Former NFL head coach compares Dillon Gabriel to Browns' franchise legend

Dillon Gabriel saw his first NFL action last weekend after being inserted in the fourth quarter of the Baltimore Ravens' blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns.

The former Oregon standout completed all three of his passes for 19 yards and threw his first professional touchdown pass. Despite the strong drive, the Browns are sticking with veteran Joe Flacco for at least another week as Cleveland prepares for the Green Bay Packers to come to town.

Gabriel's time is coming, though, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the former Heisman finalist.

Dillon Gabriel Receives Comparison to Browns Legend From Herm Edwards

In an appearance on ESPN Cleveland radio, former NFL head coach Herm Edwards compared Gabriel to Browns franchise legend Brian Sipe.

"Not saying you can’t win, but if you don’t. Now you are 0-3, and you have to look at your offense. You are going to start thinking about it," said Edwards.

"You are right about Gabriel. When I watched him in the preseason, he got the ball out now. He’s accurate, he got the ball out, he’s a rhythm thrower. I said this guys, when they drafted this guy, you guys know him in Cleveland, he reminds me of Brian Sipe."

Browns fans would love for Gabriel to turn out to be Sipe, the only league MVP Cleveland has seen not named Jim Brown.

Sipe played all 10 years of his NFL career with Cleveland and is considered to be one of the best quarterbacks they've ever had. The San Diego State product won 54 games and threw for 3,439 yards along with 154 touchdowns.

It's high praise from Edwards, who coached in the NFL from 1992 to 2008. If he sees something in the former Oregon Duck, it surely has to mean something.