Live blog: Brandon Weeden’s ESPN “Car Wash” circuit

Weeden's "Car Wash" schedule, courtesy OSU Athletics. https://www.facebook.com/OSUAthletics

Former Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden participated in the ESPN “Car Wash” Wednesday, which is a series of interviews and appearances across all of ESPN’s platforms.

The full transcripts of most interviews are below, but here are some highlights from his main interviews from the day.

Number of times asked about…
Age: 5 (out of 5)
Justin Blackmon: 4/5
Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin III: 2/5
The Cleveland Browns taking him and Blackmon: 2/5

10:30 a.m.–First Take

Weeden joined Jay Harris, Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith on the First Take desk. It was more of an interview than a debate (unfortunately?), but Skip did put Weeden on the spot about Luck vs. RG3 and Blackmon vs. Bryant.

Best question/answer
Skip Bayless: I can make the case that head-to-head last year you outplayed RG3 (Robert Griffin III) and Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl. At least, you held your own with both of them. Who has the better career between those two?

Brandon Weeden: Oh, you’re putting me on the spot. I don’t know. I know both of them personally pretty well. Obviously, both are going to be great players. So, 1A and 1B? I think what I saw from Andrew Luck against us, he went 27-of-31 or something that was just outrageous. Unbelievable. The guy threw it great. Robert didn’t have his best games against us when he played in Stillwater. So, from what I’ve seen personally, I think Andrew Luck is a can’t-miss guy, but RG3 can really play.

SB: So you’re saying Luck by a hair?

BW: By a hair. But I mean, like I said, it’s 1A and 1B. They’re going to be guys that can change a franchise.

Stephen A. Smith: Where do you think you rank compared to those two guys?

BW: I think right there with them. My only disadvantage is my age. I think football talent alone, I think I’m right in the mix with all those guys. That’s (how) I try to get teams to look at me—treat me like I’m a 22-year-old and see where I stack up. And I tell people my team has beaten all these guys’ teams, and I think there’s a lot to be said about that.

12:20 p.m.–Sportscenter

Weeden sat down with veteran anchor Chris McKendry to talk about the differences between preparing for the MLB and NFL Drafts, Justin Blackmon and his golf handicap.

Best question/answer:
Chris McKendry: You mentioned baseball, and a team did take a shot on you. That was a decade ago (when) the New York Yankees drafted (you) in the second round. You were a big, strong reliever back then but played so many sports. And that was directly out of high school. How do the two processes compare?

Brandon Weeden: They don’t compare. Football is so much more in-depth. There’s so much more background stuff that goes into it. Baseball it’s, really and truly, it’s can you throw it? How do you project four or five years down the road? And if we draft you, are you going to sign? Where this process, you’ve got the Senior Bowl, you’ve got the Combine, you’ve got the Pro Day. You’ve got a lot of stuff that goes into it, along with formal interviews. They’re both extremely fun processes, but this is a big-time business, so I understand how it works.

1:45 p.m. Scott Van Pelt’s radio show

Weeden joined Scott Van Pelt and Ryan Russillo in studio, where topics ranged from how his baseball experience helped him at OSU and where that Fiesta Bowl win ranks on his list of favorite sports memories.

Scott Van Pelt: The process fascinates me, just all of the things that they put people through. Wonderlic, the physical, blah, blah, blah. But especially with a quarterback, a team wants to know how you think, how you process stuff. What has that been like, as teams just try to get your sense of not just what you’re going to do on the field, but how your brain works? Has it been odd? Have there have been any odd questions or any of that?

Brandon Weeden: Not really. I think when you do your formal interviews, teams will throw on the tape and they’ll throw on a bad play. For example, when I stepped out of the back of the end zone against Texas. Of course, that was a blooper. And so they’re going to bring it up and say, How’d you respond when that happened,’ or whatever it may be. They just want to see how you react in tough situations. I had a team send me a playbook and ended up coming in a day and a half later. I had a whole playbook and I had to basically recite the entire thing to them–protections, pass plays, run plays, formations, everything.

SVP: Were you able to do it?

BW: I was able to do it. I busted my butt. I was up late at night studying. But every team’s different, how they go about it.

Ryan Russillo: They better draft you (laughs).

BW: Yeah (laughs). I’m sure it was just a watered-down version, but still, it was a challenge. But that’s what they want.

3:30 p.m.–Doug Gottlieb’s radio show

Lots of orange pride in the house when Weeden joined fellow former Cowboy Doug Gottlieb in studio.

Doug Gottlieb: You started off playing baseball, then you walk on at Oklahoma State. They make movies out of that kind of story. You walk on, you redshirt, now you’re 28 years old and about to be drafted. You hold every record at Oklahoma State. Now looking back at your accomplishments, how remarkable do you think your story is?

Brandon Weeden: If you really sit back and think about it, it is pretty surreal. I never would have thought, being where I’m at right now, I would have accomplished half the stuff I’ve been able to accomplish. But my baseball, it’s kind of two separate chapters. It really is. This Oklahoma State chapter in life has been pretty special. What we were able to accomplish, winning a Big 12 championship and then going on to a BCS game and just on and on and on, everything now is kind of like icing on the cake. It’s kind of surreal. It’s a lot of fun.

NFL 32

ESPN made Weeden stand for his last interview of the day. Mark Schlereth asked him about adjusting to taking the snap from under center, and Suzy Kolber tried to get him to spill which teams he’s visiting. He didn’t bite.

Best question/answer
Mark Schlereth: You talked about the fact that you guys at Oklahoma State played in an offense where you didn’t get under center. You were in the shotgun. Now all of a sudden, you have to get under center. I know you had to work at that at the Senior Bowl. How are you right now? How comfortable are you at working under center?

Brandon Weeden: That’s all I’ve been doing. I’ve been under center, basically since the Fiesta Bowl. I’ve been under center taking snaps. I haven’t even taken any shotgun snaps, to be honest with you. That helped me going into the Senior Bowl. I felt really comfortable working with Tim Rattay. He’s a former shotgun guy, so he kind of gave me some pointers and kind of got me comfortable with it. But three-, five-, seven-step drops have just been kind of a normal habit for me. It’s been pretty simple.

Full interviews:

10:30 a.m.–First Take

Jay Harris: Do you get a feel for where you might be ending up, based on what some of the teams are saying?

Brandon Weeden: You know, not really. It’s kind of tough. This part of the process, you go through so much from the last game of the year to where you’re at now. Not really. I think you kind of just fly by the seat of your pants and when draft day comes, whoever calls, you’re excited about the opportunity.

Stephen A. Smith: How do you feel about folks that have some trepidation about you, because of your age? Some people say if you were younger, you’d easily be a first-round pick?

BW: Yeah, it’s there. My situation’s so unique. It hasn’t been done very much, so I think it kind of catches a lot of people off-guard. But it’s one thing I can’t control. There’s a lot of things I can control. I can’t control that. I think I just do what I can. I get better as a football player and just let the rest take care of itself. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to it, honestly, just because there are a lot of positives that go with (the pre-draft process).

Skip Bayless: I can make the case that head-to-head last year you outplayed RG3 (Robert Griffin III) and Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl. At least, you held your own with both of them. Who has the better career between those two?

BW: Oh, you’re putting me on the spot. I don’t know. I know both of them personally pretty well. Obviously, both are going to be great players. So, 1A and 1B? I think what I saw from Andrew Luck against us, he went 27-of-31 or something that was just outrageous. Unbelievable. The guy threw it great. Robert didn’t have his best games against us when he played in Stillwater. So, from what I’ve seen personally, I think Andrew Luck is a can’t-miss guy, but RG3 can really play.

SB: So you’re saying Luck by a hair?

BW: By a hair. But I mean, like I said, it’s 1A and 1B. They’re going to be guys that can change a franchise.

SAS: Where do you think you rank compared to those two guys?

BW: I think right there with them. My only disadvantage is my age. I think football talent alone, I think I’m right in the mix with all those guys. That’s (how) I try to get teams to look at me—treat me like I’m a 22-year-old and see where I stack up. And I tell people my team has beaten all these guys’ teams, and I think there’s a lot to be said about that.

SB: You threw to Justin Blackmon last year. You know Dez Bryant from a couple years past. Who has the better ultimate pro career?

BW: You’re putting me on the spot again. I get asked that question a lot. I didn’t have the privilege to throw to Dez. Zac Robinson was the guy throwing to him. The guy’s a special talent, but I’ve got to stick by my guy Justin. He’s a guy that can come in right away and make a franchise better.

SB: What does he have over Dez?

BW: You know, I think his ability to understand coverages. Just when he was at Oklahoma State—I’m sure Dez has gotten better at understanding things now. But Blackmon’s feel for defenses and understanding coverages is extremely rare for a college player.

SB: Do you think that Jay’s Cleveland Browns should take you with the fourth overall pick?

BW: Take me?

SB: Yeah

BW: Why not? (laughs)

JH: The thought was, let’s get Justin in the first round and let’s come back in the second round and call your name if you’re still there. I know you’d like to be gone by then, but there’s nothing wrong with going early in the second.

SB: He’ll be gone by then.

JH: Think so?

SB: Yes, sir.

JH: Where is the line where you will start to be disappointed if you’re not gone. Is it the first round, in your mind?

BW: Not really. I mean, it’s that last pick. I’m going to be watching regardless.

JH: Good answer.

BW: I’m going to be excited whichever team takes me. You’ve just got to get an opportunity to go play, and once you get there, you’re going to fight for a spot.

JH: Well, good luck to you. Look, I think your age and maturity can be a benefit. I do.

12:20 p.m.–Sportscenter

Chris McKendry: When they said “first word that comes to your mind when you say ‘Justin Blackmon,’ you say there and said, ‘He’s a stud.’”

BW: He is. The guy can play. You watch the highlights there and just every play he makes, in one-one-one matchups, he’s just that much better than the guy he’s playing against.

CM: Why?

BW: I think he’s physical, he’s smart. Everybody sees what he can do with the football and route-running and stuff. He’s a smart player and his ability to adjust and run routes the right way is pretty unique.

CM: And he’s not a diva?

BW: Not at all. If you know Justin the way that I know him, he’s not. He’s one of those guys that’s carefree. He doesn’t have a care in the world. And he’s just a great teammate, one, but a great friend off the field, as well.

CM: Well, Mel Kiper, Jr. so far has him coming off the board No. 4 overall to the Browns. Meanwhile, he has you coming off as the fourth quarterback taken in the upcoming draft next month. What are you anticipating?

BW: You know, I don’t really have any thoughts or worries, really. It’s all going to happen. I’ve been there before with baseball. You just kind of got to stay by the phone and pray that one team will take a shot. I don’t really have any expectations. I’m just really enjoying this process. It’s been a great one. There’s a lot of stops along the way, but really and truly, it’s just one of those process you’ve got to cherish and (feel) privileged that you’re in this position.

CM: What would be a good fit for you?

BW: I think a team that throws the football around. I think that’s my strength–throwing the football. I think that’s obviously something we did a lot of at Oklahoma State and I think that will translate over to the NFL. So, I just want an opportunity to play and hopefully just one team will give me a shot.

CM: Play right away? I bring this up because of your age. You’re almost 29 years old. Do you feel like you have a season or two to sit and learn, or do you need to go in and play?

BW: No, I’ve got to learn. It’s another step to the NFL, and if I have to sit for a year and learn from a guy, I think that can only benefit (me). But with my age, I can’t sit for four, five, six years and expect to play. That’s just not possible. I understand that. But I think I have the ability to play sooner rather than later. I’ve got a lot of football left in my tank, my body is extremely fresh and I feel like I have a lot to offer.

CM: Are there any teams that you’ve spoken to individually that are possibly showing the most interest?

BW: Yeah, I’ve spoken with quite a few teams. Along the way, there’s a lot of steps along the process. You’ve got to do individual meetings and stuff with (teams), and it’s hard to get a feel. I’ve spoken to several teams.

CM: The usual suspects who need quarterbacks right now?

BW: Yeah, pretty much, and I know who they are. I understand the process. But it’s fun. This is a fun process, like I said earlier. It’s something you’ve just got to wait until the draft and wait to see who calls when your phone rings.

CM: And I say the usual suspects–we’ve been talking about them all throughout the offseason. The Browns. Seattle is out there, although they now they have (Matt) Flynn. Miami Dolphins. And the list goes on. You mentioned baseball, and a team did take a shot on you. That was a decade ago (when) the New York Yankees drafted (you) in the second round. You were a big, strong reliever back then but played so many sports. And that was directly out of high school. How do the two processes compare?

BW: They don’t compare. Football is so much more in-depth. There’s so much more background stuff that goes into it. Baseball it’s, really and truly, it’s can you throw it? How do you project four or five years down the road? And if we draft you, are you going to sign? Where this process, you’ve got the Senior Bowl, you’ve got the Combine, you’ve got the Pro Day. You’ve got a lot of stuff that goes into it, along with formal interviews. They’re both extremely fun processes, but this is a big-time business, so I understand how it works.

CM: Do a lot of the NFL teams, when they talk to you, or even other players, ask you about your time as a Yankee? And if so, what do they want to know about it and how it affects you?

BW: I think most people want, again, to know the comparisons. Obviously, pitching in the minor leagues is nothing glamorous, especially compared to the NFL. But they want to know stories. They want to know how everything’s going to kind of translate to the NFL. But like I said, it’s like apples and oranges. There’s not really many comparisons between the two. I had a great time playing baseball, and I really look forward to playing in the NFL.

CM: He was a second-round pick my Major League Baseball and is going to be up there in the NFL, as well. He’s Brandon Weeden. I think “good athlete” sums it up. You can hit a golf ball to, right?

BW: I play a little bit.

CM: What’s your handicap?

BW: When I’m playing, probably about a 3.

CM: (Sighs). Oh, John Buccigross. You see what you’re missing?

1:45 p.m. Scott Van Pelt’s radio show

Scott Van Pelt: I was asking you off-air, but I’ll ask you on-air, what do you think of the place? It’s always fun to see what people think of (ESPN’s campus). This is where we are every day, but when you’ve only watched, what do you think of the joint?

Brandon Weeden: It’s bigger than I expected. On TV, it kind of looks like it’s a little bit of a smaller room. But you guys have a nice little setup here.

SVP: We’ve got fine accommodations here, and we appreciate you stopping by. The draft is rapidly approaching. What’s your sense of what’s going to happen for you?

BW: I don’t really have a sense of where I’m going to land or when or all that stuff. This process, there’s a lot that goes into it, and you’ve got to take it step by step. Along the way, I’ve met with a lot of teams that have put off what seems like good interest and stuff my way. I don’t know, as far as what teams are thinking what, but I feel like I’ve done everything I can personally control.

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