@the-gipper said:

Ben Roethlisberger D.O.B. March 2, 1982

Brandon Weeden D.O.B. October 14, 1983

Joe Flacco D.O.B. January 16, 1985

Andy Dalton D.O.B. October 29, 1987

Point being: there is no "developmental period" allocable to Brandon Weeden's career. He must be prepared to come in and start right now, this year. And he must be comparable to those other three in production, right now, this year.

Gip, I think you're being a little too hard on Weeden, even though he's a 28 year old rookie (LOL).

@cambridgeho said:

Didnt Elway win his first Super Bowl at 36 yrs old and 37 yrs old. Weeden reminds me of Dalton a bit.

That is because they are both adorable redheads....like yours truly.

@choco said:

looks like the stools better draft bens replacement next year. he's close to 30, and we know 30yo QB's cant make it in this league.

Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if they do draft a young developmental QB. After all, didn't Charlie Batch retire?

Who is their backup now?

@tour2ma said:

They did not draft Weeden to bring him along over the next couple years.

It's sink or swim for young Mr. Brandon...

Check

Zombo said:

OK, well Colt wasn't ever going to be, so good move.

Zombo

Unless, of course, we learn that Colt was not the major problem here, but perhaps the system that is being done.

If Weeden comes in and does worse, then we will know. And we will know right away because Weeden has NO wiggle room. He MUST be on a level with those other guys NOW...not two years from now....for this move to be a success.

Don't get me wrong, I think Weeden may be something...he just has to be it now.

He is to my mind a better choice that Matt Barkley or Landry Jones etc. would be if we had tabbed them next year.

I am just not certain that any QB will thrive under Pat Shurmur's tutelage. Maybe having Childress here will help.

It's sink or swim for young Mr. Brandon...

@the-gipper said:

Ben Roethlisberger D.O.B. March 2, 1982

Brandon Weeden D.O.B. October 14, 1983

Joe Flacco D.O.B. January 16, 1985

Andy Dalton D.O.B. October 29, 1987

Point being: there is no "developmental period" allocable to Brandon Weeden's career. He must be prepared to come in and start right now, this year. And he must be comparable to those other three in production, right now, this year.

OK, well Colt wasn't ever going to be, so good move.

Zombo

Colt McCoy D.O.B. September 5, 1986

Also: Seneca Wallace D.O.B. August 6, 1980