Last year, Brandon Weeden came into the Cleveland Browns organization as a rookie quarterback from Oklahoma State.
Brandon Weeden: ‘It’s my job to take control’
The Browns quarterback has some work to do with a team that has only been in the playoffs once since becoming a franchise again in 1999.
Eric P. Mull-US PRESSWIRE
This year, Weeden has the challenge of having a brand new head coach in Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator in Norv Turner. Not to mention that Weeden has the pressure of already being 29 years old.
Weeden knows he needs to step up as one of the oldest players on the team with a new regime in place, according to cleveland.com.
Weeden acknowledged that “this is probably the biggest time of my entire career, just because the rookie year is tough. Going into year two, you’ve got to show you can play. You’ve got to show you can make adjustments, and grow from year one. That’s my main focus, just get better and help this team win games and ultimately get to the playoffs and do what we all want to do and win as many as we can. That’s what we’re here for.”
Weeden then went further, asserting himself as the man who needs to be depended on, per the article:
“Now that it’s my second year, it’s my job to take control, be the guy, and be the leader,” he said. “I lead by example but I think there’s a comfort level there now that maybe wasn’t there last year just because I was still learning. This year I’m a little bit more proactive and kind of being the guy that’s kind of leading the way.”
With so much change in the front office -- including a new general manager in Mike Lombardi -- Weeden has to show he’s worth a serious investment both in time and money. Weeden is obviously not your typical second-year player.
Next year's draft is likely to be loaded with quarterback talent, potentially featuring Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M and Teddy Bridgewater of Louisville, just to name a few. Should Weeden be uninspiring, he could be on the bench or looking for another job quickly.
In 2012, Weeden was erratic as many rookies are, throwing for 3,385 yards to accompany 14 touchdowns, 17 interceptions and three fumbles. He did have bright moments though, giving Browns fans hope.
His best game was against the Oakland Raiders, 25-for-36 for 364 yards, despite a pair of interceptions.
It's a pivotal year for the Browns, who went out in the offseason and signed outside linebacker Paul Kruger away from the Baltimore Ravens to bolster the defense.
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