Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders is out here trying to tell everyone his “smiling” comment about the New Orleans Saints defense got totally twisted, but let’s be real, the Saints are already fired up for their Week 9 matchup. Sanders claims he didn’t mean to give them bulletin board material, but the message definitely landed that way, and he straight up said he doesn’t care how they feel.
That Grin Spoke Volumes
So, what exactly went down? Sanders, making his first start of the season because Deshaun Watson is in concussion protocol, had a media session on Wednesday. When he was asked what he noticed on film about the Saints, he just grinned and said, “I’ve seen a lot.” Then he followed up with, “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?” Look, that’s not exactly a diplomatic answer. This is a Saints defense that ranks 28th in yards per game allowed and 29th in scoring, giving up 233.3 yards through the air. You smile like that, you’re basically saying, “I see weakness.” Sanders tried to backtrack, telling CBS Sports’ AJ Ross pregame, “Everything I do up to this point is taken out of context, but I can’t be one caring about what people say. I would never disrespect or ever talk down another opponent or another team, so that’s just another trick in the media that they use. However they feel, they feel. I don’t care how they feel.” Yeah, saying “I don’t care how they feel” after the fact? Not exactly pouring water on the fire, my friend.
Saints Are Coming With a Chip
You think the Saints’ defense, who already ranks near the bottom of the league, didn’t notice a second-year QB flashing a grin at their film? Please. Edge rusher Carl Granderson made it crystal clear where his team stands. “We’re gonna come in with a chip on our shoulder for sure,” Granderson said. “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.” That’s a direct shot, right there. Sanders, the former fifth-round pick and son of Deion Sanders, has always been known as a lightning rod for attention and isn’t shy about speaking his mind. This is exactly what everyone expects from him.
Time to Back Up the Talk
This Sunday’s game isn’t just about a potential upset, it’s a huge moment for Sanders himself. This is his first start of the season, his real chance to back up all that talk on the field. He barely saw any action last week, attempting only two passes after Watson went down briefly in a 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he’s only thrown three times this entire year. This Week 9 start is his first since last season, when he spent seven weeks as the Browns’ number one quarterback. He’s got a history of making headlines, now he’s gotta make plays.
The Saints are bringing the heat, no doubt about it. You know they’ve been stewing on those comments all week. This Sunday, we find out if Sanders’ “seen a lot” means he’s about to carve them up, or if that chip on the Saints’ shoulder is going to smash his confidence. Get ready for a showdown.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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