CLEVELAND, OHIO (TheOBR.com) - Good morning, Cleveland Browns fans! Hump Day is upon us at the Browns practice in Carolina this morning. We'll have a live practice thread this AM on the Insider Discussion board.
THE DAILY BLOVIATION
The Browns have let the world know that Shedeur Sanders will start the game against the Carolina Panthers. This seems inevitable, given the team's injuries at the position and desire to preserve Joe Flacco for real games in September. The omnipresent headlines blared that Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders would start the pre-season tussle against the Carolina Panthers and would (gasp!) perhaps even be allowed to play with or against the first string.
Shedeur Sanders
Shedeur Sanders (Photo: Getty)
Of course, this causes a problem. The problem is that it will leave Sanders advocates little to complain about in terms of the Browns' handling of the fifth-round pick. The complaints about Sanders' lack of "opportunity" have been deafening.
Somehow, I expect that they'll come up with something new to focus on after the Panthers game, perhaps that members of the eventual starting eleven will also be encased, like Flacco, in bubble wrap for the affair.
An example of Sanders' advocates in the media is promising QB-turned-engagement addict Robert Griffin III, who wrote thusly on Monday:
Shedeur Sanders is being set up to fail in Cleveland. But God’s got him showing out even with limited reps.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 5, 2025
All this is then written about in Awful Announcing, which makes the brilliantly informed decision to show Sanders' meaningless passing "stats" compiled by a similarly attention-seeking sports radio outlet.
See, everyone? Sanders is dominating in camp against the #3 Browns defense! Future waived pass defenders hang their heads in shame.
Can someone injure themselves from excessive eye-rolling? I guess I'm about to find out.
Still, I have to admit that I'm as anxious as anyone to see Sanders in action, just in case he turns out to thrive when given the opportunity. The feedback I've received is that Sanders has looked good in camp but still has some areas to improve. The team's apparent strategy of giving him time before bringing him out later in the season makes sense given the circumstances by maximizing his chance for success.
However, according to RGIII, he's being set up to fail by the Browns. (Eyeroll). (Ouch).
THE NFL BITES OFF A CHUNK OF ESPN: Based on my background, it's natural that I would have concerns about the NFL trading its NFL Media properties for a 10% stake in ESPN.
I got into this business because I was upset at how the media soft-pedalled fan concerns with the NFL in the 1990s. Since then, I've seen firsthand how the incestuous relationships between sports leagues and the outlets that broadcast their games result in pressure being exerted on the media outlets.
Now that the NFL owns a chunk of ESPN, I don't expect this to have a positive effect on how fan interests are covered when those run counter to the NFL's agenda.
Have a good one! GO BROWNS!
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