The Dan Patrick Show

Covino & Rich – "A Browns Sabotage?"

Date: August 26, 2025
Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Covino & Rich dive into the swirling controversy around the Cleveland Browns, Shadur Sanders, and accusations of “sabotage” concerning his preseason treatment. With the NFL regular season on the horizon and fans abuzz over roster moves, the crew tackles whether Sanders, a 5th-round draft pick with a big name and even bigger expectations, is being set up to fail — or if it’s all just noise. Along the way, they connect the story to broader themes of opportunity, accountability, and the business of winning in the NFL, while maintaining their trademark humor and lively banter.

Main Discussion Points & Key Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Sports in Late August

• Hosts highlight the excitement of the season: NFL preseason, impending MLB playoffs, major fights, and the sports calendar heating up.
• “It’s a great time for sports fans. September, October, it's a whirlwind for baseball and football heads.” – Rich (06:44)

2. The Sabotage Question: Shador Sanders & The Browns

The Controversy

• Shador Sanders, a 5th-round rookie QB and son of Deion Sanders, gets media and fan attention far beyond the average late draft pick.
• Unlike typical backups, Sanders is the “number one rookie selling jersey,” drawing outsized interest and scrutiny (13:05).
• Fans believe he wasn't put in a position to succeed: removed from key “two-minute drill” situations, played behind weaker offensive lines, and surrounded by less talented teammates during preseason.

Hosts' Take

• Accountability meets reality: Both Covino & Rich challenge the sabotage narrative, pointing out:
  • This is a result-oriented business — "The name of the game is winning" (21:51).
  • Coaches, notably Kevin Stefanski, “want to win and keep their jobs. Sabotage doesn’t make sense” (23:34).
• Comparisons: Drawing parallels to other players with passionate fanbases (e.g. Angel Reese), the hosts highlight how some fan groups shield their favorites from criticism—sometimes deflecting blame onto everything but the player (12:29).

Notable Quote

“Is it sabotage or not? I do believe he was not set up to succeed in this moment, but I don’t believe it’s sabotage against the guy.” – Covino (34:50)

3. The Reality of Preseason and Team Evaluation

• Preseason isn’t about winning but evaluating talent: “Preseason is not about winning. It's about evaluating... you need to keep your young guy in.” – Caller “Max in Kentucky” (40:02).
• Many QBs—including higher picks—have to bide their time, accept bad circumstances, and compete for few snaps.
• Covino shares a personal analogy about accountability and the importance of making the most of imperfect opportunities, paralleling the situation to their own careers in broadcasting (15:27).

4. Fans, Media, and the Narrative Machine

Fan Reaction vs. Player Behavior

• The hosts distinguish between the noise generated by fans/media and Shador Sanders' own actions:
  • “He’s not the one complaining — it's the fans. Shooter Sanders is carrying himself in a pro way.” – Rich (21:14)
  • “I find him to be very likable ... That's why I find it hard to believe it's sabotage.” – Covino (21:24)

RG3’s Analysis

• RG3's argument: Sanders “never got a fair shot” – played with inferior linemen and WRs, while Dylan Gabriel “got to play with the proper talent” and succeeded (25:15).

• RG3:

  “Yes, Shadir Sanders was a fifth round pick, but he ain't never been a fifth round talent... Cleveland is not doing that [giving him a chance] right now.” (25:15)

• But even RG3 admits a mix of issues: two sacks were on Sanders holding the ball too long (25:54).

5. Call-In & Audience Feedback Highlights

• Mark from Indiana: “If his dad’s name was Cliff, nobody would care...” — The Sanders name drives the hype (37:59).
• Andre from Miami: Relates the situation to Jimmy Johnson choosing Troy Aikman over Steve Walsh, concluding, “Feelings don’t matter. It’s about winning.” (38:47)
• JP from OKC: “Give credit to Shador, he’s not complaining publicly... not sabotage. He’s a fifth-round pick. That’s what it comes down to.” (40:35)
• Doug from Maryland (Raiders fan): “He’s a project… Hasn’t played against any first team defenses. I don’t want him on the Raiders. It’d be JaMarcus Russell all over again.” (51:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the fan-driven “sabotage” narrative:

  “It’s always something else. So keep that in mind when we discuss the story.” – Covino (12:26)

• On personal accountability:

  “In life, there's something we've learned the hard way—it’s called accountability. At the end of the day, it’s your name on the show.” – Covino (35:16)

• On NFL realities:

  “When it comes to Shador Sanders, do you cry about it or do you blame someone else?... Some people just aren't set up to succeed. So we can't discount that as a possibility. But is it sabotage? Like, is it intentional? Is the question.” – Covino (18:11)

Key Timestamps

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Sports calendar excitement | 05:46–06:44 | | Sabotage theme song/Browns intro | 07:01 | | Beastie Boys, fan loyalty, athlete narratives| 08:03–12:29 | | Shador Sanders’ treatment, meme analysis | 12:29–14:55 | | Accountability and personal stories | 15:27–16:55 | | Tom Brady/Trevor Lawrence, success contexts | 18:11 | | Dylan Gabriel stats contextualized | 14:55–15:17 | | RG3’s “not a fair shot” argument | 25:15–26:24 | | Calls & audience perspectives | 37:59–41:36 | | Host summary: sabotage vs. setup | 34:50 |

Episode Tone & Style

• Friendly, lively, and occasionally irreverent—Covino & Rich balance sports insights with pop culture references and personal anecdotes.
• Direct about controversial topics, but often end debates with a “both could be true” moderation, inviting audience perspective.
• Stay focused on the heart of the Browns/Sanders debate; the "sabotage" storyline is handled with skepticism but fair exploration.

Takeaways

• The alleged “sabotage” of Shador Sanders by Browns staff is more a product of fan fervor, online narratives, and high expectations than actual organizational intent.
• In the NFL, winning (and evaluating talent in preseason) supersedes all, and most decisions are judged harshly only when big names—or big fan followings—are involved.
• The conversation highlights tricky intersections of fandom, accountability, fairness, and how heightened expectations alter perceptions of “opportunity” in professional sports.