Was Dillon Gabriel THROWING SHADE at Shedeur Sanders?! 👀 Stephen A. REACTS! | First Take

Morning, welcome to First Take. Amina Smith in for Molly. We got Adam Schefter, Dan Orlovsky, and of course, we got Stephen A. Smith here as well. Plenty to talk about today around the NFL as the preseason kind of winds down.

Stephen A., how we doing out there?

How you doing? How's everything going?

Everything is going good. I'm fine, I got my guys here.

I mean, welcome hosting the show really really appreciate it way to go I'm expecting big I see big things on SportsCenter, but damn it. This is first take I expect the level to be the same if not, hold on

America wants to know

It was it was one of my? It was one of my protein tablets.

Oh, he's having breakfast.

I had it.

You know what I'm saying?

That's what it is.

I got it right here. It's not my tooth. I can assure you that I have my tooth.

I thought it was a golden tooth or something that popped out.

No, no, no. Listen, at the rate Dan Orlovsky is going, he's probably gonna be the one rockin' a gold tooth in a little bit.

I'm just sayin'.

Wait, what does that even mean?

Like, why do you have to say?

I was just gonna say, honestly, that suit looks awesome. That suit looks fantastic, but then you made

one of my teeth. You know what I wanna say about that, Dan? Somebody that I know that we'll get into later, eclipse the 40-year mark plateau without telling us, had us walking around here thinking he's less than 30, less than 40, when in fact he's well over 40. We'll get into that later,

but speaking on behalf of the 50-plus year olds out here, you know, 50 is the new 30, baby.

Oh, 50 is the new 30. Look, I'm in my 30s, so I guess 30 is the new 30, baby. Oh, 50 is a new 30. Look, I'm in my 30s. I guess 30 is a new 20. And I guess we're all going back.

Ain't nobody on this set looking better than you, Emidia. You ain't got to worry about that. None of us got a crayon.

You know what?

I appreciate that. I appreciate it. All right, let's go against the Eagles over the weekend and experienced his own ups and downs. Chador Sanders was sidelined with an oblique injury while Joe Flacco didn't suit up as the Browns appear to be resting their vet. We've gotten a peak so far at both rookie QBs for the Browns this preseason. In week one, Chador Sanders passed for

138 yards against the Panthers for two touchdowns. Whereas Dylan Gabriel passed for 143 yards with an interception against the Eagles in week to Stephen a I want to come to you first. When you take a look at both of these QBs who had the most impressive start so far in the

preseason. Well, well to me, it was should do. I didn't see any interceptions when he was out there. You see anything like that. I mean, don't getadour. I didn't see any interceptions when he was out there. I didn't see anything like that. I mean, don't get me wrong. I don't think Dylan Gabriel did a bad job. I was impressed with the brother.

But I'm going to go with Shadour. You know, the pressure was on him. The spotlight was on him. He showed up out on the field. You know, he that's not to throw any shade on Dylan Gabriel. He came out there had a couple of mishaps,

what have you, but ultimately he played well and I give him credit where credit is due. But watching should do a move the office or whatever. You I thought that his performance was slightly better than Dylan,

Dylan Gabriel. That's just me guys.

Yeah, I thought Gabriel's tape was better. Shadur's was really good last week. We talked about it, very impressive. But I thought Gabriel's tape was better. And I think if you ask me the reason why would be just through some elite ball placement throws versus really, really tight coverage.

There wasn't a ton given to him. And so the efficiency with how he moved, the decision making, some moved the decision-making some of the ball placement and how tight some of the hip-to-hip coverage was. I just was very impressed the under center play action passing

stuff was big time some of the stuff that he didn't do in college. He did at the NFL the manipulation of the defenses. And so I'd push back on the interception thing. I know the interception got a lot of play over the weekend. At the end of the day,

the quarterback is the person who has the ball with the final decision. No question. This interception happens a lot because of the lack of

spacing.

I think the poor decision by the flat route runner kind of messes with the quarterback. So I really don't put that, he pulls his arms back right as the ball is passing him. So this is a lack of communication, but I don't put this on the quarterback. Oh my gosh, this is I don't the fumble. I'm going to give to you the fumble.

I do believe is going Gabriel's. That's a very easy thing to fix with this footwork, but that that doesn't make me think

that Gabriel- Oh, okay. I'm sorry, Adam Shepter. I mean, stop the presence. Stop the presence. See, Adam Shepter, there's moments like this. And, Amina, welcome to the show again. This is moments like this where I got to remind everybody of who Dan Olasky is.

And I want to just state for the ... I just want to state this. You know I do. I love you to death. You know what I'm saying? I-I-I can't deny it. I just... I miss you when you're gone. I love you when you're here. You know how I feel about you. Even with that damn 1980s crew cut. The point is, I love you to death.

But here's the thing. Here's the thing. And the Elvis... of the the ultimate one Correct me if I'm wrong Did Dan Olofsky just bring up what the man did last year in college? Cuz he I didn't bring up should doing the 72% completions. I didn't bring up should doing those touchdowns 30 plus touchdowns I ain't bring none of that up

Okay

But here you are bringing up something when we talking about him and what he looked like in the NFL in this preseason game that was a pick six and a fumble now to Dan Olofsky I know that I have so much love and affection for I must say that by the way you know what still needs to thank me a little bit more for that restaurant I treated him and his family to because it was big time and stop embarrassing me by going places and trying to use coupons. That's how pathetic he is. The point is, the point is, is that yo, a pick six and a fumble is usually considered

a bad day at the office for a quarterback. But only Danilovsky would sit up here in comparison to Shadur Sanders, who did no such thing, and say, hey hey I thought he

looked better.

I thought I mean I got to give I thought that it wasn't it A pick six and a fumble and oh we can get over fumbles. Have you heard anybody say that.

I know it's possible.

I heard everybody say first of all first of all it's Dan Orlovsky's 42nd birthday today. So we'd like you to be a little bit kind, you know, a little content today on his 42nd

birthday.

I want you to be meaner. That's number one. Number two, after the game, the Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said there was a mix-up in the routes and that players were in the areas that they should not be. Look at Stephen A's face!

Look at Stephen A's face! Look at Stephen A's face! Look at his face! Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness! Oh, my goodness!

Look at his face.

Stephen A, get your breakfast.

Oh, my lord. So just what we're doing now? Tablet!

Yeah, get your tablet back.

Get your protein pill back. You know what? I got it right here. I'm getting ready to put it back in a minute. But here's the deal, y'all. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? The coach, I applaud Stefanski for being honest about it. I get that part. I ain't sweating it, y'all. And I'm not trying to act like it wasn't true. But you're the quarterback. You over there. There's the potential for an interception. You could have thrown the ball

away. You could have done that. We agree with that about it again. And again, Dylan Gabriel. I hope he's watching. I'm not throwing any shade on the brother. The brother could play. I wish him nothing but the best, even though I'm Mr. Dorsandis fan. I'm just saying for the purposes of YouTube you Adam Schefter and Dan or love keys

Here's the deal a pick six should not have been thrown and the fumble even though it does happen We certainly don't just shove it aside and act like it was no big deal with anybody else now Dan Olofsky I will acknowledge this Adam Schefter, we are talking about a dude that is partial. I mean, if there is a silver lining to discover about a quarterback, to all the quarterbacks in college, in pros, damn it in prep.

If there is an explanation to assuage concerns about you at the quarterback position Dan Oloski will find it. I mean this brother doesn't have objectivity when it comes to a quarterback. Yes I do.

Yes I do. Oh my god. Hold on. Yes I do.

It's the truth.

You want to make fun of Dan's dieting habits. You want to make fun of his food taste. You want to make fun of Dan's dining habits? You want to make fun of his food taste?

You want to make fun of his hair? You want to make fun of his wardrobe? All that's fair game. But do not question that man's objectivity.

Do not question that man's

objectivity. Adam! Adam! Wait a minute, wait a minute. I got to pull up first here.

Because you see, if there is someone close to flawless in television, it is Adam Schefter. You don't see anybody coming after him because it would just be your own peril, okay? It was just a mistake. But I got him right now. Are you saying on national television with that beautiful smile on your face, you understand

what I'm saying, that Mr. Non-confrontational, one of the kindest individuals on the planet, are you saying with a straight face that every time Dan Orlovsky opens his mouth, that he is objective about quarterbacks?

Is that what you just said? I believe Dan is objective. He's speaking his mind about quarterbacks. Listen, he is much better at evaluating quarterbacks

than he is playing quarterbacks.

Oh, well, Dan, wait a minute.

You can't catch him in play. That's true. That's 100% true. I'm telling you all the areas. If you want to get on Dan, there are so many areas we could get on him about.

But objective? Adam just called himself America, America, There's so many areas we could get on him about, but... Adam... Subjective? Adam just called himself America, America, Adam Shephard. I'm hurt. I am hurt this morning. Because let me tell you something, Adam Shephard is so busy breaking news all the damn time

that clearly it happens after 10 o'clock. Because from 8 to 10, that brother's on TV. We are very fortunate to have him at 10 o'clock here, because the man is busy. Because I can get clips of Dan Orlovsky talking about quarterbacks. I got news for you, my brother. I got loads of evidence of this brother being fogged up.

I mean, I could call Dan Orlovsky Gandhi

when it comes to quarterbacks. Gandhi.

That's how nice he is.

Was Gandhi objective? Yes. I believe I am objective It's just that some of us are Entertainers and some of us are competitors

See this is how I know you do really well on TV because that's a great segue. Thanks so much Noise around the battle in Cleveland here was his response. Let's take a listen.

You know, there's there's entertainers and there's competitors and I totally understand that and my job is to compete and that's what I'm focused on doing.

Then after social media ran with the quote insinuating that Gabriel was alluding to his fellow quarterback inshadore standards, Gabriel was asked about the quote postgame. It clarified his comments.

Yeah, first off, I'm all about our team, you know, in each other. I would never make that. And I've said it before. That's why it's interesting. But for me, it's I've explained it. Entertainers are you all competitor. That's what I am and all my teammates and we both have jobs to do. So that's it.

All right, I front office insider Mike Tannenbaum here joining the party. Mike T you heard Dylan Gabriel right there. What was your reaction to the comments?

I mean, I was surprised and disappointed Dylan Gabriel really comport himself really well while he was in college. Those comments really fell short on a number of levels. Look as a GM, I would sit down and say, hey, your only job is to get better as a rookie quarterback. Worry about yourself and compliment your teammates, compliment your coaches.

You shouldn't be talking about a teammate or the meter, which he tried to clean up afterwards. So he's just trying to make the team. He had a pretty good start despite two turnovers. So that, to me, was a little bit out of character and that was really unacceptable. I'm glad he tried to change things afterwards, but I'd be surprised if we heard him say anything close to that moving forward.

Yeah, CNA, it got really messy on social media. People just assuming that Dylan Gabriel was talking about Shador Sanders. What was your reaction?

I never believed he was talking about Shador Sanders. I totally believed him when he said he was talking about the media. I want to get that out the way first. I don't think he was talking about Shador Sanders as well. I think when you heard the comparisons, the comparisons were emanating from the media more so than anybody else. And that's what I think, that's exactly who I think he was directing his comments towards. Having said that, Dylan Gabriel, respectfully, it was stupid. A very dumb comment to make.

First of all, let me tell you something right now. In every walk of life, far beyond the parameters of a football field, people are competing. We compete here on television. You compete with radio shows. You compete on Wall Street.

You compete on Madison Avenue. Everything, especially in America, as it pertains to a capitalistic society, involves competition. To the victor goes the spoils. You know, there are people that are, Jimmy Johnson said it best. He said, I will be very, very consistent in treating you as inconsistently as possible. Those who produce get treated differently than those who don't. What he said echoes the mentality of all of America practically and most certainly the

world as we see things being globalized more and more every day. It was a stupid, idiotic, immature comment because clearly you were feeling the heat because a lot of people was talking about how Shadur should be QB number two. But I know he was not talking about Shadur Sanders. He was talking about the media. Here's the problem.

You've now heightened the level of scrutiny coming your way because the media, including myself, heard what you said. So in other words, it's entertainment. It's not competition, really. So when you go out there and you compete like trash, because you will have days when you look like that,

we're going to remember those comments. And we're gonna remember the shot that you took at the fourth estate, which is the media institution. Whether we like to or not, some of us will be kind like myself because we don't want to do that to you. Others will

be merciless, but in the end no one will be wrong because who instigated that fury against you? It would be you. Very, very idiotic and stupid for you to say

what you said. I don't know Dylan Gabriel. So I'm going to take him at his word. I have no reason to doubt it or think that he's making up an excuse for it now. But the most important part of this or the most important people

who their thoughts are what their thoughts are or should door one and then the guys in the locker room to because they may not believe it. So does Dylan go to Shadour? Do they have a conversation about it? Does he feel like he needs to address it with Shadour,

man to man, and say, this wasn't about you? Does Shadour believe him? Does Shadour think that he's taking a shot at him because what at the end team, we, we, we, we, we and any little thing can fracture it and coming off of last week's performance. The in at least by a lot of reports should always get a lot of support in that locker room guys have gravitated towards him by reports and so

are people upset about it do guys in the locker room does it now fracture a little bit and this is the challenge for Kevin Stefanski. Does he address it? Is it a comment? That's, that's, those people's thoughts are what matter the most right now when it comes to Gabriel's comments. I don't know the young man so I'm gonna take him at his word that he wasn't taking a shot. That doesn't mean everybody's gonna view it that way.

Yeah, Mike T, that's what I was thinking. Like if you're Kevin Stefanski, do you address the situation because of how it's blown up over the weekend? I mean, absolutely. You have to be a, you know, solve these problems. And again, you're talking about two, two rookie quarterbacks here.

They have to earn their way onto the roster, but that's totally unacceptable. Again, like? You're a third round pick. There's four quarterbacks. 99% of the league's gonna keep three. And by the way, if you get cut, your audience when you speak is the 31 other decision makers and it's a way for you to let people know how good you are, what a great teammate you are.

So again, it could be detrimental to him on a few different levels.

It was a mistake. He wasn't talking about Shador Sanders. He came out right after the press conference or after that interview and clarified what he meant. Okay, so you're taking a shot at the media. Okay, fine. You're saying he could get cut or if he were to get cut. The Browns are going to keep, I believe,

four quarterbacks. So, they're going to hold on job in Cleveland. He's going to have a job in the NFL. But this is, again, a reflection of the tough spot that both quarterbacks run.

When two rookies come in, you're competing for your jobs

all the time.

Now you're competing against a fellow rookie. You're pitted up against each other. We could think of, as it came up this morning, the situation between, at one point in time, RG3 and Kirk Cousins. There's a natural competition in that room on top of all the other competition that creates a semi-awkward situation

where it's not great for either guy. They're both playing well. That's the ultimate goal. The Browns come out ahead there. There's just not enough room for everybody, especially for a team with two first-round draft picks in 26.

I think the other part, Adam, and I appreciate where you're coming from, but I think the part that can't be ignored is the Shadur Sanders element in terms of what would people have thought had he made that comment? There's a mass audience out there who would have embraced it differently. And so even though I don't believe he was talking about Shadur Sanders, Dan Orlovsky is taking the matter at his word.

You echoed what his sentiments were, as obviously you believe him and what have you. It doesn't escape the fact that it invites just a level of scrutiny that can't be avoided. Had that been Shadur Sanders who made that exact comment, it would have been taken completely differently. How much of a benefit of a doubt would he have gotten that he wasn't talking about Dylan Gabriel? How much would he have been excoriated for talking about the media that way? And so because of that, now you're going look at people and they're gonna say, okay, well it wasn't him.

He's the dude that went out there and played very, very well in his preseason debut. This guy, Dylan Gabriel, he still had good moments in third down, six for six, completing his passes, was impressive, had composure in the pocket, et cetera, et cetera.

There was a lot of good things to say about Dylan Gabriel. But he threw shade on his own performance by showing he was paying attention to stuff he need not pay attention to. And yes, he's young, and yes, he should be forgiven, and yes, he'll overcome it if he has the skills to do so. But I assure you, folks are not going to forget, particularly the media, how he came at it, if he struggles even a little bit, because what did he say? We know nothing about competition.

It's about entertainment. Competition doesn't just take place on the court or field of play. Takes place up here too, in a variety of industries. Go talk to Wall Street, go talk to all of these Fortune 500 companies, go talk to media and what have you.

There's competition all over the place. It ain't just on the damn football field. to Wall Street, go talk to all of these Fortune 500 companies, go talk to me and what have you. There's competition all over the place. It ain't just on the damn football field. It was a very ignorant comment for him to make.

Yeah, it is something that Dylan Gabriel did say that he has said before when he was in Yeah, it is something that Dylan Gabriel did say that he has said before when he was in college, however, probably just not the right time for him to say it.