Browns’ Weeden growing more confident

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

With every snap, every practice, every pass, Brandon Weeden senses his confidence grow.

That’s a major step for Cleveland’s rocket-armed rookie quarterback, who acknowledged that the first few days of training camp this summer left him dizzy.

“When I came in and we were calling plays, my head was spinning so fast I couldn’t even see what was going on in front of me,” he said.

Weeden is focused now. And, on target.

The 28-year-old closed camp on Wednesday with perhaps his best practice as a pro. Stepping into his throws with power, Weeden displayed a surgeon’s precision as he zipped completions all over the field as the Browns focused their workout on red-zone scoring. He hit his receivers in stride and showed deft touch on underneath routes, swing passes and screens.

Afterward, Weeden, his own biggest critic, felt he had done OK.

“I think I had a pretty good day, but as I tell you guys all the time I haven’t seen the tape,” he said. “It’s never as good or never as bad as you think it is. But overall I think it was my best day of camp — without seeing the tape. ... I’m not where I need to be but I’m making steps in the right direction.”

Browns coach Pat Shurmur thought his starting QB made more strides.

“He made some very good throws,” Shurmur said.

This was the Weeden the Browns have been waiting to see. This was the guy they were counting on when they traded up in April’s draft to take him with the No. 22 overall selection — much earlier than many experts thought the Oklahoma State standout and former minor league pitcher expected.

Weeden is blooming at just the right time.

Following a rough debut in Cleveland’s exhibition opener at Detroit, Weeden bounced back last week with a strong performance in a win at Green Bay. Playing the entire first half, Weeden completed 12 of 20 passes for 118 yards. He was in rhythm, got rid of the ball quickly and didn’t force any throws.

Not that Weeden needed to validate his selection as Cleveland’s starter over Colt McCoy, but the outing certainly eased any nerves the Browns may have been feeling as they prepare for a rugged regular-season schedule.

Weeden is hoping to build off last week’s game tonight, when the Browns host the Philadelphia Eagles, who in a scheduling quirk, will return to Cleveland on Sept. 9 for the season opener. By then, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick’s bruised ribs should be healed, though the Browns can keep their fingers crossed.