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I get what you're saying and I can understand that point of view.
However, the Browns last year were a really bad team. Gabriel and Sanders were never supposed to start.
In fact, they were not prepared to start. When they were forced to start because of injury and trade.
They had very little support. The OL last season was embarrassing. The receivers were horrible. There was no running game.
So trying to evaluate a 3rd and 5th round quarterback under those conditions is impossible.
Gabriel looked limited but I could see him as a legit backup like Colt McCoy.
Sanders showed accuracy when given time and was more mobile than I thought.
What stood out IMO was he was unprepared for the speed of the NFL. He needed to see open. He could not process open fast enough.
He didn't trust what he saw or didn't see it in time.
There is a chance with seven games in the brain bank. And now having a full off season to prepare working with the first string.
He might show more. He has skills. He will have a better offensive unit to work with. I expect more from him.
So, I want him to play. Sink or swim.
DW I could care less. I expect less. He will never be what he once was IMO. If he plays IMO he will not look any better than he has with the Browns. I see no reason for him to play other than as a backup to an injury.
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My personal thoughts on the QBs is that as bad as Watson is, he is still far and away the best QB we have. That said, we may let on that we feel Shedeur is winning the QB competition to drive up his outside perceived value.
I dislike Watson completely, never wanted him, was always against everything to do with him, but I would not be surprised in the least to see us trade Shedeur and roll with Watson.
I mean, in the end, I don't think we actually have a QB on the roster. Period. However, we have to roll with someone. Shedeur isn't a starting QB in this league unless he figures out how to fix a LOT of things with himself, so our best play with him is to turn the 5th rounder we spent on him into something better. Watson is here this year no matter what, and then likely gone. Unless he plays at a level he hasn't approached in nearly a decade, he's done here. IF he can somehow perform at his 2018-2020 level, he could get an extension (which would allow us to work some of the dead cap in what is currently set to be void years). Gabriel throws a LOT less INTs and has a marginally higher completion percentage, but he's a dink & dunker. Maybe that's on the OLine and the lack of WRs, maybe it was hyper-conservative playcalling, maybe it was him. Maybe it was all three. He was efficient and took care of the ball, though. Sanders gambled more, but threw a lot of up-for-grabs balls that shouldn't have ever been thrown. Some paid off, a lot did not. Gabriel had the higher YPA in college - by a full yard per attempt; that's a big difference. However, for some reason, he was 1.5 yards per attempt lower last year. I think it comes down to Gabriel had the sense to protect the ball where Sanders is just out there playing ball, but not really thinking. With a better OLine and WRs, we just might see Gabriel go back to having the better. Theoretically, Monken's style suits Gabriel's college traits perfectly and Monken's schematic history shares a lot with what Gabriel did in college: RPOs, QB autonomy, horizontal & vertical spacing. I agree, I don't think we have our future QB on the roster right now either. As far as Gabriel, I think Monken has a lefty bias. I've heard him make comments on a few occasions that made him sound annoyed that they have to do things two different ways because of Gabriel. I could be reading into it too much, but I don't think he is going to be here very long. I will be surprised in the end if it isn't Sanders starting, with Watson the backup and Green the emergency QB. Unless Sanders is just god awful to the point that Watson is given the job out of not having another option. I do believe there is merit in finding out what the best possible player on the team has when the 2027 off season could be one of the most important for this team in a very long time. I don't see a version that ends up with a Watson extension. Sure it could help the cap, but Watson doesn't care AT ALL about Cleveland's cap. He didn't want to be here in the first place and now his prison sentence is almost over. He gets parole when free agency opens. Instead of walking out with his belongings and a few hundred dollar check, he gets to gloat over his fat bank account for doing literally nothing for 5 years.
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I think it all boils down to one question. Do they decide whether to go all in for this coming season by starting watson and focus on the short term? Or do they start Sanders to see what his potential is moving forward so they have a full view of the facts going into next years draft. I would prefer they see what they have in Sanders moving forward even though my faith in him is little to none rather than going into next years draft with that question still looming. But I get it either way.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
#gmstrong
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Honestly I see no reason to believe that DW will play well.
He is healthy. Ok good. He has attended OTA's. Played in shorts and t-shirts. 7 on 7 and some 11 on 11 "without pads."
He is a former first round pick. He has been in the NFL ten years. He should look good. He should be able to learn a play book.
However, the last time he played in games. He was terrible. He flushed from the pocket early. Could not find open receivers.
He was inaccurate. He broke a shoulder bone. Then he tore his Achilles twice. He is now 31. His QBR in 2024 was 21.
I have no reason to think after the last five years in Cleveland; he is going to play well now. I feel strongly he will never replicate what he did in Houston.
He is on the team because they cannot afford to cut him.
He is not in the Browns future plans. Why play him?
Play Shedeur. Try and get Green some reps in RPO's. Keep DW as the backup for this year. Try and trade Gabriel unless they like him as a backup.
I can see no logic in starting DW. Unless in camp he is unquestionable way better than Sanders.
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I think Gariel's stats compare with those of Shedufus, and way fewer turnovers. I am not sure why he is looked at as the odd man out.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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IMO I think it is because he took more chances and was accurate down the field.
Gabriel was less likely to turn it over because KS schooled him on check downs.
Shedeur shows more potential even though it remains to be seen if he will develop.
The Browns shortest route to success is with Shedeur. Obviously, he has to prove he is worth keeping.
Gabriel has a higher floor and lower ceiling.
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I think it all boils down to one question. Do they decide whether to go all in for this coming season by starting watson and focus on the short term? Or do they start Sanders to see what his potential is moving forward so they have a full view of the facts going into next years draft. I would prefer they see what they have in Sanders moving forward even though my faith in him is little to none rather than going into next years draft with that question still looming. But I get it either way. You are exactly right, that’s the question that needs answered. I think we are all going to find out in about two weeks. If Berry, through Monkens eyes, has decided Sanders doesn’t have what it takes to develop into a franchise guy, he is probably going to end this right now if there is a trade partner. It’s the only way for Watson to start without everyone saying it’s the wrong decision. With Sanders elsewhere it opens the door for Monken to start who he wants instead of who most of us want. It also closes the chapter on development in the current QB room and starts the process to find the next guy who is hopefully a better prospect for longevity in winning. Bonefish, I agree with your points on Watson showing nothing to this point. He hasn’t had anything to play for in his first 4 years with the Browns. He didn’t want to be here, but his love of money outweighs his love of football, gamesmanship, team unity.. just about anything. Watson has a next contract to play for in 2026, he finally had motivation to show teams outside of Cleveland what he can do to earn another payday. I don’t rule out his money motivation as a factor to returning to form.. and it just so happens Berry gave him weapons that can help him accomplish that. I think Gariel's stats compare with those of Shedufus, and way fewer turnovers. I am not sure why he is looked at as the odd man out. Gabriel is who we think he is, a safe, boring QB that won’t lose you games, but he isn’t going to win you any either. Everyone has to be on point every week or you lose. Sanders is willing to take risks that Gabriel won’t. That’s his edge…but also his downfall because he just isn’t good enough to pull it off more times than not. That’s what franchise guys do, Sanders doesn’t seem like a franchise guy. Not because of what he didn’t do in 2025, that was a short stacked deck against him. He just doesn’t show enough on film to convince me he has all the tools. I actually think he has the heart, he’s won me over in that respect. They have to decide what’s best for 2026 to try to win games, then focus on each week individually. They can worry about what’s next when the final whistle blows.
Last edited by IrishDawg42; 06/27/26 10:50 AM.
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I cannot speculate on DW's motivation.
He has generational wealth.
IMO he is not very good at football. I saw nothing from him as a quarterback to make me feel like he could ever be what he once was.
Health is a big factor. I can understand him looking good in OTA's. However, once he faces live ammo. I think what we saw in his recent past is what we will see again.
He does not handle pressure well. His mobility is diminished. A twice repaired Achilles is far from sound and more likely to be damaged again.
The future is more likely in the draft.
However, I would like to see Shedeur play. I want to see him with a full amount of practice and a OL that is at least average.
If he plays and shows no real improvement. So be it.
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