Stephen A. Smith did not hold back on Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel over his “entertainers and competitors” quote that made headlines — and not because he saw it as a shot at Shedeur Sanders.
Gabriel made waves for his sideline interview during the Browns’ second preseason game, which many perceived as a shot at Sanders.
“Yeah, it’s just part of it. You know, there’s entertainers and there’s competitors, and I totally understand that. But my job is to compete. And that’s what I’m focused on doing,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel clarified after the game that his statement was not aimed at Sanders.
“Yeah, first off, I’m all about our team and each other. I would never make that [comment about Sanders] and I’ve said it before that’s why it’s interesting, but for me I’ve explained it entertainers are you all, competitor, that’s what I am, and all my teammates and we both have jobs to do, so that’s it,” Gabriel said in his postgame press conference.
Even with that context, Smith felt the remarks from the Browns rookie were “stupid” and opened him up to unnecessary criticism.
“I never believed he was talking about Shedeur Sanders. I totally believed him when he said he was talking about the media,” Smith said. “Having said that, Dillon Gabriel, respectfully, it was stupid. A very dumb comment to make.”
Smith: Dillon Gabriel Feeling ‘Heat’ From Shedeur Sanders
The Browns quarterback competition — particularly between Sanders and Gabriel — has become a national talking point. Smith believes Gabriel’s recent comments were a direct result of that pressure.
“It was a stupid, idiotic, immature comment because clearly he is feeling the heat because a lot of people are talking about how Shedeur should be QB No. 2. Here’s the problem. You have now heightened the level of scrutiny coming your way,” Smith said. “When you go out there and compete like trash, because you will have days when you look like that, we’re going to remember those comments.”
The comments took away from Gabriel’s mostly solid preseason debut. He passed for 143 yards, completing 13 of 18 of his passes. However, he also tossed an interception returned for a touchdown and lost a fumble on a handoff gone awry.
The Browns drafted Gabriel in the third round to the surprise of many who had him going later in the draft. He played six college seasons at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. Gabriel finished his career as the FBS record holder for career touchdowns responsible for (190).
Browns Name Joe Flacco Starter
It may be a bit before Gabriel is back in the crosshairs of Smith or other members of the media. The Browns have named 40-year-old Joe Flacco as their starter for Week 1. Cleveland will lean on Flacco’s veteran leadership during a grueling opening schedule.
“He’s the same guy every single day. I think that’s one of the things you admire about Joe is how he approaches his business. He’s done a really nice job in camp,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s also done a really nice job just providing leadership to the quarterback room, to the offense and to the football team.”
It’s to be determined how the rest of the quarterback room will shake out and if the Browns will keep Gabriel, Sanders, and Kenny Pickett on their final 53-man roster.
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