Why Brandon Weeden Is Ready to Be Cleveland Browns Starting QB

The Cleveland Browns used their second first-round selection on 28-year-old quarterback Brandon Weeden, so why should they wait to name him the starter? 

In a story by the Sporting News, Weeden said the following about potentially becoming the starter in Cleveland this season: 

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"I have a long way to go, but I feel like I've taken the right steps to get to where I can play at that level," Weeden said, per Cleveland newspaper The Plain Dealer. "If I'm asked to be the guy Day 1, I'm going to do everything on my part to put our team in position to win games and score points. I'm really anxious to get going and the season will be here before you know it."

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You know what? 

Weeden is ready to be the starter for the Browns and would be an upgrade over Colt McCoy. 

Nothing against McCoy, he performed admirably in tough situations over the last two seasons, but the Oklahoma State product simply brings more to the field from a skill set standpoint.

He has exceedingly better arm strength than McCoy and is just as accurate. 

Although he's not as mobile as the team's incumbent starter, at 6'4'' and 220 pounds, he's generally comfortable in the pocket, exhibits great touch on the majority of his throws and was a quality decision maker during his time in Stillwater. 

Most importantly, he won a lot of games for the Cowboys as the starter, including 11 in 2011.

Currently, the Browns don't have as many offensive weapons as Weeden had at his disposal in college, but they did draft Trent Richardson at No. 3 overall.

They should be relying on him to carry the offense in those hard-fought AFC North games in the foreseeable future.

Weeden has the makeup of an NFL starting quarterback and will be 29 years old during the 2012 season.

He represents the future, although it may not be the long-term future.

What good would the Browns be doing by starting Colt McCoy? 

None. 

Cleveland must give Weeden as many first-team snaps as possible leading into the season so they can get the most out of their strong-armed, first-round pick who presumably doesn't have ten years of solid play left in the tank. 

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