DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The Browns starting QB...

Questions can be asked, but it would be a mistake to fire anyone. I also feel the need to point out that there were at least 8 other teams who showed a serious interest in trading for Watson once the GJ reached their decision to not indict Watson. Indy was immediately eliminated because they are in the same division as Houston. Four teams agreed to the trade compensation that Houston required. Four were willing to give up what we gave up. We probably won the bidding war because of the contract, but that doesn't change how many other teams were willing to trade for Watson w/his possible suspension looming.

This is pure opinion, but I feel that if Watson had been traded to Atlanta or New Orleans, their respective local media and fan base would never have made as much stink as our dumb-ass fans and local media has about the situation. Our own people are actually lobbying for a stiff suspension. Sometimes, I think Browns fans are the dumbest fans in the league and local media is right there w/them. Look at this board. We actually have people working very hard to get others to trash Watson and the team. Absurd. And I can't wait for the next "Analytics, Had Enough Yet" thread.

Reading the above Personal Conduct Policy that is directly from the NFL's website..I'm finding it more difficult to believe Watson escapes with a slap on the wrist. Seems that other opinions might have been swayed after the events of this past week.


NFL
Published June 4, 2022
link
NFL insider believes one year Deshaun Watson suspension is possible



The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Deshaun Watson know an NFL suspension is coming after facing two dozen accusations of sexual misconduct and assault. As for the potential length of his ban, it remains one of the big questions this offseason.

Cleveland is largely prepared for a suspension. It signed backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett to provide an experienced fill-in starter when Watson is unavailable. The organization also structured Watson’s contract to protect as much of his money as possible from a suspension.

It all comes down to when the NFL makes a ruling and how long the league prevents Watson from playing, following a ruling from an arbitrator. At a minimum, many around the league think the star quarterback will receive at least a six-game ban based on recent precedent.

However, the number of accusers and the league’s desire to avoid poor optics could result in an even longer ban. While eight games is very possible, Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson explained on the You Pod to Win the Game podcast why he wouldn’t be surprised by a year-long ban.

“Personally, now, seeing how this has all gone. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets suspended one year, I wouldn’t be shocked by that at all…I think deep down the Browns are probably bracing for the worst.”

Charles Robinson on potential length of Deshaun Watson suspension

It would be one of the longest suspensions in NFL history, typically only used in the most extreme cases. Atlanta Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley is serving a year-long suspension for betting on NFL games. Other year-long suspensions include Donté Stallworth in 2009 (fatal DUI crash), Adam Jones in 2007 (multiple off-field incidents) and Chris Cook in 2011 (felony domestic violence).

Deshaun Watson contract: $1.035 base salary (2022), $46 million base salary (2023-’26)
A one-year ban would be the largest against an NFL player accused of sexual misconduct without ever facing criminal charges. If a neutral arbitrator rules a lengthy suspension is warranted, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell could impose a suspension that serves as a statement about player conduct.

That last one seems pretty, pretty important in Watson’s case.

The short article below is under the same link as the above article.


Impact of a potential year-long suspension on Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson last played an NFL game on Jan. 3, 2021 against the Tennessee Titans as a member of the Houston Texans. Months after that three-touchdown performance in Week 16, he demanded a trade and then sat out the 2021 season while the Texans looked for a trade partner.

Deshaun Watson stats (career): 104-36 TD-INT ratio, 14,539 passing yards, 104.5 QB rating, 1,677 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns

If Watson is suspended for the entire 2022 NFL season, he will have gone more than two years without taking a snap in a game. Even if the Browns played him at the start of the 2023 preseason, he will have at least gone 940 days without ever taking a single snap and nearly 1,000 days without playing in a regular-season game.

It would mean not playing until his age-28 season and while he would still be in his prime years, there would be legitimate concerns about rust after a two-year absence from the NFL. League rules would also forbid him from participating in a spring league like the USFL or XFL.

Of course, a year-long suspension would also be devastating for the Browns. After trading three first-round picks for Watson in the 2022 season, Cleveland wouldn’t be a Super Bowl contender without him this season and its roster could be worse a year from now.

Even if Watson is suspended for a full season, it’s unlikely the Browns could convince Baker Mayfield to play for them after everything that transpired in recent months.

The national media is driving the Watson story more than anyone. And it makes sense. Watson is a very famous quarterback that is dealing with an issue that is very prominent in today’s new cycle. The local media is just following their lead. I don’t think it needs to be said but the job of the local media is not to help the team, it is to get people to go to their website and click on ads.

As far as the fans go, I am not personally rooting for Watson to get punished severely. I just think he will get punished severely.

You actually quoted your own post after I posted about something else just to make sure that we only talk about what you want us to talk about? Seriously?

Mike Florio is, but no, not the rest of the national media. Hell, while multiple teams were vying for Watson's services, the national media was excited about which team would win the right to trade for him. It's our own fans and media that have led to witch hunt.

Also, you did not address the fact that multiple teams wanted to trade for Watson. Should they face tough questions and should they be fired for wanting to do so?

That's what happens when you roll the dice the way we did.

I certainly hope there is not a season-long suspension and think it would be nothing short of devastating.

I also hope there has been nothing to this point that has broken the trust/relationship between DeShaun and the FO. I'm sure there had to be plenty of "are you positive that's all?" and "have you told us absolutely everything?" I hope none of these new accusations are breeching that trust.

I don't think the suspension will be over 8 games... and as I said before... 10+ will equal a lawsuit.

But again, and people don't seem to want to accept this, it does not matter if he was convicted of a crime. The NFL will interpret his guilt and punishment according to their own code of conduct.

Obviously. When we were in the stage of the off-season where we rejected by Watson I felt just as dirty as I do now.

As we all know there was an article on Sports Illustrated by Jenny Vrentas (now with the New York Times) that started all of the sexual impropriety allegations.

On Twitter I have only seen people say Watson should be punished severely. I haven’t seen one person said he should not be punished. To pretend this is only a local media thing is to have blinders on. And again, the local media are operating in a dying medium. They are desperate for clicks. The way to get clicks is to sensationalize a topic. It would be happening in any market.

No need to highlight here. The spoken word (typed) is enough.

I hope the Browns acquire another vet receiver for whomever becomes our starting QB. The new guy won't be saddled with marginal performances from the main pass-catchers that hindered our offense last year...as those guys were dumped and for no compensation in the off-season.

Is there another team out there whose top pass-catchers (4 of 'em) were so marginal last year that they simply let them go at/by the end of the year? In 2020, our starting QB somehow got us to a playoff win with (3) of those since-dumped, pass-catchers...clearly showing that the QB made the pass-catchers better. When you win a playoff game with Jarvis Landry as your #1 and Rashard Higgins as your #2...with Hooper as your lead, falling-down TE...you got a guy who can make it happen.

Actually, I hope the new QB also gets another TE...preferably a vet. He won't miss last year's #1 TE as he was dumped...so that's a positive...but last year's #2 & #3 will have to step up...leaving us short that 3rd TE who can contribute.

With a real #1 WR (that we haven't had since...I dunno when) and hopefully Bell bringing his college production to the NFL...the new QB can get it done with those guys and the holdovers from last year....but a reliable vet to secure WR2 would be beneficial.

No matter the city Watson would have gone too, this would be happening there-- perhaps even more. Cleveland media is tame. People forget that.

And Browns fans are not one of the dumbest bases in the league. Haha, that's ridiculous. This Watson issue is a sensitive one and a fan base's opinion isn't hive-minded nor should it be.

Maybe it plays out like this:

After Watson gets suspended, the Browns FO begins to chirp publicly that Baker is still under contract and that they expect him to fulfill the terms of that contract. They expect that he will come to TCs and compete to be the starter. They can claim such to have been the plan all along...and is why Baker was not traded.

If Baker doesn't show, they save some $$$. Some salve on the self-infllicted wound. If Baker does show they have a legit starter...again. Baker looks like the bigger man, gets re-habbed, gets a chance to prove himself with a dramatically better receiving group and the entire season is not lost before it starts.

And no...I have not been drinking this morning...nor have I been smoking with the much-more-famous Willie.

Couldn't agree more. And I have seen lots of articles looking at DW and his allegations and the updates: The Athletic, ESPN, SI, The Atlantic, USA Today.

Question - is calling fans that don't agree with you Dumb considered name calling?

j/c:

I must have been the only person on here who watched Watson's introductory press conference. The national media had been promoting the Watson sweepstakes in a positive an enthusiastic manner. The local media went after Watson and the Browns hard in that PC. It was uncomfortable and national media guys like Ryan Clark talked about it. They set a negative tone from day one and the narrative has changed.

You think that would have been different in any other NFL city?

Never mind.

They were talking to a person accused of sexually assaulting 20 something women for the first time. What did you want them to ask him? They were doing their job. If they didn’t ask hard questions they would have been raked over the coals. The media’s responsibility is not to the Browns.

In some cities it would have been way worse.

How could you even suggest something like that from such a classy poster?

Some people can't seem to understand that there are two different stories here. Of course NFL teams getting in a huge bidding war over a QB is news. Even if only 4 out of 32 were seriously doing so. That same QB claiming he wanted nothing to do with the offer the Browns made, then the Browns offering him the bank to come here, he changed his mind. That too is a huge story.

But looming over it all were the 22, now 23, and as was reported, at least one more coming lawsuits and allegations, is also huge news. It has overshadowed everything else. It's an ever evolving story. And how can anyone be so naive to claim that it's only the local Cleveland media that has made a story out of this? That's just crazy talk. As has been noted, it has been covered by and will continue to be covered by many national media outlets. As it should be. It's a huge story.

I nearly posted the exact same comment. There are 2 different stories. They share a common denominator which is the player.

The idea that the DW controversy is fan or Cleveland Media driven is more than a little blinkered. Google "Deshaun Watson Allegations" there is a news story from national media outlets virtually every single day - as well as regional media outlets across the nations from the NT Post to the South FL Sun Sentinel. And that's just top of the list today.

There are football takes about what Watson will mean to the Browns. There are far more that talk about the allegations. Even back in March when the signing happened, the idea this was a locally stroked controversy ignores the facts, every story about the signing mentioned the allegations :

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture...n-watson-officially-signs-team-rcna20785
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...o-show-cleveland-the-person-i-really-am/
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...-inquiry-deshaun-watson-completing-trade
https://theathletic.com/news/deshaun-watson-traded-browns/NXlCqzCON23L/
https://theathletic.com/3195596/202...-the-offense-and-the-team-going-forward/
https://www.chicagotribune.com/spor...18-uhl3gts5y5cwtoo5bmbu7veq6e-story.html
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/deshaun-watson-browns-trade-legal-cases-nfl-suspension-20220325.html
https://brownswire.usatoday.com/202...-watson-to-browns-seen-as-a-possibility/
https://www.the33rdteam.com/why-you-should-care-about-the-browns-rewarding-deshaun-watson/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/25/sports/football/deshaun-watson-browns-lawsuits.html

Every one of those is within 2 or 3 days of the signing. Every one mentions the allegations in the headline or first paragraph.

Obviously those are just people corrupted by posts from this board who arent 'real' Browns fans! /s

j/c:

Misquoting people you don't agree w/is fun. Here is what I actually said:



That turns into: "...it's only the local Cleveland media that has made a story out of this? That's just crazy talk," and other crap that I never once said. And y'all line up one after another. There truly is strength in numbers. I made that comment when some of the very same people attacked peen for something he really didn't say.

Which leads credence to the fact that Watson's issues with Browns fans has absolutely nothing to do with Mayfield. To put Watson's football skills and what he brings to the field above his alleged treatment of women before anything else is just wrong in every way, shape, and form. The fans in Cleveland had nothing to do with the alleged harassment, abuse, and solicitation of women that is facing Watson. It is ALL of his own doing. Those who keep commenting that it's disgruntled Mayfield fans are blind to the seriousness of the allegations. To turn your head the other way because it might hurt the team is pure BS. Watson may be innocent and his day(s) in court will make that determination. Until then, he has no business being on any football field until the alleged acts are settled. For those who will say that Watson is being punished without a conviction, the women are already being punished by the negative press and those fans here that have gone as far as to accuse them of lying while unjustly waiting even longer for their charges to be heard in a court of law. Explain to me how it's fair for the women to have to wait another 7-9 months or longer to get justice just because Watson needs to play a dang football game?

"This is pure opinion, but I feel that if Watson had been traded to Atlanta or New Orleans, their respective local media and fan base would never have made as much stink as our dumb-ass fans and local media has about the situation. Our own people are actually lobbying for a stiff suspension. Sometimes, I think Browns fans are the dumbest fans in the league and local media is right there w/them. Look at this board. We actually have people working very hard to get others to trash Watson and the team. Absurd. And I can't wait for the next "Analytics, Had Enough Yet" thread."

LOL, you really want to know what a "dumbass fan" is? It's a fan that will look the other way so as long as the player gets to play. You don't give a about justice and fairness, you only care whether your team wins or not no matter who or what has been done and that's so sad. Innocent until proven guilty for Watson but the women can wait because football playing is much much more important than you having your day in court. So ladies, you just go on home and wait for 9 months or so and we'll give you a call after Mr. Watson gets done playing his games over the next 7-months. When we have some free time we'll let you know. In the meantime, I'm going to try to win a Super Bowl but I promise, we'll get back to you soon...............

The NFL did not set the court dates. The courts did. Jesus.

Are you living in a dang cocoon? Per Watson's lawyer request, the two sides agreed to not having any court dates during the football season. It was not the courts that decided but accepted the agreement. That's neither here nor there because 1) it was Watson's team that requested the pause so it wouldn't affect Watson's ability to play football. 2) Even with the courts blessing, it does not change the fact that the women's right to a speedy trial is being put on hold for one reason and one reason alone - so Watson can play football without interruption. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I nor anybody on this board had anything to do with the 40 plus women (and counting) that he had some type of interaction with that has caused 24 of them to file civil suits against him for harassment, abuse, and solicitation. That was all Watson's doing and he never once considered his football career, the fans, public opinion, or criminality while he was pursuing his "Happy Endings" per his lawyer. Again, you supporting this guy playing without addressing the civil suits against him before playing is so sad. With every post you solidify your opinion that football is more important than the women's complaints.

Cleveland Browns reportedly had conversations about Baker Mayfield staying in 2022

NFL
·
Published June 5, 2022
link


The Cleveland Browns are hoping that quarterback Deshaun Watson will be available for the majority of the 2022 NFL season. Amid circulating rumors that a year-long ban is possible, the organization might need to rethink its plan.

Cleveland knew Watson would face an NFL suspension after being investigated for more than two dozen allegations of sexual misconduct and assault. However, the franchise hoped that it might only be a six-game suspension or shorter.


It’s why the front office signed backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett. The 29-year-old is the perfect bridge starter, capable of taking over for a few games and operating within the structure of the offense. With a softer schedule to open the season, it all would have worked out ideally for Cleveland.

Related: Cleveland Browns QB could face new accusers, allegations

However, the circumstances surrounding the situation are changing quickly. Watson is facing more allegations and potentially facing a suspension that could sideline him for at least half of the upcoming season. All of this comes at a time when there is no movement on a Mayfield trade.

Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said there have been talks in Cleveland regarding Mayfield staying. The thinking is tied into the guaranteed money he is already owed and the possibility of needing a reliable starter if Watson serves a lengthy suspension.

“I do know there have been conversations about ‘we could need this guy for many games.’ Jacoby Brissett is fine, he’s not solidified himself as a starter in the league, but he’s been a totally fine backup. Baker Mayfield, on the other hand, is expensive. You’re paying for him anyway…You’re paying for him anyway and he might start multiple games.”

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Cleveland browns QB Baker Mayfield

The Browns have made a significant effort to move off the disgruntled quarterback this offseason. He’s caused some headaches for the organization this spring and could make things worse when he reports for training camp. Unfortunately for Cleveland, a fully-guaranteed salary is preventing a trade,

*Baker Mayfield contract: $18.858 million salary (2022)

With the Browns unwilling to cover a majority of the contract, the few remaining teams interested in Mayfield have backed off. It now raises the possibility of the former No. 1 pick still being around the team this summer.

While that might feel like a disaster scenario for the organization, it might also prove crucial. If Watson is suspended for 10-plus games, Cleveland can’t be a playoff contender with Brissett at quarterback. The only way for this team to have a shot at contending would come with a healthy Mayfield.

If the worst-case scenario happens for the Browns, they might need to approach Mayfield about mending fences temporarily. Cleveland offers a much better roster than the Seattle Seahawks or Carolina Panthers, providing him with the best chance to win and produce in a contract year.

It wouldn’t be the outcome either side dreamed of months ago, but it could be the only way to make the best of a bad situation.

How about this, steve. Since you think I am such a terrible person, perhaps it is best we don't speak to one another again? I have offered that deal to two other posters, but they have declined. What say you? Do you want to fight or how about we just go our separate ways and not engage in further conversation? I do not like your accusations against my character and instead of responding in kind, I would prefer we no longer converse.

This is actually quite likely, and as much as Baker would probably hate it, it's his best opportunity to showcase himself for future suitors.

I do have a small worry that the coaching staff wouldn't necessarily run things to allow him to fully light things up because the potential down side and worst-case scenario for the FO is if Baker comes in and lights it up and then gets traded or is sat when Watson comes back from suspension, and Watson falls flat or otherwise struggles.

If you don't care for how someone responds to your posts, don't read their replies. Simple. But, for you to ask for someone ELSE to not reply to your posts is really a conniving way to say "I'm going to post what I want, and if you disagree, don't reply."

It's a message board. You are free to make choices. You are not free to direct.

I'm not following what is "quite likely". Do you mean the expended suspension?

This all sounds great on paper, but I still feel like it is a near impossibility. How would this "re-divorce" even work. "Baker Mayfield will be our starter through week eight... then we will be open to any trade proposals".

Followed by:

I think there is zero chance any coaching staff would sabotage their own career in order to make a player look bad.

And I get called out by a multitude of posters for suggesting that Atlanta and New Orleans fans would have been less harsh on their team signing Watson than Brown's fans. LMAO

Not sure if I should put this here, the EE forum, the Tailgate forum, or the Fan Feedback forum. However, I really think we should stop w/mental health insults. It's wrong on so many levels. A person might be suffering from mental health issues and you want to make fun of them? Or, do we really want to be so callous as to diminish the importance of the disease and use it as an insult and remove all our compassion and empathy for those who suffer from a disease.

It is politically incorrect and socially unacceptable to bash people due to race. It's unacceptable to make slurs against the LGBT community. It's unacceptable to demean those who are Muslims and other non-majority religions. It's horrific to make fun of the mentally handicapped. Yet, it's okay to use mental health as an insult or to try and demean another person. I've see this far too often and we even have people making fun of Biden because he has dementia.

What the hell is wrong w/you people? Are you so desperate to win an debate that you need to belittle those who have an illness? Shame on all of you for even allowing such comments!

Baker Mayfield would be the starter, and DeShaun Watson would be suspended. Watson would get injured somehow during the suspension or at the beginning of the suspensions end.
Baker Mayfield would continue, and play well, and catch a good stretch, dominating a super bowl win by throwing 6 touchdowns in every games 2nd quarter.
Then in the offseason the Browns would have to Franchise tag a disgruntled Mayfield to keep him,
A franchise tag number made higher by the fact that they paid 230 million guaranteed to a player who ... well you know.

The Browns could win the Super Bowl with Baker, throwing for 500 yards and scoring 52-0, and have no quarterback for the next season.
OIC, Only in Cleveland.

I think if DW were to be suspended for 10 or more games it puts the season in real jeapardy. Better to find a way for Bake to play than to waste a season. Watson is better than Baker but Bake is better than anyone else we have. I don't think it's a strong possibility but I guess that's the rationale?