May 23, 2013

NFL News: Brandon Weeden working with former NFL QB Chris Weinke

March 5, 2013 by 16 Comments

Looking to make a leap from a rather lackluster rookie season, Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden has reportedly been spending time with another pitcher-turned-pass-thrower in former NFL quarterback Chris Weinke.

In a feature written by The Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot, Weeden reportedly reached out to Weinke — now the director of the IMG football academy in Bradenton, Florida — to work on improving key area’s of the Browns’ quarterback’s game before the team gets together at the beginning of April.

“I’m very impressed with Brandon,” said Weinke of Weeden. “”In the short time I’ve worked with him, he’s an impressive guy and he has a huge upside.”

Weinke, a former farmhand for the Toronto Blue Jays, had a very successful collegiate career — including a Heisman trophy — before panning out after two seasons in the NFL. He has since worked with many NFL players including former No.1 draft pick Cam Newton who played under new Browns head coach Rob Chundzinski in Carolina. Weinke has also reportedly been working with impending draftees Geno Smith and Matt Barkley.

“We’re focusing on [Brandon's] footwork, and he’s a gifted athlete,” said Weinke. “We’re trying to create that sense of urgency within his feet, which will obviously translate into getting rid of the ball quicker. He was very receptive and I’m excited to see what transpires over the next couple days.”

[Related: The Browns’ dive into analytics will be a subtle revolution]

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  • Vindictive_Pat

    Because, you know, when you want to learn from a successful NFL QB who came into the league at an advanced age, Chris Weinke is absolutely the guy you should seek.

    But seriously, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, that doesn’t mean that Weinke can’t be an effective coach. I’m hoping he is, at that.

  • http://twitter.com/bbo13 B-bo

    Nice that Weinke can get a jump on grooming his successor at IMG. And perhaps Weeden will play more loose knowing he’s got that job to fall back on in 2 years or so. Win-win situation.

  • mgbode

    “create that sense of urgency within his feet”

    Rex Ryan just offered the Jets 1st round pick for 30 minutes of video on these sessions.

  • mgbode

    yeah, the fact that Cam, Geno, and Barkley are all going to him means that he’s got something decent going on with his academy. hopefully, it translates, but, at minimum, it at least means Weeden is putting the time in to practice right now.

  • Garry_Owen

    Yep, my initial reaction was snark as well, but you’re right. The fact that Weinke couldn’t succeed in the NFL doesn’t mean he can’t coach. The vast, vast majority of successful football coaches were not NFL stars (or even NFL players). Let’s hope this works. At the very least, we can assume that Weinke learned quite a bit from his experience, even if he couldn’t put that learning to work while he was in the league (or perhaps didn’t realize the learning until after he was out).

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeremy-Humbert/100001904340553 Jeremy Humbert

    My sentiment exactly. Weinke probably knew what he needed work on, or has figured out what that was since his playing days. The experience of a failure, not an utter failure, is still very valuable. “Here is what I did wrong and should have corrected to be successful” That’s a good place to start.

  • saggy

    1) Run really fast
    2) Know that running really fast is better

    1)Usain Bolt
    2)Me

    1) Player
    2) Coach

    Weinke is probably a good coach – he has been around long enough to have worked with a lot of high level coaches. Don’t discount IMG’s name, location, and facilities, however, when forming an opinion on Weinke’s drawing power.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Chris Weinke who is next Trent Dilfer?

  • BenRM

    THIS IS MY CIRCUITOUS RANT ABOUT CHRIS WEINKE THAT SOMEHOW MEANS BRANDON WEEDON ISN’T “THE GUY” GOING FORWARD!

  • deesh

    Not exactly a name I would’ve hoped to hear, but at least Weeden is trying to improve. And who knows, maybe the saying “Those who can, do, and those that can’t, teach” applies here.

  • The_Matt_Of_Akron

    There also might be some value in learning from someone who doesn’t have all the physical tools, and had to have great technique just to keep up.

    I feel like asking an uber-gifted, natural talent like Peyton Manning how to be QB like him might yield a response of: “To be a great quarterback, what I do is throw the ball really well to the receiver so we get a touchdown.”

    Not really actionable advice.

  • dwhit110

    “Weinke, a former farmhand for the Toronto Blue Jays, had a very successful collegiate career — including a Heisman trophy — before panning out after two seasons in the NFL.”

    You mean before flaming out. Panning out is good.

  • Harv 21

    Non-snark interpretation: Contrary to rumors, Weeden intends to seriously work on his game, and understands his professional future depends on it no matter how weak crop of incoming QBs.

    So, message received.

  • bossman09

    Successful coaches are usually NOT successful players (NFL ProBowl caliber) and vice versa. Not sure why that is, but you don’t see virtually any Pro Bowlers who go on to be anything other than position coaches. I think there is a fundamental difference between coaching and playing that keeps you from being successful at both.

  • http://www.facebook.com/john.greenley1 John Greenley

    my team is trying, Thank you Mr. Heslam

  • bigduke69

    Seriously, Chris Weinke?!?!?! WTF!!!! Why not consulting with Tebow, at least he won a few games. So Montana, Namath, Marino, Favre etc. to seek out for advice not good enough, he must consult with Weinke.
    Folks, perhaps Weeden did try to seek out better former QB’s for help and the only person that would answer his phone call was Chris Weinke, who probably thought it was a telemarketer calling him until he realized it was Weeden.