for one year). If Weeden falters and Campbell/Hoyer are forced to start, then it's a no-brainer anyways.

I don't know if these words are just words without meaning, or what the case is. Fact is, I am sick of hearing how Brandon is horrible in mini-camp this story, great and excelling in another, and so forth. Done hearing that Brandon is hard worker and as Norv said "hardest working guy on the team", but another story questions his work ethic.

Media and/or a coach who is just talking out his mouth to give the media what they want to hear, I "wish" it would end. Come regular season, we'll see what stories and what sides of Weeden unfold out to be true and the ones that unfold to be false.

One fact of the matter is, Weeden is on sink-or-swim bases regardless of what coaches and media are saying.

Ya know, one of the reasons that I don't listen to Talk Radio or Sports Radio - ever - is that it is quite pathetically predictable. You always have two sides played by the differing personas on whatever show it is. One will take the Pro, the other the Con... and depending upon the issue, one, the other, or both will come up with possibly ridiculous bases for their conclusions. It is staged debate, or theatrical "discussion" that is enhanced with "random" callers to give input and feed the machine to keep people listening. Controversy sells.

I would not be surprised in the least if the print sports media hasn't, at least on some level, adopted the same premise. One writer takes one stance, another take the opposite.... then they play the masses off of each other, testing the waters to see which stories generate the most interest/traffic.

I enjoy sports talk radio for the horrible phone calls.

There are about 5 or 6 types of callers that I've pigeon-holed, and my favorite, by far, is the "coach's tape" guy. Good God, he's the best. Although with the release of the full picture archived games last year, that guy is really going hard nowadays.

I enjoy train-wreck calls. If you want good sports radio, I tend to favor Ken Carman on 92.3. There is no pro/con type arguments because he basically does the show on his own, his producers will gave their 2 cents on occasion, but it's basically him, and he's got a pretty mild opinion, and lets people make their own. He also doensn't take his job too seriously.

The best train-wrecks are on post-game Browns call-in shows. Nothing better.

Especially after an embarrassing loss to a team we lost to in the last minute. You would think suicide rates in Ashtabula through Sandusky would be astronomical on Sundays.

Weeden should be fine if he makes quicker decisions, throws in-front of his receivers, and has a 100% Trent Richardson in the backfield.

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It is staged debate, or theatrical "discussion" that is enhanced with "random" callers to give input and feed the machine to keep people listening. Controversy sells.

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Could call it "reality radio"...

Some of the positions taken on the radio are crazy...
....are the radio talking heads that stupid
....or, are they simply "playing" the listeners, stirring the pot, just to get more people to listen.

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I would not be surprised in the least if the print sports media hasn't, at least on some level, adopted the same premise. One writer takes one stance, another take the opposite.... then they play the masses off of each other, testing the waters to see which stories generate the most interest/traffic.

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The print media plays the same game, writing inflammatory stories...giving opinions designed to keep readers wanting more.

It's all about the gaining market share (viewers, listeners or readers) so the sponsors get their money's worth for their advertising dollar.

I'm glad to hear someone of authority (Norv Turner) speak up in support of Weeden. His opinion means more than all the media combined.

He said a lot of positive things but you must look at the bottom line I believe.....

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So you look and say, 'Hey, you hope there's a big upside.' "

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I don't believe that's really any different than what we've all been saying for the most part.

I mean, we all know last year we had a lot of rookies starting and a very young O overall.

We all know that you would hope with a year under their belts, they should improve as a unit.

We all know Weeden has a strong arm.

So in reality, "hoping their is a big upside" is what we all are hoping for. And since it seems that's what they're looking for, I think many have been saying pretty much the same thing all along.

It was nice to hear him praised for his work ethic. That stood out as something different to me. Otherwise, I see it as praise that he's trying hard, but in the same breath, they are looking for huge improvements.

The thing that surprised me more than anything else, especially given the company line that the QB job is still up for grabs, is the way that Turner has all but ceded the job to Weeden. Oh he'll try to backtrack slightly ..... but it's fairly obvious that he sees Weeden as the starter.

And I believe that's as it should be unless he just totally implodes at some point during the season.

Campbell certainly has no chance of being a long term solution and the only QB on the roster that could be that is Weeden. So I do believe he will start the season and be given every opportunity moving forward to be the QB.

I don't see any other logical way to approach it and as I've said before, I'm glad Weeden is being given the opportunity to do so by the new FO and coaching staff.

Pit - your last 2 posts were very good. Very fair, unbiased, and astute.

I think Weeden will improve purely based on comfort alone. More shotgun and more practice from under center. I think part of the problem last year was that he had to think too much instead of just playing. The offense was completely new to him, he had to think about what everyone on offense was going to do, pay extra attention to his drops, adjust to NFL speed and on top of that learn to read NFL defenses which was hindered by getting to the line so late that he had to make a snap read. I think just getting the O to the line at a reasonable time to allow him to peruse the D will help a lot.

I expect improvement. How much is yet to be seen. Will it be enough not to draft a 1st round Qb? To be determined. Especially in light of the number of college Qb's with high high upside coming out in the next two years.

I think Brandon will be better because he is more comfortable with this system and it could be as simple as he is being treated better and with more respect by his coaches and likes them and respects them also. Respecting and liking the people you work with can go a long way to being successful.

And it helps knowing everyone isn't going to get fired after the season

The crazy thing about the offense this year is that with this line, which is absurdly good, and the potential of these WR's, Trent Richardson, etc... all in a Chud/Norv system - if the QB doesn't get it done, we're going to look like the 2008 Derek Anderson team, but if the QB goes off, this has the potential to go all "Greatest Show on Turf" on the NFL.... and everything and anything in between. Soooo many question marks, sooo much potential.


It is either going to be incredibly exciting, or incredibly frustrating and disappointing - and I don't see much in-between on that.

If you extend that notion to the defense then it could be a lot of young guys playing aggressive and getting burnt constantly.

Or it could be that they overwhelm opponents, leaving them confused and broken.

I could make a case for a 13-3 type season and I could make the case that we won't win 5 games.

It's going to be interesting but I lean in the slightly positive camp.

I think we'll take it to a couple teams this year. I think we'll probably get waxed a few times too. How we do against the division and how we do in close games is probably going to determine whether we're playing meaningful games in Weeks 16 & 17.

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Turner stressed he's only seen Weeden practice three times, "but the things I've seen is what we saw on film. He's got a big arm. He's very intelligent. He makes good decisions.

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He "makes good decisions?" Uh oh.

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Media was making way to much out of Hoyer and personally, I think he will have trouble beating out Thad.

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Good call. LOL

I'll make this real simple for Norv: Get your big, fast and strong athletes the ball

I'm excited to see Josh Gordon in this offense.

Cat turd vs. Rat turd no one cares which is better both turds but I thought Thad gave u a better chance to win a game.

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TURNER ON GORDON: Turner also has high hopes for Gordon, among others: "When we came in from San Diego on that miserable cold, rainy day I stood about as I am from you to Josh Gordon and I said, 'Wow – now I know why they took him.' He's an impressive guy. He's young. He has a lot of work to do but he has a lot of ability. You put those two things together and just grind as a player and as a coach, I think he can really be a fine player."

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I LIKE hearing this. Now, we need to see it on the field. Gordon and Richardson are vitally important to any chance we have of competing. Norv Turner is my hope for the season. I'm really looking forward to seeing Richardson in this offense.