Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders said his recent comments about the New Orleans Saints defense were taken out of context, insisting he never intended to disrespect the opponent ahead of their Week 9 matchup.
"Everything I do up to this point is taken out of context, but I can't be one caring about what people say," Sanders told CBS Sports' AJ Ross before the game. "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."
Saints defense responds
Sanders, making his first start of the season with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, had drawn attention on Wednesday when he smiled while discussing the Saints' defense, which ranks 28th in yards per game allowed and 29th in scoring. "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?" he said.
Saints edge rusher Carl Granderson said the remarks added motivation. "We're gonna come in with a chip on our shoulder for sure. 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."
Sanders' return to starting role
The second-year quarterback, a former fifth-round pick and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, briefly appeared in last week's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers after Watson took a hit, attempting only two passes. He has thrown just three passes all season. Sunday's start marks his first time leading the Browns' offense since last season, when he spent seven weeks as the team's primary quarterback.
