Cowboy quarterback Weeden has a lot going for him

Brandon Weeden has a lot going for him. He's obviously athletic, having been a professional baseball player.

He's local, too. Well, almost. He went to high school in Edmond, just a short drive along the ridiculously uneven lanes of Highway 51 and a quick jet down I-35.

Even better, the fans like him. When Weeden entered the game against Colorado in October, replacing Alex Cate, who himself was replacing Zac Robinson who was out because of injury, the crowd cheered louder than it had all game. Cate had been dismal, at best, not completing a single pass. At that point, many fans would have been happier to see Russell Okung line up behind center than watch Cate toss another ball into the ground.

Fun fact: Weeden switched his jersey number from 4 to 3 after Cate left the program. Cate used to wear No. 3.

Weeden's also been playing football a long time. He turns 27 in October, a bit older than the average college football player, not that it's a bad thing. It might even be his best asset.

Although he's only thrown 27 passes in four games in his college career, Weeden's age and experience is what separates him from his competition at quarterback, incoming freshmen Nathan Sorenson and Johnny Deaton.

Deaton is more of a dual-threat quarterback, which might not be the best fit for new offensive coordinator Dana Holgerson's pass-heavy offense.

And Sorenson might take some time to adapt to the speed of the college game.

Weeden doesn't have those problems. He's had three years to adjust to the college game, and although he can run when he needs to, he's definitely comfortable in the pocket.

He's a solid passer and mobile enough to move around when he needs to do. He's had more time to develop relationships with the offensive lineman and wide receivers.

Weeden isn't Robert Griffin III. He's not Jerrod Johnson or even Blaine Gabbert, at least not yet. But he has every opportunity to shine this fall. And Holgerson will have receivers like Hubert Anyiam in open positions on every play.

And maybe when the Cowboys open play on Sept. 9 against Washington State, Cowboys fans will be happy to see a quarterback wearing No. 3.