Notes: Dillon Gabriel 'running my own race,' not focused on perception he's third in a two-man QB competition

BEREA — If Dillon Gabriel feels like the odd man out, he's not saying."I'm just running my own race and focus on what I can control and that's mastering my reps and doing it at a high level," he said Tuesday after the first practice of a three-day voluntary minicamp.The three-man quarterback competition kicked off April 7 with the start of the voluntary offseason program. It advanced from the meeting room to the field Tuesday.Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson are the headliners and considered to have the best chances to emerge as the Week 1 starter, but general manager Andrew Berry and coach Todd Monken always include Gabriel, who was a third-round pick last year."I wouldn't say it's a two-man race," Monken said. "I would just say that at every position there's competition. Irrespective of the reps that they get, everybody ought to be competing."What I have liked with Dillon is the way he goes about his business. Very professional, highly intelligent, understands football, has a certain charisma about him and a confidence that's hard to create. He has it innate. You saw it throughout his career. You don't go to three different programs and have the success he had if he doesn't have a belief in himself."Gabriel is keeping the blinders on."I've been in a bunch of competitions up until this point," he said. "You just got to focus on yourself and master those reps so you can keep getting better and ultimately the best player will play."Sanders got the most reps Tuesday, including the first in 11-on-11 drills. He and Watson rotated going first in drills, with Gabriel following. Gabriel threw two interceptions.The Browns haven't added to the quarterback room in the offseason but could draft one this weekend. Depending on who it is and when he was taken, Berry could look to trade Gabriel."I'm just controlling what I can," he said.Gabriel opened last year as the backup to veteran Joe Flacco. Gabriel took over in Week 5 after Flacco was benched and eventually traded. Gabriel went 1-5 as the starter, completing 59.5 percent for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, two interceptions and an 80.8 passer rating.He sustained a concussion vs. the Ravens, was replaced by Sanders and never returned to the field despite being cleared."A bunch of learning," Gabriel said when asked about his emotions at the end of the year. "You just have opportunities for growth and learning. Kind of take a step back after playing and continue to apply to get better."He didn't appreciate losing the starting job because of a concussion."I don't think it's ever easy as a competitor," he said. "But you just want to keep staying the course, trust in God's plan and then ultimately you got to run your own race and focus on your goals."LOOKING HEALTHYWatson returned to practice in December after two surgeries to repair a twice-ruptured Achilles tendon. He hasn't played in a game since October 2024, and that season he was coming off right shoulder surgery.He looked full go Tuesday."I can't get into his body to know how his body felt today, but he moved around great and the ball came out great," Monken said.NO-SHOWSDefensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett isn't attending the minicamp. He was in town Saturday for Game 1 of the Cavs playoff series, then posted a picture on social media of him on a plane.Monken doesn't understand all the attention being paid to Garrett's absence."This is voluntary. We're making a big deal out of this. We really are," Monken said. "It's voluntary. We have other guys besides Myles that aren't here. I wish they were here. They'll be ready. We expect them to be ready and we'll be fired up when they're here."Monken said he's texted with Garrett but they haven't talked in person.Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward, receiver Jerry Jeudy and safety Grant Delpit were the other starters not on the field."All of the players have informed us. They've been unbelievable with their communication," Monken said. "Doesn't mean I like the communication, but it's voluntary. Every one of them is a Brown and we're excited that they are."FIRED UPMonken was thrilled to run his first practice as an NFL head coach."Oh, it was awesome," he said. "To get out of here and function like we did, not perfect. Guys taking care of each other. I like the juice. Love the connection of the team. It's great."Browns coach Todd Monken walks away from a huddle Tuesday during voluntary minicamp practice in Berea.APThe Browns did a lot of 11-on-11 work."Because we're allowed," Monken explained.Teams with new coaches are given an extra minicamp.INJURY REPORTRunning back Quinshon Judkins watched from the sideline as he recovers from a broken fibula and dislocated ankle sustained at the end of the season."We anticipate with each week he's going to get closer and closer," Monken said. "When that is, his body will tell him, but we do anticipate somewhere before the end of spring/summer we'll have him out there."** Tackle Dawand Jones (torn hamstring, torn lateral collateral ligament) participated in individual drills.** Center Luke Wypler (knee), offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins (broken leg), tight ends Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates and cornerback Dom Jones also watched.EXTRA POINTSThe first-team offensive line was KT Leveston at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Kendrick Green at center, Teven Jenkins at right guard and Tytus Howard at right tackle.Elgton Jenkins has experience across the line, and Monken said he probably would've been at center if healthy."With Wyp out and then Elgton and without the draft and getting to that point, you're kind of trying to mix and match," Monken said.** The quarterbacks had GoPros attached to their helmets to record the action from their viewpoint."It allows you to pre-snap and then post-snap get an idea where their eyes are. Are they in the right place?" Monken said.** Eleven players participated on a tryout basis.The post Notes: Dillon Gabriel 'running my own race,' not focused on perception he's third in a two-man QB competition first appeared on BrownsZone with Scott Petrak.