Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders said his comments about the New Orleans Saints defense were taken out of context, insisting he did not intend to provide bulletin board material ahead of their Week 9 matchup.
Sanders, who will make his first start of the season on Sunday with Deshaun Watson in concussion protocol, told CBS Sports' AJ Ross: "Everything I do up to this point is taken out of context, but I can't be one caring about what people say. 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."
During a media session Wednesday, Sanders was asked about the Saints defense, which ranks 28th in yards per game allowed and 29th in scoring. He responded with a grin: "I've seen a lot. 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?"
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."
The second-year quarterback, son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and a former fifth-round pick, has thrown only three passes this season after briefly entering last week's 27-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sunday's start will be his first since last season, when he spent seven weeks as Cleveland's primary starter.
