Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner has high expectations for Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders ahead of his first start against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Sanders made his NFL debut last week in relief of Dillon Gabriel, who was in concussion protocol. With Gabriel still in concussion protocol, Sanders will get the start on Sunday against the Raiders.
Heading into his first NFL start, Warner said he expects Sanders to play well as he likes the tape, even in his struggles last week.
“I expect him to play well,” Warner said on NFL GameDay Morning on Sunday. “I never like putting that pressure on the guy in his first start that he has to ball out. But I expect him to play well. I’ve seen him play, whether that was at Colorado or in the preseason.
“Or even last week, I thought his presence was there. I thought what he was seeing on the field was there. Outside of that one interception. If they can build him around what he does well and what he’s comfortable with, that is exactly what you want.”
It’s high praise from a Hall of Famer to the Browns‘ rookie quarterback, as he believes Sanders will have success against the Raiders on Sunday. Warner believes Sanders has all the tools to have a successful start, which he expects will happen.
Sanders is Only Focusing on This Start
Although Sanders is getting his chance to start, he isn’t thinking about the future.
Instead, the Browns’ rookie said he’s taking it one game at a time and isn’t worried about remaining the starter with a good performance.
“I don’t think too much into that, you know, like, I think in the moment present, today,” Sanders said on Wednesday. “I go over the game plan and make sure I execute that. When you start moving too fast in life sometimes, you miss the small details of things. So, I never want to overlook anything.”
Sanders said he’s not overlooking anything as he’s just focused on having a good game against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.
However, Sanders knows he will have his hands full against the Raiders’ defense on Sunday.
“The same how I always am,” Sanders said. “Knowing exactly where everybody’s going to be, prepare, understand that they have a great defense, they’re coached by a great coach, and they have great players on that side of the ball. So just doing what I can to prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, to make sure I’m my best self.”
Browns Coach Praises Sanders Week of Practice
Sanders got all the first-team reps this week for the Browns, and he apparently did well.
With Gabriel out, Sanders got his first practice reps with the first-team, and Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said the rookie did well.
“He did a good job,” Stefanski said on Friday. “Obviously, for young players, young quarterbacks, you name it, the work week is structured, so that it’s a buildup, if you will. So, every single day you’re looking to learn. Soak it all in. Go perform, learn again. And I think he’s handled the week really well.”
The Browns are three-point underdogs on Sunday.
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