Former Browns QB Bernie Kosar has a loose role with the current Browns.
He has a blog and offered some insight on how RB Trent Richardson will help any Cleveland QB but he assumes that Weeden will be the starter so his take is reference to how T-Rich will help a rookie QB like Weeden.
He makes a couple of excellent points on how a RB like Trent Richardson can have a positive impact on the offense but specifically for a rookie QB.
Fomer Browns QB Bernie Kosar's blog
... Theres no doubt about the type of impact a great running back can have on a teams success.
You look at Marshall Faulk when Kurt Warner came to St. Louis and the Rams won the Super Bowl. You look at Adrian Peterson when Brett Favre went to the NFC Championship game with the Vikings.
And I dont want to put the pressure on Trent Richardson, but I believe he has the opportunity to be talked about in the same breath as those types of running backs. He has that many God-given gifts, abilities, along with tremendous passion for the game.
But when you have guys like that it makes defensive coordinators and defenses play that eighth man in the box, play that extra guy up there. It puts single coverage outside. It significantly simplifies pass defenses.
So, in turn, it actually makes it easier for your quarterback because he gets easier defenses to read. He gets one-on-one coverage, and then he has the ability to run the ball and be on the positive side in down-and-distance situations. And Trent is the kind of running back who doesnt have to leave the field.
Im a big fan of Trents coach at Alabama, Nick Saban, in terms of how he coaches and teaches his guys. His guys are NFL-ready and for a superstar runner like Trent to be not only a constant threat as a runner but to also have the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pass protect is something special.
To have someone back there who can pick up the linebackers, handle the blitzes, chip on offensive linemen and then release gives you the chance to play more of a well-rounded, physical game. And I really believe it makes the whole team a more physical, tougher a more Cleveland-area type of approach.
I just think its going to add a lot of benefits to the team.
Defensive coordinators are going to have to game-plan to stop the run with Richardson which means they will bring a safety up in the box and put them into easier to read pass coverages like man-to-man and single coverages to one-side of the field. Very easy reads for any QB but very helpful for a rookie QB to read.Then T-Rich will put the team into more third and short downs.
He also is an excellent pass receiver out of the backfield, he may not be split wide but he will get many designed plays in the flat or screens. Also he is an excellent pass protector so defenses can never assume he's going out, he may stay in to block but he's also excellent chipping and then going out on delayed routes.
He will have a major positive impact on the Browns QB situation.
Oh and the selection of ORT Mitchell Schwartz at the top of the second round is also going to have a major positive impact on the overall play of the Browns O-Line. He started 51 games at Cal, he's ready to take over immediately. The biggest weakness on the Browns was at ORT IMHO. Cleveland's ORTs have been putrid. He will instantly upgrade the right side which will free the TE to go out on routes instead of having to stay back to help out the woefull right side. Mitchell can handle the strong side pass protection and he's a tough run blocker as well. He will make the Browns ambidextrious where they can run to either side of their line and won't only have to run behind OLT Joe Thomas on the left side.
One other aspect that I have discoveed about Weeden.
He's a fast learner. He picks up things very quickly.
My major concern with him is I felt he would need at least two solid years before he can master the WCO but he played four sports in high school before getting drafted by the Yankees. He picked up the Oklahoma State offense very quickly. Yeah, its an easy offense but Weeden picked it up quicker than anyone according to his head coach. His other coaches in baseball said he also picked up things quickly.
The WCO is tough for young rookies to master and the extra added detriment of coming from a spread that never huddled was a red flag for me. Not just learning the pro-set and setting up from under center but the tough part is doing timed drops and if you are familiar with the WCO the use of a 'hitch-step' to get that extra half-second of extra time on a drop and throw off defenses who try to jump routes all in conjunction with timed patterns of receivers. It is more complex than people assume but if Weeden is a quick study then he has a chance to be better coming out of the gates than I originally felt.
The Browns still lack a legit #! WR but they do have a couple of receiving TEs who didn't see the feild much last year becaue they had to use TEs who could stay in to help the ORT. This year guys like Evan Moore and Jordan Cameron should see the field more and T-Rich will be a big upgrade as a reciver coming out of the backfield. Also Waldman mentioned that WR Carlton Mitchell outran the weak arm of QB Colt McCoy on the handful of deep throws that were attempted. So if teams load the box it will open up the backside to deep throws and Weeden has the arm to get it there and he has an accurate deep ball. Something the Browns only had with Derrick Anderson but DA couldn't hit short throws to save his life whereas Weeden has touch to go with his big arm (he hit on over 71% of his passes last year).
I'm not predicting major immediate success but he could make some noise his rookie season as it appears the team is doing everything possible to make him the starter on opening day.
Could be more here than meets the eye at first glance.
