DeShaun Watson Situation Not Unfolding Well

"KeyFin wrote:

It was announced today that they plan to build a billion dollar stadium (in Cleveland). It is truly bewildering BUT their current stadium and facilities are by far the worst in the NFL. The players still have to cross the street in traffic to get from the locker rooms to the practice field...it's almost comical how much that organization stinks.

My father in law lives up there and we went to one of their summer practice sessions back when they drafted Johnny Manziel. The city was buzzing because of Manziel and my wife and I happened to visit during the time when they were holding practices. It was literally right before preseason started. The facility that we went to watch the practice was literally in a neighborhood which I thought was really cool. We parked the car and walked for about a half a mile through what was basically a city neighborhood in downtown Cleveland. All of a sudden we stumble right into the practice facility and watched Johnny Manziel throw picks and get mad because Brian Hoyer was going to take his job. The one thing that I do like about the city is that the city/people and the Browns are almost as one. It's pretty cool and honestly has kind of a throwback feel to it. Almost as if they are still stuck in an earlier era. I've been to the Tampa stadium, Nashville, Carolina and those all have a more modern feel to them. Not since Veterans stadium in Philly where I lived did I get the vibe that Cleveland gave. Definitely behind the times I guess, but still pretty cool. I don't blame them for finally building a new stadium and re-doing everything. It's about time. Getting off topic here, I really feel for their fanbase up there. I mean, you talk about die hard, never give up on your team type of followers. They love that team despite all the stupid stuff that happens. Bernie Kosar is legendary up there! You'd think he won them five Super Bowls or something. I hate the situation and how it's unfolded with both Mayfield and Watson. The Browns always seem to dig themselves a deep hole with the choices they make.

"Irishman wrote:

So you are saying to treat his non-playing time as time served?

Not at all. Last year he was paid. Effectively, it was like being benched.

If Watson is suspended a whole season, that'll be TWO years without playing. He's going to be rusty as hell.

The worst thing about all of this is how The Browns, by giving Watson almost a quarter of a billion dollar contract, completely screwed the QB market for anyone else going forward. Totally sucks.

"OwesOwn614 wrote:

A new lawsuit alleges the Houston Texans were told that Deshaun Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions, but “turned a blind eye” to the quarterback's behavior and even provided him with resources to enable his actions. https://t.co/1bACRRrSMJ

— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) June 27, 2022

I touched on that several weeks ago- instead of confronting him when they learned he was seeking massages via Instagram and women were complaining, they told him to fill out non-disclosures so he or the team couldn't be sued. Watson also used team hotels for several of these sessions since he was advised by the team not to bring these women to his home. To me anyway, that makes the team an accessory in all of this mess.

Again, I can't accurately describe how thrilled I am that Watson didn't come to the Dolphins. It will be interesting to see if the women who filed non-disclosures can participate in this lawsuit as well. The Texans were the easier target this entire time because they will have to settle quickly...there's no way they try to defend this.

"KeyFin wrote:

Again, I can't accurately describe how thrilled I am that Watson didn't come to the Dolphins.

Amen to that.

I’m sure that the league would like to fast forward to September so there was something else to talk about other than this story, which has now dragged a second franchise into the muck. It’s even pushed the disgrace that is Washington and the Flores lawsuit out of the sports news.

"Sceeto wrote:

The worst thing about all of this is how The Browns, by giving Watson almost a quarter of a billion dollar contract, completely screwed the QB market for anyone else going forward. Totally sucks.

Plan ahead - LOL

This topic doesn't seem to ever end. If you look not-so-hard, there seems to be a new story on Watson a few times per week.

"Sceeto wrote:

The worst thing about all of this is how The Browns, by giving Watson almost a quarter of a billion dollar contract, completely screwed the QB market for anyone else going forward. Totally sucks.

I wonder if that's playing a role in the Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson contracts. Team's trying to claim that the Brown's are lunatics and haven't reset the market, whilst the players are going I want the same as him.

"Wilkimania wrote:

I wonder if that's playing a role in the Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson contracts. Team's trying to claim that the Brown's are lunatics and haven't reset the market, whilst the players are going I want the same as him.

I think Kyler Murray is contemplating an exit from the NFL (for baseball), so that one's unique. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is a nightmare as well because he's not a long-term franchise QB. I don't know if either inks a deal this offseason.

"Wilkimania wrote:

I wonder if that's playing a role in the Kyler Murray or Lamar Jackson contracts. Team's trying to claim that the Brown's are lunatics and haven't reset the market, whilst the players are going I want the same as him.

Probably. It's definitely going to be a problem. It's a done deal. No way to avoid it now.

"KeyFin wrote:

I think Kyler Murray is contemplating an exit from the NFL (for baseball), so that one's unique. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is a nightmare as well because he's not a long-term franchise QB. I don't know if either inks a deal this offseason.

It would have been interesting if he used that as leverage this offseason but I don't think anyone could picture Kyler walking away from the massive contract he is about to get to hang out in the minor leagues for a couple years.

"Fireland wrote:

It would have been interesting if he used that as leverage this offseason but I don't think anyone could picture Kyler walking away from the massive contract he is about to get to hang out in the minor leagues for a couple years.

The read that I get is that he's feeling entitled and acting like a spoiled brat. It's honestly very similar to the Watson situation before the massage stuff broke. It sounds like the organization is doing everything they can to make him feel appreciated, but at the same time they're not going to offer huge guarantees with a kid who's threatening to leave the game. His own temper tantrums are costing him here and I think that's great....let the man-child cry "poor me".

"KeyFin wrote:

I think Kyler Murray is contemplating an exit from the NFL (for baseball), so that one's unique. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is a nightmare as well because he's not a long-term franchise QB. I don't know if either inks a deal this offseason.

Interesting points on both. I think the Cards could be in for a rough season, and I think if that happens, the scales tilt in favor of Murray leaving for baseball.
The Ravens are in a tough spot - as you said, Jackson is not a franchise QB, but with the arms race in the AFC, it’s difficult to see them letting him go.

DeShaun Watson Situation Not Unfolding Well

But it is collapsing excellently - LOL

"Fishhead wrote:

Interesting points on both. I think the Cards could be in for a rough season, and I think if that happens, the scales tilt in favor of Murray leaving for baseball.
The Ravens are in a tough spot - as you said, Jackson is not a franchise QB, but with the arms race in the AFC, it’s difficult to see them letting him go.

Could they replace him with "Rosen" - LOL

"Fishhead wrote:

Interesting points on both. I think the Cards could be in for a rough season, and I think if that happens, the scales tilt in favor of Murray leaving for baseball.
The Ravens are in a tough spot - as you said, Jackson is not a franchise QB, but with the arms race in the AFC, it’s difficult to see them letting him go.

Yeah, I completely agree. Lamar Jackson reminds me of Cam Newton- a truly great, unstoppable QB...until he's stopped. And we showed the blueprint last year of how to shut him down, which was copied in the playoffs for a quick Baltimore exit. Jackson is still young but you have to assume his game will diminish just like every other dual-threat QB, and I really don't know how many years he has left in his prime. Maybe 2 or 3 more? I don't see how you give a guy like that a max contract, even when he's still clearly elite today.

For Murray, there's a maturity factor there that concerns me. With one foot out the door already, I don't see how you trust him long-term to put in the work and have the right attitude. It makes me think of Johnny Manziel or Justin Herbert; the maturity concerns were there for both of them as well and we see two completely different outcomes and career paths. That's not a check I'd want to write in Arizona's shoes...I really would consider seeing what Josh Rosen is doing these days, LOL.

On the Lamar stuff I find it fascinating that he's his own agent in all of this and so am definitely intrigued to see the numbers that get floated around for his offers. Also, what quarterback doesn't eventually get found out? The difference between the greats and the guys that flame out are that the greats find a way to adapt their game to become a force which Lamar will have to do if he wants to get back to that MVP season he had a few years ago.

If he does only have a couple years left and he knows that then I wonder if he looks to go down the Kirk Cousin route and basically live on franchise tags and short term deals. Maximise his income whilst he still can.

"KeyFin wrote:

Yeah, I completely agree. Lamar Jackson reminds me of Cam Newton- a truly great, unstoppable QB...until he's stopped. And we showed the blueprint last year of how to shut him down, which was copied in the playoffs for a quick Baltimore exit. Jackson is still young but you have to assume his game will diminish just like every other dual-threat QB, and I really don't know how many years he has left in his prime. Maybe 2 or 3 more? I don't see how you give a guy like that a max contract, even when he's still clearly elite today.

For Murray, there's a maturity factor there that concerns me. With one foot out the door already, I don't see how you trust him long-term to put in the work and have the right attitude. It makes me think of Johnny Manziel or Justin Herbert; the maturity concerns were there for both of them as well and we see two completely different outcomes and career paths. That's not a check I'd want to write in Arizona's shoes...I really would consider seeing what Josh Rosen is doing these days, LOL.

One thing I think Lamar Jackson has over Cam Newton is that Lamar Jackson is far more accurate than Cam Newton. Lamar Jackson throws a very pretty ball.

I watched a video by AlexRollins that states that Kyler Murray can't see the middle of the field. I don't know if it cherry picking but it looked like a huge concern.

"KeyFin wrote:

I touched on that several weeks ago- instead of confronting him when they learned he was seeking massages via Instagram and women were complaining, they told him to fill out non-disclosures so he or the team couldn't be sued. Watson also used team hotels for several of these sessions since he was advised by the team not to bring these women to his home. To me anyway, that makes the team an accessory in all of this mess.

Again, I can't accurately describe how thrilled I am that Watson didn't come to the Dolphins. It will be interesting to see if the women who filed non-disclosures can participate in this lawsuit as well. The Texans were the easier target this entire time because they will have to settle quickly...there's no way they try to defend this.

I'm not an attorney but I'm pretty sure any contract even an NDA is void if it perpetuates a crime.

Ok, this probably won't happen but....

The most "Cleveland Browns" thing to happen would be the following (and very funny)
1. Watson gets suspended long term. If not a year, then most of the year.
2. Somehow Mayfield stays in Cleveland and plays while Watson is out.
3. Mayfield plays great, the Browns win a lot of games under in, head to the playoffs.
4. Mayfield gets the support of his teammates with is play, and the fanbase.
5. Cleveland ends up losing in the playoffs somehow (it wouldn't be cleveland without the loss)
6. At the end of the year Cleveland has: Mayfield playing his best pro ball, a team and fanbase that is embracing Mayfield, a bright(er) future with Mayfield, and a Watson contract they can't get out of.

Not likely to happen, but I almost want to see something like that unfold for just entertainment value.

"EastcoastEZ wrote:

Ok, this probably won't happen but....

The most "Cleveland Browns" thing to happen would be the following (and very funny)
1. Watson gets suspended long term. If not a year, then most of the year.
2. Somehow Mayfield stays in Cleveland and plays while Watson is out.
3. Mayfield plays great, the Browns win a lot of games under in, head to the playoffs.
4. Mayfield gets the support of his teammates with is play, and the fanbase.
5. Cleveland ends up losing in the playoffs somehow (it wouldn't be cleveland without the loss)
6. At the end of the year Cleveland has: Mayfield playing his best pro ball, a team and fanbase that is embracing Mayfield, a bright(er) future with Mayfield, and a Watson contract they can't get out of.

Not likely to happen, but I almost want to see something like that unfold for just entertainment value.

That would be entertaining.

"EastcoastEZ wrote:

Ok, this probably won't happen but....

The most "Cleveland Browns" thing to happen would be the following (and very funny)
1. Watson gets suspended long term. If not a year, then most of the year.
2. Somehow Mayfield stays in Cleveland and plays while Watson is out.
3. Mayfield plays great, the Browns win a lot of games under in, head to the playoffs.
4. Mayfield gets the support of his teammates with is play, and the fanbase.
5. Cleveland ends up losing in the playoffs somehow (it wouldn't be cleveland without the loss)
6. At the end of the year Cleveland has: Mayfield playing his best pro ball, a team and fanbase that is embracing Mayfield, a bright(er) future with Mayfield, and a Watson contract they can't get out of.

Not likely to happen, but I almost want to see something like that unfold for just entertainment value.

Isn't that the ideal scenario for the Browns? They'd have a line of suitors for a Mayfield trade at that point.

"Wilkimania wrote:

Isn't that the ideal scenario for the Browns? They'd have a line of suitors for a Mayfield trade at that point.

Not really, The contracts of Mayfield and Watson all but guarantee Mayfield has to be cut not traded in that scenario.