QB Weeden ready to go for Browns

By Mary Kay Cabot

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Brandon Weeden knows he’s on the fast track to be the Browns’ starting quarterback, and it can’t happen soon enough.

“I feel like I’m ready,” Weeden said. “I have a long way to go, but I feel like I’ve taken the right steps to get to where I can play at that level.

“If I’m asked to be the guy [on] day one, I’m going to do everything on my part to put our team in position to win games and score points. I’m really anxious to get going and the season will be here before you know it.”

Weeden, the No. 22 overall pick, said he’s been inspired by the rookie quarterbacks who started last season.

“You see guys like Andy Dalton and Cam Newton and Christian Ponder that came in, these guys played relatively soon. That’s what I mentioned to teams the entire time, that my maturity in baseball will help,” he said. “There’s going to be a learning curve. It’s going to be a challenge, but I have a lot of faith in my ability to play football.”

Weeden, who will attend rookie camp May 11-13, said he’s been mostly insulated from the buzz his selection generated, including the impact on the status of Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace.

“I understand how that works,” he said. “It’s a business and there’s a lot that goes into it, but honestly, I’m still in Oklahoma trying to get all my stuff together, so I’m not in Cleveland, which probably makes it a little bit different.

“Those are two great quarterbacks and they’ve had a lot of success at that level. It’s kind of something you need, kind of relying on them, getting help from those guys. Like I said, I’m just really just champing at the bit to get to Cleveland and get going on learning this offense and meeting the guys around me and start working to win a lot of football games.”

Weeden also knows he’s been asked to elevate the play of the current crop of receivers. The Browns also drafted Miami (Fla.) speedster Travis Benjamin.

“It’s all about the chemistry,” said Weeden. “It’s all about comfort, trusting the guys you’re throwing it to and letting them make a play. That’s going to take some time, working with these guys and getting a feel for what each guy can do.

“I look forward to us pushing each other and getting the most out of each other.”

One of Weeden’s Oklahoma State targets, Josh Cooper, is coming to Cleveland as an undrafted free agent. Cooper was Oklahoma State’s second-leading receiver last season behind Justin Blackmon, with 71 catches for 715 yards and three TDs.

“We came in the same year and he’s a guy that’s made a lot of big-time plays for us at Oklahoma State,” said Weeden. “Josh is actually going to live with me, so we’ll be able to help each other learn this entire system and get through this entire process.”