DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Gameday vs New Orleans Watson in Concussion Protocol

Steelers get another victim ... Sanders in line to start



Ari Meirov
@MySportsUpdate
#Browns QB Deshaun Watson has been placed in concussion protocol after experiencing delayed symptoms from a helmet-to-helmet hit during Sunday's game vs. the #Steelers.

Watson was evaluated during the game and cleared to return. He also passed postgame and Monday morning evaluations without symptoms.

However, Watson reported Tuesday that he began experiencing concussion symptoms Monday night, prompting the team to place him in protocol.

Suuweet. We get to watch Chicken Little this Sunday.

I guess we may find out if our backup can play. I am fully prepared for excuses if he can't. If he plays well and is allowed to continue, the Browns will be in a huge advantage not being forced to draft a QB and have one on a rookie deal for 2 more years. But that is a significant if.

I don't have high hopes for Sanders to play adequately. I hope he proves me wrong

I agree, if he clears, he would be the choice. Can anybody explain why DW is starting if Monken would truly believe SS is better? I know Monken could believe he needs more "molding", but it just seems curious to me that all the folks that think SS would be a better option, can't give a reason why he isn't playing other than conspiracies, such as; Jimmy wants some return on the investment and he and Berry are making Monken start DW, or the league/other teams doesn't want him to be successful because he is Prime's son. I don't think those, just plenty I have read.

Only Sanders cult members actually think he would be the better starter and place any merit in those conspiracy theories.

There were posters on the board who thought starting Sanders was the better option, me included, but for the most part not because they thought he would actually make the better starter.

It was based on the long term goal verses the short term goal. There are very few people that believe there is any chance watson will be here next season. Therefore that leaves the huge question mark at the QB position and how do the Browns address that question?

Some people thought by allowing Sanders to start we could see if he develops. If he could be the answer to that question. If his progress could eliminate the need to use a lot of draft resources to draft a QB.

Others felt as if watson should start because he gives the team the best chance to win now. Others felt that winning more games this season would only put the team further down in the draft order and hurt the chances of getting one of the top two or three QB picks next year leaving the Browns the leftovers to choose from.

Monken chose the win now mode and we'll worry about next year, next year.

I won't attempt to say which one is the right choice even though my opinion differs from his. That's why they pay him the big bucks and not me. And I would have to say that's a pretty wise choice.

I know he didnt get practice time and stuff but Sanders looked pretty unprepared Sunday

Usually choices/decisions like these you may never know. You're correct, Watson 99% sure will not be here. I assumed they would give DW first shot, if they started 2-6, then they go with youth. I am always of the opinion that you try to win as many as you can. If you are OK with losing, it shows to your team, making retaining your young talent more difficult along with attracting better FAs. I also realize the conspiracy SS fans are sort of a lunatic fringe. It really would be a huge plus if he could become even above-average quickly. I think, other than OL, and some spot positions, our team is good enough to succeed, but these young guys won't be young forever.

I get what you're saying and I can see a legitimate argument for both sides. The thing is if you draft a top ranked QB it makes the young players want to stay and the FA's want to come. They see a legitimate chance to build something under that scenario. I don't see a QB on this roster at the current time they could think that way about.

I mean if we know watson isn't going to be here next season surely the players on the team realize that too. I don't think it would be coming from left field to think they wouldn't understand playing sanders to see where the team is moving forward at the QB position but maybe not.

Once again I think it simply boils down to looking at it from the short term aspect or the long term aspect.

But I guess if I had to boil it all down, IMO a HC gets paid to win games now and every week unless the FO and owner tell him otherwise. That would be the goal. So maybe in the end it's a good ting for Monken to win now and for the FO and owner to stay the hell out of things.

We've seen how them getting involved in the day to day process has played out before.

Yea, it was ugly. Two designed quick passes and he held the ball too long. Both plays we had an illegal man downfield penalty. Those penalties were Sanders fault due to him holding the ball too long.

The third play was something like 3rd and 20 (going off memory). The Steelers secondary were playing zone back at the first down marker. We actually had either Boston or Juedy open just on the outside of the right hash mark. Sanders had time to throw, whichever one (Boston or Juedy)it was ran a yard or two after the first down and turned around. All Sanders had to do was grip it and rip it. What made it frustrating was the vertical view of the play, Sanders is staring it down….(me watching the replay) …dude throw it. There is no other Browns player around, I know you are looking at him. Pull the trigger.

Instead he turns to his right and throws the ball in the flat way short of the marker.

Shedufus is a 1 read QB. If the first read isn't open right away, he is cooked. He doesn't know where the other receivers are going to be. He has to back-up and we are then always running fire drills. Sure, he makes some plays that get people excited, but fire drills can't be a standard part of your offense.

I'd rather see Gabriel.

I'd rather see Gabriel too. I have more trust that he won't take bad sacks and put the ball in jeopardy

You can always look at and judge a QB's decision making.

This is a very winnable game for us. We may not be one of the better teams, but New Orleans is not a good team. If we can win this game and beat the Texans at home, not an easy task, we can go into the bye at 7-3. That would be quite an accomplishment. This is what needs to be focused on. The Steelers game should be put behind us. We know what needs to be corrected so just do it.

I agree. The team and coaching staff was able to do that after the opening day Jags rout, so anything is possible. Fingers crossed.

I would even go as far as to say we should trounce NO.

They are not a good team AND we should give them matchup problems. They have a VERY 1-dimensional offense which should be mitigated by the strengths of our D (secondary). Put Ward on Olave and Campbell on Vele.... their run game should be contained even by our leaky front. Their QB is talented but very young (Shough).

I don't believe they have a very good defense. We should be able to move the ball and keep our D from getting tired out.

Do not play zone.
Wrap when you tackle.
Get Gabriel ready.