Everyone was wondering why Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders dropped to the fifth round at pick #144. There were some at one point who thought he could even be number one overall or, at least, at some pick in the first round. The Browns even selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round at pick #94. Same draft, same team, just sooner than Sanders.
Well, the Browns beat the Carolina Panthers on the road for a victory in their first preseason game at 30-10. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders started the game for the Dawgs. He went 14/23 (60.9%) for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
And honestly, it got the entire football world looking at him and all Browns fans extremely excited for what the future holds for this young man and the team as a whole.
Of course, there’s always the “Well, it’s just preseason” idea that everyone must take into account. However, Sanders made that very hard to do with the excellent outing.
So? Why is this a problem? What can be negative about this performance by Sanders?
The answer: The Distraction.
Let me bring up a couple of names that many won’t want to hear. Johnny Manziel. Deshaun Watson. Amongst many other Browns quarterbacks since 1999. Players who serve as more of said distraction compared to their actual performance on the field. There is a difference with this comparison, though.
Sanders has only played in one game and that game was stellar. The problem becomes a lot worse of a distraction for the team as a whole if this quarterback ends up starting to struggle. It not only affects the players’ play but also the entire roster and staff who have to deal with a whole world of media reporting and criticizing them more and more.
Just think of what those same people would’ve said if Sanders went 9/23 for 50 yards and no touchdowns, plus two interceptions. The entire media would be blasting him instead of celebrating the results.
This, I believe, is why Sheduer Sanders fell so far in the draft despite his ability and why the Browns hesitated to take him until so late in the draft. It has a lot to do with Sanders’ father being Deion Sanders and what that brings to the rookie’s clout, so to speak, as well as just performance.
A way this can be cured is success by Sanders and winning by the Browns if Sanders does get that opportunity to play in the regular season. Even so, if a different starter, such as Joe Flacco, gets the job, everyone is going to be demanding Sanders under center the second the starter starts to struggle. Again, another distraction example.
Obviously, as a Browns fan, I want to see Shedeur Sanders have success on the team. However, I am simply pointing out what even a single start in the preseason has shown for this franchise moving forward.
MORE ANALYSIS ON SHEDEUR SANDERS’ FIRST START CLICK HERE!!!
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