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05/09 19:19 CDT Shedeur Sanders takes the field for the first time as the
Browns begin their rookie minicamp
Shedeur Sanders takes the field for the first time as the Browns begin their
rookie minicamp
By JOE REEDY
AP Sports Writer
BEREA, Ohio (AP) --- Shedeur Sanders began the process Friday of trying to show
he can be a factor in the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition.
Sanders, possibly the most publicized 144th-overall draft pick in history after
the projected first-rounder dropped into the fifth round, took the field for
his first practice as the Browns opened a two-day rookie minicamp.
Wearing an orange No. 12 jersey, the son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders got the
same amount of snaps as third-round pick Dillon Gabriel during the 90-minute
practice.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said both quarterbacks did a nice job.
"I think the fun part is we've spent so much pre-draft time with these players,
particularly when we're talking about our quarterbacks with Dillon and
Shedeur," he said. "We've spent meeting time with them out of this building.
We've taken them through walkthroughs and then they get to go do it in uniform
with the helmets on and just see what they can take from the meeting room to
the grass."
Sanders and Gabriel are likely to give interviews Saturday after the Browns
made their other five draft picks available Friday.
Both quarterbacks started with individual work and a 7-on-7 drill before each
got six plays during full-team drills.
Gabriel, who is wearing No. 5, took the first snaps in the 11-on-11 period,
likely because he was the higher draft pick. Stefanski did not give a reason,
though.
"I think you'll see the whole weekend, going through the spring, we don't pay
too close attention to who's in there first," Stefanski said.
Because they drafted two quarterbacks, the Browns have tweaked their practice
schedule to allow for more 7-on-7 work --- skill position players going against
linebackers and the secondary. Cleveland signed six wide receivers and two
tight ends to tryout contracts this weekend in order to maximize snaps.
The biggest adjustment for Sanders and Gabriel will be working more under
center after playing most of their careers in shotgun formations. Offensive
coordinator Tommy Rees was instructing both quarterbacks on areas to improve.
Stefanski said both players need to work on technique as they get ready to join
the quarterback room with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett next week.
When it comes to the quarterback competition, Stefanski did not want to say if
anyone is ahead yet.
"There's a lot of time between now and September, so we will have a plan. It's
an all-encompassing evaluation," he said. "It's not something that it's just
based on the practice reps. There's a lot that goes into it."
Defensive end Mason Graham, whom the Browns took with the fifth overall pick,
said it didn't matter to him that there was more attention on Sanders.
"I come to play football. If the media's on me, then they're on me. If the
media's not, then it's not. I'm just going to do my job at the end of the day,"
he said.
NOTES: Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (second round) and running back Dylan
Sampson (fourth round) signed their rookie contracts. ... Stefanski said
linebacker Devin Bush "was in the building this week" after being charged with
harassment and misdemeanor simple assault last weekend. Bush is accused of
chasing his girlfriend through his house in suburban Pittsburgh and smashing
her cellphone.
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