After watching the Cleveland Browns demolish the Detroit Lions at First Energy Stadium last Thursday, you have to come away a little pleasantly surprised. Believe me, I understand that it is meaningless preseason, but good things are happening. The chemistry forming between Brandon Weeden and Jordan Cameron is one of those many good things.
When Cameron was drafted in the fourth round out of USC, some of the Browns faithful overlooked the basketball framed athlete. Cameron seemed to be a raw project that was far down the depth chart. With veterans like Benjamin Watson, Alex Smith, and Evan Moore ahead of him, opportunities and reps were limited. All of them are departed and now his time has come.
In Norv Turner’s offense, tight end has always been a key to success. On Thursday night, Weeden connected with Cameron three times, including two touchdown passes. While Cameron only had 42 yards receiving, it was his hands and athleticism that stood out for the third year soon-to-be-star. Each time, Weeden put the ball only where Cameron could get it. Exhibition or not, that is a great sign of things to come.
Regardless of the vanilla defenses that are seen in preseason, Weeden has looked more comfortable and more focused in his new offense. In two preseason games, the second year quarterback is 18/25 for 229 yards and three touchdowns in just about two quarters of play. It is an offense that plays to Weeden’s and other play makers’ strengths.
Last year, it was Watson that served as Weeden’s tight end safety valve, grabbing 49 receptions for 501 yards. If he stays healthy, Cameron could double that in 2013. Make no mistake, the potential and opportunity is there. The 25-year-old is the dark horse of the upcoming season.
Ryan Ruiz is the Cleveland Browns Beat Writer for The Inscriber: Digital Magazine. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter @ryanpruiz24. Ryan is also a Cleveland Browns Correspondent for The SportsFix. Tune in every Friday at noon on www.thesportfix.net.