DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Most Improved for 2013 - Brandon Weeden heads quarterbacks

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This article was on another Weeden thread. Hate all the duplicative threads, but I found your comments interesting.

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Yet, around here, some folks are saying quite the opposite. Some posters on here say he dances around too much and looks indecisive. Not poised and calm at all.

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I don't think he danced around too much. I do think he is indecisive, but that is another issue. I don't think he looked nervous in the pocket.

Therefore, I do see how Jaws could say that he looked poised and calm. Weeds held the ball forever. I don't think he sees the field well. I don't think he read coverages well. I do think he was indecisive because of those factors. But no, I would not say that he dances too much or looks nervous in the pocket.

Btw--I do respect Jaws' opinion and he was a good qb in his day. Not sure what Pastor was talking about.

There were also interviews with Weeden about how his wife was quizzing him on the new offense, and how they had all but stopped going out with friends so he could work on learning the offense.

Further, last year, Weeden had to learn a totally different offense, with terminology and calls that he was completely unfamiliar with, new and unfamiliar reads, learn new footwork and how to play from under Center, and had to learn timing with a new set of fellow rookie receivers. He wasn't perfect, but he was a lot better than many expected in games 2 and forward. That wouldn't have happened if he wasn't working hard. We can debate the results as far as skill and overall progress and such, but to say that he didn't bust butt learning a whole new offense and style of play would be disingenuous.

How do you know he was talking about Weeden? Couldn't it have been TRich?

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We can debate the results as far as skill and overall progress and such, but to say that he didn't bust butt learning a whole new offense and style of play would be disingenuous.

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Wow! There was also a report from a former staff member at Ok. State that questioned his work ethic. We also have proof that the guy did not audible. He sure as hell could not read defenses. There was a comment that the Browns had to dummy down the offense for him. There was not one report of him staying after practice or working during the off-season w/his WRs. I read those things about Colt, but not Weeden.

I think there are plenty of questions about his work ethic.Not trying to change your mind, but you guys and your presentation of the "facts" ain't changing mine.

I actually thought that Weeden looked more indecisive towards the end of the year than he did in the 1st half of the season. (after game 1)

There were reports that both Gordon and Benjamin were very lazy in their route running last year, and I wonder if some of Weeden's indecision might have been because receivers weren't where they were supposed to be? (plus working in another rookie receiver in Cooper, and with Watson beset with concussions. (3 last year alone, IIRC)

I would say there is some truth to that, but man, you guys make a lot of excuses for the guy. My question is why? It's as if a lot of you have a personal investment in it. You know......like you told people he was going to be good, so you now excuse away all his bad play.

Aaarrrggghhhh............On one hand I hear how great H and H were. On the other hand, I hear how bad the surrounding talent and coaching was. I am not really talking to you personally so much, but it sure appears that many are talking out of both sides of their mouth.

He was able to run the WCO from day 1. That's no easy task for a guy who had never played from under Center in his life, and who had never run an offense with the complexity of play calls as Shurmur's offense had.

He wasn't lost, after the debacle in week 1. He seemed to understand what he was doing.

Like it or not, we had rookies galore on offense last year. We played a total of 3 different rookie receivers. We played a rookie TE and a 2nd year TE. We started a rookie RB. We also started a rookie QB. There were issues in quite a few areas ... and one of them was at QB.

Look, I'm not saying that Weeden was perfect, because he obviously had issues and made mistakes last year. However, I don't see how anyone could say that he didn't work hard. He had to have done so just to make the progress he did by the start of last season in so many areas.

Man, I have never said that Weeden played great last year ...... just that he was better than some give him credit for ...... and that he faced some pretty heavy duty challenges besides just being a rookie QB in the NFL.

He had a highly complex offense to learn. He had rookie and inexperienced teammates galore. He had a head coach who had to know that he was a lame duck as soon as Banner came on board. There were a lot of factors that went into last year. Weeden had issues. There were things that he did not do well. However, there were fairly heavy extenuating circumstances, and he played decently for a rookie. He wasn't perfect. He made mistakes. Most rookies, especially rookie QBs, do so, especially on a rookie offense.

Well, in fairness, he ran the WCO week 1 ..... just badly. The way he played he would have looked bad in a sandlot.

I too don't think he was great by any means. He looked good at times and bad at times. But I agree with Daman, many here claim he was just terrible. The thing that bothers me, are many of these same people claim Tannehill looked decent. IMO, he played worse than Weeden, on a more experienced team.

Many use Luck and RGIII to judge Weeden, to me that is not fair. RGIII had what was going to be a way out of the ordinary rookie season, but as with many running QBs, injury set him back. He has the skill as a passer to be one of the best IMO.

Luck had a decent season, but many here claim it was extraordinary. He threw a lot of picks early in games, but showed that in the future he has the skill and mentality to overcome mistakes.

I think Weeden was alright. He flashed some skills, and also made some rookie mistakes. Anybody who thinks that having rookies at RT, RB and WR didn't have an effect on his rookie season is not being fair in their assessment. That is not an excuse, it was just the way it was, and it mattered.

I'm holding off final judgement on him until this season. He should improve, no matter what type of offense he would be running, just as I see Luck and Griffin improving from year one to year two. The difference for them, will be returning to the same system, whereas Weeden will be changing again.

That being said, teams change schemes all the time, and I feel it has some effect on the player, but if the player is good, he should be able to adapt. They have the playbook for months, and work thru OTAs and minicamps on the terminology and plays, it is not like they have a few weeks to get it. They are professionals, and this is all they do. I think changing systems effects them way less than a lack of chemistry with other players. IMO, roster turnover can hurt a team more than scheme change.

Further, if you look at RG3 and Wilson's years last year, they were really damn good .... but they also were not relied upon to do it all through the air. Seattle threw the ball less than any other team in the NFL. (405 times) Next was San Francisco. (436 times) Then came Washington. (442 times)

The Browns threw the ball 566 times last year.

Now part of that disparity was because of the running QBs in Seattle, DC, and San Fran ....... but part was because the coaches on those teams carefully controlled their offenses, and kept some of the pressure off of their young QBs, especially early on.

Guess who 3 of the top 4 rushing teams were last year? Yep ... Seattle, San Fran, and DC. Again, part was having a running QB, but most was scheme and design.

These teams also simplified reads for their QBs. They ran some option spread, which gave their QB very simple reads. That helped the QB out, and made their 25-27 pass attempts per game much easier to handle.

DC, Seattle and San Fran were 1, 3, and 4 in rushing offense last year. RG3 ran for 800 yards. Wilson ran for almost 500. Kaepernick ran for 415.

We ran for 1593 yards total last year. Without RG3, DC still ran for over1900 yards.Seattle still ran for over 2000 yards without Wilson. So did San Francisco without Kaepernick.

Seattle and San Francisco were also the top 2 teams in scoring defense last year.

Those 3 teams kind of reversed the trend of a QB carrying a team to victory. They did their shares, but they weren't superhuman, with 45-50 TD passes and 4500 yards as we have come to expect from some QBs. Wilson was 12th in TD passes. RG3 was 20th. Kaepernick was way down the chart. Each team could run the ball supremely well, and could play defense. They had a well rounded package to drop a QB into. We, by any comparison, did not.


Now Luck was absolutely incredible, given what he had to work with. He was just spectacular, and his comeback ability was unlike any rookie I can think of ever.

One of Lombardi's buddies (LaCanfora) criticizes Heckert -- schmuck.

One of Lombardi's buddies (Jaworski) praises Weeden -- gospel.

I didn't name posters by name,, but sounds as if you think I called you out.. wonder what that means?

That would be a good argument, except most people just support the side they want with no rational thought.

Shouldn't there be a thread on this guy already?!?



Picture today from an off-site practice session.

who is the guy with two foreheads?

glad to see Greg there with him. Even if it's not an official type thing it makes me feel good about his relationship with the team.

T.J. Ward: Brandon Weeden is 'way more comfortable' in Browns offense

By Adam Stites  @AdamBCC on Jul 9 2013, 8:36a +



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Browns safety T.J. Ward expects big things from the team in 2013, including a large step forward for quarterback Brandon Weeden.


Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden tossed 17 interceptions and 14 touchdowns as a rookie, finishing the year with an underwhelming 72.6 quarterback rating. Safety T.J. Ward is confident that Weeden is ready to take a step in the right direction in 2013, though, as the fourth-year defensive back told Sirius XM Radio on Monday that Weeden looks much more comfortable in Norv Turner's offense.



More: For extended coverage of the Browns, visit Dawgs By Nature

"In practice, he's looked way more comfortable in this offense," Ward said of Weeden. "Most of the throws are going downfield and I think that fits him a little bit better because he's got that big arm and he can make any throw on the field. Downfield, across the field, he just looks a lot more comfortable and I think this year you're going to see that improvement and that jump from Brandon [Weeden]. He had a good rookie season, but I think this year you're going to see his name added to some of the better quarterbacks in this league."

Also on Monday, Ward spoke about the culture change that has begun within the franchise, following the addition of head coach Rob Chudzinski:

On the defense's new attacking style being fun to watch:
"I think so. I think you should be excited. If you like to see pressure on the quarterback and a lot of plays made on the back-end, then this a defense you'll love to watch. I think we have players that fit the scheme really well. We have a lot of veteran players mixed with a lot of younger players so I think we have the potential to be really good."

On Chudzinski erasing the franchise's legacy and culture of losing:
"I think he's brought a pride aspect. He wants us to be prideful of who we are and who we play for. He's teaching us a lot about the history of the Browns, the winning Browns, and how the organization has been and what we need to be prideful about playing for this team. I think that's the biggest aspect is knowing who we play for, knowing who we are and knowing our potential. He's kind of erased everything from 1999 until now and focused on what we can do from here on out. I think it's working and I think the players are really feeding into what he's bringing to the table.

"With the new coaching staff, with Coach [Norv] Turner on the offensive side and Coach [Ray] Horton on the defensive side, I think some big things can be expected. We're all buying into what all the coaches are bringing to the table and I think that's where it starts. You have to be prideful about who you're doing, who you're playing for and you have to buy in to everything the coaches are saying."

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Chud and Norv must be seeing something they like from Weedon its all pretty much been decided he is the starter...........

The question is: is all the worry for nothing and Weedon will excel in this offense with Chud and Norv calling the shots????

He is throwing when noone is rushing him. Not discrediting TJ's opinion, but I think it's more smoke than reality. But, downfield passing game is what Weeden did in college, who knows. I want to see it all in action with real life 200-300 lb'ers running to take his life from him though.

I just want to see this team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Browns QB Preview: Weeden’s Time to Step Up

FRED GREETHAM

CLEVELAND BROWNS
2013-2014 Schedule | Team Page Standings | Stats | Roster | Injuries Latest NFL news on FOXSports.com
The Cleveland Browns officially kick off their first training camp under new head coach Rob Chudzinski and his staff July 25. We will break down each position in the weeks leading up to the start of camp with the players currently on the roster.

The first position we take a look at is quarterback, a position that has been almost completely revamped under the Joe Banner/Mike Lombardi regime as Colt McCoy was jettisoned to the 49ers in a trade and then Thaddeus Lewis was released after the signing of Brian Hoyer.

Quarterbacks – Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer

Weeden (6-3, 220, 29, 2nd year) – The only returning quarterback from last year's roster, Weeden is going to be given every opportunity to succeed in the Chudzinski/Norv Turner offensive system.

Derek Anderson turned in a surprised Pro Bowl season in 2007 when Chudzinski was the Browns offensive coordinator, and Weeden could try to follow that example. Weeden could arguably have a better supporting cast than Anderson did that season with the emergence of the running game led by Trent Richardson and the receiving corps with Greg Little, Josh Gordon, Travis Benjamin, Davone Bess, David Nelson and a strong offensive line. Kellen Winslow had a big year at tight end in 2007 and it’s unclear if the trio of Jordan Cameron, Gary Barnidge and Kellen Davis will be able to produce as much as Winslow did. But all considered, Weeden does have weapons at his disposal.

Weeden started in all 15 games that he played in as a rookie and passed for 3,385 yards on 297-of-517 passes attempted (57.4 pct.) with 14 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. His QB rating was 72.6. His yardage totals were the most by a Browns rookie in the team’s history.

He has been ecstatic about playing in the vertical passing offense that the Browns are using and it appears the coaching staff will play to his strengths employing more use of the shotgun formation.

Chudzinski offered his assessment on Weeden at the conclusion of minicamp: “I think Brandon has done a nice job, to this point. Everything we’ve asked him to do. Certainly, it hasn’t been perfect, but having to adjust to Norv yelling at him and making the adjustments and corrections, you’ve seen progress.”

Lombardi wasn’t high on Weeden while he was an NFL analyst on NFL Network, but it is believed that Chudzinski and Turner saw enough potential in the second-year quarterback to persuade the front office to give him another shot in 2013.

Campbell (6-5, 230, 31, 9th year) -- Campbell has started 71 of his career 77 games, and he has played in the system that Turner is running with the Browns. He is described as a player who doesn’t need many reps in practice, but can still step in and be productive.
Campbell was a first-round draft choice of the Redskins (25th overall) in the 2005 NFL Draft from Auburn. He has completed 1,328 of 2,182 career passes (60.9%) for 14,682 yards with 76 touchdowns, 52 interceptions and an 82.5 passer rating. Campbell has a plus-24 touchdown-interception ratio, and his 2.4 career interception percentage is tied for eighth-best in the NFL since 2005.

His best season was 2009 – his last season in Washington – when he was 327-of-507 for 3,618 yards with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His rating was 86.4.

In the first five years of his career (2005-09) with the Redskins, he was one of four quarterbacks in franchise history to throw for 3,000 yards in back-to-back seasons (3,245 in 2008 and 3,618 in 2009). He became the franchise leader in career completion percentage (61.2) and his passer rating of 82.3 was second-best in Redskins annals. He also established a team record with a streak of 271 consecutive passes without an interception, spanning from 2007-08 and the fifth-longest streak ever in the NFL at the time.

Campbell was traded to Oakland prior to the 2010 season and spent two years with the Raiders. In those two seasons, he started 18 of his 19 contests and threw for 3,557 yards with 19 touchdowns. In 2011, he opened the first six contests and led Oakland to a 4-2 record before a broken collarbone against the Browns ended his season.

So far he has been what the Browns expected when they signed him as an unrestricted free agent.

“I am pleased with Jason,” Chudzinski said. “He is everything we had hoped for from a leadership standpoint and a guy that can come in and doesn’t need every single rep in practice. He’s been in the system before and he understands what he’s doing.”

Hoyer (6-2, 215, 27, 5th year) - Hoyer spent his first three seasons in the NFL backing up Tom Brady in New England. After being released in training camp in 2012, Hoyer sat out most of last season before signing with the Steelers. After being released by the Steelers he was immediately picked up by the Cardinals and started his first NFL game in the season finale against the 49ers. He completed 19 of 34 passes for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 27-13 loss. He was 30 for 53 for 330 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions on the season.
In his first four NFL seasons, Hoyer has appeared in just 15 games completing 57 of 96 passes for 616 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions and a rating of 72.2.

Lombardi has been high on Hoyer from his days with the Patriots, and he could be in the mix for playing time should Weeden and Campbell falter.

Chudzinski has been happy with the way Hoyer has picked up the offense since arriving.

“Brian coming in late and in a short time and he has a real good fee,” Chudzinski said. “He’s been around and has been in a number of systems and knows what we’re trying to get done. I like the direction of this group. We’ve got a ways to go but we’re on the right track.”

Summary: The 2013 season is about Weeden.

It is his chance to prove he can be the Browns quarterback for the next few seasons. He will turn 30 in October and is now in a system that appears to play to his strengths. He has weapons behind a strong offensive line with a potentially strong running game. Five times a running back in Turner’s offense has won the NFL rushing title. The receiving corps should be much more productive with the experience of the young receivers and the addition of a couple of veterans.

Chudzinski is very impressed with the group of quarterbacks the Browns have.

“That group, overall, is one of the best groups I’ve been around in terms of chemistry and helping each other out and it’s really good,” Chudzinski said. “There’s a really good vibe in that room.”

Chudzinski has not named Weeden the starting quarterback, rather choosing to make him earn the position. He said ultimately who will be under center when the regular season begins, will be based on production.

“I think all of those guys have progressed,” Chudzinski said. “When we get out there in pads and we see them in situations, we’ll be looking for improvement there. It will be about production.”

If Weeden and the other quarterbacks don’t produce in 2013, there will be a lot of talk about drafting a quarterback high in 2014.

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More fluff, just in case you all need something to get yourselves charged up about....

I only want Weeden to do one of two things:

1. Find his rhythm in Norv's offense and become a success story and our QB for the next 5-9 years.

or

2. Fail on such a massive, terrible level that we somehow land the first pick in the draft and get Teddy Bridgewater.

If he can do one of those two things I will be forever grateful to him. Just please don't be mediocre, Brandon.

so, the pessimist view is that our secondary is so bad that it's making even Weeden look good, right?

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Just please don't be mediocre, Brandon

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I would say that to the team, and Weeden both. The worst thing we could do is win 4 or 5 games again next year. Let's either take a big step forward, or a big step backwards so we can benefit from it. No more of this mediocre crap.

Unless Weed lights it up, Mallett will be our QB next year. Hell he could do pretty good and i still think we would bring in Mallett to compete with him.

and that would leave them with tebow?

You started a new thread for this? This couldn't have went in one of the several existing Weeden threads? Man, you got it bad!

I hope we can trust you that Weeden was actually working out on his own recently. I have not heard of him doing so previously and questioned his work ethic. I will take all that back if he is actually working out on his own and not question his work ethic again.

Happy now?

Probably not.

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He is throwing when noone is rushing him.

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I don't think that was the point. Pressure on Weeden last year was not an over whelming issue. It was the system, it required a lot of experience n quick decisions in a crowded triangular area - combined with the fact the Coaching staff (Shurmur in particular) was in a panic mode on losing his job. Demanded Weeden to NOT Make a mistake resulting in an INT. This made him hesitate and hold onto the ball. Lets face it criticize him all you want fact of the matter he was so so uncomfortable in the system and the situation laid before him...along with many rookies n youngsters starting.

He is very comfortable in this system. It doesn't make it 100% assured he will be great. Actually it eliminates any excuses. We will see him in his best environment.

JMHO for all us fans I hope he KICKS IT!

Camp. One week away.

Can't wait!!! Light it up, Weeden!

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which might be what banner and Lombardi want anyway.

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I don't think that is a remote thought from them. They did too much - If they wanted the #1 pick first things first...they would have kept the coaches. They would not have made our D Front 7 into a strength. And get us the best slot/possession WR since possibly Sid Vicious (07). Homerism aside I would be Shocked if we are picking top 5 next season.

As for myself...things are tough here since Sandy. Love my Golf n testing the heart by walking in the heat. Football season started last week. 19-0 for a good start.