Monken-QBs-Fano - From the Podium - 8.12.26

Summary

Cleveland Browns Podcast Network

From the Podium – August 12, 2026

Theme:
This episode marks the final day of public Browns training camp before heading to Chicago for the preseason opener. The focus is on preparation for the preseason, quarterback competition, player development, team chemistry, and the challenges and insights ahead of the new season. Featured interviews include Head Coach Todd Monken, quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Shadore Sanders, and offensive tackle Spencer Fano.

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Key Segments & Timestamps

• [01:28] – Todd Monken (Head Coach) Press Conference
• [12:09] – Shadore Sanders (QB) Media Session
• [24:46] – Deshaun Watson (QB) Media Session
• [36:28] – Spencer Fano (OT) Media Session

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1. Coach Todd Monken: Preseason Preparation & QB Competition

[01:28 – 12:09]

Preseason Logistics

• Early Chicago Arrival: Team leaving Thursday for Saturday’s game to allow team dinner and bonding. Walkthrough scheduled at De La Salle High School before preseason opener.
  “We're gonna have a team dinner tomorrow night in Chicago. I thought that'd be great… wanted to practice against them but didn't fit their schedule.” (Monken, [01:41])

Quarterback Competition & Playing Time

• Decision made on preseason game QB starter, but both main QBs (Watson & Sanders) will alternate starts between the first two games.
  “One's going to start this week and one's going to start next week, right? ...I'd like to see a quarterback play a half and get a two minute.” (Monken, [03:21])
• QB not starting will play the third quarter.
  “One that doesn't start will play the third quarter.” (Monken, [04:25])
• Starting O-line won’t play whole first half; decisions influenced by opponent’s lineup.

Player Development & Evaluation

• Game Rhythm vs. Practice: Game situations allow players to experience the finality of drives, real consequences for mistakes (e.g., turnovers), and the pressure of live play.
  “There is a finality to a drive…there's repercussions…interceptions. I mean, it puts you in a hole.” (Monken, [05:53])
• Coaching focus on eliminating anxiety for QBs:
  Introduced ‘Four Twos’ (shortening play calls, getting plays in faster, reducing pre-snap anxiety).
  “How do we shrink the calls, take two seconds off... How do we buy seconds? Because there's nothing worse than anxiety at the line of scrimmage for any decision maker.” (Monken, [07:16])
• Emphasized not limiting players, specifically Watson:
  “I'd hate that he would do that. Why can't he play like that? ...I've seen a lot of really good things over the course of the four or five months I've been here.” (Monken, [09:35])

Personal Touch

• Emotional note on opening preseason in Chicago, where he grew up.
  “It's pretty cool…all my family, my wife's family's from there…But I'm more excited about watching our guys play than anything else.” (Monken, [11:19])

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2. Shadore Sanders: Mindset, Chemistry, and Player Growth

[12:09 – 24:46]

Accountability and Media Perceptions

• Sanders apologized for previous media session, expressing frustration at narratives that might divide the team.
  “I dislike when it's a lot of separation... I feel drained when I express myself... trying to preserve my energy from going in depth.” (Sanders, [12:19])

Progress & Practice Mentality

• Feels he’s improved in comfort, decision-making, and team chemistry since start of camp.
• Treats practice with the seriousness of game situations:
  “We approach practice like a game, so it's the same amount of focus and seriousness…” (Sanders, [14:57])

Pre-Snap Operations

• Emphasized importance of the pre-snap routine, saving mental energy to execute quickly and purposefully.
  “Throughout my day, I find ways on how I can save my energy to be able to be a battery out there...to operate fast.” (Sanders, [13:59])

Injury & Readiness

• Addressed rumors about hand blisters; confirmed all are healed and do not impact play.
  “They all healed up now...just had to work through and be able to figure out.” (Sanders, [15:32])

Strengths in Decision-Making

• Noted as throwing the fewest interceptions in camp; attributes it to good decision processes and situational awareness.
  “...understanding down the distance, understanding what’s going on, then you’ll be able to know when it's time to force something and when it's not.” (Sanders, [19:14])

Relationship with Coaches

• On building trust with Coach Monken:
  “Just letting everybody be theyself...As long as you're not like disrespecting or doing anything negative, then...you kind of have like freedom.” (Sanders, [22:26])

Chemistry with Teammates

• Acknowledged daily improvement through reps with various receivers; stressed adapting to different practice scenarios.
  “Each day… you’re growing and building in different areas...It’s way deeper than just—it’s first and 10, I’m gonna throw a slant.” (Sanders, [23:26])

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3. Deshaun Watson: Confidence, Growth, and Team Leadership

[24:46 – 36:28]

Excitement for Live Play

• Anxious and positive about returning to live NFL action post-injury.
  “All the hard work that I put in with the training staff...can’t wait for it.” (Watson, [24:57])

Improvement and Practice Habits

• Attributes improvement to getting comfortable with Monken’s system and stacking solid practices.
  “Just getting comfortable with what Coach Monken has...Just keep trying to work and find ways to get better.” (Watson, [25:39])

Interceptions as Learning Tool

• Uses mistakes in camp as intentional learning opportunities, differentiates between experimenting and standard decision-making.
  “Every interception isn’t...you kind of gotta look at them differently in certain situations...” (Watson, [26:23])

Live Play vs. Practice

• Eager for game reps to test physical readiness and in-game decision speed.
• On the impact of a faster-paced game:
  “The game is a lot faster...you don’t have those times where you’re kind of prepping...” (Watson, [29:21])

Mindset & Mental Toughness

• Focused on mental health and fresh start:
  “I have a clear vision. I have a clear mind. So, I mean, I think the world know what I went through...I think I’m mentally tough and...dealt with it as I possibly could.” (Watson, [34:25])

On Cadence & Pre-Snap Execution

• Stressed importance of pre-snap discipline; relates Monken’s approach to Patriots system he experienced under Bill O’Brien.
  “You want a coach that is striving for [perfection]... one pre-snap penalty, two pre-snap penalties...those things get you beat.” (Watson, [30:42])

Chemistry with O-Line & Receivers

• Champions open communication, film study, and off-field relationship building as key to improving with new personnel.

On Evolving Play Style

• Recognizes his game is different post-injury, but mentality and preparation remain elite.
  “My game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play...doesn't.” (Watson, [33:33])
• Cites the need to “play free and let... instincts... take over” ([33:33]).

Notable Quote

• “If I would have handled it differently I definitely wouldn’t be... sitting right here, you know, in front of you guys on my fifth year.” (Watson, [34:25])

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4. Spencer Fano: Earning the Left Tackle Role & Facing NFL Competition

[36:28 – 43:02]

Promotion to First Team Offensive Line

• Expressed gratitude, trust in coaches, and excitement for the role.
  “Just trust in my coaches and the work that I put in... super excited to be where I’m at.” (Fano, [36:46])

Practice Battles and Growth

• Detailed the tough competition in practice, particularly against relentless teammate Jared.
  “Every day it’s...I have to get ready to go against the best player I’ve ever played against every single day.” (Fano, [38:22])

On Team Chemistry & Mental Toughness

• Emphasized competitive yet supportive relationship with Jared:
  “We're still teammates and we're still here to get each other better...he's been getting me so much better.” (Fano, [38:49])

Cadence Challenges & Adaptation

• Explained the mental challenge of working with multiple QBs and various cadences.
  “Every day it’s about building that mental strain of remembering everything that you’re supposed to do pre snap.” (Fano, [41:12])

Learning from Legends

• Reflected on meeting and learning from Browns legend Joe Thomas, especially post-practice drills and constant improvement.
  “...sitting next to a dude that has really done it all at the highest level...his post practice drills was a big thing for me.” (Fano, [41:45])

Protecting Mobile QBs

• Experience with mobile QBs at Utah helps him understand the need to “strain”—maintain blocks longer to allow for off-schedule plays.
  “Strain is probably the biggest...the name of the game is you have to strain...it could take six seconds for them to make an incredible play.” (Fano, [42:35])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On QB Decision Process:
  “I have my reasons, I have my reasons of how it’s gonna go...it’s still a competition.” – Todd Monken ([03:44])
• On Athleticism:
  “One of his superpowers is his athleticism. That always has been. So you can't take that away or you basically taking away, you know, a part of what made him special.” – Todd Monken, on Deshaun Watson ([02:34])
• On Managing Energy:
  “Throughout my day, I find ways on how I can save my energy to be able to be a battery out there…” – Shadore Sanders ([13:59])
• On Trust in Coaches:
  “He wants... everybody to be theyself and be able because, you know, that’s the best way that everybody will be able to produce...” – Shadore Sanders ([22:26])
• On Pre-Snap Cadence:
  “You want a coach that is striving for [perfection]...those things get you beat.” – Deshaun Watson ([30:42])
• On Mentality Post-Injury:
  “My game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play and what I...approach, it doesn’t.” – Deshaun Watson ([33:33])
• On Straining at Left Tackle:
  “You have to strain. So that’s what I learned most there.” – Spencer Fano ([42:35])

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Wrap-Up

This episode provides a comprehensive look at the Browns’ approach heading into preseason: fierce internal competition, a coaching staff focused on discipline and player self-actualization, and a roster eager to develop chemistry and mental toughness. The players and coaches shared candid reflections on growth, leadership, evolving personal styles, and executing under pressure – all while establishing a rejuvenated culture and excitement for the new year.

Transcript

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[Gabe Calura]

Welcome to this Wednesday edition of the from the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Calura. Today is the final day of training camp that is open to the public here at the Cross Country Mortgage campus in Berea and the final day before the Browns will depart for Chicago for the preseason opener this coming Saturday. On this episode you'll hear from head coach Todd Monken, quarterbacks DeSean Watson and Shadore Sanders, and offensive tackle Spencer Fano. We'll start with your head coach Todd Monkin, who started to look ahead preseason opener in Chicago.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

He wouldn't tell us he's starting.

[Todd Monken]

Well, he doesn't know yet. That's why neither one of them know yet.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

When will you inform?

[Todd Monken]

Well, I'm not telling much practice.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Why exactly are you leaving Thursday for Saturday game?

[Todd Monken]

We're gonna have a team dinner tomorrow night in Chicago. I thought that'd be great. We're gonna get together and start the season off so we're gonna go early. We wanted to practice against them but didn't fit their schedule so we said well what the hell. We'll go on Thursday and get there an extra day and team dinner tomorrow night and Friday we will walk through at a high school, De La Salle High School there in Chicago. We'll do a walk through there similar to it really is a little similar. Like as if it was a west coast game similar to that. We'll leave a couple days beforehand and enjoy dinner together and then we'll have walkthrough on Friday and we'll have our normal Friday night meetings and Then be ready to go.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Saturday, Sean was up here talking, saying that, you know, some years have passed since the Houston days and he doesn't really think of himself the same way anyone. Do you feel like he has to change his style of play at all, given the injuries and the time that's passed?

[Todd Monken]

I think you have to be who you are and because if you try to be something you're not, you're not going to play at the highest level your skill set. So it's just the way it is with him. He's going to have to play or, excuse me, utilize his athleticism in order to play at the top of his skill set. Now can he learn how to slide? Of course. Can he get better at throwing the ball away? Of course. But one of his superpowers is his athleticism. I mean, that always has been. So you can't take that away or you basically taking away, you know, a part of what made him special.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Todd, you've made the decision who's going to start Saturday.

[Todd Monken]

I have.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

The other day you said it was going to be who gave you the best chance to score. How much of that is a factor versus how you balance?

[Todd Monken]

Well, that's for the first game of the regular season. Correct. I mean, we're going to see both of them. I mean, one's going to start this week and one's going to start next week, right? And we're gonna play about a similar. I'd like to see a quarterback play a half and get a two minute. We're gonna do everything we can to try and get a two minute. Right. Simulate that for the half. And we're trying to do the exact same thing the next week.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Why one versus Chicago, the other versus.

[Todd Monken]

I mean, which one you have to pick? I know somewhere along I gotta pick somebody. So I have my reasons, I have my reasons of how it's gonna go. And it's, it's not. I mean, it's still a competition. We're still excited to watch guys practice today, let alone, you know, on, on Saturday and the next week against Buffalo and we'll get a chance to see them both. And then every week we'll assess it. It'll be a little bit more difficult with the player that doesn't play as much this week or the other quarterbacks. Right? We'll be able to assess, you know, in terms of the quarterback that started, how he played and when the other guys came in and played. And then the opposite will be next week is Buffalo.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

I don't think you said this yet. But will the one who doesn't start

[Todd Monken]

playing this game, one that doesn't start, will play the third quarter.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

So will you keep your starting offensive line in for the whole first half?

[Todd Monken]

We're not going to do that again. I think I mentioned it the other day. We like our starters to begin the game. We'll see where they're at in terms of who they're playing up front. I think it'd be unfair to our quarterbacks either game to not have our guys up front to give our quarterback a chance to function. So that'll be predicated on what the Bears do a little bit. Now, there's going to come a point if they played their starters for three quarters, that we're not going to do that. Okay, but ultimately we want to give our quarterbacks a chance to function no matter who they put out there. Right. Just collectively as a group. Both weeks now, it's going to be a little harder against Buffalo because again, depending on the practice schedule Thursday, we might not play the guys next Thursday because of the practice on, you know, not next Saturday because of the practice on Thursday.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Todd Austin Barber was a left tackle

yesterday, and Dewan was a great second

[Todd Monken]

just to move him around, just to get him some work either side. That was by design. Hop had come to me and said, hey, you know, we're going to do that. You know, came to me right before practice and said that. And I said that was fine. So. And then we just flipped him.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

You mentioned the other day, day that preseason changes, adds maybe a little bit of extra evaluation layer for the guys in terms of getting hit. What about for building a rhythm? How does game flow help guys build a rhythm differently than practice?

[Todd Monken]

Well, it just does. In terms of stacking plays, there is a finality to a drive. Right. As opposed out here, we're just playing unless you're moving the football, just plays situations. But there it's like, all right, well, we just punted, we kicked a field goal. We didn't finish with a touchdown. So there is that part of it. The repercussions for what you do, interceptions, there's repercussions other than just a little celebration run around, you know, there's repercussions. I mean, it. It puts you in a hole and not only just yardage or stops you from scoring, but gives up points. So all of that is true, even beyond the quarterback understanding they're going to get hit.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Travis talked yesterday.

I know you said you. You have your reasons for who you're going to start versus The Bears. Is that something that you can share? Like, what would be the determining factor for you?

[Todd Monken]

No, I don't feel like I need to share that, but I have my reasons of why, and I'm not trying to be. I. I have my reasons of why. And again, again, it's really not that big a deal because they're both going to play in the two games. So in both games, just more than one and the other. And one's going to start the other.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Travis is talking to yesterday about trying to save eight seconds before you get to the line of scrimmage. What's the kind of genesis of that? And how important do you think saving those seconds are when the quarterback gets in line?

[Todd Monken]

Well, we came up with this few years ago, and it's called the four twos. So what is that? What saves eight seconds of anxiety on your quarterback in your center? What is that? Okay. It's how we build our play calls, right? To having. How do we shrink the calls? Put a little bit on the players so the call is shorter, starting with just initial part, how do I get the play in two seconds quicker? So it's basically, how do we shrink the calls, take two seconds off, how do I get it in quicker? How do we get into the huddle quicker, right? From down the field on the sideline, and how do we break the huddle quicker? And that's the four twos. How do we buy seconds? Because there's nothing worse than anxiety at the line of scrimmage for any decision maker. That's a fact. That's in life. That's. You don't want anxiety, Right? I mean, I said it the other day. I mean, if you're flying, do you want the pilot to have anxiety? Of course not. Right. If you're getting operated on, do you want the doctor to have anxiety? Of course not. Right. Holy. So what are we trying to do? We're trying to eliminate anxiety, right? How do we. How do we function at a really high level if we're up there with anxiety and the clock's running down and you can't get to the right call? And I'm trying to figure out whether you call a timeout or not. That starts with us, how we. In terms of how we build it, the terminology, getting the call in, getting everybody in the huddle and then getting out of the huddle and saving the time on the clock for us to really function at a high level. That's the art.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

We're going to go two more.

[Todd Monken]

We've been fine. Obviously, there's room for improvement. And it's a little bit different here because at times we're what, we're behind the line. We basically run what, 10 yards now? Heck, we might be on the sideline. You got to run all the way the other half of the 10 yard line. So preseason's for. That's. I'm excited to see that part of it, let alone our guys play. Our guys are going to play. Our guys have played hard since I've gotten here. I don't, I don't anticipate anything other than them playing the rear ends off, but how we operate, right, all of us coaches and players for the first time.

[Deshaun Watson]

Let's go, Ashley.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

With Shushan coming up here and talking today about, you know, just that recognition that it's not going to look exactly the same for him the way it did in 2020 in Houston and all the quarterbacks you've worked with, how important is that sort of self awareness from a guy as he goes throughout his career?

[Todd Monken]

Well, first of all, I would never put limitations on a player. I'd hate that he would do that. Why can't he be. Why can't he play like that? I don't know. I haven't seen it yet. I'm not gonna say he can't till I see it right. Till we see it right. I've seen a lot of really good things over the course of the four or five months I've been here. I'm not gonna put that on him. If he thinks he can't play like that, that's on him. I, I think he's done a lot of really good things athletically, making plays that we're gonna get a chance to see. Right? Because we're not live. We'll see. We'll see if that comes to play. When we get out there and go.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Your first game at Michigan, Mississippi State is head coach, Southern Miss. I'm sorry.

[Todd Monken]

It's all right.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What do you remember about it other than it being your very first game?

[Todd Monken]

Listen, who'd we open up with?

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Or is it so long ago

[Todd Monken]

we didn't play very well. I know that because I know we couldn't. Up we went 1 11, won our last game. So there's 11. It was 11 straight games of, you know, people would call me and they were like, hey, call me back. I said, well, I'm gonna call them back after we get our first win. Then we got a little further down the road, so I better call them back. I don't, I don't know where this is headed. So obviously we didn't play very well our first game. I do remember that. So I think it might have been Texas State. Maybe. It was Texas State. Yeah. We didn't play very well. Daniel, last one.

[Shadore Sanders]

Have you thought about, you know, your

[Deshaun Watson]

first game being in Chicago and just

[Shadore Sanders]

what did you know growing up in that area?

[Deshaun Watson]

Kind of mean?

[Todd Monken]

Well, it is interesting that it turned out that way. That and it is a preseason game. But to go back, I grew up outside of Chicago and all my family, my wife's family's from there. My family being from there, it's pretty cool. Pretty cool, you know, so that. That part of it. But I'm more excited about watching our guys play than anything else. And I'm excited to get started because we have three of these opportunities to clean up what we want to clean up, along with three weeks of practice to really clean up. So we're really, really ready to go against Jacksonville because ultimately we are all going to have things to clean up as a staff and as a team. Before we put our best foot forward against Jacksonville, the first of our two

[Gabe Calura]

quarterbacks today is Shador Sanders.

[Shadore Sanders]

How you doing?

[Spencer Fano]

How are you, man? Good, Good.

[Shadore Sanders]

Everybody good? How's everybody doing?

[Todd Monken]

Well, how are you?

[Shadore Sanders]

Good, Good. First, I want to apologize for how things was last time I came up here before y' all dearly. I dislike when it's a lot of separation and when something. And when something gets between the team and people get painted a certain way and all this different type of stuff. So that's where I get frustrated and I shut down, you know, because this doesn't help us win. So it's kind of like an option, but not an option. So I don't. I feel drained when I express myself to people and places and cameras when it's not received and taken right way or we're trying to divide the team or anything like that. So that's where I was just trying to preserve my energy from going in depth with a lot of things. So definitely Jader.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

How do you think you played the last couple weeks just in relation to how you started?

[Shadore Sanders]

Yeah, I think each and every day we improved as a team. I got more comfortable within the offense. There's definitely still challenges every day that you gotta correct and focus on and be able to improve.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Do you know when you'll be going into the game?

[Shadore Sanders]

Saturday, Coach Mark. And he's going to tell you? Yeah, he told y'. All. Y' all would know. Y' all would know as soon as we know.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Coaches Talk so much about the pre snap operation and yesterday Coach Sweitzer talked about that. Trying to save those eight seconds. How important is that in your role and how much improvement do you think you made? The coaches all say that you've gotten

[Shadore Sanders]

so much better in that it's very important. That's why it's like. That's why I talk about saving your energy, you know, so you gotta. Throughout my day, I find ways on how I can save my energy to be able to be a battery out there, to be able to operate fast, you know, and do everything with a purpose and very quickly. You can't do all that when it's. When you pull it in a lot of different directions, you know, because that's how I feel drained. I feel drained that way. And I tested it, you know, so I know what helps me, you know, and what puts me in the best situation to operate, you know, how to. Coaches would like.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Is there. Is there one thing in particular when you're in a game situation that you're really kind of looking forward to seeing where you've grown the most from last year, you know, from that Cincinnati game to, you know, finally getting back out there in real game setting and seeing where it's improved the most?

[Shadore Sanders]

No, we approach practice like a game, so it's the same amount of focus and seriousness that it is. So that's why I'm excited. Excited to feel it's like how similar does it feel to practice, honestly, because it's a different type of intention and the mentality, you know, that we go out there every day with.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

This is probably going to sound crazy, but I saw somewhere that you have a blister or blisters on your hand or something like that, which might make it a little bit difficult to throw. Is there any truth to that whatsoever?

[Shadore Sanders]

No. That happened this past offseason. Getting back into it just from throwing a lot, honestly, that's where it came from. From. And they all healed up now. Yeah, but that was the thing, like I would say at the start of training camp and everything that, you know, we just had to work through and be able to figure out.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

So you decide that you treat practice like a game. So what areas specifically do you think you've improved most in since that last game last season?

[Shadore Sanders]

I would say being a great teammate, especially to that guy right there.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

All right.

[Spencer Fano]

I got a question for you though.

[Shadore Sanders]

What's your question?

[Interviewer/Reporter]

If you had a walk out of the tunnel song, what song would it be?

[Shadore Sanders]

It be perfect timing. It be perfect timing. I Hope yours would be that too.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

So you could go ahead with the answer, if you would, please.

[Shadore Sanders]

What was the question?

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What you taught. You said that you treat practice like a game. So my question was, what specific areas have you improved most since the nls?

[Shadore Sanders]

I wouldn't really say improve most. I'll say every area I try to improve is like. It's like a chart within myself and seeing, okay, If I got 10 different areas to improve, like, let's improve each area every day, you know, until it gets to max threshold. Max threshold. That'll take some time. You know, that's going to take a couple years, you know, max threshold. But I think I'm improving in every area overall.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Coach Monken was saying the other day that he wants to see you and Deshaun in preseason games because it's a little bit different when a quarterback can get hit. There's a little, maybe an extra layer of evaluation there. How, if at all does the game change for you when you know you can be hit?

[Shadore Sanders]

You gotta think of how many times I got hit in college. That don't really faze me at all at this point in life. And obviously it's the league and I got hit multiple times last year. So I like the challenge of going out there to be able to get the ball out my hand so I don't get hit, you know, that's the challenge for me, to be able to make the right reads, to be able to go through the progressions and get and figure it out, you know. And even in practice, even I don't take it lightly what I possibly could get hit because I'm trying to improve the process and speed everything up, you know, and it's extremely tough, but it's definitely a challenge I look forward to every day going out there.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

He also just with the switching of the reps with the ones every day, I mean, how do you think you handled that so far in these first few weeks?

[Shadore Sanders]

Yeah, I think that doesn't even phase me or get to me or I think about that at all. You know, I'm just thankful to be out, able to practice, you know, so sometimes you gotta sit back and reflect on why would I feel negative in this situation if last year was a total different situation. So I think about things that I'm thankful for in life and not that I. That I really want. If you live in that want world, then you gonna always be searching.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

There's been a lot of interceptions at this camp. Defense is playing great, I understand it. But you have the fewest of the quarterbacks. Why is that?

[Shadore Sanders]

I'm not sure. I just try to go about the process every day, make my decisions and not really second guess or not and not really. Like I try to go through the process the right way and try to do everything I'm trying to do. So I think as long as that's at the forefront of the mind and understanding situations, understanding down the distance, understanding what's going on, then you'll be able to know when it's time to force something and when it's not time to. So I know being on the field for me the longest, I'm going to be able to get a feel. So it's like, why put yourself in a situation where you could get taken off a field or anything? So that's why I try to focus on. And obviously it doesn't really happen like that. Some things are tip picks, some things are like just things happen. So it's kind of. If I know last year, within the season everything I threw some picks, then it's like, of course there's going to be a point, an emphasis to be confident with every decision I make. And that's just in life, any decision I make, I'm fine with it and I got to stand by it and life and football translate to each other. So even now, the decisions I make myself off the field, like, I got to stand on it, I live by it and, you know, I can't regret it.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

So a few days ago when, you know, you found out, I guess maybe before the walkie day that you weren't going to be taking the one reps, you know, with the pads on that day, did you. I watched you step up with the, you know, 11 on 11 and sit like three straight passes right away, right where they needed to be. Did you take that as a positive and not let that become anything where you wondered why that was happening like that?

[Shadore Sanders]

No, I don't think, I don't think with the coaches that we have you ever wonder? I think whatever is said is direct. Obviously it's like we was, we was informed, you know, and everything the right way. So it was never a miscommunication between us, you know. So I don't know, I just don't really appreciate sometimes if things happen and if things happen, then y' all just jump on the coast like he just trippin or something, you know, I don't, I don't really like that because it creates just extra. And I hope we all here to want to win, you know, and be a team and Be a franchise. So it's kind of like we gotta slow down, you know, that's what we want. But if we just in here to just make money and get clicks, then, you know, we understand that too. So that's why I just appreciate the team. I appreciate everybody that we don't let anything online or anything really get to us, you know, because we're in our own cocoon, We're a team. So anything outside of that don't really affect us in the building.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

It seems like since Todd got here, you've been saying things like that, you know, whatever the coaches tell you guys, you trust. And you mentioned at the beginning of mid camp that he understood you very well. How did he go about building that trust with you?

[Shadore Sanders]

I say by just letting everybody be theyself. That's how he is overall. He wants player and everybody to be theyself and be able because, you know, that's. That's the best way that everybody will be able to produce and be able to be their. So. So I think that's what it is. It's just everybody has freedom each and every day. You could be how you want to be within the guidelines of the team. As long as you're not like disrespecting or doing anything negative, then, you know, you kind of have like freedom.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Last one we saw this week, Denzel.

[Shadore Sanders]

I don't know what ones and twos are, honestly. I'm telling you, it switches every day. So what's ones and what's twos? It's just work. What's the work are we getting today?

[Interviewer/Reporter]

More so just with Denzel, with kc, who's obviously putting up some good plays as well, just how have you kind of developed. What's your chemistry been like with them?

[Spencer Fano]

How you kind of want to.

[Shadore Sanders]

Yeah, I'll say it's good. I'll say the chemistry is definitely growing with each rep that I take with anybody, I would say because football is just a bunch of different situations that, you know, in practice you may hit on one time. So like each day. That's why I say you growing and building in different areas. Because just because you practice is a bunch of different situations in practice. So. So you look at things from different point of views, you know, and it's way deeper than just. It's way deeper than just. It's first and 10, I'm gonna throw a slant versus like it's third and short, you know, throwing a slant. It's kind of like. It's a big difference, you know, between it because One like, it's super on the line. The other one, you know, you may not be as aggressive in. So it's all about down the distance. It's all about managing the game time on the clock. And I think that's where, as a team and everybody, we're trying to get better at each and every day and being able to handle all the installs and everything that's put on us is great in its ups and downs, it's strenuous. Sometimes it's not, but it's good because that's how I said I feel like the game, when everything's more simplified, everything will be a lot more smoother within us.

[Gabe Calura]

Up next, here's quarterback Deshaun Watson.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

How excited are you about this opportunity? Whether. I don't know if Coach Monk has told you, whether you're starting or not, but just getting out there finally and

[Deshaun Watson]

see and playing in a real game, I'm super excited. I think all the hard work that I put in with the training staff, with all my team, my personal team, to get to this stage has been tremendous for myself. So I'm super excited, you know, for those opportunities and can't wait for it.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Sean, can you talk about the way that just over the past week, at least from my vantage point, it seems like it's really kind of come together for you and your performance has elevated by leaps and bounds, going back to maybe like last Wednesday and stacking good practices, kind of what's going on here?

[Deshaun Watson]

Just getting comfortable with what Coach Monkin has, you know, wanted us to do as a. As a QB and as a, you know, as a team. And, you know, what is he looking for? Trying to get on the same page on how he calling plays in certain situations. So, you know, my job every day is. What I live by is just keep trying to win the day, and every day I just take it one day at a time. Can't rush anything and, you know, let the football that I've been doing for my whole life just kind of take care of itself. So, again, I'm in a good spot and just keep trying to work and find ways to get better.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Deshaun, what do you think back to

some of those earlier interceptions, you know, around the last time we talked to you, Looking back on them now, how much of that was maybe due to you experimenting, trying different things, like kind of like you talked about last time?

[Deshaun Watson]

Yeah, I mean, I think every interception isn't. Especially at this time of the year, you kind of got to look at them differently in certain Situations. What are we working on? What throws are we working on? Have I tried this throw before? You know, we might have tried it in Racineira and see if I can try it in a live period. And, you know, sometimes the defense make a good job, and then also, you know, sometimes it might be a bad throw or a bad decision. So you kind of got to grow from them, and it's better to have those moments now rather than actual game.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

I guess off of that, how do you. How do you kind of go through.

I know you talked about this last time.

[Spencer Fano]

You were too.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

How do you kind of go through mentally Figured out, like, all right, this is a session where I should try some things. I can try some things versus this is one where I want to make sure, like, I'm just going to take the defensively.

[Deshaun Watson]

Yeah, I think it goes back to, you know, in between periods, just making sure that, you know, I'm on the same page. But what period we working on? Is it third down? Is it third and short? Is it fourth down? Is it red zone? Is it first and ten? Is it opportunities where we taking shots? Is it third and long?

[Shadore Sanders]

Where?

[Deshaun Watson]

You know, Coach Monkin has given us a green light to test those throws? So I think it's just really just finding those situations within the game and being smart and then watching the tape and actually sitting down with the coaching staff and then reviewing it so we don't make those same mistakes or even if it does work, we don't want to grow and have a living on those type of throws and situations.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

The other day that he wants to see you and Shadur in preseason games because obviously you guys can get hit. That's a different situation than when you have in practice. Especially for you, you haven't been different in a couple of years. Extra layer of evaluation, maybe does that add for you in a preseason game?

[Deshaun Watson]

I mean, for me, it's just really just being able to play live football against a different opponent. So, you know, I'm not worried about being hit or anything like that. You know, that's part of the game. So. But as far as me just operating in a live setting without being on a practice field and coaches being on the field with you, that's what I'm looking forward to and just getting those

[Interviewer/Reporter]

reps. Deshaun Sugar was talking about how coach makes practice very game. Like, how. I mean, in what ways do you feel like he. He does that in having, you know, been in games before?

What.

What can't you replicate? No matter how hard you try when you're out there, beyond obviously the, the contact that, you know, you face, you

[Deshaun Watson]

know, from defense, I mean, I think the biggest thing is just really, I think what we just talked about is just those mistakes, you know, the interceptions, the, the turnovers, the bad operation, you know, those, those things get you beat. So again, that's, I think that's the biggest thing where you got to take it with a grain of salt and you got to kind of, again, you got to learn from it. You got to. And sometimes, you know, we might get a little too greedy and you know, try to do some things and it goes the wrong way and then we gotta go back and watch the tape and know in this situation, these are the things that can lose you ball games and be able to check it down. So, you know, you take that, you put it in your memory bank and then the next rep you try to improve from it.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What about rhythm? How does a game setting help you build rhythm differently from practice?

[Deshaun Watson]

Yeah, cause the game is a lot faster, you know, a lot faster. People are thinking differently. You don't have those times where you kind of prepping on again, you know, this is third down. So, you know, third down, we're going to play the sticks. Whether in a game where you got to be locked in on the situation, you know, the plays, you're not really, you're thinking about the last rep, the last play, but you know, and you forget that it's third down, second down, or, you know, you might play it a little bit different in practice. So, you know, all those things just gotta, you know, takes time. And the more opportunities we get in preseason, to be able to get those opportunities and reps is very helpful.

[Spencer Fano]

What do you think you've learned most

[Interviewer/Reporter]

about yourself since training camp began?

[Deshaun Watson]

Learn most about my, myself, I mean, nah, I already know who I am, so I don't think anything.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

I mean, as far as your, you

[Deshaun Watson]

know, getting back in that football, I mean, it's just, you know, it's like, it's like riding a bike, you know, it's just kind of getting back and just playing football, playing free. I think the biggest thing is just really mental, is my mental side is really just coming, coming in, taking it one day at a time, not worried about what's going on outside and just focusing on my opportunities.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Never heard so much use of the word cadence at a training camp where every day it comes out from. Coach mon, as a 10 year veteran at your position now, are you as frustrated about what's going on as he appears?

[Podcast Sponsor/Announcer]

To be.

[Deshaun Watson]

I mean, yeah, I think coach is definitely going to be frustrated because, you know, he wants profession and that's what we strive for and you want a coach that is striving for that. You know, even one pre snout penalty, two pre snout penalties. You know, it might seem small in the grand scheme of things, but those things get you beat, you know, like I mentioned before. So, you know, this is very similar to how my training camps were back when I first got drafted with coach Bill o'. Brien. Very aggressive, very intense. You know, he wants professions, especially coming from the New England system. With Brady, everything was to the beat, to the, you know, crossing the T's and dotting the I's. So, you know, I'm very familiar with that. And you know, we got to stay on top of those things because, you know, they either going to help you or they're going to, you know, help you lose. Lose a lot of games.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Sean, two things real quick. How much do you think it will help you once you get to take those or if you do get to take those first team reps every day to develop that continuity day after day after day with the 11th and other.

[Deshaun Watson]

Yeah, I mean it's very helpful. I think it's very helpful when you get to, you know, speak with the, or play with the same guys, practice with the same guys. So you, you kind of build that trust and you build that, okay, this guy is coming out this way. Everyone is different. Everyone has different tendencies, everyone has different ways of running routes and how explosive they are, you know, catch radius, you know, everything about that. So, you know, you know, it's obviously it's hard to go on back and forth and different guys, but you know, you just try to, you learn as much as possible and try to trust it as much as possible until that opportunity comes.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

The only thing real quick is the fact that nine times out of ten when I see you make a throw, it goes exactly where you want it to go and it looks very accurate. It looks great. Occasionally it looks like maybe the ball didn't go exactly where you want it to go. Is that just typical normal practice for any quarterback or are you still kind of not going to pull the rust off or what happens when you see a pass that looks a little off?

[Deshaun Watson]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's, I think it's not every quarterback's going to be perfect. So I don't think, think it's just no different than, you know, Steph Curry going and shooting a three. You know, sometimes it looks really, really good. But he. That's not the first time he's tried that. So, you know, a lot of times he miss a lot of shots, and you keep. You keep repeating it until you get it perfect. So, yeah, you know, sometimes it's going to be off defense give you different looks. You know, they get paid on the other side, and we have a really good defense, and they're doing a lot of different things, disguising and making it tough for the offense. So you just try to, you know, time it up and the ball doesn't go that way, and they'd be in the right spot. So, again, that's what the T and this time period is for, is being able to learn and gain that trust and gain that experience. So, you know, you can put it in your memory bank and move forward.

[Shadore Sanders]

Deshaun, when you get back on the

[Deshaun Watson]

field, like, in your mind, you envision

[Interviewer/Reporter]

yourself playing exactly how you did in

[Deshaun Watson]

Houston, or do you think that you may have to change up your style

[Interviewer/Reporter]

a little bit just given injuries?

[Deshaun Watson]

Yeah, I mean, I'm different, man. I think ever since I've been here. Early on, I think bringing up Houston was cool, but I'm 30 now, so I think I had some injuries and things like that, so my game has definitely changed. But the mentality in how I play and what I, you know, how I approach, it doesn't. So I don't know. I think just going out there and just playing free and let my, you know, instincts just take over, you know, So I think that's the biggest thing. And, you know, I've always had a coach. You know, my coach o' Brien always told me, you know, I always trust my instincts. So, you know, I think that's the biggest thing, is just go out there, play free, and let the game come to me.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

This is your fifth. We're going to wrap your fifth.

Just fumble.

You think you're practicing better than you ever have as a Cleveland Brown?

[Deshaun Watson]

Of course. Yeah, of course. You know, I have a. I have a clear vision. I have a clear mind. So, I mean, I think the world know. Know what. What I went through. There's no secret, you know, off the field and then on the field, also with injuries. So I think for anybody that had, you know, what I went through, I think, you know, would be in a different spot, maybe, you know, so I think I'm mentally tough and, you know, dealt with it as I possibly could to be able to be standing here talking with you guys, you know, So I think if I would have handled it differently I definitely wouldn't be, you know, sitting right here, you know, in front of you guys on my fifth year.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

In recent days you really tried within passing the scramble

back of the T

shirt and in recent days you really thought we've been passing a move on

[Deshaun Watson]

and that's the integral part of your game. Now things are different. Injury, how's it been for you post

[Interviewer/Reporter]

injury within re echoing that that's your

[Deshaun Watson]

game and just levels of comfort. It's been good, I think, being able to practice it and be able to get out on field and I it's not live, but guys are chasing us. Our defense is doing a heck of a job of reacting and being full speed to the point of attack. It's been really good to be able to test, you know, my injuries and see where I'm at and my strength. So I think I'm in a good spot and confident that, you know, it's going to continue to just get better and improved.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What is, especially when you have a new offensive line totally different in front of you when you work with the floor, what does the work look like both on the field and off the field?

[Gabe Calura]

Get some of that correct behind the

[Interviewer/Reporter]

scenes, but also when you guys are

[Deshaun Watson]

out, a lot of film study, a lot of one on one time and just a lot of just communication, I think just normal conversation. You know, when we're eating lunch, dinner, breakfast in the locker room, just kind of bringing it up, showing them different clips. And then once we get on the field, you know, just try to apply everything that we talked about off the field, on the field and see how fast we can, you know, operate it and then see it and just go out there and try to execute. So it's a lot of just, just talking and just watching it and just being on the same page.

[Gabe Calura]

Finally, left tackle Spencer Fano talked about getting elevated to the first team offensive line.

[Spencer Fano]

How was everybody? Oh, thank you.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

So we haven't talked to you since you were promoted to the first team every day. What's your feeling? Do you think you're ready for that?

[Spencer Fano]

I just trust in my coaches and the work that I put in so far and I'm super excited to be where I'm at.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Can you kind of walk us through what happened in Jared the other day on Saturday?

[Spencer Fano]

It was just, just a long practice. You know, it was really competitive. Competitive and physical and then, yeah, things just got a little heated towards the middle of practice there and then, yeah, after practice we were fine.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What's it like going against him? He just seems like relentless.

[Spencer Fano]

Oh, yeah, no, that's. I think that's the perfect word to describe him. He's just always the same dude and then every single play he's bringing 100%. So I think, yeah, I think relentless is the perfect way to describe him.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Did you feel like how much does he. Sort of, that relentlessness sort of bring it out of you also? Because, you know, you hear him talk and you hear him, you know, the way he goes every play in play, I want you to just force you to kind of come, you know, kind of match his level.

[Spencer Fano]

Oh, yeah. Well, it's my job to keep him off the quarterback, so I'm going to be relentless as well to make sure that, that, that happens.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

How about the fact that you, you showed that dog, you showed that fight, that spark that they were looking for, that pushing over the edge into the left tackle route. What did you make of that hole?

[Spencer Fano]

I thought that was awesome. I just, I don't know. Every day I'm just trying to come out here and compet. If that's what they wanted to see, then. Oh, yeah.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Spencer, I know the first time we talked to you, we're well aware that going against Jared would be a good challenge for you, that it would help with your development. Is it still kind of, you know, a part of mental toughness? Getting ready every day to go out there and, you know, accept, hey, I'm gonna lose some against this guy, but

[Spencer Fano]

I have to hold my own too, for sure. I mean, every day it's. I have to get ready to go against the best player I've ever played against every single day. So there's definitely a part of that. Yeah, getting ready for that every day.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What's that relationship like where we saw him after practice working with you the one day, and then even yesterday it looked like you guys got into it, but at the end, you know, he kind of gives you congratulatory pat on the helmet. So how do you kind of go back and forth between the battles on the field and then helping each other?

[Spencer Fano]

I think at the end of the day, like, we're both competitors and so all we want to do is win and then we get really upset if we lose. So I think that's kind of the way both of us are wired and we both understand that. So just at the end of a practice, like at the end of the day, we're still teammates and we're still here to get each other better and that he's been getting me so much better. So I don't Know just that whole answer. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

His power is well advertised. That's his game. Are there other parts to his game?

[Spencer Fano]

For sure, for sure. I mean he has an incredible get off. I mean, that's another thing I've been trying to get used to is just when he's able to time up that snap count and I have to get out of my stance faster, things like that. He's good around the edge. He has great inside moves. He's a very, very hard defender to go against.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What do you expect from the Bears not yet. To finally go against a different team on Saturday?

[Shadore Sanders]

What will that be like?

[Spencer Fano]

It'll be fun. It'll be fun. Actually, that'll be my first real. I'm not real test, but yeah, my first real test of NFL football.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

And how did you feel about dejuan Jones alternating with you with the first team? What did that kind of. How did that sort of help you rise to the occasion?

[Spencer Fano]

I mean, it was awesome. I think dejuan's an incredible player and he's a huge mountain of a man that can make really any block. So to be able to compete with him every single day, I do think it really pushed me.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

How have you seen yourself just grow the most in terms of your game, what you're able to do from start a training camp or even want to go back to the spring to now as you've kind of been avoiding that.

[Spencer Fano]

I feel like I've improved pretty much everywhere. Just, just listening to the coaching that Coach Warhop gives me and trying to. What I need to do is just try to get as close to what he wants every single play. And as I continue to do that, I'll just get better.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

You know, Cadence has been a big buzzword for this camp Bunk and talked a lot about that. We see the linemen jump offside or false start sometimes, but there's obviously more to it and you guys just jumping. So how has that whole process worked for the linemen with the quarter two different quarterbacks?

[Spencer Fano]

I think it's been really good and it's been great to go out there and practice it just because we have so many different cadences. I think a lot of the times we'll just get hyper focused in on a job and sometimes you can forget about that cadence. So every day it's about building that mental strain of remembering everything that you're supposed to do pre snap.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Do you have a sense for how much you're going to play Saturday?

[Spencer Fano]

What was that?

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Do you have a sense for how much you're going to play Saturday?

[Spencer Fano]

I have no idea. I have no idea.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

Spencer, can you talk about what was it like for you to meet your idol, Joe Thomas, and then what did you also learn from him in your conversation?

[Spencer Fano]

It was so freaking cool. I mean, we had him in there in the meetings and it's crazy just sitting next to a dude that has really done it all at the highest level. I don't know. I don't think there's anyone that's done it at a higher level than him. And for him to give me some of his knowledge and to help teach me while I was out here was so freaking cool. It was amazing.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What's one tip you picked up from him?

[Spencer Fano]

I asked him a lot of the post practice things that he'd worked on. So I feel like, yeah, like kind of his post practice drills was a big thing for me, just how I can get better every day.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

What did you learn at Utah? You played with some mobile quarterbacks who move the pocket and maybe you don't always know where they are. Where they are. What did you learn about protecting, you know, Devon, for example, that can help you with.

[Spencer Fano]

You just have to strain. Strain is probably the biggest. That's the name of the game is you have to strain. So that's what I learned most there.

[Interviewer/Reporter]

When you say strain, what do you mean by that?

[Spencer Fano]

You can't just be content with like, you know, technically most plays the ball is supposed to be out in like three seconds. But with those guys back there, it could take a six. It could take six seconds for them to make an incredible play. So you have to strain for those things to be able to happen.

[Gabe Calura]

That'll do it for this episode of the from the Post. Be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Keep a lock to Cleveland Browns daily each weekday and follow the Browns for more coverage from the Cross Country Mortgage Campus right here in Berea, I'm Gabe Calura. Thanks for listening to the from the Podium podcast.