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. Greedy Williams Browns Jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Bernie Kosar Youth Jersey . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. http://www.brownsrookiestore.com/Customized/ .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. Denzel Ward Browns Jersey .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. Nick Chubb Browns Jersey . Howard Ganz, an MLB lawyer, said in a letter to U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos that Rodriguezs claims do not come "remotely close" to what is needed to overturn an arbitration decision in federal court. SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Michael Mancini allowed just four hits and struck out 13 in 5 1/3 innings to help Endwell, New York beat Goodlettsville, Tennessee 3-1 on Monday in the Little League World Series.Mancini was relieved by Ryan Harlost with one out in the sixth inning after Tennessees Zach McWilliams hit a home run to left field. Harlost retired the next two batters.Harlost also had a two-run homer over the center-field wall to give New York a 2-0 lead in the first inning. He starrted the LLWS by going 4 for 4 with two home runs.ddddddddddddMancini walked to lead off the third, advanced to second on a wild pitch, went to third on a fielders choice and scored on another errant pitch to make it 3-0. New York had runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth but Tennessee reliever Robert Carroll ended the threat with a strikeout. ' ' '