The Cleveland Browns are in the midst of a quarterback controversy.
Dillon Gabriel has been unimpressive in his first four starts, leading to widespread criticism from fans and analysts alike for the draft pick.
People are clamoring for Shedeur Sanders, the Browns’ fifth-round pick in last April’s draft, to get a chance at the starting gig, including one longtime cornerback.
Browns’ legend Joe Haden urges team to start Shedeur Sanders
Former Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden, who played for the Browns for seven years, made his case on the Honor the Land show for Cleveland to pivot to Sanders.
“Dillon Gabriel…I don’t think he’s the answer. I honestly, my particular opinion…I don’t want it to seem like I’m forcing Dillon out of there, like I wanna give him a valid shot. I think Shedeur Sander is going to be a very good quarterback, and I would like to give him a chance,” Haden told the panel.
“If we throw [Sanders] in there, hopefully he’s gonna throw some more of these deep passes… just the speed outs, he’s not gonna throw errant passes all the time, like what Dillon is doing.”
Haden’s words should mean more than your average Cleveland area radio host, as the 12-year veteran likely has a solid idea of what good quarterback play looks like.
So far this year, Gabriel has completed 59.9% of his passes for 702 yards, along with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
While the stats don’t sound awful on the surface, his 4.9 average yards per pass reveal the truth: the former Oregon Duck doesn’t like to take risks and routinely checks it down.
Sanders may provide a higher ceiling for the Browns’ offense, but we won’t know until he sees the field.
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