Analysis: Shedeur Sanders meets the moment with strong debut in preseason opener

I don't care who you are, it's impossible to be legendary in the preseason.But Shedeur Sanders — who loves the L word — was fantastic Friday night in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in the exhibition opener in Charlotte, North Carolina.The rookie quarterback arrived at the game in style, wearing a "Legendary" diamond chain. He looked just as good when he put on the white uniform and orange helmet.Sanders went 14-for-23 for 138 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, two sacks and a 106.8 passer rating. He rushed four times for 19 yards, including a success sneak. Both touchdown passes came in the second quarter and went to receiver Kaden Davis.The night wasn't perfect for Sanders, a fifth-round pick out of Colorado, but there was way more good than bad.He got the team in and out of the huddle on time and limited the presnap penalties. For someone who never called plays in the huddle during college, Sanders handled the operation smoothly in his first chance in a game.Once he got the snap, whether he was under center or in the shotgun, he was efficient and occasionally explosive.The first touchdown came when he went through his progressions, saw Davis moving into the left side of the end zone and fit the ball into a tight window for the 7-yard score. The second touchdown was a 12-yarder on an in route by Davis.Sanders' other best throws were a 29-yarder with touch to undrafted rookie receiver Luke Floriea and a 19-yard in route to undrafted rookie receiver Gage Larvadain. Sanders moved right, bought time and spotted Floriea, who uncovered down the sideline and made a one-handed grab. The dart to Larvadain came on third-and-8, and Sanders delivered the ball with late pressure in his face that resulted in a hit after the throw.Sanders was also dangerous with his feet, which was a pleasant surprise given he's not a twitchy athlete. He avoided a sack and scrambled for 10 yards on third-and-9 on the second drive, then later scrambled for 9 yards off play-action.Sanders took the night in stride."I'm thankful for the opportunity, I'm excited for it," he said in a sideline interview during the TV broadcast after he had been replaced by Tyler Huntley late in the third quarter. "I don't feel like I took full advantage of the opportunity. It's something to work on, something to learn from."I don't feel like I was sharp at all. I think I was OK today. Next opportunity I get, I've just got to build on this one."He was pleased with his leadership and consistency."Being able to bounce back and not stay in the hole," he said. "You've just got to stay level-headed through it."BE PREPAREDSanders only started because rookie third-round pick Dillon Gabriel has a tight hamstring. Sanders has been a distant fourth in the four-man quarterback competition, with the lack of first-team repetitions to prove it.Sanders never complained, and when he got his best chance Friday night, he took full advantage.He was in complete control. In addition to doing well with the operation, he made plays from under center, including one of the touchdown throws. Coach Kevin Stefanski helped with a solid game plan and good play calls, but Sanders made it work.Those who know him best weren't surprised."He's so prepared right now … he's approaching it like a (regular season) game," Deion Sanders, his dad, told reporters at the University of Colorado before the game. "He's thankful and appreciative of the opportunity."Sanders was raised by a Hall of Famer and has been in the spotlight his entire life. No matter how much buzz his preseason debut got locally and nationally — and it was a lot — he wasn't going to be fazed.When he got back to the sideline, he smiled and joked with quarterback Joe Flacco — the likely Week 1 starter — and tight end David Njoku."The moment's not too big," Flacco said of Sanders during the TV broadcast.Sanders was sacked twice, which is an improvement after taking 94 during his two years at Colorado. He still needs to work on not turning his back to the play under pressure, like he did a couple of times against the Panthers. On a fourth-and-1, rather than throw a hook into a tight window, he spun, retreated 25 yards and threw a desperation incompletion.ON THE MOVE?The talk started before Sanders threw the first touchdown: He deserves more quality repetitions and a legitimate chance to win the starting job. It got louder throughout the game and isn't going away.The Browns drafted Sanders believing he needed plenty of coaching, studying and work before he was ready to play in a regular-season game. That's the reason for his spot on the depth chart and going 11 training camp practices without getting a first-team rep.His performance against the Panthers, which followed a solid start to camp, including a number of high-quality throws, should have the coaching staff reconsidering.Not whether Sanders should start Week 1 against the Bengals. A preseason game, mostly against Carolina's backups, isn't enough for that. Plus, Flacco gives the Browns the best chance against the Bengals and the difficult opening six-game stretch.But certainly whether Sanders should move ahead of Gabriel on the depth chart. And if he deserves a little time with the first-team offense.Gabriel hasn't had a good camp and is limited by the hamstring. Sanders was always the better prospect in the eyes of most NFL evaluators — not the ones who made the call for the Browns — and has outplayed Gabriel since they arrived.If the coaches aren't comfortable moving him ahead of Gabriel, they should at least make it a true battle between the rookies. The next step for Sanders would be to prove he can be trusted as the No. 2 to Flacco to start the season. That would let the Browns keep only three quarterbacks rather than four.Stefanski said after the game he wasn't "diving into the quarterback competition."Sanders was asked about moving up the depth chart."I honestly don't know and I don't really care," he said. "I'll wait my turn and I've just got to take advantage of it. That's out of my control."HYPE TRAINSanders' fans don't share his patience. They've been screaming for more opportunities since he arrived and aren't about to stop.The media attention will also continue to grow.The Browns knew what they were getting into when they drafted him. They've tried to manage expectations and will continue to do so.People don't have to listen."That young (king emoji) looking good out there! @Shedeur Sanders," LeBron James posted on X. "Keep going UP!!! HEAD down on the grind and HEAD high to the most high"During the game Nike posted an ad with Sanders' right arm raised after a touchdown. The caption read "Only a matter of Time.""When you get your opportunity, create your next one." Nike Football posted on X along with the picture.Sanders definitely did that.The post Analysis: Shedeur Sanders meets the moment with strong debut in preseason opener first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.