As owner of the Browns, it's difficult to blame Jimmy Haslam.

Still, it's interesting how the team's brass will not fully commit to quarterback Brandon Weeden, who, after all, was not handpicked by Haslam, team president Joe Banner or General Manager Mike Lombardi.

On Thursday, Haslam gave a tiny vote of confidence in a short interview with The News-Herald's Jeff Schudel. For Weeden fans, it's baby steps. A few months ago, Haslam told reporters there would be a full-blown QB competition in training camp for the 2013 season.

When Lombardi was hired, he was peppered with questions about less-than-flattering remarks about Weeden on the first day of the 2012 NFL draft. He dodged those questions, and hasn't been heard from in public since.

Then, last week the team signed NFL journeyman Jason Campbell as "competition" for Weeden.

The signs are mixed, to say the least, regarding Weeden's future, but at least Haslam had Weeden's back ... sort of.

For Weeden and his fans, they'll take it.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo