RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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BEREA ― The news off the field was of a bigger deal than what happened on the field on Day 13 of the Browns ' training camp.
For starters, there's finally a starter for the Browns' preseason opener at the Chicago Bears . After teasing the decision before practice, coach Todd Monken finally told the team that Deshaun Watson would be the starting quarterback on Aug. 15.
However, that's not the end for Shedeur Sanders. The expectation is for him to start the second preseason game on Aug. 22 at home against the Buffalo Bills .
Even sooner than that, Sanders had the camp practice that was immediately after Monken teased the decision and right after he announced it. That's where we jump in for the takeaways.
Shedeur Sanders shows he can roll with the punches
This isn't something that's exactly a new revelation. It was actually one of the strength you noticed coming out of the University of Colorado and after he fell to the fifth round of the draft.
Sanders didn't practice knowing that Watson was going to start the preseason opener. He had to know the decision was coming, though, and that such a decision was a possibility.
Regardless, Sanders went out and had a strong practice, which will be his final one this week with the No. 1 group. The Browns are traveling to Chicago on Aug 13, two days before the game, and will have a walkthrough at a Chicagoland area high school the day before the game.
The practice was capped by Sanders leading the No. 1 offense down for a last-second field goal in a situation where they're starting from their own 21 with 58 seconds left and down two points. The drive was highlighted by arguably both the throw and the catch of camp so far, as Sanders dropped a 42-yard pass to wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who made a diving grab.
Deshaun Watson projecting confidence of a No. 1 QB
It's a really small deal when it comes to an NFL starting quarterback. It certainly doesn't outweigh everything that they do on the field.
However, it's been noticeable the confidence Watson has carried with him the last week. It really started with the big day he had Aug. 5, but really took off with the practice he had Aug. 8.
It's also obvious in a much smaller regard with how he speaks to the media. The first year he was in Cleveland, while obviously coming off the off-the-field issues with the more than two-dozen lawsuits of sexual assault or sexual misconduct at massage appointments, there was a timidness to his speaking that was mirrored by his play on the field.
Now, Watson looks and sounds like a confident quarterback. The major question is, can Watson play like one? That's what the Browns really want to start finding out in Chicago.
Isaiah Bond's big training camp turnaround
The first four days or so of training camp, Isaiah Bond was basically invisible among the wide receivers. The last nine days or so, you can't help but notice him making big play after big play.
The diving catch on Day 13 was only the latest such highlight from the second-year undrafted free agent out of the University of Texas. What Bond's shown in the last week or so is that he is more than just a speed merchant.
Bond's definitely made some big plays by going deep, such as the one in practice today. However, there's also been a number of catches across the middle where he's gotten a mismatch on linebacker or safety.
For all the well-earned talk about rookies Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, Bond could be another wide receiver sitting on a breakthrough that would only make the Browns even more potent.
Spencer Fano getting better daily at left tackle, and other OL thoughts
Rookie left tackle Spencer Fano has backed up the move to the No. 1 spot at left tackle this week by having his most consistent week of practices to date. The real test will come in Chicago, but the No. 9 overall pick has certain learned plenty with defensive end Jared Verse his daily sparring partner.
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As for the second group of tackles behind Fano and right tackle Tytus Howard, the last two days have seen Dawand Jones working at right tackle and rookie Austin Barber working at left tackle. Jones had been working at left tackle previous to that, including rotating with Fano prior to this week, while Barber had worked exclusively on the right side.
That seems like its the four tackles who have separated themselves from the pack. KT Leveston could always be an emergency tackle if necessary, but they really like him at guard so far.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 4 takeaways from Browns training camp Day 13 includes Shedeur Sanders' growth
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