Bla Bla » winner wanted a public service to be held

BEREA, Ohio -- Brandon Weeden had a lot to prove. Before his second NFL season began, he had to convince some teammates, a new coaching staff and front office and many skeptical Cleveland fans he deserved to start. He desperately wanted to be their quarterback, the guy. On Tuesday, Weedens efforts were rewarded. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski selected Weeden as his starter, an announcement that erased any uncertainty -- and there wasnt much -- that the second-year QB would be behind centre for the Sept. 8 season opener against Miami. Weeden has spent the past few months doing everything he possibly could to win the job, and he did -- fair and square. "Brandon has earned this," Chudzinski said, "and thats extremely important to me that he did. He has gained my complete trust. He has gained his teammates complete trust and this organizations trust. Were all behind him and well all be behind him to support him." Weeden, who survived a bumpy rookie season, took the news that he had beaten out veteran Jason Campbell in typical stride. Unlike a year ago, when he was essentially anointed as Clevelands No. 1 from the moment he was selected in the first round of the draft, Weeden had to fight for this. He immersed himself in the playbook to learn the Browns new system and performed at a high level during spring practices and summer training camp. If there was any doubt, Weeden removed by completing 18 of 25 passes for 229 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in two preseason games. Case closed. "Ive taken the steps that I needed to take to better myself," Weeden said. "But I have to keep continuing to work, keep continuing to do the things that Ive done all along up until this point to become that player that I want to be. Im not satisfied. I feel like I have a lot of work to do, and thats kind of my mindset moving forward." While there was widespread speculation outside of Clevelands locker room about whether Weeden should remain the starter, the Browns were certain he was up to the challenge. "I cant really say I had any doubt," wide receiver Josh Gordon said. "It seems as though hes the guy whos been here. Hes shown improvement ever since he got here, every day, every week, his commitment and work ethic. Hes definitely stepped up into that leadership role that everybody expects him to be. Hes doing a great job and were glad to have him. "Ive got 100 per cent faith in him." Chudzinski does as well. The 29-year-old Weeden has impressed his coach with every aspect of his game -- on and off the field. "I have been very pleased with how he has gone out," Chudzinski said. "He has taken the opportunity, seized the opportunity and produced. So I have been pleased from that standpoint and I think that he has garnered a lot of respect from, not only me, not only the coaching staff and the organization but from his teammates, as well." Weeden is just the fourth Browns quarterback -- and first since Charlie Frye in 2007 -- to open consecutive seasons as the starter. Tim Couch (2000-01) and Kelly Holcomb (02-03) are the others. "I knew I had to impress the people that ultimately make the decisions," Weeden said. "Thats all 90 of us that are out here. My mindset didnt change. My mindset was getting better focus, just doing the things that I need to do to become a better player." Weeden now believes everyone within the Browns organization has his back. "I do. Absolutely," he said. "I feel like I have the support from players on up." While others wondered if he would succeed, Weeden said self-doubt was never a factor. "Ive always put the pressure on myself that I was going to be the guy," he said. "I was going to do everything I could to be the guy. I cant say that I ever doubted it. My mentality was that I was again going to take the bull by the horns and be the guy and do everything in my power to make it where they had no choice but to name me the guy." Hes the guy. NOTES: Chudzinski said RB Dion Lewis will likely be placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken leg. Lewis had surgery on Monday to repair the fibula he broke during Thursday nights win over Detroit. ... As expected, LB Barkevious Mingo will sit out Saturdays game at Indianapolis with a bruised lung. Chudzinski said Mingo s medical evaluation "is an ongoing thing." Mingo was spitting up blood on the sideline Thursday night with the unusual injury. The Browns still arent sure when he was injured. C.J. Gardner-Johnson Jersey . – Team Canadas Brooke Henderson carded a 4-under 67 at Craigowan Golf and Country Club to jump into the lead at the Canadian Womens Amateur Championship on Wednesday. Cameron Meredith Jersey . His Brazilian opponents said he produced miracles. There is no doubt that Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was the one responsible for spoiling Brazils hopes of another World Cup victory at its home tournament. http://www.cheapsaintsjerseyselite.com/?...kirkwood-jersey. - This win was more the New Jersey Devils style. Javorius Allen Jersey .Johnny there, who knew he had that speed? teammate Tommy Wingels said.Scott and Matt Irwin were unlikely goal-scorers Tuesday night as the previously stingy San Jose Sharks finally sprung a leak or two, blowing a pair of three-goal leads before coming away with a 6-5 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals. Devine Ozigbo Jersey . -- Shanshan Feng was alone in her opinion about the pin positions in the Kraft Nabisco Championship.Arnold Palmer was celebrated at a ceremony on Tuesday in Latrobe, the hometown of the golf legend who died on September 25, aged 87. His private funeral for family members was on Thursday, but the family of the seven-time major winner wanted a public service to be held after the Ryder Cup.Members of the winning American team attended, including Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler, at St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, along with leaders from the PGA Tour and European Tour and other tours around the world.Private planes descended on Arnold Palmer Regional Airport about an hour before the service.A tearful Jack Nicklaus, longtime friend and chief rival in the 1960s, led the tributes during the three-hour service. Fans sign a tribute wall for Arnold Palmer at the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine The 18-time major champion, said: I hurt like you hurt. You dont lose a friend of 60 years and dont feel an enormous loss.I am honoured and humbled to celebrate everything Arnold has meant to golf and the country. This is not one of the easiest speeches.He was an everyday man, everyones hero. Arnold managed to remove the I from icon and instead let the world share in his greatness.Golf gave so much to Arnold but he gave back so much more. He appealed to everyone. He was the king of our sport, and he always will be.Country singer Vince Gill paid his own tribute with an acoustic performance and former leading womens golfer Annika Sorenstam spoke of her memories of a man who did so much great work off the course as he had on it.Peter Dawson, long-serving former chief executive of the Royal & Ancient, said: Arnold was golfs greatest ambassador, both at home and abroad.He mixed with heads of state, with presidents, with prime ministers, but he never lost his common touch. He could open doors that were firmly closed to others. But he was more than an ambassador - he was the king, and always will be.Palmers grandson, Sam Saunders, also spoke. Tony Jacklin and Jack Nicklaus dedicate 41st Ryder Cup to the memory of Arnold Palmer Former LPGA commissioner and close friend Charlie Mechem opened the tributes and said: Were all heartbroken by the passing of our dear friend.ddddddddddddBut sadness and grief is not the tone Arnold or his family would want for this day. I want you to smile because he smiled about 95 percent of the time. When he missed a putt maybe, whatever, gotta be happy. Sir Nick Faldo, speaking before the service, told Sky Sports News HQ: Palmer was global golf. Golf was his biggest fan.He would do anything for everybody. He loved golf so much and he was happy to promote it any way he could.Ernie Els, four-time major champion, added to SSNHQ: He was the king. I met him in 1992, there was a 40-year age gap and it didnt feel like it., he felt like a friend, mentor and a father figure and that was Arnold. Star of the screen Palmer: Sports first television superstar PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem also paid his respects and said: When we talk about Arnolds legacy I dont believe its a legacy of the past. Its a living legacy that he has left us. Palmer won 62 titles on the PGA Tour, including four Masters titles, two wins at The Open and one US Open championship.Widely regarded as golfs first superstar, Palmer, nicknamed The King, attracted legions of fans known as Arnies Army at his peak with his swashbuckling style of play. Also See: Nicklaus dedicates Ryder Cup to Palmer Woods and McIlroy lead Palmer tributes Golf great Palmer passes away Palmer: Sports first TV superstar