Before the offseason started, we thought the Cleveland Browns would find serious starting competition for quarterback Brandon Weeden via the draft or free agency. That never happened.
That's why NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported back in May that there wouldn't truly be a quarterback competition. That's how the offseason has played out, and wide receiver Greg Little now has made his case for Weeden.
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"I just feel like it's always been Brandon's job," Little told the Akron Beacon-Journal on Thursday. "He's always done the right things as a quarterback, and he's taken his position to another level as far as being very outspoken and just being a leader, being the first guy in the building and being the last guy out. And I think he commands respect now."
Backup Jason Campbell is more likely to move down in the pecking order behind Brian Hoyer than up to starter status. Weeden, on the other hand, reportedly has been getting the ball out of his hands more quickly in the offseason. His big arm is a nice fit for coordinator Norv Turner's system. Weeden has received nearly all first-team snaps.
Weeden's rookie year largely has been misunderstood. He was far better than recent quarterbacks with early struggles like Christian Ponder and Blaine Gabbert. There's just a question regarding the height of Weeden's ceiling. There's no doubt he's going to get a chance to prove his mettle under new coach Rob Chudzinski.
The only way we'll see Campbell or more likely Hoyer starting is if Weeden struggles badly for much of the regular season.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
