Why Josh Dobbs says he's getting 'sideways' looks from his Browns teammates
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs said this week that he's getting some sideways looks from his Cleveland Browns teammates and it's in part because of his Orange and White past. Dobbs, a fourth-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed with the Brown this offseason after previously spending part of […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs said this week that he's getting some sideways looks from his Cleveland Browns teammates and it's in part because of his Orange and White past.
Dobbs, a fourth-round selection by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed with the Brown this offseason after previously spending part of the 2022 season with Cleveland.
The former Vols standout started the 2022 season with the Browns but he was waived in late November. Dobbs quickly signed with the Detroit Lions and he was eventually signed off their practice squad by the Tennessee Titans.
Dobbs started the final two games of the season for the Titans (losses to the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars).
There are plenty of Tennessee football connections in Cleveland
Dobbs will have some former Vols as teammates in Cleveland this season.
Former Tennessee running back John Kelly has been with the Browns since 2020. And earlier this spring, Cleveland selected former Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
It's the addition of Tillman that's led to the "sideways looks" toward Dobbs from other Cleveland players.
Dobbs told WBIR recently that some of the Browns receivers are noticing that the former Tennessee star keeps trying to force the ball to Tillman during OTAs.
"Some of the receivers are already looking at me sideways because I keep trying to throw Ced the ball, with the Tennessee connection," said Dobbs.
You can't blame Dobbs for trying to help out his fellow former Vol. It can be tough for rookies — even midround picks — to stand out during OTAs. Dobbs is just doing what he can to help Tillman.
And by the way, Dobbs is quite thrilled to have Tillman in Cleveland.
"He's able to quickly help our pass game, especially in the red zone, be a jump ball candidate, on fades be a back end line guy, and with his size also helps in the run game," said Dobbs. "For him to be able to help both aspects of offense will be extremely important, and he has the right skill set to do that."
There's certainly plenty of orange in Cleveland. Maybe it's because owner Jimmy Haslam is a Tennessee alum/booster.
Tillman noted after the draft that Haslam often attends Tennessee football practices, so it's not far-fetched to suggest that the Cleveland owner prefers to have a few former Vols on his roster.
Featured image via Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
