Dan Orlovsky subtly defends Shedeur Sanders with Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers patting reference

Dan Orlovsky claimed Shedeur Sanders patting the ball isn't a bad thing because he can back it up with his quick release and accuracy.

Dan Orlovsky subtly defends Shedeur Sanders with Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers patting reference

Dan Orlovsky and Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

Shedeur Sanders patting the ball became an issue during Colorado’s Pro Day last week. Bleacher Report’s John Frascella pointed out the departing Buffaloes quarterback patting the ball on every snap.

Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky argued that Shedeur Sanders patting the ball isn’t necessarily a negative aspect. Many great quarterbacks over the years have had the habit.

YouTube video

Patting the football has been around a long time. Some of the great quarterbacks in the NFL have patted the football… Dan Marino, John Elway, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Matthew Stafford.

Dan Orlovsky said

Orlovsky stated, for the most part, patting the ball matters little for quarterbacks who have elite arm talent, quick release, and the presence of mind to find their target under pressure situations. However, patting can be a negative for those who have neither of those traits.

The patting of the football is nothing new. It doesn’t matter to most guys. Now the ones that does matter are average to below average arm strength or it takes you a long time to see [position of the defense] it happen in the NFL… The window open and shut.

Dan Orlovsky stated

Orlovsky believes Shedeur Sanders isn’t part of the bandwagon of quarterbacks who don’t read the game too well. The 23-year-old is a very capable pocket passer and last season completed 70.1% of his passes.

Later, the ex-Lions starter posted a tweet targeting the people who continue to raise questions about every tiny detail with the draft right around the corner.

If you’re making a big deal about Shedeur [Sanders] patting the ball, now, after his pro day workout It means you haven’t watched a single snap of his tape and are automatically disqualified from having an opinion.

Dan Orlovsky tweeted

Analyst predicts Shedeur Sanders sliding down the draft

Colorado’s Pro Day proceedings cleared one thing: that the Tennessee Titans are sticking with Cam Ward as their first pick. The Cleveland Browns are slowly moving away from drafting a quarterback completely. According to the growing consensus, the Haslam family and general manager are leaning toward Penn State’s pass rusher Abdul Carter.

Dan Orlovsky subtly defends Shedeur Sanders with Dan Marino, Aaron Rodgers patting reference
Shedeur Sanders (Image via IMAGO)

With two players off the board, it’s supposed to be a battle between two Colorado teammates, Shedeur Sanders and WR/DB Travis Hunter. However, The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner’s recent prediction sees Sanders sliding down to the 21st pick owned by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Steelers still haven’t heard from veteran Aaron Rodgers, who remains undecided about his future. Fans are waiting for Pat McAfee’s ‘Big Night Aht’ on April 9 for a big reveal.

If the Steelers fail to sign Rodgers, then they are open to every possibility, including drafting a quarterback.

Baumgardner doesn’t view Sanders as a quarterback who can walk into a team like the Browns or Giants and manage to fix it in a few years. So the Steelers become a good place for him. The AFC North side is better equipped and boasts a better system than the teams who are picking in the top 10.

The Steelers have to devise a long-term plan for the most important position on the field. I cannot get there on Sanders as a top-10 pick, and I don’t think he’s ready to help fix a truly bad team. He’ll be a much better fit if he lands somewhere that can give him a supporting cast.

Nick Baumgardner wrote

Nick Wright of FS1 released his mock draft. In it, Wright also projected Sanders sliding down to 21. Wright claimed if the Browns and Giants pass on Sanders, the Steelers is the place where he will end up.

If Sanders does start sliding down, then teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders, the New Orleans Saints, and even the Indianapolis Colts come into the frame. The Raiders, especially, are a team that has been on Sanders’ radar for a while. Even his father/coach, Deion Sanders, pitched for the Raiders to draft his son. Not to mention, Shedeur shares a special connection with owner Tom Brady.

A lot can happen between today and the first day of the draft on April 24 in Green Bay. One thing is guaranteed: there’s bound to be some surprises like Michael Penix Jr. in 2024.

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