The Browns coaches will look for signs of progress when training camp begins.
The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their offseason program earlier in the week, and now everyone will get a chance to get away before the season grind begins in late July with training camp. It’s a time for most players to clear their minds and get a little relaxation, except when you are a rookie quarterback trying to learn your first NFL playbook.
For Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, these next five weeks are important for their development. They have had some experience in the foundation of the offense from their time on the field at OTAs and have a better understanding of what the coaches want to see.
Kevin Stefanski and the staff have a good understanding of where the young signal callers were in their development when they left Berea. They will certainly be looking for signs of progress when the team returns for training camp and the pads are put on.
The truth is, all players will put in work over the break to stay in shape and be ready for camp. The rookie QBs, however, should be working overtime if either would like the chance to win the starting job.
In a recent article written by NFL insider Charles Robinson of Yahoo, he claims that Sanders can win the starting job according to his sources from within the Browns:
Physically, Sanders can start in the NFL right now. Despite all the talk about Colorado Buffaloes offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur utilizing a pro-style scheme that supposedly made Sanders more “pro-ready” than some other quarterbacks, I don’t think that has proven to be the case. Not only is Sanders going to be mentally swimming with the complexity of an NFL offense, there is a lot of work to do with the basic terminology and verbiage utilized by Stefanski’s scheme.
Gabriel isn’t being left out of the conversation, according to Robinson. One source compared him to a computer when it comes to his ability to process information.
The former Oregon standout also appeared to take a step forward in recent practices, according to those in attendance. The highlight clips floating on social media were more evenly distributed between the two rookie passers, despite all of the buzz for Sanders.
Both players will have a plan to stay sharp with on-field work privately. The focus will be on their mechanics with an emphasis on footwork and taking snaps from under center. Off the field, their grip on an iPad should rival that of children on a long road trip with spurts of focused study.
It’s unknown if either will get any of their teammates together for throwing sessions, but that could be very beneficial as well. The Browns’ offensive coaches won’t see them again for a while, and when they do, the difference should stand out.
It’s similar to being a parent, and when you’re with your kids every day for two months. It’s difficult to notice the growth, but when you pick them up from a week with grandma, suddenly they seem to have grown an entire foot.
What do you think? Can either rookie make a push for the starting gig? Let us know in the comments below.