BEREA — Blame him for plenty, but Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said he’s not directly responsible for a recent high-profile draft pick.

While his influence is undeniable, Haslam said Tuesday that he didn’t force general manager Andrew Berry to take rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders in April.

Cleveland, which has been in a never-ending search for a franchise QB, selected Sanders in the fifth round — two rounds after taking Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The surprising choice — Sanders had been expected to go as high as No. 2 overall and the Browns passed on him six times — fueled speculation that Haslam, known for a hands-on approach during his tenure and captured on camera sitting in the draft room on Day 3 when the pick was announced, had orchestrated the move.

Not true, Ha

See Full Page