Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel is set to make his NFL starting debut this weekend as the Cleveland Browns take on the Vikings in the UK.
The team announced on midweek that they are benching Joe Flacco after his difficulties directing the offense during the initial quartet of contests.
"Ever since [Gabriel] joined the team, his dedication has been evident," commented head coach Stefanski. "He’s a very intelligent young man. His practice performance has been solid, and this whole season he has been studying preparation methods and grasp the flow of an NFL schedule and what that looks like as a backup. Obviously, we believe he’s ready to go as a starter."
Cleveland are 1-3 and are ranked next-to-last in scoring this campaign, putting up only 14 points each outing. The squad has scored 17 points or fewer in nine consecutive matches dating back to last season.
The rookie will be the fifth unique quarterback in the team’s last 10 games, following a series of other passers.
Questions About Sanders Persist
The move to Gabriel is sure to reignite discussion about whether Sanders may ultimately feature as the team’s primary quarterback. He has been the third-string quarterback through the opening month.
Sanders, the son of hall of famer Deion Sanders, generated huge amounts of attention when he fell to round five of this year’s draft after many thought he would go in the first two. He threw 17 of 29 passes for 152 yards and two scores in preseason action.
The Rookie’s Journey and Preseason Showings
Gabriel was selected in the third round of April’s draft. He has seen action in a pair of matches – Week 2 at Baltimore and the Detroit contest – and has gone 3-for-3 for 19 passing yards and a touchdown.
He was designated as the number two at the end of training camp after the Browns traded Kenny Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders.
During the preseason, Gabriel led the Browns to scores on five out of seven possessions. He also orchestrated a couple of late first-half drives against the Eagles and Rams.
In his two preseason outings, Gabriel connected on 25 of 37 passes for 272 passing yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Reasons Behind the Flacco Benching
It is easy to see why the Browns benched Flacco. Among the 33 quarterbacks who have thrown 56-plus passes, the veteran is ranked lowest with a 60.3 passer rating, has the second-lowest completion percentage (58.1%) and his six interceptions are second most.
The experienced pro completed only 16 of 34 passes for 184 yards, two interceptions and one fumble in the previous 34-10 loss to Detroit.
The Browns offense is ranked 27th in total yards (279.8 per game), 20th for passing (195 per game) and 30th in rushing (84.8 per game).
