The surprising part isn’t that Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden is working with Chris Weinke in Florida.
The surprising part is that it took this long to introduce the guys with the exact same story.
Weeden, the former minor league baseball player turned old-man college quarterback, is now being tutored by Weinke, the original minor league baseball player turned old-man college quarterback at the IMG Academy.
“I’m very impressed with Brandon,’' Weinke told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “In the short time I’ve worked with him, he’s an impressive guy and he has a huge upside.’'
Weinke, who did some work with Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, said he thinks Weeden has a good chance to succeed in coach Rob Chudzinski’s system. But while he was impressed with Weeden’s arm strength, they’re together now working on footwork issues.
“He’s got a special arm,’' Weinke said. “He spins it naturally, he has great velocity on the football and it’s really effortless. He’s got a good natural stroke and I’m quite impressed with his arm strength. . . .
“We’re focusing on his footwork, and he’s a gifted athlete. 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.’'
So is Susan Sarandon, who just boarded a bus for Bradenton to begin filming Bull Durham II.