BEREA, Ohio (AP) — As far as NFL debuts go, Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s was disastrous.
He’s confident that his encore will be much better.”Night and day,” Thompson-Robinson explained on Thursday.After Deshaun Watson suffered a fractured right shoulder last week against Baltimore, the Browns are counting on Thompson-Robinson to not only produce but also keep their playoff hopes alive as their new starter.
It’s a tall order for Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick out of UCLA who made an emergency start against Baltimore on Oct. 1 after Watson was ruled out with a shoulder strain just hours before kickoff.
Thompson-Robinson looked overwhelmed and played like it after being rushed into a start he wasn’t prepared for after only a handful of snaps with Cleveland’s starters that week.
In a 28-3 rout, the Ravens intercepted him three times and sacked him four times, making the Browns’ decision to trade veteran backup Joshua Dobbs this summer look foolish.
Thompson-Robinson will get a second chance — and his first chance at redemption — against AFC North rival Pittsburgh (6-3) on Sunday.
He’s prepared this time.
“I know what to expect now,” Thompson-Robinson, nicknamed “DTR” by teammates and coaches, said. “Unlike many others, I’ve played in an NFL game, so I’m not stepping out there for the first time.” “I’m not going out there wide-eyed any longer.”
Maybe. But when he sees Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt, one of the league’s elite edge rushers and game-wreckers, leading a Pittsburgh defense with a proven record against rookie quarterbacks (the Steelers are 49-14 in such games since 1970), his eyes will enlarge.
Aside from the usual bragging rights in one of the league’s most heated rivalries, the Browns (6-3) and Steelers (6-3) are both attempting to challenge Baltimore (7-3 entering Thursday night’s game against Cincinnati) in the division.
Thompson-Robinson insists he isn’t feeling any pressure
“If I would’ve had this game that first week in Week 4, I’d probably have a bunch of jitters and nervousness and probably not be able to get out any answers to you guys,” he said to the media prior to practice. “But, as I previously stated, I’ve already completed the first one.”
“I now understand what it takes to be an NFL quarterback rather than just a college quarterback in the NFL.” “I took the next step.”
Thompson-Robinson’s extensive college experience was one of the factors that drew the Browns to him. While many top quarterbacks only start for a year or two, he was a five-year starter for the Bruins, starting 49 games from 2018 to 2022.
He’s shown maturity beyond his years since arriving in Cleveland, and as fate would have it, Thompson-Robinson learned he’d be taking over for Watson on Tuesday, his 24th birthday.
Thompson-Robinson believes he has a better understanding of what it takes to play at the highest level since that poor first start six weeks ago. He wasn’t studying before, but he’s become even more dedicated to learning the playbook and game plan.
“Like I said, I know what to expect,” he went on to say. “Now I’m here in the morning with questions.” My Tuesdays are far superior to my Wednesdays. My Wednesdays are far superior to my Thursdays. I’m coming in here and making play calls, sentence-long play calls, before the coach even sets the motion.
“Day and night, man. “I’m so pleased with myself.”
He’s also been running the scout team, and last week he got the Browns’ defense ready by impersonating Lamar Jackson.
“He’s been really good in practice the last few weeks — stand out,” offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said. “Over the last four or five weeks, his throws, the anticipation with which he threw, and his footwork have increased and improved.” He just seemed to be prepared. He’s eager for a second chance.”
Thompson-Robinson concurs.
“I know I can do this,” he declared. “I understand what it takes to do this. I’ve already been through the fire.”
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