BEREA—Pat Shurmur made the announcement official that Brandon Weeden will be the Browns starting quarterback.
“Brandon Weeden will start the Detroit game (Friday) and will be (the starter) going forward,” Shurmur said after Monday’s practice. “The No. 2 (quarterback) will be determined as we go forward.”
The news came as no surprise to those who’ve followed practice as Weeden has run almost exclusively with the first unit. Still the same, Weeden was happy the announcement was made official.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I’ve busted my tail for the 10 practices we’ve had and have had my ups and downs, but I feel I’ve come a long way.”
Weeden said his approach won’t change.
“My preparation won’t change,” he said. “We play Friday and my job doesn’t change as it is to win games.
“I’ve been going with the ones and I approach it going with that group as the leader,” he said. “If I was with the second group, I would lead that group.”
Weeden said he feels very comfortable in the offense.
“I know what’s going on,” he said. “I joke in the huddle with the guys. The chemistry is good and I have a better feel than I did when camp started.”
Weeden said his goal was to be the starter after the Browns drafted him with the 22nd pick of the first round, but he said he took nothing for granted.
“You never know,” he said. “My mindset was to come in and battle and however it panned out, that would all be based on wins and losses. I wanted to be the guy out there.”
Weeden had a couple nice completions in practice to Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi down the field, while McCoy hit Rod Windsor for a score on the final play of practice.
Shurmur said he’s excited to see Weeden in a game and it will be a good test against the Lions defense.
“Brandon is an outstanding thrower,” Shurmur said. “He makes good decisions and he’s wired right. I’m excited to see him and all our players (in a game).
“(The Lions) take pride in rushing the passer,” he said. “It will be a good test.”
Shurmur was asked if his decision is as close to being final, as possible.
“Brandon’s the starter moving forward,” We’re not looking back.”
Seneca Wallace ran with the second team during the 11-on-11 scrimmage at the end of practice, but Shurmur said not to read much into that.
“There was no significance to that,” he said. “I wouldn’t read into it. I spoke to all three guys separately. We’ve talked very openly and they will continue to compete.”
Shurmur was asked who would go in after Weeden plays most likely the first quarter.
“Probably Colt will be the second in,” Shurmur said.
McCoy said he found out that Weeden was starting just before practice.
“It is what it is,” he said. “You’ll continue to get the best from me. I love Cleveland, I love the team and have worked so hard on so many things, but they did name Brandon the starter.”McCoy was asked if he would ask to be traded.
“Every day I approach practice as a professional and will continue to do,” he said. “I just learned about it. We’ll see what happens.”
Notebook
Rubin in Pads: DL Ahtyba Rubin was back in pads for Monday’s practice as was TE Evan Moore. LB Kaluka Maiava was in LB Chris Gocong’s (Achilles) place.
Injury Report: TE Ben Watson (undisclosed), DE Frostee Rucker (leg), DL Phil Taylor (pectoral), WR Carlton Mitchell (leg) and DB Usama Young (undisclosed) sat out Monday’s practice. DL Brian Schaefering was back practicing.
