BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel drew plenty of attention this weekend.
After watching both players on the field and hearing from them Saturday, it’s easy to understand why the Browns took a chance on both.
Here’s the top Brownie Bites from Day 2 of Rookie Minicamp.
Haters beware – Fair or not, Sanders is a polarizing figure, and that attention has followed him to Cleveland where the Browns traded up and selected him 144th overall in the fifth round of the draft. He’s now part of a four-man competition to be the starter along with Gabriel, veteran Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett. “I just feel like in life and everything, it’s just me versus me,” Sanders said. “I can’t control any other decision besides that. So, I just try to be my best self at all times.” The haters are real, and they’re everywhere, but Sanders is keeping focused on the opportunity to win a job with the Browns. “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,” Sanders said. “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.” Even a simple trip recently to John Marshall High School to speak with students and encourage them to make the most of themselves drew criticism. “I don’t do anything for PR,” Sanders said. “Anywhere I go, you know, cameras will come. So it’s not really nothing I typically try to do. It’s just, you know, my life and just what it came with.”
GOAT encouragement – After falling to the fifth round, Sanders received an encouraging text from Tom Brady, a former sixth round pick and future Hall of Famer with seven Super Bowl rings. “That my story is going to be similar,” Sanders said of the message Brady sent. “I was a late round draft pick, but we’re here now, so none of that stuff matters. That just mattered on the day and I’m just excited to be here and ready to work.”
Primetime spotlight – Sanders’ popularity and the scrutiny is a result of being the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who was an electric NFL and MLB player in his prime. “I’ve seen what he was able to do,” Sanders said. “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.” Sanders believes, while not his dad’s fault, the hate he gets is definitely fueled by it. “It’s just the older generation that do it to me rather than the younger people,” Sanders said. “Because when I come in person, there’s no negativity I see. But it’s all over online.”
Don’t forget about me – Gabriel, selected 94th overall in round 3, wasn’t upset the Browns drafted Sanders. “I love it because of who it is,” Gabriel said. “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, Joe and even Deshaun [Watson], just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.” As for all the attention Sanders draws, that’s fine too. Where Gabriel draws the line is the speculation about who had the better day on the field. “I think the more questions I get asked like that, it just divides the team,” Gabriel said.
Been there, done that – Gabriel is used to wide ranging quarterback competitions. “It’s not new to me. I’ve done it at every stop, and I’ve done it at every level,” Gabriel said. “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.”
Vertically challenged – Listed at 5-11, Gabriel’s height, not arm, have been the No. 1 thing critics have pounced on as to why he can’t be successful in the NFL. “I have nothing to say to the critics,” Gabriel said. “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.”
Lost lunch – No. 5 overall pick Mason Graham lost his lunch during team 11-0n 11 work Saturday. “I think he ate too much,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I think the cooking in the kitchen was too good. So, a few less wings next time.” After taking a few minutes to clean his helmet and rinse, Graham jumped back into drills. “He also apologized to the offensive line because they were real close to it and almost standing in it,” Stefanski said. “But he’s fine, he’s got the right mentality.”
