Browns 'Not Surprised' by Rookie's Head-Turning Play

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The Cleveland Browns have a couple of days to make their decisions on the 53-man roster before Sunday's deadline.

The Browns already made their biggest decision of the summer, naming quarterback Deshaun Watson as the team's starter in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13.

Now, new head coach Todd Monken will have to decide what to do with the rest of the quarterback room. Monken didn't play Shedeur Sanders, the presumed No. 2 quarterback, in the Browns' 37-13 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.

Monken opted to give Dillon Gabriel and rookie Taylor Green all of the offensive snaps in the team's final preseason game. Green recorded his first snaps of the preseason. 

The sixth-round pick went 5 of 7 passing for 27 yards. Green dazzled as a runner, rushing eight times for 66 yards, including a 30-yard run from the Browns' 3-yard line.

During his postgame news conference, Browns head coach Todd Monken said he wasn't surprised by Green's play on Thursday night, noting he showed the athleticism that made him a target in the draft.

"It didn't surprise me, because that's what you saw when you evaluated him for the draft and that is what you saw, a player that has got elite size, speed, and arm talent," Monken said, via the Browns. 

"You saw that. That's what we saw tonight. He has arm talent. He's really worked on his mechanics, and you're going to get those athletic plays from him."

Green told reporters that he wanted to throw the ball on the play that resulted in a 30-yard scramble, but trusted his "instincts" to make a play that kept the ball out of harm's way. Green was nervous before his debut, but felt good about his play against the reigning AFC champs.

"It felt really good," Green said. "Of course, a little nervous – first NFL game, first snap – but it felt good to be in that huddle, call the play. Just say 'ready, set, break' and see the defense. There's nothing like it, and I'm really appreciative of the opportunity."

The Browns have a decision to make on Green. He likely won't make the 53-man roster on Sunday. He'll have a chance to stay with Cleveland via the practice squad.

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