Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson finds himself in a well-known scenario for this Sunday’s sport towards the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For the second time this season, DTR shall be stepping in for injured quarterback Deshaun Watson towards a troublesome AFC North Division rival in entrance of a rabid fanbase determined for a win.
The final time, in Week 4 towards the Baltimore Ravens, began poorly with a punt on the primary offensive possession and an interception on the second. Issues went downhill from there as Thompson-Robinson completed the sport with three interceptions, noticed the Browns punt on eight of their 12 possessions, and solely scored three factors in shedding to the Ravens.
Quick ahead seven weeks and the Browns come into Sunday’s sport having received 4 of their 5 video games for the reason that lengthy afternoon towards the Ravens and are firmly within the hunt for a playoff spot as they at the moment sit at No. 6 within the AFC.
Issues are additionally a bit completely different in that the Browns now know they’re taking part in the remainder of the season with out Watson and the teaching employees efficiently navigated a four-game stretch earlier within the 12 months when Watson was coping with his rotator cuff damage. So everybody is aware of what they should do and that they will win.
DTR falls into the camp in addition to he believes his expertise in Week 4, regardless of how depressing it could have been, will serve him effectively towards the Steelers (quote through a team-provided transcript):
“I imply, shoot, I do know what to anticipate now. Not like many different individuals on the market, I’ve been in an NFL sport, so I’m not stepping on the market for the primary time. I do know all my keys, all what to take a look at all through movie, what to look at, who key gamers are on their protection and all the things now. So, I’m not simply going on the market wide-eyed anymore. I’m going on the market with issues to take a look at, issues to deal with and a plan to have the ability to sort out.
“I believe I mentioned this a few weeks in the past, it’s going to be night time and day. Simply my development, the maturity, how I’ve dealt with the week this far and all of the weeks earlier than. Simply with the ability to be taught from that first expertise.”
That each one sounds good throughout the week, however the Steelers could have a say within the matter, and as boxer Mike Tyson as soon as mentioned, everybody has a plan till they get punched.
Although DTR’s NFL expertise is restricted to that full sport towards the Ravens and one snap towards the Seattle Seahawks, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt believes Thompson-Robinson shall be prepared on Sunday (quote through a team-provided transcript):
“Each time you step again out on the sphere, you be taught out of your previous experiences and for him, it wasn’t his most interesting day. So, I’m certain there’s a whole lot of satisfaction that comes with that and double down your efforts to have a powerful efficiency the following time you get the chance. So, I believe he’s realized from that sport and it’ll solely assist him transferring ahead.
“He’s a assured younger man. There’s no query he was the day he received right here, and I see that each day. He’s proficient in what he does and he’s had success on the faculty stage and we’re simply ready for that to point out right here. I don’t suppose he’s misplaced any confidence. If something, he’s extra assured as a result of he’s going to be extra ready this time.”
Issues couldn’t have gone a lot worse for Thompson-Robinson in his first NFL begin again in Week 4. And fifth-round rookie quarterbacks don’t typically get a second likelihood at erasing these first impressions, however DTR’s alternative comes Sunday towards the Steelers.
It received’t be straightforward, but when he will help pull out a win, it is perhaps the beginning of a memorable run by way of the ultimate weeks of the common season, one which culminates in Thompson-Robinson making his first playoff begin on the finish of his rookie marketing campaign.
Do you suppose DTR actually does know what to anticipate on Sunday vs. the Steelers?
