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BEREA, Ohio—Although his mind was jumbled, Browns rookie quarterback
Brandon Weeden knew exactly where he was—and it wasnt where he wanted to be.
Eli Manning Elite Jersey . Still in his
uniform, but without his helmet after being forced out with a concussion in the
final minutes on Sunday, Weeden turned to the team doctors in Clevelands locker
room and begged them to let him go back to the sideline to see the final snaps
of a 20-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. They wouldnt budge, so he watched
on TV. “It was frustrating. I wanted to finish that one,” Weeden said. “But it
was nice to celebrate with the guys after the game.” Weeden was cleared to
practice Wednesday, three days after sustaining the first concussion of his
football career. The 29-year-old was limited during the workout but he will
start this week when the Browns (3-8) visit the Oakland Raiders and try to snap
a 12-game road losing streak. Weeden didnt appear to have any restrictions
during the portion of practice open to the media. He threw passes with the
customary zip on the ball and moved around without any problems. Afterward,
Weeden said hes been symptom free for several days. As tough as it was for him
to leave only Clevelands second win in 18 games over the rival Steelers, Weeden
knew it was the right decision. He had banged his head on teammate Joe Thomas
leg after throwing an interception and was slow getting up. Once he was on the
sideline, Weeden was examined by the Browns medical staff and answered all their
mandatory questions to test for a concussion. However, Weeden told them he didnt
“feel right” and was taken to the locker room for further tests. Backup
quarterback Colt McCoy came off the bench to close out Clevelands win, playing
the final two series as the Browns tried to run out the clock. It was an ironic
twist for McCoy, whose 2011 season ended when he suffered a serious concussion
on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Weeden knows he
may have been able to talk his way into staying in the game, but he could have
endangered his health. “Youve got to be smart about it,” he said. “Youre talking
about a brain. I dont want to be 50 years old and not remember playing in the
NFL. Id much rather sit out five minutes of a game than risk the long-term
effect.” With eliminating head injuries a league priority, Weeden said its
critical for players to take it upon themselves to protect their health. The
league has a strict protocol to follow once a player sustains a concussion, and
Weeden feels the most important step is to be truthful. “You just have to be
honest,” he said. “Theres several steps youve got to work out. Youve got to run,
youve got to do some tests, youve got to do some things. Theres a long laundry
list of things youve got to do, but the main thing is just be honest and tell
them what your symptoms are and tell them how you feel. They have to kind of
trust you and you have to pass the test with flying colours.” Someone on the
Browns sideline took his helmet when he left the game, but Weeden doesnt think
it was hidden so he couldnt go back in. “I never want to come out of a game,” he
said. “Im too competitive and I felt like Id been hit a lot harder than I got
hit. So I felt like I could still play. They always take my helmet when I come
off and trade me out for a hat and jacket, so I dont know if they hid it from
me. If they did, they did a great job.” Weeden has been sleeping fine since the
injury, and Tuesday night he felt well enough to attend an NBA game between the
Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns. Unless Weeden has an unexpected setback,
Browns coach Pat Shurmur said the 29-year-old will make his 12th straight start
on Sunday. McCoy may get a few more snaps with the starting offence during
practice this week so hes ready, but he wont take any away from Weeden. “For the
most part you get the starter ready to go,” Shurmur said. “At this point, this
early in the week hes healthy, so he goes.” Weeden finished 17 of 26 for 158
yards with a touchdown before getting hurt in his first career start against
Pittsburghs defence, which remains ranked No. 1 overall. He also bounced back
after having his third pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Hes thrown
12 TD passes and 13 interceptions, and Weedens 55.9 completion percentage is
32nd in the league as is his 70.9 rating. Weeden has endured criticism from some
who think the Browns have yet to find their future quarterback. Shurmur, though,
is only focused on Weeden delivering wins. “Whats important for Brandon is to
play a style of quarterback that leads us to victories,” he said. “Thats what he
needs to do. We could talk about yards, we could talk about all that other
stuff, all the ways you want to rank certain things, but his game needs to
constantly improve and hes got to strive to get us in the end zone and help us
win football games. “Thats that.”———NOTES: Browns DE Frostee Rucker
dismissed Steelers OT Max Starks claim that Clevelands defensive lineman were
going at the legs of Pittsburghs offensive front. “I dont understand it,” Rucker
said. “Ive played for seven years. I never heard that. A defensive line cutting?
What does that mean? We just made the plays to win the game.” ... The Browns
denied a report that owner Jimmy Haslam has offered TV analyst and former NFL
coach Jon Gruden a stake in the team if he accepted a job to coach at Tennessee.
... KR Josh Cribbs did not practice with what the team listed as a
“shoulder/chest” injury suffered against the Steelers. He was not in the locker
room during the interview period. ... Browns S Usama Young also remains
sidelined with a concussion. ... CB Dimitri Patterson practiced and could play
this week after missing six games with a severe ankle injury. Stevie Brown Jersey . The Jays halted the
five-game skid by topping the New York Yankees, 10-7, on Sunday in the finale of
a three-game set. Rajai Davis drove in five runs and made a superb defensive
play, as Toronto avoided the sweep. Victor Cruz Authentic Jersey . The
Portuguese, however, almost let victory escape their grasp as Cristiano Ronaldo
squandered two chances that could have put the result beyond doubt in another
miserable international game. http://www.newyorkgiantsgears.com/victor-cruz-jersey/
. The Wildcats beat one of the newcomers in their conference. Only a few minutes
after No. 1 Alabama lost, Klein threw a 62-yard pass to set up the first of his
two touchdown runs and the Wildcats went on to a 23-10 victory Saturday night at
TCU. Kevin Boothe Jersey .J. —The New York Red
Bulls have traded midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy to the San Jose Earthquakes and an
international spot and a conditional draft pick next season. Victor Cruz Black Jersey . —The Toronto
Blue Jays have acquired right-hander Ryota Igarashi from the Pittsburgh Pirates
on Friday for a player to be named and cash. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —The Cardinals
might not know who will start at quarterback for Arizona this weekend at New
England. But to the Patriots, it doesnt much matter. John Skelton? Kevin Kolb?
Either way, the Patriots have a challenge in front of them. “Hes a good
quarterback, lets get that understood right now,” New England nose tackle
Vince Wilfork said of Kolb, the favourite for Sunday. “But that whole offence,
they have weapons—from the backs to the tight ends to the receivers. Up
front, they know what theyre doing.” After a strong finish last year, Skelton
beat out Kolb for the starting spot in preseason, but left Arizonas season
opener Sunday against Seattle in the fourth quarter with a sprained right ankle.
Kolb came off the bench and orchestrated an 80-yard drive, going 6 of 8 for 66
yards, including the game-winning 6-yard touchdown pass to Andre Roberts with
4:59 to play. Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt Wednesday wouldnt confirm the
swirling speculation surrounding his starter, though it appears Kolb has the
inside track. “We still have some days before we play. John is continuing to
improve. We were lucky that it was a low ankle sprain and hes getting better.
Well see how it goes as the week progresses,” Whisenhunt said. “It doesnt matter
who plays. They have to be ready.” So, too, do the Patriots. New England, trying
to shake a poor season defensively last year, is off to a good start. The
Patriots held Tennessee to 284 yards and 16 first downs in a 34-13 win in Week
1. “We see a lot of things on film that he poses a threat to,” Wilfork said of
Kolb. “So, were going to have to do a real good job defensively trying to slow
him down.” The Patriots have put in preparationss for both Skelton and Kolb,
knowing theyll have their hands full with either. Domenik Hixon Jersey. Especially considering
one of them will be throwing to All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald. “Theyre both
good players and theyve won with both players and well have to be ready for
whoever they put in there. We cant control that,” New England coach Bill
Belichick said. “I think their skillsets are a little bit different, but the
offence is the same and certainly when Kolb came in last week, they didnt change
their offence. They continued to do what they do. We have to defend the other 10
guys as well as the quarterback.” Spending time during the week studying a pair
of quarterbacks can take away from other important defensive areas. And the
preparation becomes even more daunting before a game against an unfamiliar
opponent. The Patriots and Cardinals havent met since 2008, when Arizona lost
47-7. “At the end of the day, you have to go out there and play the game,” New
England linebacker Jerod Mayo said. “And whoevers playing, well be ready for.”
Mayo is impressed with Kolb, especially after last weeks winning drive. “He has
starter skills,” Mayo said. “He can make all the throws, he can run around,
throw on the run. Hes a dangerous player.”———NOTES: Former wide receiver
Troy Brown will become the 19th member inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame
prior to Sundays game. One of the most versatile players in franchise history,
Brown also played on special teams and defensive back. He finished second on the
team with three interceptions. He was a key member of all three of New Englands
Super Bowl winning teams. ... New England won its home opener last year, 35-21
over San Diego. ’ ’ ’