Shedeur Sanders, Browns
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Quarterback Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns made their first waves at quarterback by pulling Joe Flacco for rookie Dillon Gabriel late in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens, and more tumult is likely soon to follow.
The “Orange and Brown Talk Podcast” featured Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com on Monday, September 15, who said she expects the team to roll with Flacco during a particularly difficult portion of the schedule over the next several weeks. However, she also made a strong prediction that both Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will get real run under center once the quality of opponent eases off.
“I think the reason why we’re asking the question is because in a game like this, Joe turned the ball over twice. He had a horrible interception this game. But I do think the more that I think about this right now, they’re heading into a very grueling stretch,” Cabot said. “I just don’t think now is the time to do it. So I agree with the decision to stick with Joe Flacco for now, but it’s going to get to the point at some time this season where they’re going to say, ‘Alright, let’s see what these rookies can do.'”
Dillon Gabriel Will Get Shot as Browns’ Starting QB Before Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel
GettyCleveland Browns quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (left) and Dillon Gabriel (right).
Gabriel is almost certainly going to get the first crack at starting if, or more likely when, Cleveland benches the 40-year-old Flacco. However, when the Browns hit a point at which they decide to sideline Flacco, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that Sanders elevates into the QB2 role shortly thereafter.
Based on context, the most likely opportunities for Gabriel to earn his first start are Week 6 on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers or Week 7 at home against the Miami Dolphins. Thus, it could also be around the halfway point of the year at which Sanders finds himself one poor half of play by Gabriel and/or one injury away from taking first-team reps in a regular-season game.
Gabriel was competent in a limited role during garbage time in Baltimore Sunday, completing 3-of-3 passes for 19 yards and one touchdown. That is a positive sign for the young QB, though not enough data from which to extrapolate his future performances in higher-pressure and higher-usage circumstances.
Shedeur Sanders Defended Decision Requesting Ravens Not to Select Him in NFL Draft
Cleveland Browns
GettyCleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
Tony Rizzo of ESPN Cleveland questioned last week why Sanders remains on the Browns’ roster after reporting that sources have told him Sanders isn’t running the scout team offense, which is typically the purview of a third-string quarterback.
Ross Tucker of CBS addressed that report during Sunday’s broadcast, asserting that the team remains committed to developing Sanders during practice sessions.
“They have an airtight plan down to the minute for those guys,” Tucker said of the Browns’ rookie QBs. “They run an extra period after practice so Shedeur can get 8-10 reps every day.”
Sanders took some heat after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that the Qb instructed the Ravens not to draft him in the fifth round because he didn’t want to play behind Lamar Jackson and would rather go somewhere that he might see the field more quickly.
Critics of Sanders pointed to the ability of a stalwart organization like the one in Baltimore, which has been competitive almost every year of the current century, as being a much better place to develop a starting NFL quarterback than a franchise like the Browns.
Sanders responded to Schefter’s report during the postgame media session Sunday.
“My response is I’m focused on the now. I don’t really talk about anything in the past, and whatever happened in the past, it is what it is,” Sanders said. “You wouldn’t even believe, my memory doesn’t go back that far. I don’t even remember anything post-draft. I just remember I’m here, I go to practice every day and it’s a 24-hour rule.”