BEREA, Ohio (AP) – The way Brandon Weeden sees it, nothing’s changed. He’s still Cleveland’s starter.
Sure, he was aware the Browns had worked out several top college quarterbacks leading into April’s draft, but they didn’t pick one. He’s also mindful that veteran Jason Campbell can beat him out if he’s not on his game. And, Weeden knows there are those who doubt he can be a successful NFL quarterback.
It’s up to him to prove them wrong.
“I want to be the guy,” he said.
Weeden spoke Thursday after the Browns wrapped up their third and final day of organized team activities (OTAs), where all eyes were on the second-year QB, who had an uneven rookie year. During a 10-minute session with reporters, Weeden talked about his improvement, his growing confidence in coach Rob Chudzinski’s offense and his comfort in working with coordinator Norv Turner.
As for the draft, Weeden said he didn’t worry about whether the Browns would take a quarterback to challenge or replace him.
“I didn’t really read into it one way or the other,” he said. “I wasn’t too concerned with it. I was up here the days before the draft and the days after the draft preparing just like I have every other day. That was the way I was every other day. That was probably my least concern. I was worried about this team getting better and getting back to work.”
Weeden has been working hard on his craft and he believes he’s showing Cleveland’s new coaching staff that he can be a franchise QB.
“I hope they see not only what I do out here, but how I’m handling myself working and doing all of those other things,” he said. “This means a lot to me. This is my job and I take it seriously. I want to be the guy. I want to build off last year, and I think we’re going to be a better football team and in a lot of ways, and I want to be a part of it.”
Weeden said he was sharper in the two days leading up to the one practice open to media members this week. He made several nice throws, including a long TD to newly acquired slot receiver Davone Bess. But there was also an interception by Tashaun Gipson and star cornerback Joe Haden broke up a few of Weeden’s passes.
“My third day wasn’t as good as my first two,” he said. “I told Joe (Haden), `You got me today, but I won the first two.’ Today, completion-wise wasn’t what it was the first two days. We weren’t functioning like we were on offense. But the first two days, we were flying around, we were making a bunch of plays. Not that we didn’t today, but guys are understanding it.
“We’re playing fast.”
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