Browns 1st and Goal Report: Shedeur Sanders is “Must See TV”

1st and Goal: Shedeur Sanders impressive so far

A few weeks ago, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders entered the record books after his start against the Tennessee Titans. He threw for three touchdowns and ran one in for a touchdown as well. He passed for 364 yards and avoided making too many mistakes. Sanders is the only Cleveland Browns quarterback since Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham did the same thing back in 1950. It was only Sander’s third start of his NFL career. He’s cooled off a bit statistically since that effort but continues to show progress.

Unfortunately, the steady improvement hasn’t turned into Cleveland wins yet as the team has an embarrassing 3-12 record.

Despite the record all eyes will stay glued on every play that Sanders plays in. He’s such a polarizing figure and it has every Cleveland sports fan talking and the rest of the NFL taking note as well.

Will he be the Browns next franchise quarterback? He could be but we’ll have to continue to see how he progresses. This week it’s the rivalry game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2nd and Goal: Is Kevin Stefanski about to be fired? 

If you just go by his recent two season record of a measly 6-26 record, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would be a prime candidate to be fired. Why he hasn’t yet is still a part of the ongoing debate amongst Browns fans.

Fans that like to support Stefanski quickly defend him by trying to use the team’s two playoff appearances (2020 and 2023 seasons). They also like to say he has been voted on by the NFL as the Coach of the Year in those seasons too.

With this latest stretch of poor play by his teams fans of his will point to the failed Deshaun Watson trade that they say handicapped the coach from being able to get better players around the quarterback because of the lack of funds because of the terrible trade made and the guaranteed $230 million that the team gave Watson.

These are all just excuses by Stefanski’s supporters and the clock is running out on Stefanski’s time in Cleveland.

While I believe he will be fired soon, I don’t know if that means at the end of the season or if he’ll get the start of next season before the Browns make that move.

I believe if the Browns owners Jim and Dee Haslam want to get the most out of their team and they’re rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders then will look to clean house at the end of this season and bring in a new coach.

The Haslams tried holding on to prior Browns coach Hue Jackson one too many seasons as the team suffered through a 1-31-1 record over two seasons (2016-17). Hopefully, the owners have seen how after a coach struggles to lead his team to wins that it’s time to move on.

3rd and Goal: The Browns rookies continue to shine

Besides Shedeur Sanders, new rookies like linebacker Carson Schwesinger , defensive tackle Mason Graham, running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson and tight end Harold Fanin are having fantastic starts to their own NFL careers.

Judkins leads all rookie running backs with 827 yards rushed. He was on pace for a 1,000 yard season but he was injured suffering a broken leg last week in the game against the Buffalo Bills and won’t see the playing field until next season. Schewinger leads the Browns in tackles with 147 including 11 for losses. Fanin leads the team in receptions and reception yards with 70 receptions and 701 yards gained.

Cleveland has a lot to look forward to as they look towards to the team’s future success.

4th and Goal: Can the rival game against the Pittsburgh Steelers give the Browns a spark to victory?

Probably not but it’s the NFL and anything is possible. The weather for the game could be a factor again as it’s supposed to be rainy and wet. The Browns have a surging quarterback in Sanders and a pretty good defense that includes NFL sack leader Myles Garrett so it could be a good day for the Browns. Garrett can break the single season sack record on Sunday with one more sack so stay tuned! Go Browns!