APBrowns running back Trent Richardson says his fellow 2012 first-round draft pick, quarterback Brandon Weeden, had a tough time picking up the Xs and Os of the NFL game as a rookie.
Richardson told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche that Weeden struggled with reading defenses as a rookie. Wyche’s interview with Richardson was off camera, but Wyche relayed Richardson’s comments on NFL AM.
“He also told me a little bit more about Brandon Weeden,” Wyche said of his conversation with Richardson, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “He said as a rookie, [Weeden] really had trouble reading defenses from time to time and they had to skew their offense a little bit, sometimes somewhat predictable.”
Richardson added, however, that he’s optimistic about Weeden having a big year in 2013.
“I think he’ll be my quarterback,” Richardson said. “We can’t put too much on Brandon, especially as a rookie. . . . We want to make sure he believes, he knows he’s going to be our quarterback. When it comes to stuff like that, we’ve just all got to be behind him.”
It’s good that Richardson is behind his quarterback. But if Weeden can’t get better at reading defenses, Cleveland won’t be behind him as its starting quarterback for much longer.
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By the time Weeden can read defenses, he’ll be a 35 yr old, 5th yr vet with one foot out of the NFL. Dumb pick for no other reason than Weeden is too old to be a rookie QB.
Trent talks like he is a 10 year Vet already. Good for him….now stay healthy.
A rookie QB had trouble reading NFL defenses? Who would have thought…
Yep…it’s a good thing Richardson is behind his quarterback. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
lol
He is going to be 29. A little late to start learning to read defenses.
Well Trent Richardson’s got a pretty good arm too it seems….He just threw his 28 year old QB right under the bus.
It’s hard to stay focused on the task at hand when you are so close to retirement.
As a young boy, Weeden also struggled reading The Cat In The Hat, so this was to be somewhat expected.
30 years old and cant read defense’s. canton here we come
Oh no you didn’t, Trent! Some teammate you are. Are you publicly making Wheeden the scapegoat for a less-than-good season your O had?
#badform
I feel bad for any player who has to play for the browns. What a terrible franchise.
14-17 td to int
3,385 passing yards
72.6 passer rating
I don’t expect anyone to be calling him elite by any means but he showed some signs of solid play. They gave a rookie QB a rookie WR that got there right before camp started, a rookie RB, absolutley zero WR depth and terrible play calling. I guess I don’t understand how he’s talked about as one of the worst QB’s in the game with no future?
Another great pick by the illustrious Cleveland Browns. Why can’t we all be more like them?
much longer? The kid’s gonna be 30 soon!
Considering Weeden is about 2 years younger than Tom Brady he’d better learn to read defenses in a hurry…
3.6 yds per carry says to me that Ol’ Trent had a little trouble adjusting to the pro game too.
I’d prefer new regime bring in their guy and work with him from day 1. Don’t waste time if your 50/50 on a 29 yr old rookie. Get your guy, whoever it is, and hit the ground running.
Sounds like Richardson is making excuses for his own poor season.
I said last year, “If the Browns would have drafted OG DeCastro then we could have let pop gun armed McCoy behind an actual NFL O-Line and see what he could do.”
Now, we wasted a #1 on a QB that would have been there at #2 or ever #3 because of his age. It was a bonehead move by the former GM, which is one of the main reasons he is a former GM and still with no job, well that and the fact he let the Vikings gaffle him out of a #3 last year along with it. If we would have spent a 3 on Weeden I wouldn’t be mad. But a #1 and now it is likely a waste because we could have had a good guard to solidify the line AND we wouldn’t be talking about potentially dumping a first round player after only 1 season.
Weeden was a terrible waste of a first-round draft pick. Unless they just purposely drafted him to earn the team the #1 pick in 2014 so they can get Johnny Football.
Richardson was a rookie too! I’m sure he did plenty wrong. Richardson should shut his piehole and focus on his own job!
He’s a bit slow but we still love him.
The problems that Weeden had reading defenses are miniscule compared to the problems Mike Lombardturd has evaluating talent! LOL Cleveland!
Weedin probably shouldn’t wait at any bus stops with the other “rookie”. Not even the best rookie last season, Richardson is gonna need a bigger helmet.
Weeden cannot play.
That was something that Trent should have kept to himself.
Maybe he’ll be able to read defenses by the time he’s ready to retire in 3 years
Personally I think it is a bit disrespectful of Trent to talk down to a FELLOW rookie like that. It shows a real lack of awareness of the fact Trent has yet to make a name for himself, and though he has a great outlook – nothing is certain. You can’t just start talking like your Emmitt Smith or someone with all sorts of NFL experience.
One word – arrogance. I am sure Weeden eyes are rolling on this statement.
so what does “most NFL ready QB” actually mean then???
Duh. No experienced leadership to teach them.
He’s just saying with his mouth what we all saw with our eyes.
Maybe Trent should focus on trying to get more than 3 yards a carry.
Its simple. Nobody wants to play for the Browns!
It’s Brandon Weeden were talking about…
Richardson should keep his mouth shut. I mean, it’s not like he had a great year.
I love Trent, but last I checked, he’s a RB, not a QB coach. I think Weeden’s problem in 2012 was the 4 coaches in his ear at the same time. I’m optimistic that Norv can turn him into a solid QB, especially given the opportunity to work within a downfield passing attack.
I’ll never understand why they took Wheeden in the 1st round.
Branden Weeden: “Trent just has trouble flat out reading”
Running backs are typically behind their quarterbacks… unless they have to line up next to them.
Bus
Richardson + _______ = 4th Place AFC North
Wheeden
Brandon Weeden will never be a good NFL QB maybe the browns can pick up Teddy Bridgewater in the 14 draft.
Brandon may have trouble reading defenses, but based on the fact that Trent Richardson made those comments to the media, I’m thinking it’s the running back who isn’t so bright.
Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson both stink in the NFL. I guess it’s harder when you don’t have a gaping hole to run through like at Bama.
Caution all you teams looking at Eddie Lacy this year. That Bama OL is not part of the package.
Have any of the guys who went from baseball back to football ever panned out? Chris Weinke was probably the best, by far, of the lot.
And that pretty much says all that needs to be said of this.
No respect for is elders. Shame on you, Trent. Don’t you realize Weeden is almost old enough to be your father?
a guy who was drafted in the top 10 and couldn’t average 4 yards a carry shouldn’t talk to anyone about “reading defenses”
TR- 11 rushing touchdowns, 1 receiving; 1317 total combined yards. I consider that a very nice rookie season and I’ll take that.
jayquintana says: Feb 26, 2013 4:43 PM
Have any of the guys who went from baseball back to football ever panned out? Chris Weinke was probably the best, by far, of the lot.
______________________
Russell Wilson.
so the rb, which is the most replaceable position in football, on that team was talking about the qb having difficulties?
At what point does the organization take fault. Its not like he had Green Bays Wr’s to throw to.
and isnt that why we have coaches? To, hmm oh i dont know…. COACH?
If he is uncoachable, that is one thing…
Nice Richardson, there is that Nick Saban loyalty coming out
Yes Trent, and your constant dancing in the hole cost you and the Browns sustaining drives and wins.
Wait a second, Brandon Weeden is considered old for a rookie?! Shocking news update!!!!
They gave up on Colt too soon. Weedon was not the answer and neither is Richardson. They need OL and Receivers first and put Colt back in. What do you expect from a one man team? One of these days they “may” figure it out.
Uh, drew2k2, that is very funny stuff!
Also, Richardson should not have said this publicly. If, however, it was said off camera, that’s where it should have stayed.