Here's another issue that Browns Fans may want to think about. Let's go out on a limb and Watson is suspended for 10 or 11 games. Nothing else happens and Watson applies for reinstatement for week 11 or 12. The Browns are 5-5 or let's say 5-5 with 7 weeks remaining. The Browns remaining games are all against teams with winning records with the exception of one and they need to go a minimum of 5-2 over the last 7 to even qualify for a Wild Card. 1) Do the Browns put Watson in immediately who hasn't seen the field in 22 months and the last 3 1/2 months not even practicing and 2) Doing this cancels out year 1 of his contract meaning that 2023 will be year 2 at a 54.993M cap hit with the open cases still looming.
Being accused of being a Baker supporter and anti Watson, my concern is no matter what the suspension time is (from zero to 11), as soon as he gets 6 games in it's a vested year. If the Judge goes light and then more claims come out against him and he's played 6 games the price tag for any missed time in 2023 is now 46M. The Browns and Watson are playing with danger here and it won't matter what anyone thinks if the unsettled claims or more come to be real issues.
the NFL is gonna want this done and over with because the Snyder situation is about to be a much bigger headache in the future, and they don't want to be in a position to be dealing with two big situations simultaneously during the season.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Here's another issue that Browns Fans may want to think about. Let's go out on a limb and Watson is suspended for 10 or 11 games. Nothing else happens and Watson applies for reinstatement for week 11 or 12. The Browns are 5-5 or let's say 5-5 with 7 weeks remaining. The Browns remaining games are all against teams with winning records with the exception of one and they need to go a minimum of 5-2 over the last 7 to even qualify for a Wild Card. 1) Do the Browns put Watson in immediately who hasn't seen the field in 22 months and the last 3 1/2 months not even practicing and 2) Doing this cancels out year 1 of his contract meaning that 2023 will be year 2 at a 54.993M cap hit with the open cases still looming.
Being accused of being a Baker supporter and anti Watson, my concern is no matter what the suspension time is (from zero to 11), as soon as he gets 6 games in it's a vested year. If the Judge goes light and then more claims come out against him and he's played 6 games the price tag for any missed time in 2023 is now 46M. The Browns and Watson are playing with danger here and it won't matter what anyone thinks if the unsettled claims or more come to be real issues.
It doesn't matter if he plays. If the suspension is 10 games, they will have an accrued season, if it's 11 games they will have a tolled contract season. If the suspension is over, that next week counts against their contract.
I'm hoping now that Baker is out of the picture, Brown's fans will slow down w/their campaign to push for the most severe penalty that Watson can receive. Some won't because they are bitter. Others may because they might realize just how misguided that tactic was.
Not for some, but for others.........it most certainly does. The guys that have shouted the loudest and most often are long-time Baker defenders. Trust me on that one.
I'm hoping now that Baker is out of the picture, Brown's fans will slow down w/their campaign to push for the most severe penalty that Watson can receive. Some won't because they are bitter. Others may because they might realize just how misguided that tactic was.
Umm 🤔, you do realize it isn’t a “tactic “ it is an opinion that it is what he deserves. It doesn’t matter what a group of fans hope happens, it doesn’t effect the league or the person in charge of doling out the punishment in any way at all. Pretty sure, everyone, even those that hoped Baker would play if Watson was suspended for the year, knew this was the inevitable outcome for Baker. It doesn’t change the Watson situation in any way.
I'm hoping now that Baker is out of the picture, Brown's fans will slow down w/their campaign to push for the most severe penalty that Watson can receive. Some won't because they are bitter. Others may because they might realize just how misguided that tactic was.
Umm 🤔, you do realize it isn’t a “tactic “ it is an opinion that it is what he deserves. It doesn’t matter what a group of fans hope happens, it doesn’t effect the league or the person in charge of doling out the punishment in any way at all. Pretty sure, everyone, even those that hoped Baker would play if Watson was suspended for the year, knew this was the inevitable outcome for Baker. It doesn’t change the Watson situation in any way.
Wait do you mean people have rational opinions based on facts? I am sure that idea wouldn't go over well.
I'm hoping now that Baker is out of the picture, Brown's fans will slow down w/their campaign to push for the most severe penalty that Watson can receive. Some won't because they are bitter. Others may because they might realize just how misguided that tactic was.
So wrong on so many levels and you wonder why posters respond to you with angst.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
I'm hoping Jimmy Haslam can somehow learn from his mistakes. This being one of them, giving up on Baker when a new season brings a new start. You are hoping Browns fans somehow slow down a campaign? I don't give a ** what Browns fans do, largely. I care what the Browns Team does. I'm not a fan of the Browns' fans, I'm a fan of the team. To a fault, I can't shake the fandom for this team. I can only begin to understand other fans' responses, when I consider, maybe they feel about the Browns, the way I feel about many other teams that I have been a casual fan of. Because, I don't care about the roster moves of teams like soccer, or baseball, in the past, or perhaps whatever team I may have been a casual fan of, for a short time, and ignore them for large stretches of time. But the Browns? I care too much it's a shame. 2022 is and will be a total rebuild year for the Browns, despite everyone else voting the opposite in the polls, there is simply no returning foundation from the 2021 season and previous seasons.
Jimmy Haslam: Nobody you bring in or add will ever help your team in that first year, even 1/2 as much as the players and non players that don't return will harm your teams ability to win. (It may not be so in all other walks of life, but in Football, specifically the NFL, that is the case.)
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
The professional football fate of an NFL star quarterback is set to be determined this week amid sexual misconduct allegations.
A three-day internal disciplinary hearing was held for Cleveland Brown quarterback Deshaun Watson, who could face up to a season-long suspension from the league, after he was accused of sexual assault by nearly two dozen women.
Last month, Watson reached a settlement in 20 of the 24 lawsuits filed by women who accused Watson of sexual assault and harassment while he played for the Houston Texans. It was made clear during the hearing that the league is seeking an indefinite suspension of at least a year for the quarterback.
Watson has never been arrested or criminally charged for the allegations and two grand juries declined to indict Watson after reviewing the evidence.
Disciplinary officer Judge Sue L. Robinson is expected to release her decision next week after a review of post-hearing briefs from both sides.
For years, the NFL has faced criticism for the way the league has handled allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault against women. More recently, the league has tried to make amends by enforcing a personal conduct policy for all NFL employees, current and former players specifically aimed at addressing these issues.
Mary Kate Cabot covers the Browns for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and spoke to ABC News’ “Start Here” about what’s expected for the NFL’s next play regarding the situation.
“Well, these were from 24 massage therapists, mostly in the Houston area, who during from about the fall of 2020, they accused Deshaun Watson of sexual misconduct during massage appointments,” said Cabot. “[Although] 20 of the 24 have now been settled… this could mean sort of the beginning of the end of this whole saga.”
Watson has maintained his innocence throughout the allegations and the Cleveland Browns have stood behind the player.
“If we didn’t get comfortable with Deshaun the person, it wouldn’t have mattered how talented he was, we wouldn’t have pursued the trade,” said Browns general manager Andrew Berry during a press conference last month. “We believe in Deshaun, the person.”
Despite not admitting to wrongdoing, Cabot said that Watson had recently told her that he is “seeking some counseling.”
“He's taking advantage of the resources the Browns have made available. I think that will be a mitigating factor in the eyes of the NFL,” said Cabot. “But the NFL now must decide on the discipline for Deshaun Watson.”
Although the settlements do not officially assign blame one way or another, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear last month that Watson is still under investigation by the NFL.
“The personal conduct policy does not need a criminal violation to be a violation of the personal conduct policy,” said Goodell during a press conference.
MORE: Deshaun Watson reiterates innocence against allegations but regrets impact of lawsuits on Cleveland Browns, family In March, the Cleveland Browns reportedly guaranteed Watson $230 million over five years in a trade deal, the most guaranteed money at signing of any NFL player in history, according to ESPN.
Cabot said that the NFL Players Association is bracing for “a very long suspension” of Watson from the league.
“They plan to vigorously fight it,” said Cabot. “The next big step that everyone has to cross is to find out what the NFL has in mind and then how Deshaun's side will fight it.”
During a press conference hosted by the Cleveland Browns last week, Watson addressed the allegations. He said he regrets the impact the situation has made on the community.
"That includes my family. That includes this organization. That includes my teammates in this locker room that have to answer to these questions,” said Watson. “That includes the fan base of the Cleveland Browns… It's tough to have to deal with."
Cabot said the league is now grappling with what is the right amount of disciplinary action.
“It's going to be difficult out there in the court of public opinion and they're going to have to walk this fine line between making it seem like they really do value, respect and believe women who bring these things up,” she said. “And also being fair to the fact that there is no evidence that anything happened.”
This video is about 8 minutes long. Not much new information, but two things of note.
1. Florio talks about perhaps the NFL and NFLPA reaching a settlement after Judge Robinson makes her decision. Not saying that will happen, but it makes some sense.
2. This one is controversial and even though I have been fighting against the Watson haters, I have said that him missing all of last year should NOT be considered as a factor in his upcoming punishment. Florio gave me something to think about when he said something about that Watson would have been traded to Miami last year if the looming legal matters did not exist. He adds that Watson would have to relinquish the $10 million he earned. That makes some sense.
1. Florio talks about perhaps the NFL and NFLPA reaching a settlement after Judge Robinson makes her decision. Not saying that will happen, but it makes some sense.
Roger Goodell has the final say on the disciplinary process and if he allows the NFL and NFLPA to negotiate beyond Judge Robinson's ruling, he has the authority to do so.
I don't see the relevance of the Owner cases and the NFL PLAYERS cases. I don't think one influences the other. They are separate issues.
jmho
eo...I totally agree, the punishment given to the owners or anyone else, another player or someone in management, has no bearing on the Watson case. Anyone wanting to go back and re-litigate any of the past cases are free to do so. If the NFLPA wants revisit the cases against the owners..they are free to do so.
Watson's case stands on it's own and any judge worth their salt would completely disregard such an argument as a defense for Watson's conduct...jmo
mac, I understand you once called Dak Prescott's lawyer, but does that make you more qualified than Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney the NFLPA hired to defend Watson? He is the one who introduced and provided evidence to Sue Robinson in regards to precedence in regards to owners vs players who have violated the leagues' Personal Conduct Policy. Damn mac, I never knew you held such high qualifications. You are quite impressive.
Quote
Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Beaton tweeted, “With Deshaun Watson’s discipline looming, the NFLPA is preparing to wage a high-powered battle vs. the NFL. The union has already brought in Jeffrey Kessler to defend the quarterback.”
NFLPA Gets The Best Man For The Job Kessler is a partner at Winston & Strawn, specializing in antitrust/competition and sports law practices.
He was also the co-chair of the sports litigation practice group at Dewey and LeBoeuf until May 2012.
The Columbia University alumnus is part of the team that secured a victory for NCAA Division I basketball and football athletes regarding the compensation restrictions established by the organization and its prominent conferences.
His work in McNeil vs. the NFL also led to the establishment of the league’s free agency.
As always, decisions in legal cases set a precedent that can be referred to in future cases of the same nature.
Therefore, the NFLPA would like to give Watson a fair fight by giving him an expert on the field.
Co-Executive Chairman & Co-Chair, Antitrust/Competition Practice
EmailDownload vCard+1 212-294-4698
OVERVIEWCREDENTIALSEXPERIENCEINSIGHTS FULL BIO Jeffrey Kessler co-chairs Winston’s global Antitrust/Competition Practice and is the former co-chair of the firm’s Sports Law Practice. Law360 recently named both practices as a “Practice Group of the Year” for their respective categories. He focuses his practice on all aspects of antitrust/competition, sports law, complex commercial litigation, intellectual property (IP), and government criminal and civil investigations. He has served as lead counsel in some of the most complex antitrust, sports law, and IP law cases in the country, including major jury trials, and has represented many U.S. and international companies in criminal and civil investigations in the antitrust, trade, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) areas. He successfully defended Matsushita and JVC against claims of a worldwide conspiracy in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Zenith v. Matsushita and is regarded universally as a leading commentator on international antitrust law. He has also been the lead counsel for important cases involving frontier issues of IP law and lead counsel in numerous government criminal and civil investigations. He is a member of the firm’s Videogame, Gaming, and Esports Group, which provides comprehensive legal solutions to companies in the sector.
Jeffrey is also one of the United States’ most prominent lawyers regularly engaged in high-profile sports litigation. He has litigated some of the most famous sports-antitrust cases in history, including the landmark college players-brought Alston v. NCAA case, in which, following Jeffrey’s oral argument, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously affirmed his and co-counsel’s earlier “groundbreaking and disruptive” trial victory against the NCAA in this antitrust challenge to its no-compensation rules; McNeil v. The NFL, the watershed antitrust jury trial that led to the establishment of free agency in the National Football League (NFL); and Brady v. NFL, which led to the end of the 2011 NFL lockout. Jeffrey’s sports sector clients have included the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the Arena Football League Players Association, the National Hockey League Players Association, the Major League Baseball Players Association, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), Wasserman Media Group, SCP Worldwide, MVP Sports, the U.S. Women’s National [Soccer] Team (USWNT), the NFL Coaches Association, the Women’s Tennis Benefit Association, Endeavor, Super Slam Ltd., Activision Blizzard, Adidas, Klutch Sports, and Players, Inc. Jeffrey has represented various classes of Division 1 college basketball and football players; other college athletes; elite swimmers; NBA, NFL, AFL, and MLS players; the North American Soccer League (NASL); the U.S. Football League; the Overwatch and Call of Duty Esports leagues; the Professional Bull Riders; Relevant Sports Agency, and the Cities of San Diego and Oakland, as well as Alameda County, in various sports law disputes. He negotiated the current free agency/salary cap systems in the NFL and NBA, and successfully represented Latrell Sprewell in his controversial suspension arbitration. In the area of NFL discipline, he represented the NFLPA on behalf of Ray Rice, Tom Brady (in “Deflategate”), Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, and the “Bountygate” players. He represented pro bono Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee athlete, in his successful arbitration to obtain the right to compete against non-disabled athletes around the world. Recently, he achieved a landmark equal pay class action settlement for the members of the USWNT.
This impressive experience led Law360 to name Jeffrey as an MVP for Sports and Betting for four consecutive years (2018–2021). In March 2022 at the Benchmark Litigation East Coast Awards, Jeffrey was honored as the Antitrust Litigator of the Year, and the firm was recognized for its work on NCAA v. Alston, one of the National Impact Cases of the Year. And Jeffrey is part of the group recognized with GCR’s 2022 “Litigation of the Year: Cartel Prosecution” award.
mac, I understand you once called Dak Prescott's lawyer, but does that make you more qualified than Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney the NFLPA hired to defend Watson? He is the one who introduced and provided evidence to Sue Robinson in regards to precedence in regards to owners vs players who have violated the leagues' Personal Conduct Policy. Damn mac, I never knew you held such high qualifications. You are quite impressive.
vers...you don't know me and that bugs you, doesn't it..?
I stand by everything I posted..the punishment given to the owners has zero influence over the punishment the NFL/Goodell hand down to Watson.
Pointing a finger at the owners and the punishment that was handed down in their cases is simply a diversionary tactic being used by those attempting to defend Watson, who are hoping/pleading for a light suspension for Watson. Can an experienced judge see through such a ploy..? I would hope so..!
This case is about Watson and his conduct and has nothing to do with any owner..!
No, that doesn't bug me at all. What bugs me is your one-sided approach to things. The NFLPA hired perhaps the highest profile lawyer in sports to defend Watson. He feels that precedence in regards to the Personal Conduct Policy is a strong tool in defending his client. You can spin away, but he is far more qualified to interpreting legal matters than some Watson hater on a message board.
JMHO, don't see the relevance...pretty easy- actions and attitudes. What's at the essence of Watson's troubles- sexual attitude and actions. Both Jones and Snyder allowed unhealthy attitudes to exist at their organizations. Kraft got off on a tech/legal issue. He went to massage parlor, had sex- consensual. Sound familiar. To even imply they aren't similar beats me. Watson should walk, nothing illegal, no crime. What is good for ganders should cover the goose too.
"You've never lived till you've almost died, life has a flavor the protected will never know" A vet or cop
I feel like every time I've started to cave to the "but 24 accusers!!" argument (because it does have some merit, but also because that side has commanded like 90% of the airtime), a little nugget like this comes out. I'm curious if a small percentage of accusers have these types of issues with their stories, or if it's more pervasive. I doubt I'll get an answer to that since they are entitled to their privacy/safety.
No Pit, I'm not saying all these women are hookers/golddiggers. But it would seem that a percentage of them might be. I'd be interested in finding out what that portion is.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
NFL, Deshaun Watson not currently talking about a settlement
Posted by Mike Florio on July 7, 2022, 11:08 AM EDT link
As sports media navigates its way through the task of generating content in the slow time for the NFL, it’s important to try to separate the news from the not news.
Recent comments from Dan Graziano of ESPN.com regarding the prospect of a settlement between the NFL and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson are not news. Graziano, based on what he said and how he said it, wasn’t trying to make it news. He was just answering a question regarding the potential for a resolution.
Appearing on ESPN Radio, Graziano explained that the two sides had settlement talks during the hearing. He said, as have others, that the league had been pushing for an indefinite suspension of at least one year. Graziano mentioned at one point, by way of further elaboration, that the league at one point had moved the needle for the minimum suspension in Watson’s direction.
“They weren’t able to come close enough late last week,” Graziano said. “The league is still insisting from what I’ve been told on an indefinite suspension that would allow Watson to . . . apply for reinstatement after a certain period of time. Initially they wanted that period to be a year but they moved a little closer to Watson and were talking about, ‘You know, you can reapply after 12 games,’ for example. But Watson is still not interested in signing up for that indefinite suspension.”
It’s important to remember that Graziano isn’t claiming that an offer of 12 games plus an open door for more is even on the table. It wouldn’t matter if it was; Watson didn’t want it.
Now that the hearing is over, Watson’s team is focused on persuading Judge Sue L. Robinson to not suspend him at all. As one source with knowledge of the dynamics pegged the potential for a settlement along the lines that Graziano discussed, “We are far past that point”
Per multiple sources, currently there are no talks. Another source said that, based on the evidence and argument at the hearing, a 12-game, open-ended suspension would not be a serious offer.
Yes, talks could resume at any time. As recently explained, the league will have a hard time settling the case before Judge Robinson issues a ruling, because the league can’t afford to be perceived as being too lenient when it comes to Watson, given that the mishandling of the Ray Rice situation nearly brought down the house in 2014. There’s another reason, however, for the league to perhaps settle this before a ruling is issued by Judge Robinson. But I’ll hold that for a separate post.
After all, we’re also navigating our way through the task of generating content in a slow time for the NFL.
Along those lines, the NFL only presented five cases to Sue Robinson at the hearing, thus it stands to reason that she can only consider those five cases rather than the 24.
Maybe. I don't think we can really say that for sure. They could've just presented the worst of the worst with the backdrop of the large number of accusations. With them allegedly not presenting evidence, this could've been the strongest way to make their argument.
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
Not for some, but for others.........it most certainly does. The guys that have shouted the loudest and most often are long-time Baker defenders. Trust me on that one.
Why would anyone trust you on that? Hell, just this past season mgh was accusing me of being a Baker hater because he planted the flag at OSU. And that was because I was questioning Baker.
This is just your tactic for trying to undermine those who find getting watson as disgusting. No matter how many try to explain that to you, you have your own agenda to use it as a tool to undermine those who disagree with you. These are two separate issues all together and you know it. It just doesn't further your agenda to admit it.
Many people you make this claim against have told you over and over that they are fully aware that watson is a better QB "on the field" than Baker. But it hasn't stopped you from spreading your lies.
Oh I forgot, since I call you out on it you have put me on ignore.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
so the NFL didn't provide anything to prove their case? what was they in court doing?
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
No Pit, I'm not saying all these women are hookers/golddiggers. But it would seem that a percentage of them might be. I'd be interested in finding out what that portion is.
And that seems like a very possible scenario. I've said many times that when you get a large group of people together you will have both good and bad within such a group. At that point the question becomes how many would you need to be telling the truth to be convinced he deserves a long suspension?
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
so the NFL didn't provide anything to prove their case? what was they in court doing?
It's about public opinion. They feel they have to after Watson hard. However, I think the NFL's case is weak. The Browns and Watson have been confident in their position once the facts come out.
so the NFL didn't provide anything to prove their case? what was they in court doing?
This assertion is based on one man's opinion of what was disclosed and was leaked. As I've shown and as you well know, different people can hear the exact same thing and come to a different conclusion of what that means. You are right to the point that no rational person can think think the NFL went into this process without having any actual evidence. Then of course people have a difference of opinion of what is and is not evidence as well.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Hey Swish, Long time dude... glad to see you are still around!! Man.. that is what EVERYONE is forgetting about this case, 2 criminal Grand Juries did not have enough evidence to criminally charge Watson. The NFL in their case had no evidence of violence, threat, force, or coercion by Deshaun Watson. . . ...
SO what does the NFL have to Justify a year suspension?? Even when you look online at some of the women who are speaking.. all of them said he asked for special touches but did not force them, stop them from leaving,.etc.
I think the NFL wants the arbitrator to come up with a 8 game suspension and then agree to that so they dont look bad!!!.. Plus, you got Dan Snyder who was trying to pimp out his cheerleaders basically dodging anything against him and the Texans who helped Watson with a NDA. That smells like an 8 game, and get the hell out of here situatiuon!!
However, I think the NFL's case is weak. The Browns and Watson have been confident in their position once the facts come out.
You think it's weak because you believe the side you want to. I'm just curious, what else would you expect watson and the Browns to say? "We now have reason to believe watson is probably guilty of many of these allegations and we made a huge mistake"? And watson with ongoing litigation" "Yeah man, I'm a scum bag and my accusers are telling the truth"?
Dear Lord man. Talk about somebodies case being weak. Have you even bothered to look at your own?
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
i always thought he was gonna get 8 games max since the trade. after a bit i went to 6-8 with 6 on appeal.
dude might not even get suspended. the NFL should've dropped the hammer and THEN let it go to arbitration and make Watson be the one having to be on offense legally-wise.
instead, DW has two different grand juries refuse not even bother bringing up charges, 20 of the 24 accusers settling, already sources and interviews suggesting *some* women exaggerated and/or lied. and then on top of all that, while simultaneously getting massive backlash from the public over the Snyder/Commander's situation, they couldn't even provide any sort of evidence to justify suspending Watson other than to try to keep public outrage with the reporting.
only person who needs an indefinite suspension is Roger Goodell.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Hey Swish, Long time dude... glad to see you are still around!! Man.. that is what EVERYONE is forgetting about this case, 2 criminal Grand Juries did not have enough evidence to criminally charge Watson. The NFL in their case had no evidence of violence, threat, force, or coercion by Deshaun Watson. . . ...
SO what does the NFL have to Justify a year suspension?? Even when you look online at some of the women who are speaking.. all of them said he asked for special touches but did not force them, stop them from leaving,.etc.
I think the NFL wants the arbitrator to come up with a 8 game suspension and then agree to that so they dont look bad!!!.. Plus, you got Dan Snyder who was trying to pimp out his cheerleaders basically dodging anything against him and the Texans who helped Watson with a NDA. That smells like an 8 game, and get the hell out of here situatiuon!!
sup bro where you been?
i agree with how you just framed it. the biggest problem the NFL has is trying to control the public opinion as if they have any control over it right now. at this point, there's far more outrage and eyes being aimed at Goodell's knowledge of the allegations against Snyder and the organization over what was done to punish and fix the situation in washington?
if Watson gets zero games, most of the heat is gonna go straight to him. and after a few outrage post, Watson will be getting cheered for by browns fans week 1, especially if Mayfield starts. Goodell and the league owners on the other hand, it's just getting started for them. right no, if the judge determines that no suspension should be given, Goodell would fan his own flames if he tried to appeal the ruling. the NFL might not do anything but give watson a fine at best, simply because they need the Watson situation to blow over - LIKE IT WILL - ASAP so they can focus on public perception over the league owners and him, especially since they're dealing with congress.
DW might get 4-6 games still, but if that's it, the trade is a W. if he gets zero? bro you know the browns players are gonna be extremely hyped up knowing DW starts.
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
