Dawgs By Nature
Not a lot going on but a lot could be right around the corner for the Browns
The season is fast approaching. Seems like last week, everyone was talking about whether the Kansas City Chiefs could win their third straight Super Bowl. And since the Philadelphia Eagles took KC to the woodshed instead, now the topic has turned to the Eagles being the next dynasty team.
Here are some situations going on that I want off my chest. Most are Cleveland Browns-related, while some are not. Maybe I can get those topics by my publisher.
1. On my calendar, it is written in ink pen that Browns training camp begins on July 18 for rookies and July 22 for the veterans. So, that means camp hasn’t even begun, correct? Then why in the world has every single NFL media site out there given their take on Shedeur Sanders? At one site, he will start Week 1. Another touts he will be traded before the season begins. Here’s a story on how by Week 4, he will supplant either Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett, whichever wins the starting nod to open the year.
If we were three weeks deep into camp, maybe after at least two preseason games, I could see the reaction and all the articles about him.
We all know everyone in the NFL universe will be watching the Browns early on to see how the Sanders saga pans out. It is a polarizing story about a fallen hero set to redeem himself or falter, and every Browns fan should be rooting for this guy to succeed. In fact, both rookie QBs. But please, let’s see him and the others practice first. The fact that Sanders looked good in OTAs means very little.
For one, he had zero pass rush. He had zero protectors in front of him obstructing his view. Almost every receiver he threw to is listed in the bottom third of the roster, being covered by a defensive back who is also in the bottom third. Plus, nobody was wearing pads.
So, yes! Sanders and the rest of the QB group looked pretty good. But please, wait until the real players are on the practice field in real game situations before the true assessment begins. And remember, rookie quarterbacks rarely have a great first season. They called Troy Aikman a bust after his first year when the Dallas Cowboys won one game.
The Browns traded for Mike Pagel from the Indianapolis Colts because they weren’t sure what Bernie Kosar was like going into his second season. Remember how great DTR looked in his rookie preseason, then fell hard to earth in his first start against a real team with real starters?
2. Continuing with the rookie quarterbacks, if you read my interview with Browns seven-time Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio, he told us about both Shedeur and Dillon Gabriel and what the deal is with playing rookie...
