DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Watson

Yeah, he should have done the HC's job for him. You know, name the starting QB on the roster for games. It looks like the only way the job of the HC will get done around here. If someone else does it.

Baker's ego and mouth always over rode his actual talent. The incredible talent that surrounded
Him at Oklahoma hid his SHORTCOMINGS as a QB.
He is a career backup now.

I'm ready to watch the best QB (by far) that the Browns have had since '99. I won't be surprised if he's rusty and takes a few games to find his groove. But, once he does, he's special on the field. I don't care about playoffs this year, it's not happening. But, with Watson coming in now, it'll be fun to watch the team turn the corner for next season. With a truly elite QB, this should be a playoff team beginning next year.

Lord it would be good from a team / level of play perspective for that to be the case. I'm not as confident as you that he will be as good as he has been touted - 2 years is an enormous amount of time to be out of elite/competitive sport and think it's possible to recapture the same level as before. . . . but I am ready to see the results. I will be at the game vs the Ravens in 2 weeks so I hope the rust knocks off quickly.

2023, there will be no excuses. he'll have 6 games under his belt to knock off the rust, a full uninterrupted off-season and training camp going into week 1 next season.

Cause right now the only reason there isn't a hint of a QB controversy is because the defense has been an abomination this season. flip our record around if the defense shows up half the games, and we'd be seriously wondering whether turning it over to Watson is the right move this year.

you know im a watson fan, but with everything that happened and the way JB played this season, Watson really better be a franchise QB. like, extremely better than JB and baker next season.

Right now the only reason is money.

Which of the other QBs' will be waived?

My guess is they will try and get Dobbs to the PS.

Sounds like he satisfied the shrink requirements so far and hasn't re-offended. That much is good. I want an elite QB too, just wary of the baggage that comes with this one. And I agree with Swish, "Watson really better be a franchise QB. like, extremely better than JB and baker next season." So far, he hasn't done a damn thing for Cleveland except get himself paid and disciplined.

Yeah it’s on the HC for playing him hurt. But you know how players like to hide the extent of their injuries just to play. Baker could have communicated that to the HC. You know, so the HC can make a better decision on who to start. Instead Baker get’s hurt again and again still playing hurt knocking the Browns out of playoff contention. So the Brown’s decided to go looking for a true franchise QB. Baker whines & pouts and asks for a trade. Done…Cya.

I do admit that it feels good to start this new era, even if it’s just to get it going. who knows how well Watson will do, but we can hope for him to knock some rust off and give us momentum into next year

This is a public service announcement. The medical staff decides whether or not the player is healthy enough to play. They overrule both what the player and coach wants. Sheesh! I thought everyone knew that by now????

I could see that Baker was ineffective no matter what he said, I'm pretty sure an NfL head coach could see it, since it is part of his job. Well, maybe not with the Brown's though.

j/c...

Wrong, the medical staff clears the player to play - not to decide whether the player plays. The HC always makes the determination on who actually plays. There are healthy scratches every week in the NFL, last minute decisions on injury recovery, and performance decisions. Let's make this truthful public service announcement, "The HC decides who plays and doesn't play as long as it is not overruling the medical professionals." After a medical clearance there is one and only one decision maker on who plays and that's the HC, PERIOD!

He said healthy enough.

It isn't that hard to understand.

The medical staff decides if the player is safe to play from a health/medical standpoint. Does he have a concussion, is the shoulder at increased risk of worsening injury. They do not decide if a player's injury will affect his play.

Addendum: For those of you who like to question people's credentials, I have been a team physician (not NFL).

"The medical staff decides whether or not the player is healthy enough to play."

"Wrong, the medical staff clears the player to play - not to decide whether the player plays."

Yeah, the playing part is still up to the coaches, but they can clear someone

Those two sentences are essentially the same. Neither states whose decision it is to actually play (that'd be the HC) - they both state in order to be eligible to play, medical staff has to approve first.

If I read "The medical staff decides whether or not the player is healthy enough to play." - It does not insinuate the medical staff decides who plays. To me it reads the same as your sentence ""the medical staff clears the player to play - not to decide whether the player plays.""

steve is here to fight. He's wrong about almost every freaking thing he says. Another cancerous member of The Fabulous Baker Boys.

Your continued inability/refusal to address the points that steve lays out says a lot about YOU being the cancer that you claim others to be.

Right, that was the point of my gif reaction. Steve (the second statement) called Vers (the first statement) wrong, then proceeded to correct him by repeating what Vers already said. It seemed to be an attempt to argue just for the sake of arguing.

Think about how freaking dumb this conversation is. Everyone in the world knows the coach chooses who plays. Well, I guess you can argue the GM has a say in that. However, the BS started w/a criticism of Stefanski playing an injured player. I correctly stated that the medical team decides who is healthy enough to play. And steve and the other Fabulous Baker Boys say that the coach has the final say. Duh!!!!

The point is......if the player is healthy enough to play, why would the coach not play him? The only reason is because the dude sucks. I have maintained that Baker sucks for years. That's been proven to be true, but can you imagine the uproar from The Fabulous Baker Boys if we would have benched Baker after the medical team cleared him? LMAO......they are still crying about us moving on from him to this day.

Thanks for the clarification... There was a bunch of posts I'd missed and didn't see those exchanges before I saw your post.

Back to Watson.


Kevin Stefanski: Reinstated Deshaun Watson ‘ready to roll’; Browns will ‘put the blinders on’ to any fallout
Updated: Nov. 28, 2022, 3:51 p.m.|Published: Nov. 28, 2022, 3:50 p.m.


By Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com


CLEVELAND, Ohio — Kevin Stefanski said Monday he never considered holding Deshaun Watson out of Sunday’s game in Houston because of the potential volatile nature of the game.

It marks Watson’s first game back from his 11-game suspension under the NFL’s personal conduct policy, and it takes place in the city where most of accusations of sexual misconduct from more than two dozen massage therapists took place. He’ll face the 1-9-1 Texans, who are gunning for the No. 1 overall pick — the second of the three first rounds picks they received from the Browns in the blockbuster and controversial trade for Watson.


“I think Deshaun has the support of his teammates, has the support of this organization,” Stefanski said Monday on a video conference. “Really right now, his focus and my focus is on the Houston game and that’s what we have to do as players, as coaches, is put the blinders on. Whatever’s going on the outside really can’t matter to us. We’ve got to focus on doing our job. And I think he definitely understands that.”

The game could feature protests inside and outside the stadium, and the same expletive-laden chants he heard in Jacksonville when he played in the preseason game there Aug. 12th. Whether or not he was rattled by the backlash, Watson went 1-for-5 for 7 yards in his three series en route to a 39.6 rating.

Sports betting comes to Ohio on Jan. 1, 2023: Your questions answered

“A lot of people will be watching this game,” Texans coach Lovie Smith told Houston reporters Monday. “Hopefully, we have our best effort we’ve had this year.”

Officially reinstated Monday and back on the roster, Watson spent the first five seasons of his career with the Texans, who traded up with the Browns in 2017 to draft him No. 12 overall. He made the Pro Bowl three times as a Texan, but things went south last season when he asked to be traded, and with allegations of his misconduct piling up.

He sat out all last season — still getting paid his entire $10.5 million base salary — and hasn’t seen the field 41-38 loss to the Titans on Jan. 3, 2021 — a span of 700 days.

“It was a little bit different last year,” Smith said. “He was in the building. We didn’t have a lot of interaction. It’s in the past. Now, it’s about a great quarterback coming to town with a history with our franchise.’

It would be understandable if Watson, who returned to practice Nov. 16, is rusty, but Stefanski wouldn’t handicap it.


“I certainly get it but can’t really control that for me and for Deshaun and for all of our players,” he said. “Just gotta keep the focus on doing our job. Think about there’s some guys that don’t play in preseason football and then they get in there week 1, need to get tackled first time before they feel like they’re ready to go. So I think some of those things may be true, but I don’t wanna put anything on Deshaun. I think it’s unfair for me to say at this point, we don’t know.”

Based on what he’s seen in practice the past two weeks, where Watson’s helped run the scout team and taken a few reps with the starters, Stefanski is fairly confident that he’ll look like the elite player he is.

“The next step is obviously being out there taking all the first-team reps,” Stefanski said. “He’s been doing a nice job getting the defense ready with the scout-team reps that he’s got. So I think he’s done a nice job with his time away physically staying sharp, mentally staying sharp. So I think he’ll be ready to roll.”

Watson has worked tirelessly during his suspension to be ready for this moment, working daily with his private quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery, and staying in his playbook. By the time he got back, he knew the terminology and plays like the back of his hand.


“I have confidence in Deshaun based on his preparation and, really, the focus is on just him doing his job,” Stefanski said. “I mean, we’re still gonna be all about the team effort, still offense, defense and special teams. So this is never, ever gonna be about one person. But as it relates to Deshaun, I believe in his preparation, I believe that he worked really hard on a bunch of things to be ready to go.”

The Browns also believe that preseason game was an aberration. Receiver Anthony Schwartz ran a wrong route on one of hits three targets, and dropped two others. The feeling is that Watson will look a lot more like the smooth operator he’s been since his Clemson days who can make every throw and also make plays with his legs. In 2020, the last season he played, Watson led the NFL with 4,823 yards and finished second to Aaron Rodgers with a 112.4 rating. He also threw 33 touchdown passes to only 7 interceptions. The talent-challenged Texans went only 4-12, but Watson made his third straight Pro Bowl.


“Deshaun’s played a lot of football,” Stefanski said. “He’s played in a lot of big games. So I think the tape is out on him, I think everybody has seen his ability to make all the throws. very athletic, can make plays with his feet, but can really hurt you from the pocket as well. So I’d say his versatility is something that you’ve seen over the course of his career.”

Stefanski was careful to give Watson most of the first-team reps throughout training camp, until he had to vacate the premises when it was over. Watson also took the offensive players to the Bahamas for on-field work and team bonding, accumulating a lot of camaraderie chips.

“I think you can go back to the spring and summer,” Stefanski said. “We spent a lot of time together, Deshaun spent a lot of time together with his teammates. I think we mentioned it at the time, I still believe those were banked reps, so to speak. So it’s something to where Deshaun spent a lot of time with his teammates. I think they’ve all enjoyed having him back and being a part of the team and I think they’re excited for him in this next step.”


Watson’s teammates, who’ve loved working with Jacoby Brissett, can’t help but notice how amazing he’s looked in practice.

“I know he’s ready,” rookie cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. said. “I’m excited for him. He threw a fade on me it was like—I can’t really explain it. It was like an overhead, back shoulder fade that only the receiver could catch. It was like out of bounds and a receiver had throw both his arms over his shoulder to catch the ball. And I had no chance to make that play. So I’m excited for him to come back. That was a great throw.”

He acknowledged it will be a lift for the whole team.

“I feel like Deshaun is very explosive,” he said. “I feel like we’ll have a lot more explosive plays.”

Watson’s return has the 4-7 team believing it can make a playoff run in the final six games, even though their chances are only 4.8%, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. They’ll likely have to win them all to have a chance, but a ‘why not us’ mentality prevails.


“What Martin’s saying is definitely honest,” said Donovan Peoples-Jones. “I’ve seen it. I’ve seen some of the things that he can do and it’s amazing so I’m definitely excited to play with him and excited to continue to keep winning, keep our win streak up.”

Stefanski acknowledged that he’ll have to develop his own chemistry with Watson as the playcaller, learning what he likes to run and and the nuances of his game. Brissett was very vocal about what he liked and didn’t like, and Watson will undoubtedly be the same way. But it could take time.

“You’re right that the relationship is important,” Stefanski said. “To me, it’s also important to the play-caller to the quarterback room. It’s really a group effort in there when you’re talking about all the players, talk about (offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing). It’s a collective effort when it comes to play calling and the offensive staff when you get to game day.

“But that quarterback room is where a lot of things get talked through and evaluated and we end up navigating where we’re going to go with the game, so that’s important. With Deshaun, and again, we spent a lot of time together, so he was here all spring, all summer, been in the back of the building. I met with him this morning. So we’ll continue to do that. That’s what you do during the week. You spend extra time with the quarterback and the quarterback room and we’ll just stick to our process.”




It should help ease the transition tremendously that Brissett and Watson have developed a close bond over the past few months. Watson was 100% on board with Brissett as his backup, and the bonds formed quickly.

“This is a unique situation,” Stefanski said. “With these two guys involved, with these two parties, you have guys that respect each other, that really work hard together. That quarterback room is a team. So I think I’ve seen support from Deshaun and Jacoby over the last five weeks that Deshaun has been back.

“It just becomes now Jacoby supporting Deshaun. And I think Jacoby’s gonna help us win this week. He’s gonna help get Deshaun ready, he’s gonna help get our defense ready, he’s gonna provide leadership to this team and that’s just what he does.”

With Watson running the offense, Stefanski will open up the passing game and dial up more explosive plays in the red zone and end zone. He’ll also call more designed runs and more run-pass options. He talked to some of Watson’s previous coaches in the offseason, and has worked hard to tailor the offense to his strengths.


“‘We’ll see’ is probably the short answer,” Stefanski said of the changes with Brissett. “What we’ll always do is try to maximize the talents of our players so there are things that you certainly will do with Deshaun. There were things that Jacoby was really good at. We just want to always be thinking about your players and doing what they do best. Ultimately, it’s our job to look at our players who we have and what are the things that we want to do to maximize their talents.”

https://www.cleveland.com/browns/20...-put-the-blinders-on-to-any-fallout.html

I truly believe the only reason the suspension was 11 games was because of this.. The suspension was always going to be timed with the houston game, if it would have been week 7, then the 6 games would have been kept imo. Just more proof the NFL cares nothing for anything really other than $$

Are you Vers bodyguard or something? There's more to the post than what was just posted in the one above. Like the doctors saying he was healthy enough to play. They are not the decision makers on whether he should play or not - or are they? Maybe Vers is going by the post that Milk Man article posted. If so, then what the hell is Stefanski qualifications for being HC if he's not the decision maker? So, my question to you Peen, who is the actual decision maker on who starts or not? If it is indeed Stefanski as your answer should be then the question is who is the person responsible for removing a player when he's not performing up to expectations? Those answers are the real subject of this beef and has nothing to do with anything other than who is the decision maker and who is responsible if that decision is wrong. Last year Stefanski trotted out Mayfield each and every week knowing that he was injured (multiple injuries) and more importantly knew he was not performing up to the level he needed to be performing at for the team. So, that leaves two questions, if Stefanski was the decision maker and continued to play a QB unable to perform at the level needed, where is the accountability and 2. if he is not the decision maker then what is he doing as HC of the Cleveland Browns and who is really managing that team?





Originally Posted by Milk Man
Donovan wasn't really bagging on Newsome per se, it was more about the sense on how they carry themselves on and off the field. It was more so, you carry yourself around like a superstar, but what have you truly done on the field. He wasn't burying Newsome just describing some of the entitlement issues he notices. Hopefully, that clarifies a bit.

One issue raised by Browns sideline reporter, Je'Rod Cherry and WKNR host (he admittedly said this was more speculation on his part, than anything concrete), was how much control Stefanski truly had on who plays and who does not. Questioned whether or not Stefanski had complete and total autonomy over who plays, hence the lack of benching certain players. Again, speculation on his part, but if something like happens to be the case, not good.

It'll all come out in the wash over as the rest of the season plays out.

j/c:

Watch this play a couple of times. Watch the defense, especially the LBers, sprint to stop Hunt. Then, watch what Jacoby does after handing the ball off. Look at all that room on the field side of the field. Imagine if a team is in a odd coverage [examples, Cover 1, 3, or 5] and we send the two receivers deep. One on a go route and the other on a deep crossing or post pattern. The defenders have to turn their back to the qb and trail the WRs. What will Watson do in that situation? He will run free for 18 yards or so. If the corners and/or safety are worried about Watson running, who will cover the WR who the original defender abandons?

Yeah, the offense should be about to bust wide open with explosive plays if Stefanski takes full advantage of Watson's talent. I can't wait.

I am just speculating, but I think we will see only part of the full Watson offense this year. Putting in RPOs and running some Pistol this year to take advantage of Watson's dual threat abilities. Next year, we will see the full offense and it should be unbelievably exciting.

I read a breakdown by Burns right after the trade that utilized videos. The guy really knows football and he was excited about what a good fit Stefanski's offense is for Watson. Guys like Cosell have said that his offense is so QB friendly. It should be really fun. I do expect some growing pains this year.

I agree 100%. Watson's the real deal. We have him under contract for years, so I'm fine with being patient and playing the long game. This year's lost, so let's give him time to return to his old form over these final weeks. Still, I expect flashes of his abilities this year that none of our previous QBs could dream of doing on their best days.

So it's your contention that Stefanski watches all the practices and can't see how the injury is impacting his players performance? Keep trying to blame Baker for Stefanski continuing to start a QB who wasn't able to perform all you like. You must have no idea how bad that makes Stefanski look. You do realize they have this thing called game film which the coaches are supposed to study, right? Good Lord man.

They do not set the starting roster. They do not study ther players in practice. They do not study game film to see how an injury is impacting a players performance. The HC sets the starting roster not the medical staff. Some of these excuses for Stefanski are ridiculous. First a poster claims it was Bakers duty to take on the HC's responsibility and now you claim it's the medical staffs responsibility. No wonder you accept a pervert as your new QB. You've grown to expect zero accountability from anyone anymore.

But he says he's only here to talk football. So much for being honest huh?

I approve of these comments!

Because while he is healthy enough to play injuries are hampering his performance to a level where he can not play to a good level. He isn't so injured he can't play but is most certainly hampered by the injury.


No, I explained the reason above.


You have a very vivid imagination. Many of us were calling for him to be benched at the time because it was obvious to see the injuries were hampering his play and we were calling Stefanski out for starting him. Nobody is crying about moving on from Baker. It's who we moved on to. Start acting like you have at least some grasp of the truth instead of being the one who really has the agenda while pointing fingers at everyone else. You sound like a petulant child.

The only time he's thrown the ball for the Browns he went 1 of 4. I wouldn't be opening anything up too soon.