Starting QB: Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert backs Brandon Weeden to take no 1 spot-NFL News
Cleveland Browns’ general manager, Tom Heckert, has admitted the fact that in spite of leaving the starting position open for a competition between the experienced and rookie quarterbacks, Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden, he wants the latter to play into the
leading role at the earliest.
The GM’s wishful statement has come after coach, Pat Shurmur’s remarks of not giving anything to anyone at Browns, emphasising the point that the rookie will have to work for the leading position.
Heckert, on the other hand, has backed Weeden to be his guy on the starting line straightaway. He, at the same time, refrained from clarifying himself in favour of or against the quarterback competition.
The GM, who was speaking at a banquet Browns hosted for their fans, said that the team had hired Weeden with intent of trying him out at the starting line from his first season.
Heckert said:
"You can write about it and talk about it however you want. The best guy is going to play and we fully expect Brandon to be that guy. That's our goal is to have him be the guy.”
He added:
“I think when we say, open competition, the best guy's going to play, that's just the way it is. But we drafted Brandon Weeden to be that guy. (You) draft a guy 22nd in the draft, you think he's going to be that guy."
Browns are set to start the organised team activities (OTAs) from Tuesday, May 22. Both players are expected to participate in workout along with other teammates.
This comes as a good opportunity for the QBs to show their credentials for the starting role.
McCoy, who has performed into the role many times before, will be rather comfortable to be back at the line.
Weeden, on the other hand, is new to the pro environment and game challenges. Moreover, he has only two seasons’ experience of playing as a QB in the college league.
In view of these factors, the player might face some difficulties to compete with McCoy, for the initial period at least.
However, he is coming out of the college league as the third best QB in the 2012 National Football League (NFL) draft, and is well capable of posing a real challenge to his competitor.
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