May 23, 2013

Weeden: Treat me Like I am 22 Years Old

April 16, 2012 by 42 Comments

In the battle for the white ribbon amongst NFL quarterback hopefuls, Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden is telling teams to not hold the fact that he’s nearing 30 years of age against him. In a recent interview with Dan Patrick, Weeden, who is being praised for his maturity as well as his football skill set, feels that the fact he was born while Ronal Raegen was in his first term should have nary an impact on where he is taken.

“I try to tell teams when we’re going through the interview deal, ‘Treat me like I am 22,’” said Weeden. ”Try to go through this process and evaluate me as if I’m a 22-year-old. 

“I don’t believe my age should even affect it. Obviously people are out there saying it should, we’ll find out in ten days and we’ll go from there, but really and truly, 22 or 28, it shouldn’t matter. I don’t think many people play 20 years in the NFL, but if I can play eight or ten years, that’s a pretty good NFL career.”

Weeden then mentioned the fact that his age does have its benefits, citing experience and maturity, saying that both characteristics will help smooth the transition to the next level.

Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert is said to be a big fan of Weeden. He was the subject of the comments wherein Heckert said that he “may not be here in six years,” so the age of the potential quarterback is not of the utmost concern. The Browns also sent a variety of front office members to the Oklahoma State pro day to watch the quarterback and potential top-five draft pick Justin Blackmon.

Weeden could conceviably be a target with the Browns’ selection at No. 22 or No. 37. Pro Football Talk has put their name in the hat for the former. A recent two-round mock draft by ESPN’s Todd McShay leaned towards the latter.

[Related: NFL Draft: Of misdirection and mocks…]

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  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    I heard that phrase at a bar a few weeks ago…aye yi yi.

  • Natedawg86

    Draft Weeden and he has to play right away…and start looking for the “next” QB

  • C-Bus Kevin

    Is there value in a Blackmon/Weeden 1a/1b draft? For a team with not much offense to speak of, me thinks yes.

    I could imagine worse scenarios.

  • Mark

    Count me in the “I don’t care about his age” crowd. We haven’t had a successful QB here since Bernie so we are worried Weeden will be too old 8 years from now? Seriously? I’d love to get 6 solid years out of a starting QB at this point. If he can play then draft him. I’ll worry about his future age when he gets there.

  • http://www.cinpleweb.com/ stin4u

    The only problem is the learning curve. Not all guys come in and make an immediate impact. Given his age and the time spent catching up in a new system and catching up to NFL speed, if he is going to be a good QB he will definitely be hitting his ‘mental prime’ well out of his ‘physical prime’. I don’t think that is a huge concern but it is definitely something to consider.

  • DocZeusX

    No, it does matter. It HUGELY matters. You are 28 years old. It means your physical skills are already on the decline and since you haven’t been playing in the NFL since you were 22, it means you don’t have the requisite NFL experience to compensate for that.
    Drafting Weeden would be the most half-assed “Browns” move possible. If you are going to draft a QB, you select Tannehill.

  • AJ

    I would be alright with him at 37 as long as they addressed RB and WR with the first 2 picks.

  • Mark

    I don’t disagree with this. My only counter would be that QB draftees don’t seem to sIt and learn anymore. They’re thrown out there within 6 games or so. It’s all trial by fire these days. I’m making an assumption that the same will happen with Weeden.

  • Mark

    I’ve been under the impression that most of the deteriorating skills are due to wear and tear. They take a beating as they get older. I’m not sure I’m right on this though. Weeden would be an interesting case study to see if it’s true. I guess draft day might tell us where teams come down on this.

  • mgbode

    I think it’s a combination.  Yes, there is definitely wear and tear involved.  However, your body just doesn’t recover as well when you hit your 30s either (with or without that wear/tear).

    Think about it this way:

    a 1995 Honda Civic with only 30K miles on it will likely not be as reliable as a 2005 Honda Civic with the same 30K miles.

  • Steve

    It’s not even 8 years. It’s 3-5 years from now. If at 32, his physical skills are clearly on the decline, then we need a new QB just as we should be finally getting back to contention. How does that help?

  • Harv 21

    This may actually turn into an interesting test case.

    If Weedon succeeds, it may change the debate about how much of the NFL QB learning curve is straightened by maturity and work ethic. It also may encourage a lot more former QBs languishing in baseball’s minors to push the eject button and give football another shot. And if he fails … actually, probably won’t change any attitudes too much.

    There have been late-maturing QBs, who had great QB bodies but just seemed kind of empty-headed and were able to hang around until they finally got it, and then had decent careers. I’m thinking Vinny Testeverde, Jim Plunkett, Doug Williams.

  • Ritz

    Exactly… I dont care how long he has been in the NFL, at 35 he will be 35. He was a pitcher in the minor leagues the last few years, so not sure how that arm wear and tear translates to football. But in four or five years, when the Browns are getting better (hopefully) the will most likely need a new QB.

    I would rather draft a slightly less polished talent (Foles, etc.) who can develop and be around longer than Weeden, but thats just me.

    That being said, 3-5 years of good QB play would not hurt things.

  • C-Bus Kevin

    I just don’t buy that you draft anyone wih more than this year and next year in mind. We should be so lucky if he’s still starting for this team in 2015.

    However, age isn’t irrelevant. You only draft this guy if you’re going to start him this season. Even then, you take him with pick 1b or 37.

    Also, i disagree with the notion that it always takes 3 to 5 years to return to contention. So far, it looks like 12+ for the browns, but with proper management, this team should be looking 7 to 9 wins this year and 8 to 10 the following year…not that I’m betting on it.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Treat me like I’m not losing my hair!  C’mon Brandon although your comment does make you sound more like a 22 year old then a 28 year old.  Actually it makes him sound younger.  Maybe that was the point.

  • steve-o

    Positives for drafting Weeden

    1) He’s most likely better than what we have.
    2) Maturity. Already past the party phase of life.
    3) May have a huge chip if he slides to the second round on draft day. 
    4) Holmgren only has three years left on his contract and needs to produce a QB sooner rather than later.

    Negatives

    1) Age. 29 year old rookies are rare for a reason. Also, he won’t have the athleticism, escapability and resiliency of a 22 year old. He’ll be red meat to the Steelers/Ravens.
    2) If he does develop into a legit NFL QB in a couple years, we’ll only get a few prime seasons before decline sets in.
    3) In order to get him we would have to pass over an impact player at a different position.
    4) Passing on a QB next year because we have Weeden could be like not taking Ben R. because we had Jeff Garcia.
    5) What are the odds that he’ll lead us to a super bowl? They have to be reasonably good in order to take any QB early.
    6) The pick would be one of desperation and does not fit with our original plan to build slowly through the draft.
    7) Potentially blowing an early pick (22) could be seen by Lerner as the impetus for change.

  • MrCleaveland

    Ryan Tannehill: “Treat me like I’m Andrew Luck.”

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    And he’s still on a bad team.  He’d be 30 by the time the Browns were decent.  This is the problem in doing things the way they are doing them.  Takes to long.

  • Mansoor Khan

    I’d much rather have this ‘interesting case study’ on a different team.

  • TSR3000

    Exactly.  The Lions picked Stafford #1.  We are entering this 3rd season and the Lions are a legit contender. Prior to his arrival, they were awful.

    Teams can turn around in 2 seasons.

  • TSR3000

    “Pay me like I’m RG3.”

  • MrCleaveland

    Me to prospective employer: “Let’s pretend I have an MBA.”

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_I6423N7UCT3SVURBC55JGXFYAU Bobby

     With a good/great QB this team is playoff caliber. Not saying Weeden is that, but thats how important QB is.

  • mgbode

    last year was Stafford’s 3rd season.  the Lions had a great passing offense and that was about it.  they were able to utilize that to get into the playoffs (with Chicago and Minny taking a step back in their division).

    they smell like one of the paper tiger teams that sneak into the playoffs every year only to get destroyed and fall back to non-contending status the next year.

    22nd in pass defense
    only Oakland worse in YPC in rush defense

    a respectable 12th in rush offense, but 23rd in rush TDs and 29th in rush yards.  

    They have major holes on the OL, RB, LBer, and their entire secondary.

    They are a fun team to watch (for both teams) and they are vastly improved from their 0fer season.  However, they are not legit contenders yet either.

  • porckchopexpress

    I’m not saying the Lions can’t have a good follow up this year, but I watched almost all of their games last year and they reminded me so much of the 2007 Browns.  Nail biting last second finishes, calls and balls bouncing their way every week, and meltdowns that defy logic from other teams.  Like I said, maybe they’ll take that momentum and keep it going but I still don’t trust Stafford health and if they don’t come up with a better offense than “throw the ball up really high and let Calvin Johnson battle for it” they aren’t going to improve much.

  • porckchopexpress

    Thank you for that.   Me and my 35 year old body are reminded of that after every weekly basketball game.

  • porckchopexpress

    If they got receiver, rt, in the first round I wouldn’t object as vociferously to this, but at 28 they need to be confident that he can walk in and step above McCoy right away.  I just don’t see any sense taking QB in the second round and sitting him until next year.

  • Garry_Owen

    George Plimpton disagrees with your “paper tiger” reference and wishes to point out that you named the wrong cat. 

  • Garry_Owen

    He would have more luck with this if he said, “treat me like I am 22 years old, brah.”

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Craig Lyndall

    This comment made me LOL for real. Nice work.

  • mgbode

    it’s the NFL’s reference to how the Bengals happen to make the playoffs from time to time but are always a terrible team at heart, right?  :) :)

  • mgbode

    I’m so disappointed that noone went with:

    Brandon Weeden has decided to pull out of the 2012 draft so that he may re-enter the 2013 draft as 22 year old Fausto Carmona.  He heard the name was now available and that he could attach whichever age to it he liked.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Um yea okay I strongly disagree.

  • Billy Clinton

    Who is Ronal Raegen? 

  • Billy Clinton

    The best scenario (IMHO) and one that would cause me the most joy on draft day is the following:

    4. Matt Kalil (OT)
    22. Trade down with Vikings (acquire their first round next year and #26this year)
    26. Stephen Hill (WR)
    37. Doug Martin (RB)

  • Billy Clinton

    That should be the Texans not the Vikings 

  • Garry_Owen

    When you say “this team,” do you mean the Browns?  If so, please show your work. 

  • cmm13

    Actually if you are going to draft a QB, you take Cousins or Ossweiler much later.

    Tannehill is a worse pick than Weeden.

  • cmm13

    Or at least his agents/ESPN are saying that.

  • Steve

     If the Browns draft anyone with this year in mind while they do nothing to improve the team on the FA market, I have to seriously question what is going on in Berea. The fact of the matter is that they are building for 3 years down the line, and they really can’t build anything sustainable faster than that.

    And I don’t see how Weeden lasts till 22. There are teams that could use a quick fix at QB, and I bet they’ll be aggressive in trying to get him.

  • saggy

    and did you treat him like a 22-year old?

    btw – i wasn’t talking about you when i was talking about the spelling.

  • http://twitter.com/oribiasi oribiasi

    Ouch, that was cold-blooded.

    SHE was really something, though.