2012 NFL Draft: Brandon Weeden Would Dominate Colt McCoy in QB Competition

Forget about Ryan Tannehill possibly competing with Colt McCoy for the starting job in Cleveland, Brandon Weeden thinks he could give the projected Browns starter a run for his money.

Weeden, an Oklahoma State senior, put himself right in the middle of the fray on Saturday when he told The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot that he would welcome the chance to compete with McCoy for his job next season.

The 28-year-old said that as the draft approaches, the Browns have shown a lot of interest in him and if he is selected with their second first-round pick at No. 22, his competitive juices will begin flowing immediately.

Weeden told Cabot: 

"

I know Colt had a good year last year, and he's a good football player. But I'm a competitor, and I want to play as soon as possible. I'd be excited about the opportunity to come in and compete with him and see how things pan out. 

"

Weeden added that things have gone well with Cleveland leading up to this point and he'd be excited to join the team.

One person who may not be excited to see him in training camp is McCoy, who might not take well to being challenged by someone who isn't even on his team yet.

Rumors have circulated for weeks that the Browns might take Tannehill with their No. 4 selection in the draft, and as a result, it seems like McCoy has had to spend the offseason fighting for his job without even being on the field.

Last season, McCoy—the Browns' third-round pick in 2010—threw for 2,733 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his second season in the league.

Weeden spent five seasons pitching in the Yankees' minor-league system before a torn labrum and tendinitis in his throwing shoulder forced him to change his plans.

He opted to go back to school and try his hand at football and he became the starter at Oklahoma State during his junior year. Last season, he threw for 4,727 yards, 37 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Weeden told Cabot that he doesn't require much of an adjustment period and he is ready to step in immediately as a starter in the NFL: 

"

Fortunately, I got a taste of the [West Coast] terminology at the Senior Bowl. That's the biggest adjustment. If I get an opportunity, I'll do everything in my power to come in and be the guy. 

"

Weeden is certainly talking a big game for someone who hasn't been able to break the first round in most draft projections, but perhaps the Browns will take a liking to his confidence.

Or maybe they'll stick with McCoy at quarterback and opt for another player who's a bit more subtle.