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Weeden sharp as Browns win in Chudzinski’s debut
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The Browns’ Travis Benjamin (80), escorted by teammate Trevin Wade (26), eludes the Rams’ Mike McNeill and returns a punt 91 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of a preseason NFL game Thursday in Cleveland. The Browns won 27--19.
Associated Press
Cleveland
Brandon Weeden made coach Rob Chudzinski’s debut a success, and may have stopped any quarterback controversy before it started.
Weeden threw a touchdown pass and led Cleveland on two scoring drives, and Travis Benjamin returned a punt 91 yards for a TD as the Browns won Chudzinski’s first exhibition game, 27-19 over the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night.
Weeden finished 10 of 13 for 112 yards, a performance that should help end any talk of a quarterback competition in Cleveland. Chudzinski has not yet chosen Weeden his starter, but the second-year QB did everything he needed to secure the job.
Weeden hooked up with running back Dion Lewis, starting for Trent Richardson, for a 2-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter.
St. Louis quarterback Sam Bradford threw a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Givens as Rams coach Jeff Fisher left his starting offense in after Benjamin’s runback made it 17-0. Bradford went 5 of 8 for 102 yards, including 59 on a deep ball over the middle to Givens.
Greg Zuerlein kicked field goals of 54 and 55 yards for the Rams.
The Browns are counting on Weeden to take a major step following an up-and-down rookie year. Chudzinski and new coordinator Norv Turner have tailored Cleveland’s offense to better suit Weeden, who has won over his teammates with his work ethic during the offseason.
Now, all the soon-to-be 30-year-old has to do is convince skeptical Cleveland fans that he can be the man. This was an ideal start.
Weeden looked composed as he led the Browns to 10 points on their first two possessions.