Is Brandon Weeden growing as Cleveland Browns QB? Hey, Mary Kay!
By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
on August 03, 2013 at 10:05 PM, updated August 03, 2013 at 10:06 PM
Hey, Mary Kay: With the first week of training camp done, how has Brandon Weeden looked so far? Does he seem to be more confident and in command of this offense? -- Paul Vocca, Cottonwood, Ariz.
Hey, Paul: Weeden has had his ups and downs in camp but is making steady progress. He's made some tremendous passes, but it also getting a few batted down and picked off. His footwork is quicker and the ball is coming out with great velocity, but the offense is new and the defense is giving him multiple looks. At times, his decision-making could be quicker, and they're constantly working with him on that. Jason Campbell is still clearly No. 2, but has an edge in quicker decisions and consistency.
Hey, Mary Kay: How is Michael Edwards, number 86 doing? -- Mary Cornellison, Glendora, Calif.
Hey, Mary: Edwards, a rookie free agent wideout from Texas-El Paso, is sure-handed and has been impressive. Working mostly with the third team, he gets open and catches almost everything. He'll probably be a candidate for the practice squad.
Hey, Mary Kay: Is there a chance Monterio Hardesty doesn't make the team? -- Angelo Costanzo, Cleveland
Hey, Angelo: Hardesty is suffering from a hamstring tendon injury, which isn't helping his case. There's great competition at the running back position, and Hardesty needs to be on the field to fight for a spot. The Browns really like Dion Lewis, Chris Ogbonnaya and Brandon Jackson.
Hey, Mary Kay: Is this the year we can at least get a split from our division rivals and go 3-3 instead of 0-6 or 1-5? And when are the new uniforms coming? -- Tim Frank, Delaware, Ohio
Hey, Tim: I think the Browns will give their AFC foes some better battles this year, especially with their relentless pass rush. I think Joe Flacco, Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton will get all they can handle from Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard, Desmond Bryant and Barkevious Mingo. 3-3 in the division isn't out of the question as long as the offense can keep pace.
Hey, Mary Kay: We've seen so many different predictions about Brandon Weeden. I'm sure that Chud's system will be a better fit for Weeds, but based off of what you've seen so far, how much better do you think Weeden will be? Do you think he will speed up his game? It's hard watching these Cleveland quarterbacks look so indecisive. -- Sarah Wilson, Denver
Hey, Sarah: We won't have a clear picture of how much better Weeden will be until we see him in some preseason games with at least some bona fide pass rush. The system suits him, but he still has to be more accurate on the deep ball. Sometimes he overthrows the deep pass, which can be a strength if he reins it in. His quicker footwork looks good. Right now, he's thinking a split-second too long, but that should improve through the preseason.
Hey, Mary Kay: Do you think making the defense at training camp tougher, faster and more complex will help Brandon Weeden's progression in reading defenses better and get him more comfortable for the tough AFC north defenses he will be seeing? -- TheBrownHound, Hampton, Va.
Hey, TheBrownHound: Absolutely! Weeden is seeing a ton of multiple looks from Ray Horton's attacking defense and it's helping him get ready for Dick LeBeau's Blitzburgh defense and Baltimore's vaunted unit. He never knows where the pressure is coming from and what kind of front he'll be facing. It doesn't always look pretty in camp, but if he can throw touchdowns against Paul Kruger, Jabaal Sheard and Barkevious Mingo, he'll be better prepared for Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs.
Hey, Mary Kay: What are the chances the Browns keep a FB? And what are the chances the Browns keep two kickers? -- Nathanael Ressler, Mount Vernon, Ill.
Hey, Nathanael: I think former fourth-round pick Owen Marecic is on the bubble, but Chris Ogbonnaya can play fullback if needed. The Browns also recently signed fourth-year fullback Brock Bolen for a look. They'll keep their eyes on the waiver wire. I don't think they'll keep two kickers. If veteran Shayne Graham and rookie Brandon Bogotay are even, I think you have to go with the rookie so he can grow with the team.
Hey, Mary Kay: A lot has been made of the new regime's panning of our 2012 draft picks in the first round and the supplemental draft. What would they have done differently? I liked all three picks myself. -- Bob Mercer, Toledo
Hey, Bob: They might've gone with cornerback Morris Claiborne at No. 4 in 2012, or perhaps traded down. They might've bid a fourth-round pick for Josh Gordon, but not a second. I doubt they would've drafted Weeden at all, based on Mike Lombardi's pre- and post-draft evaluation. They might've signed a veteran quarterback last year to get them through until they could solve the problem effectively.
Hey, Mary Kay: How is Jordan Cameron doing? -- Carter Hall, Cleveland
Hey, Carter: Cameron is gettin the ball early and often in camp, and is making good progress. But when it comes to fighting defensive backs or linebackers for the ball, he's losing too many of those battles. But the coaches like him, and plan to feature him plenty in the new scheme.
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