The Las Vegas Raiders and Pete Carroll did pre-draft work on Shedeur Sanders before he was selected by the Cleveland Browns.
Sanders was linked to the Raiders in the lead-up to the draft, but Las Vegas opted not to take him. On Sunday, he will make his first NFL start against the Raiders, and head coach Carroll is eager to see him play.
Carroll said the Raiders did plenty of work and were impressed by Sanders, given the fact that he’s a piano player.
“We visited with him, and I talked to him a little extra,” Carroll said of Sanders. “Just trying to understand where he was coming from, realizing he had been under enormous pressure growing up and just naturally with the pops that he had and all that. …
“He’s got a really good outlook on the world and how he deals with all the stressors and of the things that comes his way. I really liked him. He’s a piano player, well-versed. I was impressed with the kid.”
Carroll was impressed with Sanders’ work ethic and the fact that he plays the piano. Although the Raiders head coach liked Sanders, it wasn’t enough for Las Vegas to take him.
Shedeur Sanders Eager for First Browns Start
With Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol, Sanders will start for the Browns on Sunday.
Sanders came into relief last week and struggled. However, after a full week of practice with the first-team offense, Sanders has confidence in himself.
“Yeah, mentally and emotionally, I’m in a great place overall,” Sanders said on Wednesday. “In life, there’s always going to be adversity. Things aren’t always going to go as planned, but I would say, I’m prepared for everything. … The same how I always am.
“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.”
Sanders went 4-of-16 for 75 yards and an interception as he played the second half against the Baltimore Ravens.
Raiders DC Sends Sanders a Warning
With Sanders set for his first NFL start on Sunday against the Raiders, Las Vegas’ defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, sent a warning to the rookie.
Graham warned Sanders of the monsters that will be after him if he holds onto the ball too long or drifts back in the pocket.
“All young quarterbacks think that’s the (right) move,” Graham said on Thursday about Sanders. “They all think that’s the move. I’ve told you before, you could do that, but the monsters are back there. I’m sure, Coach Stefanski, Coach Rees are working on stepping into the pocket.
“But, all young quarterbacks tend to do that because in college, it’s just different. (In the NFL), you got Maxx Crosby, those guys. I would stay the hell away from being back there.”
Sanders was sacked twice in the second half against the Ravens, as him holding the ball too long has been an issue.
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