DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Will Watson be the Browns Starting QB...continued

If I were on Watson's defense team or one of the attorneys for the NFLPA, I would be pushing hard for ZERO games, but I might be willing to accept 4 games just to appease the masses. Anything more, I'd go all in on suing the NFL for unfair practices in regards to how they handle the Personal Conduct Policy that is actually quite clear and specific.

NFL on Deshaun Watson: Today’s development has no impact on disciplinary process

Posted by Mike Florio on June 21, 2022, 1:57 PM EDT
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Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has settled with 20 of the 24 massage therapists who had sued him. It has no affect on his status with the NFL.

While th“Today’s development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Watson’s potential punishment under the Personal Conduct Policy exists independently of the outcome of the 24 cases. The behavior itself — setting up private massages reportedly with at least 66 women through social media and having some of them become sexual encounters — could justify discipline even if he would have won every single lawsuit.

That said, slashing the pending cases from 24 to four likely prevents paid leave from returning to the NFL’s radar screen. Especially if Watson’s next step is (as it should be) to get the remaining cases settled.

The question then becomes the extent of the suspension the league will propose. PFT reported last week that the NFL Players Association anticipates an “unprecedented” punishment. The Washington Post thereafter reported it will “probably” be a full season.at goes without saying, the league said it anyway.

Finally, some progress for the Browns in the Deshaun Watson case – Terry Pluto

Updated: Jun. 21, 2022, 1:33 p.m. | Published: Jun. 21, 2022, 12:44 p.m.
AWAITS NFL RULING
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has settled most of the civil lawsuits against him. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

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By Terry Pluto, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Now, the Browns wait for the NFL to rule in the Deshaun Watson case.

And with most of the civil lawsuits by massage therapists settled by Watson and his lawyers, one big problem should no longer be a possibility.

That would have been placing the QB on paid leave for the entire 2022 season, then awaiting how the courts would rule in the 24 lawsuits facing Watson.

Yes, that could have led to a suspension for part or all of 2023.


Now it’s likely that whatever the NFL does, it will be held to the 2022 season. Then Watson should be able to play in 2023, unless the league comes up with a stunning multiyear suspension.

There are still four lawsuits pending. But now that 20 have settled, that should set up the financial parameters to work out a deal taking care of those civil suits.

For the Browns, this has to be a relief. It would appear the worst-case scenario is over. Also, the nightmarish public relations battle over Watson’s conduct should be calmed down.

It is worth mentioning that Watson’s insistence on how he wanted to “clear my name” and didn’t plan to settle the lawsuits was nothing more than posturing. He had offered to settle a number of the suits a year ago.

So none of this was really about clearing his name. It was about making a deal – for both sides.

There will be people who say, “The civil suits are settled. There are no criminal charges. Let’s play ball.”


But most of the players suspended by the NFL weren’t criminally charged. That includes Kareem Hunt (eight games for a physical altercation with a woman) and Myles Garrett (six games for hitting Mason Rudolph in the head with a helmet during a game).

Tom Brady was suspended four games for deflating footballs. Receiver Calvin Ridley is suspended for all of 2022 for betting on football games.

No criminal charges in any of these examples.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Watson settling 20 cases “has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.’’


It’s hard to guess what the NFL will do. There are reports about Watson facing a severe penalty. And reports of the players union fighting hard to defend him, citing the improper conduct of some owners and the light penalties they received.

The league also must look into the actions of the Houston Texans, who reportedly supplied Watson with hotel rooms and Non-Disclosure Agreements to be given to the therapists when they met with Watson.

This is an ugly case on several fronts, not just Watson’s actions.

But for now, the NFL should be able to come up with a decision regarding Watson’s possible suspension. And that should happen soon.

For the Browns, Watson and the NFL, that should be good news. All sides need clarity in terms of what comes next.


https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...-in-deshaun-watson-case-terry-pluto.html

The Washington Post thereafter reported it will “probably” be a full season.

Well of course that's more objective than a direct statement from the NFL.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Watson settling 20 cases “has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.’’

J/C. With this Watson issue coming to a close sooner than later, can anyone tell me if him sitting all last year factors in at all? I didn’t read all 6 pages of the thread to see if somebody else covered that. I am thinking it has to be looked at a little. For him to miss even 8 games plus last year seems quite a lot considering there have been no criminal charges. I totally understand the severity of everything but I just don’t know how the discipline will be factored in with last year also.

One has to wonder. If they make a determination now, how will the outcome of the other cases work out? Would they then ignore future evidence and outcomes, maybe even more cases brought forth afterwords? Or would they be addressed with further punishment at a future date?

One has to wonder. If they make a determination now, how will the outcome of the other cases work out? Would they then ignore future evidence and outcomes, maybe even more cases brought forth afterwords? Or would they be addressed with further punishment at a future date?

I never thought it would be a full season from the start. Still don't. If the NFL comes out with that, it will because they know it will be negotiated down and they need to start high.

We'll see.

Speculation yes. Assumption no. It's all anyone has been able to do. Whether you think the ban might end up being 6 - 8 - 10 games or a year. It's speculation.

Based on the other conduct bans we have seen - I have always said I expected a 10 games minimum. I won't discount a year but settling all but 4 cases is a help.

In the end I am not so sure the total of number of cases plays any role in what the NFL thinks. It has to some on the board. It never really influenced what I thought or think now.

The clearing of cases simplifies Watsons defense, so in that sense it helps.

This has been my view/belief too.

The first bit of good news Browns fans have gotten since this entire mess showed up in Cleveland. Maybe, just maybe Watson might see the field for the Browns...we can hope..!

Tony Buzbee: 20 of the 24 cases against Deshaun Watson have settled

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 21, 2022, 11:59 AM EDT
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Most of the women suing Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson have agreed to a settlement.

Tony Buzbee, the attorney representing 24 female massage therapists who say Watson engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct during their sessions, announced today that 20 of his clients have settled.


“Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled,” Buzbee said in a statement. “We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won’t comment further on the settlements or those cases.”

Settling the cases is a significant step for Watson as he attempts to resume his NFL career, but it in no way means he won’t be suspended by the NFL. What’s beneficial for Watson is that the terms of the settlements will be confidential, making it more likely that Watson can stem the flow of negative information that has done significant damage to his reputation.

But until all 24 cases are settled, Watson remains in jeopardy. And Buzbee indicated that the first plaintiff, Ashley Solis, and three other plaintiffs are continuing to move forward.

“Ashley Solis is one of the heroes of this story. Her case has not settled and thus her story and that of the other three brave women will continue. I look forward to trying these cases in due course, consistent with other docket obligations and the court’s schedule,” Buzbee said.

The NFL’s investigation of potential violations of the league’s personal conduct policy is ongoing.

I'm not sure the amount of cases play no role, but part of the NFL's language is pretty clear... and that is they will follow guidelines for first offenses, and this is definitely Watson's first offense regardless of number of cases.

Also this:

Violations involving assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault will result in a baseline six-game suspension without pay, with more if aggravating factors are present, such as the use of a weapon or a crime against a child.

I would expect them to tack on 2-4 more games to the baseline because of the sheer number of cases. A suspension of 10 games or more will definitely (imo) result in legal action from Deshaun and the player's union.

Jacoby Brissett is to starting Ob's in the NFL, as Dontrel Hilliard is to starting Rb's in the NFL.

Dontrel Hilliard, (Titans 2nd or 3rd rb, got beat out for the spot on the Browns by D'Ernest Johnson circa 20I9+. )

I'm not sure the amount of cases play no role, but part of the NFL's language is pretty clear... and that is they will follow guidelines for first offenses, and this is definitely Watson's first offense regardless of number of cases.

I agree w/you, but there is a growing sentiment out there that says the NFL is on a slippery slope because they are NOT the legal system and are acting like a legal system. I'm telling you, they could be in for a world of hurt if the NFLPA and Watson's legal team take this to the courts and this is tried "legally."

I agree w/you, but there is a growing sentiment out there that says the NFL is on a slippery slope because they are NOT the legal system and are acting like a legal system. I'm telling you, they could be in for a world of hurt if the NFLPA and Watson's legal team take this to the courts and this is tried "legally."