Dawgs By Nature
Back in April, the Cleveland Browns decided to take two rookie quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. The team drafted Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel in the 3rd round, then later traded up to get Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders in the 5th round. No need to rehash the reps distribution between the two, but both Sanders and Gabriel have gotten their first NFL game experience in some form of fashion.
Sanders started in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers after Gabriel did not play due to suffering a hamstring injury. Last Saturday, the roles were reversed. Sanders sat out with an oblique injury and Gabriel made his debut against the Philadelphia Eagles.
For as much unwanted backlash that this coaching staff gets at times, it’s only right to acknowledge that the offensive staff did a good job in preparing both Sanders and Gabriel. As far as the reps go between the two during training camp, it shouldn’t be a talking point. In terms of an operational standpoint, Sanders and Gabriel operated the offense about as well as they did. Granted, it’s preseason, but the little details matter.
Pre-snap, diagnosing, and having successful drives are what count. Sanders looked comfortable and operated the offense effectively, while Gabriel focused more on efficiency and playing on time. Did both quarterbacks make mistakes?
Yes, but keep in mind they are rookies.
During the pre-draft evaluation process, I realized that Gabriel has a clear ceiling if he were to be drafted by an NFL team. Low-ceiling. Low-floor. Closer to a system QB/game manager. Gabriel has limitations in his game; he’s not the most athletic and he doesn’t have a big arm.
However, he plays with rhythm and timing, which is a prerequisite in a Kevin Stefanski offense. In his preseason debut, Gabriel led a scoring drive in which he played on time, and made the necessary throws needed. As far as the mistakes, he made two. However, those mistakes he made shouldn’t have received the amount of backlash that it did.
The pick-6 he threw early in the 2nd half isn’t clearly all on him. The spacing for the routes that were being run was poor and it led to Gabriel forcing a throw that shouldn’t have been made.
Gabriel was also responsible for a fumble due to a botched handoff.
Gabriel showed he is capable of running an offense while also slightly revealing his ceiling as a quarterback.
Quick clarification. When Sanders made his debut in the preseason opener, Sanders played about as well as anyone could’ve imagined. Minimal reps didn’t stop him from making the most out of his opportunity when quarterbacks Kenny Pickett & Dillon Gabriel were out with injuries for the opener. Sanders showcased his accuracy and his willingness to extend plays when given the...
