Shedeur Sanders says his job is not to prove people wrong but to prove himself right. (TheLandOnDemand)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns rookie minicamp Day 2 …
On Friday, coach Kevin Stefanski said all the rookies – not just the quarterbacks -- are being evaluated on everything.
“Everything they do out on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room,” he said. “We want to see how they work. So this is a total evaluation. It’s not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It’s really all about the body of work.”
On the second day of rookie camp, the quarterbacks met the media.
The possible future faces of the organization took the podium separately, Dillon Gabriel first and Shedeur Sanders second, just like their order in team drills.
Dillon spoke for 10 minutes, 44 seconds; Sanders for 13:58.
The verdict: A draw. Both were outstanding.
I asked Stefanski how important is it how the quarterbacks represent themselves in interviews.
“I think you guys are getting to know these young players, quarterbacks, this whole rookie class,” he said. “These are some impressive young men. They’re really good on the field, they’re really good off the field. But a part of talking with you guys is talking to our fans. We want them to get a feel for who these young men are and I think the more they get to know them, they’ll understand these guys really want to work hard at this thing. It’s their craft. It’s now, as I’ve told them, it’s now their job.”
So here were the highlights of the quarterbacks’ first in-person Q&A’s with the media covering rookie camp.
Dillon Gabriel
On his first day on the field on Friday:
“It felt good. You know, honestly, I think this is definitely a place where I thrive. Being able to get back in the building and I think within six months of the draft process, you’re kind of team-less and a lot of time for you to build and grow individually. But this is where I thrive, being in a team environment. That’s how you play the game of football.”
On his reaction to the Browns selecting Sanders in the fifth round after taking Gabriel in the third round:
“Yeah, I love it. You know, I love it because of who it is. I think just for us both, you can learn from one another, but also, it’s not just us two in the room. At least for right now it is, but, you know, going into the year, Kenny [Pickett], Joe [Flacco] and even Deshaun [Watson], just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.”
On being part of a four-man quarterback competition:
“It’s not new to me. I’ve done it at every stop, and I’ve done it at every level. So, thank goodness for that and great preparation in that. But also know that, you know, my competition is yesterday. How can I be better than I was yesterday? So that’s what I’m focused on and continue to create an environment that you want to be a part of and that’s all you can do.”
On fans taking sides in the quarterback competition:
“Yeah, I think the more questions I get asked like that, it just divides the team. And for me, I think – we’re in a room full of not just us, but Kenny, Joe and Deshaun. And for us, we know how important a healthy QB room is, but also a team that you want to be a part of, and how do you create an environment every single day where everyone can be at their best and that’s just pushing one another, which talent naturally does. And you know, naturally it’s healthy for us where we all go do our thing and everyone wins.”
On people who question if he can overcome his size (5-11) and be successful in the NFL:
“I have nothing to say to the critics. You know, for me, everyone has an opinion and is right to have their own opinion and can speak on how they feel. But for me, like I said, I’m simple, I’m focused. I got goals I want to accomplish. I would not be here if I listened to other people. So, for me, it’s listening to the right people – coaches, getting better every single day and controlling what you can. When you get in between those white lines, dominating the moment, maximizing the moment, being present.”
On if he thinks he can compete as a rookie to be the Browns’ starting quarterback:
“I think it’s so early. You know, for me, I said that in a sense that I only know one way to prepare. I only know one way to work, and that is as the starter. You know, I’ve played a bunch of ball and have a lot of experience, so I’m going to use that to my advantage. But for the most part, I can’t say that right now. I got to continue to dominate the moment and have great practices. As you build upon that, I still look forward to meeting my new teammates, you know, the vets on Monday. So, I think that’ll be a question down the road. But I think every day I approach is like, I’m going to go get that rep and you know, I live it like that.”
Shedeur Sanders
On his first day on the field on Friday:
“I think there is a lot of stuff personally I could work on, but overall, as a team, I think we came out with great energy. Everybody was working very hard, very fast and being very efficient.”
On blocking out the noise of his popularity and going to work:
“By doing what my dad raised me to do since I was like five years old. You know, I’ve seen it, I’ve seen what he was able to do. And I have a lot of great resources and mentors, you know, to keep me on the right track and especially coming to this building, we have great coaches in the building able to, you know, keep me focused, keep me in a straight, narrow line.”
On the disappointment of sliding in the draft and now competing with three other quarterbacks:
“Well, of course it’s day-by-day. I just find something I want to perfect and just perfect it to the best of my abilities and that’s all I really focus on, just being there, just being a leader, being a great teammate, doing what I need to do whenever it is. So I’m just thankful for our opportunity. Things could have been a lot worse, but I’m here smiling in front of you all at this facility right now.”
On his dad, Deion Sanders, preparing him for life in the NFL:
“I say definitely, he gave us the spotlight to be able to do that. So, he gave us the opportunity. That’s all you can ask for in anybody’s job, in anybody’s profession is just an opportunity to get a chance. The rest after that is on you. So, I’m taking every snap out there, you know? I’m getting up after these hits. I’m the one throwing touchdowns. I’m the one, you know, gotta live it day by day. So that’s all he gave us was the opportunity and we had to navigate and see what we are about.”
On his interactions so far with Gabriel:
“Cool. Yeah, even normal. He’s a real cool guy overall. Yeah, you could tell he always have a great mood. You know, he’s always in a good mood. I only been around two days though, but he always has a great mood. But overall, I could tell, you know, he’s a pretty good person.”
On his mindset of proving he should have been drafted higher:
“I mean, thank you for saying that. My job here isn’t to prove people wrong, it’s to prove myself right, and I fully have self-belief, you know, and what those people say, that’s just their opinion. So, I don’t truly care. They don’t really live in my mental space about that type of stuff. It really doesn’t do anything for me.”
Brownie bits
Both quarterbacks led the offense in two periods of 7-on-7 drills. Each had eight reps in both periods. I charted every pass. The scorecard: Gabriel was 6 for 8 in his first period and 6 for 8 in his second period. One of his misses was intercepted by linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Sanders was 6 for 8 in his first period and 3 for 8 in his second period. One of his incompletions was caught by try-out receiver Luke Floriea, but he failed to get both feet in bounds …
Defensive tackle Mason Graham got sick during practice and dropped his cookies. “I think he ate too much,” Stefanski said. “I think the cooking in the kitchen was too good. So, a few less wings next time.” …
The rookies will have an abbreviated workout on Sunday in a practice unattended by media. Then they will join the veterans for the first time in Phase 2 of the offseason program, which includes field work among position groups but not offensive v. defense just yet. “Now on Monday, since they’re coming off the minicamp, they won’t do anything on the field physically,” Stefanski said. “Give them a break. But they’ll be released into the wild on Monday.”