DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Deshaun Watson

Talking heads after the game said Watson wasn't seeing wide open WRs all night, was that your experience watching the 22?

Might still be Quincy Avery...not real sure.

My humble advice to our HC would be to start to realize who's he dealing with and hopefully starts readjust his next game plan to todays version of DSW who's a bad and slow copy of the QB we saw in Houston.

My fear is Watson is going to have a great game

But not for the Browns

Vrabel puts D Hop on defense

Watson sees his favorite target

D hop with six picks

Three of them for TDs

Yet he actually HAD the 1st down until HE fumbled it. But in your desperation you blame the HC because watson fumbled. The play worked. Dear Lord man.

That's not good.....

And so it begins......

Not really. Well, I guess kind of, but blaming him seems rather harsh. We had some guys open at times that he didn't hit, but he was generally running for his life in the opposite direction or had someone right in his lap where he couldn't step up, follow through, or probably see around very well.

I think we gameplanned with the idea of easing in Jones at RT and giving him lots of help. Unfortunately, this kind of played to the Steelers strengths and let them keep more LBs/big guys on the field, and they really packed in the middle of the field and had lots of pre-snap movement to disguise what they were doing. The worst part is Jones didn't really seem to need it for the most part. Yes he got "beat around the edge" for a sack, but if there had been a pocket for Watson to step up into, he could quite possibly have been pushed past. On the other hand, Bryant was getting bullrushed back into Watson's lap whenever he was supposed to help. We even had DPJ lined up in tight over Watt to block him at times which went about as well as you'd expect. We used Dunn as a 6th OL a fair bit which again, let them keep more big bodies on the field and increased the probability that one of them would beat their blocker. We also had fewer guys going out on routes which made defensive breakdowns in the secondary less likely, and we didn't really even have a chance to test their (lack of) secondary depth.

We also were backed up a lot inside of our own ten. That may very well have contributed some to the conservativeness. Turnovers also kept short circuiting drives, so it was difficult to get any rhythm going and open things up. There were a few drops (and some PBUs/contested catches that likely could/should have been made) that also didn't help.

Watson did miss some passes. All QBs do. When he had time and guys were open, he generally seemed to get it to them. Unfortunately, both of those things happening at the same time didn't happen a ton.

Unfortunately, the idea that teams play like they practice applies and we kind of looked like we weren't used to (perhaps, the threat of) getting hit and holding onto the ball and/or getting hit from unexpected angles.

LOL, surely no one in their right mind believed Watson would take any responsibility for his play, did you? He's still living in his past and that he's an Elite QB. Unfortunately for him, the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league. Hopefully, the team and Watson get on track very soon. If not, you can expect Watson, his personal QB Coach, and probably his mommy to start taking some serious press shots at Stefanski. It has started already this week with his personal QB Coach - I would expect the wheels will fall off the relationship if another loss occurs this week. "Book em Danno"

I think it's actually pretty pointless to comp the two QB's at the moment - two wildly different teams and wildly different opponents.

With that said - freeze the video at 40 seconds. Remember all those videos people put together showing the amazing separation our WR's got with Stefanski's scheme and how it was the former QB that couldn't make the plays? Well at 40 seconds we have good separation of the two receivers in the screen - at least a yard. Maybe a yard and a half. Now in a former life and former QB - the QB would have been blamed for not hitting either guy, this year I've seen multiple comments about Bryant not running the right route so it wasn't Watson's fault ... but reality is we don't know who is at fault here.

Only other observation (and maybe a more important question?) and again a throw back to comments I remember at one time about Stefanski and his offense --- criticism (**Maybe it was MNF and the Mannings? - Maybe a talking head on TVC or radio) talking about how close together all the Browns receivers are when they run their routes. A criticism about congestion, being able to clear out routes or RAC, the fact that in a tip ball situation if you have multiple defenders in close proximity to a battted/tipped ball, bad things happen. Well I've noticed it a few tims since but again in the clip at 40 seconds you can see two recievers not 3 yards apart at the same depth on the field and they both seem to have made a cut and are looking back for the ball - it's not like one is on a streak and the other a hook, or one a slant and the other an out. I don't look out for it on other teams particularly but I don't **think that I see this??

I didn't see that his personal QB coach took any personal shot at Stefanski other than some reach of gigantic proportions some have taken to invent one.

But no, given how he acted in Houston as it pertains to him thinking he should have a say in naming the HC and GM after a 4-12 season, I don't expect him to take responsibility other than in post game press conferences where that's what he's supposed to do. Outside of that I expect to see exactly what I saw above in that Tweet. Nothing could have pleased me more than to have been wrong about watson when he came here. But thus far I'm seeing exactly what I had expected. Hopefully that will change moving forward.

2 games into the season and the blame game is in full force. I wonder whose Dad is going to come out next?

Browns is the Browns

j/c...

Here's Watson "not taking responsibility", for anyone that wants to avoid the peanut gallery and read for themselves:

Watched that play again.

Anyone that thinks the pick-6 is anyone's fault other than Bryant is nuts. Not only did he not catch a very catchable ball, but he tipped it up in the air. He did the exact same thing in the second half at around the same part of the field (likely was just incomplete). This is not a defense of Watson's game, merely an observation while watching 1 play.

Yep. Talking out both sides of his mouth. As I said, that's what I expect him to say in post game press conferences. Sadly you'll hear the opposite of that from him as well as we can see by the twitter post above.

To be fair, blocking CLE social media people is probably the smart move for any athlete, in general.

cleveland sports media is real close to the worst in the country, and by media, I'm talking about writers like MKC, the radio guys are excluded because Jim is a national treasure. He's to the Browns like Tait/mcleod was to the cavs and Hammy to the tribe.

I take it you haven't followed sports media in other NFL, NBA and MLB markets. The Cleveland sports media doesn't hold a candle to being "close to the worst in the country".

Why don't you post the whole interview so we have more context than a one-liner on Twitter.

Because it in no way changes the context of what he said.

He lost his composure (his own fault) and is just in a defensive position. Could be guilt, anything. There’s never one reason why anybody does/feels some type of way.

But he’s gotta find a way to get his confidence back. I know for sure I haven’t seen anything that has me questioning his effort, so gaining confidence back is tough, but doable. Two home games coming up, friendly home field (for now), and the Kareem resigning takes a tad bit of attention off him, especially if Kareem can take over the crowd early on Sunday.

But that’s the hard part that no amount of money can buy: rebuilding yourself in the public eye. Again, his own fault, but if we want the browns to win, we need him to get it together.

The talent is still there. He still has it, just need that mentality back.

"not being on the same page"


Please explain how it is possible, by any force in the universe, for an entire interview to not provide context to five words being snipped out of a sentence.

This should be good.

Everything you just said appears to be truth. What you didn't say is that overall, our D held their O to less than our O put on the board. This was ALL on the O and mostly on Watson. JMO

Try reading this slowly. That may help. After first accepting the blame he then spread it around. Now who is exactly that's responsible for getting the offensive uiit on "the same page"? Whose fault would it be that the offense isn't game ready and be on the same page come game time?

This should be good.

Does Watson deserve a healthy chunk of blame? Yes. The facemask penalties and short yardage fumble are on him. Did he miss some passes? Yes.

He can't catch the ball for other guys or do anything to prevent them from fumbling, though. He can't prevent Jed from completely whiffing on blocks. He can't throw perfect on time passes when the timing is disrupted by pressure in his face nearly instantly.

I'm not sure if the Steelers predicted what we would do better than we predicted what they would do or if our gameplan was just trying to cover up a potential weakness rather than playing to our strengths or what. I was not a fan of the personnel groupings we went with on O. Its almost like we had guys playing with one hand tied behind their backs. We were having everybody helping everybody in the blocking game instead of just giving more options for getting the ball out quick and spreading things out to simplify reads. Giving help sounds great, but if everyone isn't on the same page it ends badly... and it did... repeatedly.

Got it. He's not allowed to say he and his teammates weren't on the same page or it's him pointing fingers and not taking responsibility.

Funny how that's one of the most common phrases across thousands of interviews and it's usually taken with a grain of salt.

But here, supposedly, we have Watson intentionally scapegoating his teammates to escape responsibility for something he's already vehemently accepted blame for.

It's not his teammates responsibility to have the team ready, prepared and on the same page come game day. But hey, you're getting closer.

I think you only need to look back at last season when the defense said they were confused and not on the same page to see who that blame ends up falling on.

I have faith in you that you can figure that out.

You do understand what a disclaimer is don't you? It was my fault with the exception we weren't all on the same page.

And once again, who would that responsibility fall on.

I watched the game live, but I haven't gone back and looked (and I won't... nothing could motivate me to rewatch that game).

I felt he (Watson) was hesitant and indecisive. He seemed like he either wasn't comfortable in the offense, comfortable with his receivers, not trusting what he was seeing, or a combo. I specifically remember 3 plays where his hesitation was responsible for not hitting on big plays.
I also felt like the interior of our line was unusually porous. I felt those 3 guys' names were being called a LOT more frequently than what I'm used to hearing.


Pittsburgh is a well-coached defense. They don't have superstars after Watt and Minkah, but most of their front 7 are at least average. You put all your focus on a guy like Watt and give those guys an opening that they should be able to hit home (it's what they've been saying about everyone we've brought in opposite Garrett).

Watching the all-22 was actually a bit cathartic for me. Not sure watching a replay with commentary would be the same.

Watson wasn’t playing a little bad, he was woefully bad and has been since he’s been here. I’m sick of people making excuses for him. He’s a low character poor quality QB at this point. I’m not saying we can’t fix the play, but I have a feeling the character is set in stone. Never should have been given a chance to play again after all those women. Just my opinion, based on what I’ve seen and heard from him.

He's a $230 million dollar former probowl QB who can't get his TEAM on the same page., Got it

Who cares what Watson says and doesn't say? None of that changes the fact that he's not good. Receivers were running wide open all game. He just had no idea what to do. Who wants to roll the dice that it will improve?

This team is ready to win now. I think for the first time since '99 this defense is legit. It sucks to be held back by poor QB play. Not just poor QB play but a net negative actually being responsible for losses.

The best we can hope for is a tweaked hammy! We have a good QB on the roster. Free DTR!

Actually, to date, Watson has been paid approximately $91,047,058 for the 8 games played or $10,755,822 (minus the 5M NFL fine) per game played thus far and can't get his team on the same page - PRICELESS!

To put that in perspective, $10,755,822 pocketed for that singular stellar performance on the national stage of Monday Night Football - MORE THAN PRICELESS!

The math: 2022 immediate payout for the restructure: $44,965,000, 2022 salary: $1,035,000, 2022 Fine: -$5,000,000, 2023 immediate payout for the restructure: $44,920,000, 2023 salary: $1,080,000/17 games = $63,529.41 x 2 games = $127,058.82 for a grand total of $86,047,058 already paid for the 8 games played or $10,755,882 per game.

Great gig if you can get it,,,,,,,,,,,,,

So that means he's not taking responsibility and blaming his teammates?

Were they? Did you watch the all-22 or are there a bunch of incriminating clips on Twitter?

That's an interesting way to frame it. He's also being paid for future games. That's how signing bonuses work.

Of course, that's understood but the money he has been paid (already in his pocket) for the number of games he's played makes his performance to date even more sickening. His per game cost will decrease as each week passes but as of today, he's been paid over 10.77M for each of those 8 games and his performance has been bottom 5 in the league. That's a far cry from top 5 elite as demonstrated by his performance on the field.

Thank God we don't have to give our defense 8 plus games to get up to speed.

Defend him if you must, hes still a guy that's getting paid to do a job and part of that is getting his teammates on the same damn page. He's completely unsuccessful at that.. By is own admission.

I tend to agree with everyone who says he's an abject failure at this point. I was willing to be patient a few games last year, but I was pretty concerned at the end of the year when he was still pretty bad.

And he's looked WORSE this season ... not accurate, can't read a defense, lost a step, getting personal fouls, turning it over. He's a bottom 5 QB right now. It sucks.