Young Browns need to grow up fast

By Tom Withers

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Sept. 7 2012 1:30 p.m. MDT

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FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2012 file photo, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden scrambles against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL preseason football game in Cleveland. The Browns begin the season with 15 rookies and 12 more players in either their first or second years. They've got fresh legs, enthusiasm and boundless energy, but little experience and that could spell trouble for Cleveland this season.

Mark Duncan, File, Associated Press

Summary

The Browns are counting on their youth.

BEREA, Ohio — The Browns are counting on their youth.

The club is starting the season with 15 rookies on its 53-man roster, the most for any NFL team since 2008. As many as five rookies could start in Cleveland's opener Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Brandon Weeden will be the first rookie quarterback to start an opener for the Browns, who have 12 other players with less than two years of professional experience.

Browns coach Pat Shurmur believes he can win with rookies and he's been impressed with how quickly Cleveland's youngsters are developing.

But practice and exhibition games are nothing like the real thing, and the Browns will learn more about their kids after their first taste of the regular season.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert said he didn't plan on having so many young players on what he called an "unorthodox" roster.

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