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Camp Preview: Weeden’s Time to Step


By Fred Greetham
OBR Senior Browns Reporter
Posted Jul 2, 2013



The Browns officially kick off their first training camp under Rob Chudzinski and staff on Thursday July 25.



The Browns officially kick off their first training camp under Rob Chudzinski and staff on Thursday 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 the quarterback position.

Quarterbacks – Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer

The quarterback position has been almost completely revamped under the Joe Banner/Mike Lombardi regime. First, Colt McCoy was jettisoned to the 49ers in a trade and then Thaddeus Lewis was released after the signing of Hoyer. Campbell joined the Browns as an unrestricted free agent. The only returning quarterback to the Browns this season is the incumbent starter in Weeden.



Weeden (6-3, 220, 29, 2nd year) – 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.

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.

Weeden 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,” Chudzinski said. “Everything we’ve asked him to do. Certainly, it hasn’t been perfect, but having to adjust to Norv (Turner) 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) - In his career, Campbell has started and he has been a backup, starting 71 of his career 77 games. He has played in the system that Turner is running with the Browns. He is also 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.

Campbell’s best season was 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, which was 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.

Campbell 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 he started his first NFL game in the season finale against the 49ers. He was 19-of-34 for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 27-13 loss. He was 30-of-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 and it is his chance to prove he can be the Browns quarterback for the next few seasons. He will turn 30 in October and he 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.”

And 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.
(Next: We’ll take a look at the Browns running backs)

OBR

Projections are normally based upon past performance.

You know what to expect from Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton etc.

If that rule is applied to the Browns quarterbacks well what can we expect?

I guess we just cross our fingers and hope for the best. It would be a great comfort to go into a season knowing you had a quarterback that could truly be "The Man". Someone you knew who could win close games in the fourth quarter by leading a team.

Until that day arrives opening day is more like opening day of hunting season when you are the hunted looking to duck and hide for cover.

I still say for a rookie Weeden didn't have that bad a season last year...just Luck, RG3, Wilson n Kaeperneck had such good ones it looked bleak for Weeden.

I've said it before n I will say it again. Performance (if you have the talent, Talent is a must) especially for a rookie QB is predicated so much so on their Comfort Level. Why you hear all the time about dummy down playbooks...Shotgun, etc. In looking back at last season I consider it one of the all time worst Coaching jobs in providing any comfort zone. Don't know if it was Shurmur? Holmgren dictating things from afar? Desperation from the staff? What I do know it was horrible. Again. Weeden had the highest Pct. IN THE NFL for taking snaps from under center. This from a QB weened on Shotgun formations the last 4 seasons. Not saying all should have been Shotgun. But not even Veteran NFL QBs took that many snaps from under Center.

How does Shurmur have the reputation as a QB Guru is beyond me.

New dawn, new day, New Weeden

JMHO

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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.”

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LOL..."in terms of chemistry...." That's like saying: "...she has a good personality."

It's a pretty sorry group. Oh well, here is to hoping that Weeden will magically transform due to improved coaching. Just like Colt did when we replaced Mangini/Daboll w/Shurmur and The Big Show.

As much as I appreciate the attention given to the Browns I'm still not on the Weeden wagon. I'll root for the guy but I just think he's innacurate and doesn't have the ability to get to an elite level and that doesn't cut it anymore.

Most seem to think Weeden will look better in a vertical O but I disagree. He was inaccurate in the O that is most known to increase accuracy ratings because of high % throws. He failed miserably at that. Why people think making him take lower % throws will make him more accurate is beyond me. He is constantly behind, overthrowing or sailing far above our receivers heads. I just don't see the potential there and I don't think he possesses the natural bravado to command a team moving forward.

Again I will hope otherwise but I am prepared for the most likely and the worst. I suspect Weeden will struggle and possibly not improve at all. Trent will suffer because of it but still probably turn in a good season. Norv rarely had a bad RB season even when his QB was learning. Because we will be playing from behind in most games our defense will be run on all day. Although I love the direction our D is going we invested purely to stop the passing game. You can't stop the pass if teams are ahead and running the ball down your throats.

So if Weeden fails to make a drastic improvement I think our season could possibly be even worse than last years simply because our defense may look terrible until we have a QB who can get us in position to get after the QB. I think we added soley passrushers for a reason. If Weeden succeeds the defense will flourish. If he fails the defense and team will falter causing us to be in position to finally gain a franchise QB.

Good post and I agree w/most of it. However, I will say there were times last year when Weeden got on a roll and threw several accurate passes in a row.

Let's hope he can do that consistently.

Here is how much confidence I have in Weeden in his second year. I don't think he will make it through game 4 as the starter. He doesn't see the field good enough and checks down way to often. That's why his numbers were artificially inflated last year. New coaching can only go so far. He has a long way to go and not enough time to get there imo. This maybe the year we pull a Colts and tank the season for a franchise QB in next years draft. What's another season of losing after what we have been through? Sorry to be such a downer, but that's the way I see it.

Not sure how anyone can fully access what we are going to see from Weeden until we have a chance to see live action starting in training camp.
Just the fact that he loves this new offense has to be worth some meritt. His numbes were 3 vs.12 when asked to rate the offense's from last year to this offseason. What does that tell you? He is motivated if nothing else.

The other major factor is, did he work on his footwork? From all accounts from what we read is yes.He looked uncomfortable in drop backs last year too many times.
So I am in the wait & see mode but I have a promising feel.
4 games to be benched- I'd take that bet

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Not sure how anyone can fully access what we are going to see from Weeden until we have a chance to see live action starting in training camp.

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True, but that won't stop some from predicting doom and gloom LOL

@Predator16

I'm not a Weeden fan, quite the contrary but we have to consider also that completion % is a stat also for the WR.

We tried to be successful in WCO without a procession receiver or good TEs leading to complete failure. To add to that, both Little and Momass have problems catching the ball, showing miserable completion % and although Little improved he still isn't a sure hand receiver.

Did we improve this year, on the possession receiver we did, although I still think we are far from elite or even excellent on that position, and on the TE position we are probably worse, but waiting to see what Chud saw on our TE's to lead him in the believe they were solid.

what can I say? I think he is one of the most inaccurate QBs I ever saw. his completion % is going to go way down in this offence. I think anyway. if he doesn't fix it he wont last to game 2 with jason Campbell behind him.

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I think he is one of the most inaccurate QBs I ever saw

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Huh? No where close to the inaccuracy you are projecting here. One of the most inaccurate QBs I saw was DA n he prospered in this offense until Defenses decided to take away the deep n force him w/underneath which he proved to be amazingly inaccurate at. Weeden on the other hand happens to be much more accurate underneath...why he projects to prosper this season.

Note in all fairness I used the term PROJECT in both the Negative n the Positive regardless which was my opinion.

In the end its just MHO and we will see soon enough...well actually soon is taking way too long for me...lol Man as much as I am enjoying baseball this season - I cannot wait for Football to start!

Weeden's small ball accuracy is one of the reasons that I havent given up on the kid. Preseason and early last year, his dump down and swing passes were all over the place. He was very DA like in missing everything inside 5 yards. That area of his game improved throughout the year so much that it isn't even being discussed now.

I actually feel that his accuracy will continue to improve in all areas as Chud is a master at creating the mismatch and getting receivers wide open. I guess the question is having the quick mind to make the right decision before the defense can adjust. We will know soon enough.

Fair enough and I can only hope things click for Weeden under Chud and Norv. I just didn't think he progressed much last year. He has all the physical tools in the world, but as another poster stated, he will probably be given a much shorter lease with the new coaching staff.

never bet against the browns. lost a lot betting for them though.

I think that Weeden will be a 60%+ passer in this offense. (and he has said that 70% is his goal)

Just having a solid 3rd down receiver to throw to will help dramatically. (even though Weeden was remarkably consistent as far as completing passes on 1st down, (58%) 2nd down, (57.9%) and 3rd down. (58%))

Having Bess available for 2nd and long situations will be extremely helpful for Weeden as well. Bess has an innate ability to get 1st downs.

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Not sure how anyone can fully access what we are going to see from Weeden until we have a chance to see live action starting in training camp

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LOL..........we did get to watch him last year. I don't get how so many of you can say that he is going to be good. You have less proof than those who say he won't be good. Yet, you guys make it like those who have doubts are the ones who are whacked.

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Just the fact that he loves this new offense has to be worth some meritt. His numbes were 3 vs.12 when asked to rate the offense's from last year to this offseason. What does that tell you?

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It tells me that he isn't accountable. That is not the kind of answer I would want. Blaming the coaches for his own problems is chicken crap. That comment makes me think he is even less likely to succeed.

if I could pick a system and a HC for Weeden it would be Chud and his version of the Coryell offense. If I could hand pick an OC to groom Weeden it would be Norv. Weeden still has to get it done but my comfort level of Weeden in Shurmur's WCO was probably a 3 and my comfort level with Weeden in Chud's system is probably a 10.

I really feel Weeds was never comfortable so close to the line. Now he will be in the Gun or deep in the 5 and 7 step drops. Again however, he has a lot of work to do. Norv will simplify but Weeden.

I thought turner was correct in that Grossi article last month about the areas Weeden needed to improve upon in improving his footwork and getting him to play faster. Whats the old saying everyone wants the smart QB but not one that thinks to much. Weeden was thinking to much lol.

When he stops thinking and just starts seeing and reacting, then he will have success but he must live in the film room and watch enough film that he isnt trying to figure out what the defense is doing, he will instinctively know because he has studied enough.

I couldnt find the Grossi article but here is the PFT version.

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Norv Turner isn’t sure any quarterback would have won in Cleveland last year
Posted by Josh Alper on May 20, 2013, 9:27 AM EDT
Norv Turner AP

The arrival of Brian Hoyer in Cleveland has sparked another round of discussion around Brandon Weeden and his future as the Browns quarterback.

The hiring of General Manager Mike Lombardi, the signing of Jason Campbell and Weeden’s own performance last season previously incited such conversations and it’s a safe bet that there will be more of the same in the coming days and weeks. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner thinks that the people having those conversations need to keep a little perspective about where Weeden is in his career.

Turner spoke to Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com about Weeden and pointed out some areas where Weeden needs to improve — footwork, playing faster — while also pointing out that the quarterback has “the physical skills to do what we want to do.” He also said that he thought it was wrong to make too sweeping a judgment of Weeden based on the 2012 season because it wasn’t a situation destined for success.

“I think it’s just being realistic about the position. What’s thrown this out of whack a little bit is there have been some players at the position the last couple years that have had immediate impact,” Turner said. “Sometimes that has more to do with the situation they go into as the player himself. I don’t know that there’s a lot of guys in a certain sense last year would have great success offensively at the quarterback position for a lot of reasons.”

It’s amazing how quickly the idea of giving a quarterback time to grow into the job has become as anachronistic as single-bar facemasks, but that’s the reality of a league where rookie quarterbacks seem to lead their teams to the playoffs every year. Weeden’s a slightly different case because of his age and he certainly needs to show improvement to be the guy in Cleveland, but it still seems premature to write him off before his second training camp has even started.

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Don't want to speak for Gamebreaker, but I think what he's saying in the first comment is in regards to seeing him in THIS offense. That, we haven't seen.

Unless of course you are privy to the tapes from OTA's, then of course you would know. otherwise, you are berating another poster for the joy of doing so.

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So, you are saying that we should disregard everything we saw last year and the new offense will solve all of his shortcomings?

And who is berating whom?

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And I don't get how you think that that comment makes it mean he's not accountable. I'm guessing it's just you abusing other posters again. Not exactly sure what joy you receive from that, but hey, if it makes you smile, go for it.

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Abusing posters? What the heck are you talking about. Look at your own freaking post. You make a post designed to insult me, and w/in that post you talk about me berating and abusing other posters.

Classic.

I meant what I said and said what I meant. Nothing more nothing less. But you are up to your old tricks, putting words in peoples mouths..

Go away.