CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans! There's a full slate of college football today as the Browns-Steelers game creeps nearer. Now we're getting to games like Indiana-Oregon that have some meaning, not to mention what is a key game for the team we cover here.
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
A little this and that as we head into a big weekend of football...
ESCAPING QUARTERBACK PURGATORY
Thank goodness the Browns have named Shedeur Sanders the backup quarterback. I'm not sure I could take another round of the Browns-are-doing-wrong-by-Shedeur commentary from various ex-athletes trying to make a name for themselves in the "Hot Take" economy. I'm sure they'll come around to the Shedeur-needs-to-start take the very minute Dillon Gabriel has a bad game.
Hopefully, the Browns' decision isn't motivated by a desire to stay off the sports pages, but instead reflects growing confidence in Sanders' ability to do the job. The Browns have been saying the right things about Sanders from the start, emphasizing their approach is focused on his development, not selling jerseys. But Sanders acolytes will always come up with something against the Browns unless their favorite quarterback is near the pinnacle. If he gets a chance to play and doesn't do well, we'll hear all about how his surrounding cast is inadequate.
That said, the annoyances in chat rooms and social media aside, we know little about how Sanders is actually progressing, because practice is top secret after a brief stretching period. The media is sent away from the field. So, the public isn't very well-informed about how Sanders is actually doing on the field.
Dillon Gabriel
The Browns starting QB (for now) (Photo: Getty)
However, in general, I approve of the Browns' approach to restocking their quarterback room, a place that has been filled with has-beens and never-weres over the past 25 years. Escaping from quarterback purgatory isn't easy unless a team is horrible at precisely the right time or somehow identifies hidden talent. We have two nice shots at solving the riddle this year, and more in 2026, in case those don't pan out. It beats trying to recycle Kenny Pickett, in my view. This, at least, is a new road.
THE BROWNS ARE DESPERATE AT WIDE RECEIVER
The Browns are constantly searching for talent to add to their practice squad, as they constantly churn that and the bottom of the 53-man roster in the search for talent. I couldn't help but notice yesterday that the team tried out four different wide receivers late this week, according to the NFL Transaction Report, which came out yesterday. All told, the Browns tried out nine different players:
Cooks, Elijah WR San Jose State Dalena, Mac WR Fresno State Green, Bryson WR Wisconsin Jackson, Jha'Quan WR Tulane Johnson, D.J. LB Oregon Joyner, Jah DE Minnesota Kubitz, Nick LB North Dakota State McGrone, Cameron LB Michigan Reed, Austin QB Western Kentucky
The focus on wide receiver means that the team is scouting the position aggressively as they look for answers at the position. The attempt to bring along players like Ced Tillman and Jamari Thrash has been unsuccessful to date. Isaiah Bond is quite raw, and it's too soon to tell on Gage Larvadain and Malachi Corley. There's potential there, but the team (as with the quarterback) needs to determine what they have in hand before next year's draft.
None of which helps their current predicament with two players (Dillon Gabriel and Quinshon Judkins) whom they already like. The inability of Browns receivers to steadfastly catch the ball means that opponents will focus on the run and horizontal passing opportunities, preventing those two from succeeding like they could in a well-rounded offense. The Browns are looking for solutions, and a trade is not outside the realm of possibility.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
Newswire Bloviation Archive
OBR BROWNS SCOOP
CLEVELAND BROWNS ARTICLES
Cleveland Browns Kevin Stefanski Names Shedeur Sanders the Backup at QB; Tyson Campbell, Cam Robinson Updates - Fred
Cleveland Browns News and Rumors 10/10: Ignore the Distractions, Focus on Pittsburgh - Barry
Audio: Fred Greetham Previews Steelers Game on WTAM - Barry
CLEVELAND BROWNS VIDEOS
Two-Minute Practice Check-In: Shedeur Sanders Named Backup - (youtube.com)
Browns 3D- SHEDEUR SANDERS now the back-up, Browns Steelers preview - (youtube.com)
CLEVELAND BROWNS FORUM POSTS
ASK THE INSIDERS (VIP)
Browns trading for a wr?
Its annoying... but Jon Gruden HC rumors?
Is there a trade deadline coming up?
Chris Olave trade?
Is Hall not progressing from his injury as hoped?
Judkins and the NFL league office
Hall again
Thanks for all the info of late….
Are Coaches or Coordinators informed about a potential trade?
FU on Josh Simmons
WR Trade
why not the backup
OT Draft Follow Up
THE WATERCOOLER
2026 QB Class Discussion Thread (Week 7 pg 26)
Week 7 college football
Your favorite team in every sport?
Mike Hall Jr. Missing Another Game
The 5 sports teams you hate the most
LiveWire Thread for 1010 - Twitter, Video, Articles
The Offensive Line
Cleveland Browns Wheeling and Dealing or fire sale
The Shedeur Sanders Plan
OMG can we stop asking about Shedeur
THE LIFT: Positive news from the world of sports and beyond...
Incredible telescope image shows baby exoplanet being born - (space.com)
This is the world's 1st image of 2 black holes orbiting one another - (space.com)
ISS astronaut captures amazing video of SpaceX Starlink satellite train cruising above auroras - (space.com)
Some excellent photographs of the universe around us this morning, as scientists peer deeper and deeper into the unknown with tools that improve by the year.
WRAPPING UP
When not dreaming of supporting a complete football team, Barry McBride is the Publisher and Founder of the OBR and bloviates this nonsense every morning. You can follow him on Twitter @barrymcbride or write him at barry@theobr.com if you are so compelled.
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