Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders stopped short of directly criticizing the New Orleans Saints defense before their Week 9 matchup, but his body language and comments still provided ample bulletin board material.
Sanders’ Film Study Remarks
Sanders is set to make his first start of the season on Sunday because Deshaun Watson is in the concussion protocol. During a media session previewing the game, the second-year quarterback made a striking statement when asked about what he observed on film facing a defense currently ranking 28th in yards per game allowed and 29th in scoring.
“I’ve seen a lot,” Sanders said with a grin when asked what he noticed on film. “When I smile, just know that means something. I’m maturing, you know what I’m saying? I’m maturing. I could have gave that a decent answer, but now I’m just going to smile whenever it’s just, like, some questions, you know?”
While Sanders avoided an outright verbal attack on the New Orleans unit, his explanation of his own reaction signaled confidence in exploiting a defense that surrenders 233.3 passing yards per game. That implied critique quickly reached the Saints locker room.
Saints Defense Responds to the Comments
New Orleans edge rusher Carl Granderson made it clear that the defense took notice of the quarterback’s statements as they prepared for Sunday’s contest.
“We’re gonna come in with a chip on our shoulder for sure,” Granderson said, according to CBS Sports Headlines. “They’ve been chirping a little bit. We see what the quarterback done said. We’re finna come in hot and ready to play. We’re going to pack the defense, and the offense is going to come with it. It’s going to be a good game for sure. We’re going to come out with the dub.”
Throughout his collegiate career and professional tenure, Sanders has frequently drawn attention off the field. The former fifth-round draft pick and son of Deion Sanders is widely known for openly expressing his thoughts.
Sunday provides Sanders with his first chance this season to match his words with on-field performance. He briefly stepped in during last week’s 27-6 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers after Watson suffered a hard hit in the opening quarter, though he threw only two passes and has totaled just three attempts all year. This upcoming Week 9 assignment marks his return to the starting role for the first time since last season, when he spent a seven-week stretch as the primary starter for the Browns.
