CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders took questions from reporters on Sunday with regard to the 23-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, making his NFL debut, the Ravens defense, and more.
Below is the transcript as provided by the Browns media relations department:
Opening Statement:
“First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to get out there. That’s all you could ask for, honestly, a chance to get out there, get your feet wet, to experience how it feels to even be out there with the team, with the first group, with everybody. So it truly was exciting.”
When did you know you’re going into the game?
“Right at halftime. So right before you seen me, right when you seen me.”
What was going through your mind at that moment when you found out that you were going to be out there leading the offense?
“It’s time for me to step up.”
How do you think you played?
“I don’t think I played good. I don’t think I played good at all. I think it’s a lot of things, you know, we need to look at, during the week and go and just get comfortable, even throwing routes, you know, with Jerry (Jeudy) and throwing routes with all those guys. So I think that was my first ball to him all year. But other than that, I just think overall we just got to go next week and understand so then we have a week to prepare stuff I like to do.”
Shedeur, do you think that if you play next week, if Dillon doesn’t clear protocol, do you feel like if the game plan is designed for you and you get those first team reps, those starting reps in practice, that this is just going to be a whole different ball game for you when you get out there?
“No, the most I can ask for is opportunities. See, like that’s an uncontrollable thing that I’m not able to control. And that’s not nothing I should speak on. Just being the quarterback of this team, this franchise, you know, they gave me an opportunity. I ain’t do up to my expectation, enough to get us a win, you know, so I just got to take that one to the chin.”
You mentioned that you hadn’t really thrown to Jerry and these guys in the starting unit. Kevin alluded to that as well. How much of there was maybe like a rust factor or acclimation period with those pass catchers in that in the second half?
“I think you’ve seen it was just rough overall. It was a rough day overall. But the thing that I was excited about is just being able to get out there. You know, it’s the first time I got hit, like since my last game at Colorado. So just having that feeling back, you know, is good and, you know, I feel fulfilled overall when it comes to being out there practicing, going in between the lines, seeing actually what it’s like. And I know I’m made for it. You know, I don’t think there’s a doubt in my mind that that final drive was going to go down there and score. Things happen and we didn’t. But I was just excited because I knew what I was going to be able to do out there. And for the team, for the linemen and even getting snapped from Po (Ethan Pocic), you know, like, that was amazing. You know, going out there in a live game, being able to do that with him. And the way the guys, the way the O line, running back, receivers, defense, like all riding around, that’s all you can ask for, for a quarterback.”
Did you think your last catch to Gage (Larvadain) was going to be a touchdown?
“I think every throw, you know, is going to be complete until it’s not. You know, I know Gage is a dog. I have the most reps with Gage than everybody out there. So we out there like hungry dogs going at it every day. So yeah.”
It just seemed like a really good play by the defender there. It was a nice throw by you. Is that how you saw it?
“No, I don’t think too much in it, you know, I don’t think too much in that. I just take what come with it. Okay, cool. Next play.”
Shedeur, Kevin’s talked a lot about those extra periods you mentioned, the hungry dog periods just as opportunities to get extra reps and everything. How much, have you, did you feel like those extra reps have at least helped prepare you for when you were out there finally, if at all?
“Yeah, it helped me understand the concepts live, you know, but it’s different when there’s different body types going out there, different way how people get out of routes. Like what I seen on the pick initially was I see his hips turn. So I’m like, okay, we going to be able to get out there. But at the same time, playing quarterback is extremely hard. So it’s like I like knowing every detail about my receivers. I like knowing the small things, what they’re good at, what they’re not good at. It’s like so many details that helps me play confident with those guys. And I know we at the bottom right now. This performance, everything, it will never be like this. But, you know, I’m dedicated to being able to get those opportunities with those guys, to have a relationship. You know, I got a relationship with all the hungry dogs, though. We like clockwork out there, but you just got to see. You just got to see everything a little bit more. You know, they can come out and do all different type of stuff.”
So besides that, not having the familiarity with the first team guys, what was the most difficult part of it? The Ravens coverage, the pressure they brought, the speed of it. What did you find difficult?
“No. I’m going to give them their props. They were a good football team. But I know this. I know the only way is up for sure.”
You came into a very intense game against a division rival, a close game, and you said you didn’t feel like you played well, but what did you think went right and what went right for you to build upon for your next start?
“Losing isn’t something I’m comfortable with at all. So, I just got to take this one, you know, I got to take this one. I got to decompress. I got to understand, like, you know, this really happened, you know, on my watch. I don’t like the feeling. And I know offensively, if I’m able to get out there and have an opportunity, I know that I’ll be able to take everything to a different level. Like I said, I still have the same confidence. I’m still me. I’ll never go anywhere. You know, just going out there, seeing daylight, that’s all I needed, you know, to see how they move out there. Playing against a great defense. You got guys from the Pro bowl out there, so it’s like, it’s exciting to see. Okay, this is what it’s like? Alright. This is what it’s like? I’m excited for it. So, you know, I just got to take this one and build on it.”
Did you notice the reaction from the fans when you came into the game? Were you able to soak that in?
“Yeah, I’m extremely thankful. Well, first, let me say this. When Dillon out there playing and all that, I appreciate the fans. I appreciate everybody, but I’m a good person overall, so I don’t really like him not feeling comfortable, confident when he get out there, so it puts everything in a tough spot, and it’s not helping the team. So, that could be taken as, ‘okay, I’m being a distraction’, even though I ain’t doing that, even though I’m not doing nothing. But I’m thankful for the supporters, thankful for the fans, thankful for everybody out there that believes. And yeah, when I got out there, I definitely felt them, and I’m truly thankful for it. I’m just thankful that I’m out here, I’m thankful for the opportunity. Thankful seeing all them 12 jerseys out there, and it was a great feeling for that, but the feeling of losing, that ain’t nothing we going to get comfortable with, like, on my watch, for sure.”
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