<![CDATA[Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4]]>http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/09/brandon_weeden_report_card_wee_1.html#incart_river

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Quarterback is arguably the most important position in pro football. Of the quarterback's many responsibilities, throwing the ball is by far the most important -- especially in today's NFL. The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com will track the Cleveland Browns' passing plays this season using a series of categories. The objective is to search for clues/patterns/tendencies that can help explain why rookie Brandon Weeden -- or, if the need arises, a sub -- performed the way he did.

Any analysis of Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden's performance at Baltimore on Thursday should begin with two harsh realities.

• The Browns lost to the Ravens, 23-16. Quarterbacks are paid to win games, and Weeden's team has opened the season 0-4 with him as quarterback. The Browns have lost 10 in a row dating to last season, the longest such streak in the NFL right now.

• Weeden threw a pick-6 that was the point difference in the game. His third-quarter pass, intended for Travis Benjamin near the left sideline, ended up in the hands of corner Cary Williams, who returned it 63 yards to give the Ravens a 23-10 lead. Weeden seemed to guide the pass instead of zipping it, throwing a changeup instead of a fastball, and the result was game-altering. Quarterbacks cannot afford to make those mistakes.

Even factoring in the loss and the interception, though, Weeden's performance provided plenty of positive signs. His base stat line -- 25-of-52 for 320 yards, one interception, one sack -- is not indicative of how well he played. Nor is his passer rating (59.8) and Total Quarterback Rating (10.1).

The passer rating and Total QBR are good barometers, but they cannot take everything into account. The passer rating, in particular, does not reflect quality of throws and quality of opponent. Just because a quarterback completes a high percentage, throws a couple of touchdowns and is not intercepted does not automatically mean he played at a high level.

Weeden faced a superb opponent in a hostile environment in prime time and put his team in position to win. Yes, the veteran Ravens were playing their fourth game in 18 days and seemed a tad sluggish. And yes, their pass defense is far from impressive through four games. But they are the Ravens, they have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and they were on home turf. The intimidation factor alone typically is good for any combination of sacks, turnovers and points.

After a dvr review of every Browns pass play against the Ravens, it is easy to see that this was Weeden's best game to date given the circumstances, which included rain and no Mohamed Massaquoi. Even though Weeden had impressive stats and ratings in Week 2 at Cincinnati, he was better at Baltimore. He certainly was better than in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills in Cleveland.

If Weeden had played against Buffalo the way he played Thursday night, the Browns likely would have won. But he didn't, and they didn't.

Some nuggets from the Baltimore game:

1. Browns receivers let down their quarterback. What appeared to be problematic in real time was that much worse in review -- by far the most glaring in the four games. Of the 27 incompletions, 10 hit receivers' hands/gloves before hitting the ground. All 10 were not pinpoint-accurate throws -- most were high -- and the ball was wet, but upper-tier receivers would be disappointed not to catch them. The most painful for the Browns and their fans was Greg Little's failure to secure a high ball from 34 yards as he fell into the end zone in the fourth quarter. The Browns settled for a field goal to pull within 23-16.

Stat: The 10 incompletions that hit receivers' hands/gloves totaled 148 yards in the air. If the receivers made just half of those plays for half of the yards, and not adding any yards after catch, Weeden would have been 30-of-52 for 394 yards and one touchdown and one pick.

2. Weeden protected the football. On the majority of Cleveland's pass plays, the Ravens brought moderate to heavy pressure using anywhere from three to seven rushers. Weeden was hit before, during and after throws. But, save for a few minutes in the first quarter, he exhibited a veteran's calm. Several times Weeden stepped up to find a throwing lane and threw strikes downfield. If a quarterback not blessed with speed and quickness is going to succeed in the NFL, he needs to make the pocket his friend. Weeden did so, as much as that is possible.

Stat: Weeden was sacked once, for minus-6 yards, in 53 drop-backs.

3. Weeden did not force the issue. As bad as the interception was, it was not a force. Weeden makes that pass in his sleep; he simply did not execute. Throughout the game, the Ravens attempted to bait him into some throws and panic him into others using a variety of amoeba blitzes and coverage schemes. He did not give them the satisfaction.

Stat: Weeden threw one interception, which did not result from Baltimore's pass rush, in 52 attempts.

4. Weeden responded to adversity. He did not let the pick-6 unnerve him.

Stat: In his first four passes after the interception, Weeden went 4-of-4 for 49 yards.

5. Weeden made high-caliber throws. On a scale of 1 (lousy) to 3 (expected from NFL quarterback) to 5 (superb), he averaged 3.14 on 44 graded passes. (Spikes, throwaways and passes altered by hits are not graded). He was at 2.8 against the Bills, who are not nearly as daunting as the Ravens and were playing in Cleveland in largely favorable weather.

Stat: Weeden had 20 passes graded 4 or 5.

6. Weeden finally connected on a legitimate long ball. Through three games, he and his big arm had completed one pass that traveled 21 or more yards in the air -- a 22-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin against Buffalo. In the second quarter at Baltimore, Weeden threw on target while under pressure and connected with Greg Little deep down the left side. Credit the embattled Little with an excellent play, as well.

Stat: On second-and-10, Weeden connected with Little on a 43-yard pass to the Baltimore 39.

7. Weeden recognized mismatches, which he had not been doing in the previous three weeks. One in particular stands out. It came against the Browns' nemesis, Ravens safety Ed Reed, in the third quarter. Weeden saw that Reed was in man-coverage against tight end Jordan Cameron, and made sure to get him the ball.

Stat: On second-and-10, Cameron overpowered Reed and came open for a 15-yard completion on second-and-10.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/24252/brandon-weeden-report-card-week-4RSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 13:53:48 GMTSat, 29 Sep 2012 15:59:33 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:34:04 GMT]]>

@roach said:

I don't care if he averages 450 yards per game.

Here is the weird part. If Colt had the same weapons such as TR last year, we wouldn't have drafted high enough to draft TR.

You like height and arm strength, I like wins.

roach (based on your preferences, I'm sure you hated to see Paul McDonald go and hated Sipe)

This has to be one of the dumbest posts that I have read. When you try and knock Weeden for having weapons all you can name is one- Richardson- who hasn't produced enough to be called a weapon. He has averaged about 55 yards per game rushing and 30 yards per game receiving (This is not a knock on #33. It is too early to tell anything about any of our rookies). The second part of the post only gets worse. How could anyone call Colt McCoy a winner with his record as a starter? Whatever wins Colt got in his rookie year should be credited to the Browns rushing game that year and Phil Dawson. The agenda posters (mostly McCoy homers or anti H-H-S guys) are annoying. Bring something new and valuable to a discussion for once please.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306238https://brownsboard.com/post/306238Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:34:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:28:13 GMT]]>I agree with that.

I spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights in hotel rooms to watch the Browns, and you know I make more than a couple of games a year.....I make nearly all of them. I drop about $700 minimum every time I come up, and that doesn't include ticket cost, so no doubt, I/we can bitch a little louder than the guy who sits at the house or maybe ventures to a local bar to catch the game.

I always have a few tickets to sell every year and make it known. None of the people pissing and moaning about us pissing and moaning has ever bought a ticket from me.

As far as I am concerned, they can STFU. Fans go to games. Cheerleaders adjust their Bra's* before heading to the easy chair or local bar.

*No offense to the real fans who actually have a reason to wear a Bra.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306189https://brownsboard.com/post/306189Tue, 02 Oct 2012 23:28:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:10:25 GMT]]>

@hoorta said:

It's not that we're forced to buy tickets. In actuality, if you're a long time season ticket holder- unless you're super rich, you are forced to renew your tickets every year- as the cost of buying back premium PSLs on eBay or Craglist would be prohibitive- like $10,000 per seat- and up. Waiting for someone to croak who has lower deck seats between the 30s without leaving them in a will just doesn't happen.

After spending all that cash every year- it sure isn't unreasonable in the parity driven NFL to expect better than 3 winning seasons out of the last 20. 🙁 A Super Bowl win sometime in my lifetime would be a nice plus, I really don't know how I'd react if that ever happened.

Agreed Hoorta. It is easy for someone to spew nonsense when they sit in their living room every Sunday.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306183https://brownsboard.com/post/306183Tue, 02 Oct 2012 22:10:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:11:48 GMT]]>

@daninnyc said:

No one is forced to buy tickets. If you don't enjoy rooting for the Browns don't buy tickets. To me, it is goofy to act like the sky is falling when a team as raw as ours loses close games to teams like the Ravens, Eagles, Bills, and Bengals. But if you look at it that way, I guess you wouldn't be able to perpetually complain in posts.

It's not that we're forced to buy tickets. In actuality, if you're a long time season ticket holder- unless you're super rich, you are forced to renew your tickets every year- as the cost of buying back premium PSLs on eBay or Craglist would be prohibitive- like $10,000 per seat- and up. Waiting for someone to croak who has lower deck seats between the 30s without leaving them in a will just doesn't happen.

After spending all that cash every year- it sure isn't unreasonable in the parity driven NFL to expect better than 3 winning seasons out of the last 20. 🙁 A Super Bowl win sometime in my lifetime would be a nice plus, I really don't know how I'd react if that ever happened.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306155https://brownsboard.com/post/306155Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:11:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:04:24 GMT]]>

@brownfish said:

Who cares how many yards you pass for if you don't win...or at the very least control the game and tempo

Winning is a team stat.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306132https://brownsboard.com/post/306132Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:04:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:53:47 GMT]]>Who cares how many yards you pass for if you don't win...or at the very least control the game and tempo

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306127https://brownsboard.com/post/306127Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:53:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:47:06 GMT]]>

@roach said:

This post is plain goofy. How about keeping in perspective the fans that actually "pay" to go the games?

No one is forced to buy tickets. If you don't enjoy rooting for the Browns don't buy tickets. To me, it is goofy to act like the sky is falling when a team as raw as ours loses close games to teams like the Ravens, Eagles, Bills, and Bengals. But if you look at it that way, I guess you wouldn't be able to perpetually complain in posts.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306109https://brownsboard.com/post/306109Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:47:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:57:16 GMT]]>

@brownfish said:

Stats so far 1/4 of the way through the season

Weedy is:

29th in completions

29th in YDS per pass

Tied 1st Most INT

31st TD

31st QB Rating

32 in WINS

This game should be the turning point...he has to win this one or we are 0-5 it doesn't matter if he is the next staubach...he was benched too. He needs to realize that this isn't a game anymore.

You want WINS- better root for another team this year. BW is ahead of Schaub and Rivers in total yards.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306077https://brownsboard.com/post/306077Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:57:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:18:15 GMT]]>Stats so far 1/4 of the way through the season

Weedy is:

29th in completions

29th in YDS per pass

Tied 1st Most INT

31st TD

31st QB Rating

32 in WINS

This game should be the turning point...he has to win this one or we are 0-5 it doesn't matter if he is the next staubach...he was benched too. He needs to realize that this isn't a game anymore.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306061https://brownsboard.com/post/306061Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:18:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:08:24 GMT]]>

@daninnyc said:

Please keep things in perspective before damning the fans who actually pay enough attention to the game to see real improvement.

This post is plain goofy. How about keeping in perspective the fans that actually "pay" to go the games?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306060https://brownsboard.com/post/306060Tue, 02 Oct 2012 03:08:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:08:22 GMT]]>Expect to win.......my motto for decades.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306044https://brownsboard.com/post/306044Tue, 02 Oct 2012 00:08:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:40:33 GMT]]>

@hoorta said:

"Get Better"? I was hoping we didn't get embarrassed on National TV when we played the Ravens. Ditto that Sunday when we play a very ornery Giants team in the media capital of America Sunday.

Exactly my point. I have an expectation to win, rather that a hope not to be embarrassed.

I expect us to beat the Giants, despite who the QB turns out to be.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/306034https://brownsboard.com/post/306034Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:40:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:02:06 GMT]]>

@roach said:

Boy, Browns fans sure have changed. Most of us used to go into Sundays expecting a win. Now, many of us go into Sundays hoping to get "better." I miss the old days.

"Get Better"? I was hoping we didn't get embarrassed on National TV when we played the Ravens. Ditto that Sunday when we play a very ornery Giants team in the media capital of America Sunday.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305994https://brownsboard.com/post/305994Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:02:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:00:18 GMT]]>

@nw220 said:

Honestly with the way the season has looked I'm just hoping to go 4-12 and that's two wins against pittsburgh and 1 a piece between Cincy and B-More....that way when we switch over in ownership we hopefully end up with the #1 pick....Auction it off or take Geno Smith hope we really didn't screw ourselves missing out on RG3 and that he is the real deal......that's where my state of mind is don't put to much tread on T Rich but let the league know he is the real deal and we have a true blue chip back. Expect big things in the future the night is always darkest before the dawn

Yeah- I'll give the Browns 4 wins too. If they can't beat Indy on the road, May not even be that good. Winnable games at Oakland and KC at home. If they can somehow beat the fading Steelers for a change, or upset the Bengals it's a big plus.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305993https://brownsboard.com/post/305993Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:00:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:33:37 GMT]]>Geno Smith > Matt Barkley. The placement of Geno's passes on Saturday [and the rest of the season, really] was worthy of a top-10 pick. Geno hits his receivers in stride, putting the ball in the correct spot given both the receiver route and location of the defender. Barkley just isn't that good.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305989https://brownsboard.com/post/305989Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:33:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:20:24 GMT]]>

@roach said:

LOL. Nobody has used words like moxie or spunky except you. What I know is that we were two errant Pontbriand snaps from 6 wins last year with a less powerful roster. I'm glad you are fulfilled.

Last year our defense ranked #10, this year we are #25 giving up over 400 yards per game.

If Weeden would get off the adderal, knock down some passes and make some tackles we might win more.

Colt's last two wins were 6-3 and 14-10.

I Guarantee the 2012 Weeden offense will win every game that we hold our opponents to 10 points or less.

Zombo

--Unless defense is not that important to you

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305982https://brownsboard.com/post/305982Mon, 01 Oct 2012 17:20:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:28:31 GMT]]>

@roach said:

Boy, Browns fans sure have changed. Most of us used to go into Sundays expecting a win. Now, many of us go into Sundays hoping to get "better." I miss the old days.

There is nothing unreasonable about people managing their expectations about this team. It is the fans who cry about blowing the team up after a developmental year like this one that contribute to a culture of losing. We are playing playoff caliber teams every week with 3-4 rookies starting on offense and 5-6 rookies contributing heavily. Please keep things in perspective before damning the fans who actually pay enough attention to the game to see real improvement.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305977https://brownsboard.com/post/305977Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:28:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:06:24 GMT]]>This is what pretty much the constant carping about the QBs on this team sounds like to me:

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305975https://brownsboard.com/post/305975Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:06:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:40:23 GMT]]>

@soju said:

What's this taking Geno Smith garbage?

I think he continues to light it up this season and ends up vaulting to the first pick in the draft next season after winning the Heisman and putting up some serious numbers...Im personally not sold on Weeden not saying he cant become a great QB i just dont see him as the guy to take the Browns to the Super Bowl and Win and thats all im looking for...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305963https://brownsboard.com/post/305963Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:40:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:00:48 GMT]]>The guy is 4 games in to his NFL career. At this point I'd give him a A.

I really couldn't expect more....especially after the dud of an opening game. He could have folded, but he didn't. That shows me something.

I am comfortable in saying that as he continues to improve, and he will as he gains more experience, Weeden will be our QB the next 7-9 years.

Yep, it would be nice to say the next 10-12 years, but it is what it is...and it's been a long time since we have had a QB we could ride for 7 or so seasons, so I am good with that.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305957https://brownsboard.com/post/305957Mon, 01 Oct 2012 11:00:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 08:27:37 GMT]]>

@nw220 said:

Honestly with the way the season has looked I'm just hoping to go 4-12 and that's two wins against pittsburgh and 1 a piece between Cincy and B-More....that way when we switch over in ownership we hopefully end up with the #1 pick....Auction it off or take Geno Smith hope we really didn't screw ourselves missing out on RG3 and that he is the real deal......that's where my state of mind is don't put to much tread on T Rich but let the league know he is the real deal and we have a true blue chip back. Expect big things in the future the night is always darkest before the dawn

What's this taking Geno Smith garbage?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305953https://brownsboard.com/post/305953Mon, 01 Oct 2012 08:27:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:13:29 GMT]]>Honestly with the way the season has looked I'm just hoping to go 4-12 and that's two wins against pittsburgh and 1 a piece between Cincy and B-More....that way when we switch over in ownership we hopefully end up with the #1 pick....Auction it off or take Geno Smith hope we really didn't screw ourselves missing out on RG3 and that he is the real deal......that's where my state of mind is don't put to much tread on T Rich but let the league know he is the real deal and we have a true blue chip back. Expect big things in the future the night is always darkest before the dawn

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305951https://brownsboard.com/post/305951Mon, 01 Oct 2012 05:13:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 03:07:20 GMT]]>

@slimdawg said:

Last year is last year, you got to move on! Sure it would be nice to have a win or two right now. I agree with zombo 1000% , i see what we've got with weeden and he's only gonna get better! T

Boy, Browns fans sure have changed. Most of us used to go into Sundays expecting a win. Now, many of us go into Sundays hoping to get "better." I miss the old days.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305940https://brownsboard.com/post/305940Mon, 01 Oct 2012 03:07:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Brandon Weeden Report Card- Week 4 on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:34:52 GMT]]>Last year is last year, you got to move on! Sure it would be nice to have a win or two right now. I agree with zombo 1000% , i see what we've got with weeden and he's only gonna get better! The wins will come and i think when they do start to come we will be seeing more W's than L's........ i like Colt, but Weeden can take the Browns places that colt could only dream about.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/305936https://brownsboard.com/post/305936Mon, 01 Oct 2012 02:34:52 GMT