Shedeur Sanders is adjusting to the role of backup quarterback for the first time in five years. (Cleveland Browns)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns and NFL analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Coach Kevin Stefanski is treating Saturday’s preseason finale as a dress rehearsal for the real season. Thus, his QB rotation for the game against the Los Angeles Rams is the strongest clue yet about what will be his quarterback depth chart heading into the regular season.
Stefanski said that Joe Flacco will play first, Dillon Gabriel second and Shedeur Sanders third.
That’s been the order all camp, with Kenny Pickett usually slotted No. 2 right behind Flacco. But Pickett will not play Saturday, Stefanski said, because of his strained hamstring.
Thus, after all the hoopla of his draft status and first training camp, Sanders will begin his NFL career as a backup – something he admittedly has to get used to.
“I have been starting so long, ever since the COVID year, you know. I haven’t really not started since COVID year, and I ran scout team,” Sanders said. “And then sometimes you gotta find the joy and the fun in it because it is fun. You’re going out there against the first defense and you are out there with a tip, you know, you playing with guys, you playing with receivers, just trying to get out there also. So I feel like all that stuff is fun and you just gotta make the best of any situation you’re in.”
Pickett’s hamstring injury led the Browns to re-sign veteran Tyler Huntley, who was in their camp last year. Sanders said Huntley has been a mentor to him.
“I would say I’m thankful that Huntley here, because he gave me a perspective of quarterback that I feel like I needed,” Sanders said. “I feel like him being here overall, I feel like God sent him here for a reason, honestly, just to talk to and to be like a mentor toward me and his career, also.
“But being in that backup role, you know, he faced that also in his career and he just gave me the mentality on what I need to do and how I need to stay on top of everything. Just helping me out throughout everything.”
Sanders was asked what he’s learned in his first training camp.
“I would say I learned life in a different perspective,” he said. “I’m happy I always got good energy because I’m blessed to come out here every day, regardless the situation, regardless of anything. You know, I know my time, whenever that is, I’ll be ready for it, and I’m going to embrace that. But in due time. I got many things I need to fix, many things I need to work on, and I’m not oblivious to that. So all I look at as is I’m getting more time to cook, I’m getting more time to warm up, you know, that’s all it is.”
About those Gabriel comments
Sanders was asked about Gabriel’s comments during and after the Eagles game about there being “entertainers and competitors, and I’m a competitor.” Gabriel insisted he was not taking a shot at Sanders.
“Honestly … words or anything, you know, at this point, can’t do anything to me,” Sanders said. “I know that God put the ability and the power within me to not even think about nobody else’s comments, not care.
“It is what it is. I spoke with him. He told me on the plane. He came up to me, he was like, ‘Nah, bro, that wasn’t at you. I see how they’re trying to spin it.’ I’m not tripping. Regardless of whatever it was, I don’t … nobody’s words or anything affects me.”
A reporter asked Sanders if he believed Gabriel when he said he wasn’t referring to him.
“Did I believe him? I mean, I feel like you trying to start stuff now. I feel like you trying to start stuff,” he said, laughing. “Do I feel like he did? I don’t know. And that’s not on me to sit here and be like, ‘Oh, he did. He didn’t.’ That’s not going to change my life in any way.”
Finally on this subject, Sanders was asked what’s it been like to work alongside Gabriel in this training camp.
“It’s great competition,” he answered. “Every day you go out there, get a completion, and just how it is for everybody else in the room.”
Name is Bond … Isaiah Bond
Newly signed receiver Isaiah Bond vowed he’d be ready to play in the Rams game, and after only three practices, Stefanski agreed. Bond has had reps with the first-, second- and third-team offense in a whirlwind introduction to the team after being cleared last Friday of a sexual assault charge in April.
“I think mentally he’s very, very sharp and we knew that,” Stefanski said. “So, he picked up everything very quickly. Now he’s not going to play a game on Saturday. But I do think it’s appropriate, safe, all those things. I think he’s ready to play a little bit on Saturday.”
Brownie bits
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson, who had two really good games against Carolina and Philadelphia, suffered a torn biceps and was placed on injured reserve, ending his second season. :I know it’s football, but on the personal level you just hate this for these guys,” Stefanski said. “He’s worked so hard, going through a lot. He’s playing well, so yeah, it’s tough.” …
The Browns waived running back Toa Taua and signed receiver Chase Cota, linebacker Marvin Moody, and linebacker Charlie Thomas …
Players who did not practice and are not expected to play Saturday include cornerback Denzel Ward (shoulder), receiver Cedric Tillman (thumb), linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (undisclosed), offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (ankle) and linebacker Winston Reid (back).