Brandon Weeden "Completely Expects to be the Starter"

Ah, yes -- the luxuries of being an NFL quarterback: you go to the I-X Center for the Cleveland Auto Show to sign autographs, and instead you are bombarded with an impromptu unofficial press conference. That's what happened to Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden on Monday, as reporters made the quick switch from reporting on the NFL Combine to getting back to what's going on locally. Editor's note: I actually pondered this scenario with Joshua Cribbs the other day; not that "I" would do it, but I wondered if he would have fielded Browns-related questions.

[Related Links: The 5 Great Myths About Brandon Weeden]

The Akron Beacon Journal has a full transcript of everything Weeden said, so go on over and check it out. The biggest takeaway, as one would expect, is that he is confident that he will be the team's starting quarterback in 2013:

I completely expect to be the starter. That’s my mindset going in. I’m confident in my ability to be the guy, to lead this football team. I think everybody I’ve talked to that’s a veteran in this league, they say your biggest jump is from year one to year two. One, you know what to expect. But also, this is a tough league and you face so much adversity in year because everybody you’re playing against is so good. So I know what to expect now. I know everybody’s going to be good. I kind of have an idea of the teams in our division what they do defensively and stuff like that. I expect completely to be better this year than I was last year.

One reporter, in my estimation, phrased a question terribly to Weeden when they said, "Chudzinski and Banner seemed to question your work ethic. Why would they make remarks like that?" Weeden defended his workout last year, and whoever instigated that question should hang their head in shame.

Weeden also acknowledged that he was "absolutely" confident that he could beat out anyone the team might bring in. Due to league rules, Weeden also confirmed that he has yet to receive a playbook from the Browns' new coaching staff, and that contact has been minimal (again, due to league rules). Weeden said that when voluntary off-season programs begin on April 1, he will be in Berea ready to get things rolling.

Note: You can watch some of Weeden's impromptu interview here.