Owner Jimmy Haslam Tells Reporters Browns Will Have QB Competition

Owner Jimmy Haslam told reporters today the Browns will have a quarterback competition this year, meaning the organization will likely acquire someone to square off against incumbent starter Brandon Weeden in the offseason. Last week during offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s introductory news conference, Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said it’s “premature” to label Weeden the team’s starting quarterback for the 2013 season. Haslam reaffirmed the new regime’s stance this morning while attending a news conference in New Orleans that recognized Browns left tackle Joe Thomas and the other finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. “I think Norv and Chud have been very open that they like a lot of what Brandon [Weeden] does,” Haslam told reporters today in New Orleans. “But we’re going to have competition at that position. And I think competition makes us all better, and we'll see where that competition comes from.” It could come from free agency, a trade or the draft. Haslam said Mike Lombardi, the team’s vice president of player personnel, CEO Joe Banner and the coaching staff are preparing for free agency, which begins at 4 p.m. March 12. “They’re studying,” Haslam said. “I think we have a pretty good feel for what our needs are. They’re going to look at free agency, and they’re going to look at the draft. I think we’ll be selective in what we do in free agency, but if there’s some talent out there that matches our needs and it’s at the right dollar level, then I think we’ll probably make some moves. I don’t think you’ll see us make any big, splashy, high-priced moves because I think we’ve said all along we’re going to build through the draft.” Source: Akron Beacon Journal