Next Up: The Quarterback Competition in Cleveland

In terms of Cleveland Browns news, this might have seemed like a great weekend for fans. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden got plenty of positive publicity. He was basically the only quarterback anyone cared about. Even the Cleveland media was giddy in their reports when discussing the type of throws the first-round pick was making. This weekend, we got a taste of what it was like to have Weeden as the team's starting quarterback. The next time Weeden participates in a minicamp/OTA, though, he won't be alone at his position: Colt McCoy and Seneca Wallace will be right there next to him.

The next full-squad practice will be on May 22, but on Monday, the players could all be working out together at various times. Weeden says he is looking forward to the competition, per an article in the Plain Dealer:

"Absolutely I think we’re just going to compete,'' said Weeden at the close of minicamp Sunday. "Nothing will change. I know Colt (McCoy's) a good guy. I know Seneca (Wallace)is a good guy. I met Seneca, so I’m looking forward to just being part of the other quarterbacks."

Weeden also alludes to the fact that the competition shouldn't be misconstrued as fierce, but that each of the quarterbacks should take the approach that they want to win the job:

"Obviously we’re all here and we're going to help each other,'' Weeen said. "We're human beings. That’s really what it comes down to. I’m going to be asking questions to those guys. They've been doing it for a couple years, Seneca for 10.''

A few days earlier, Weeden said the following about a quarterback competition:

(On if he plans to win the quarterback competition)- "That’s the approach we are all going to take. I think all of us who are here today plan on having a job. Colt’s been in the system for two years so he understands the offense, I am going to ask him questions. We are going to learn it together and compete. That’s what it’s all about. I think he would answer the same way. We are going to do whatever we can to help this team win games, plain and simple whether it’s me or him. Obviously, I hope I am the guy and I am going to do everything in my power to be that guy, but you have to take it one step at a time. I have to continue to keep learning and see how things pan out."

Wallace has already given a vote of support to helping Weeden, something he never did when Colt McCoy was the starting quarterback. When he was behind McCoy, Wallace was quite vocal about the fact that he felt he should be the starter over McCoy. Browns head coach Pat Shurmur was asked about how things will go when Weeden and McCoy are together:

(On the competition between Colt McCoy and Brandon Weeden and how much work they will be doing)- "They will all be in there together and they will all be working. Again, we don’t have it lined up yet, but they will be out there as a group getting to know each other, working with the receivers and improving."

The front office has hinted that Weeden will be the guy, and it seems pretty obvious that he will be. Shurmur probably won't tip his hand too early, but if he does, it'll probably be more beneficial just to get the "competition" questions out of the way in his news conferences.