Deshaun Watson Off the Field Thread v3: 11 games, $5M

[Randolphkeys]

The Browns’ Bet On Deshaun Watson Was Doomed From The Start

The Browns’ reckless bet on quarterback Deshaun Watson is a failure. Desperate to change the team’s trajectory after just three winning seasons in the past 20 y…

fivethirtyeight.com

Just a premature victory lap article. Length and size of the article is less impressive than lasting power.

 

[Jscc]

The Browns’ Bet On Deshaun Watson Was Doomed From The Start

The Browns’ reckless bet on quarterback Deshaun Watson is a failure. Desperate to change the team’s trajectory after just three winning seasons in the past 20 y…

fivethirtyeight.com

Did the NFL give Watson the Pete Rose treatment or something that I am not aware of? Even if the NFL suspends him for 12 games he will play some games this season and be free for next season.

This is like saying the Clippers' signing Kawhi Leonard was a failure because he missed most of the season.

 

[Urban]

The 2022 season was doomed either way. Let's say the Browns gave up when Watson turned them down initially and he chose New Orleans or Atlanta: where would the Browns be right now?

They'd either have a very malcontent Baker Mayfield or maybe a Matt Ryan or Jimmy G. Maybe you make the playoffs with any of those guys but your ceiling is likely 1 playoff win max. And then maybe before the draft they push all their chips in a la the 49ers to grab Bryce Young or Stroud.

I think it's fair to have second thoughts about the trade currently, for any number of reasons, but yeah, let's maybe check back in a few years.

 

[Mr. Orange]

That 538 article is terrible journalism

 

[2 For The Brew]

One time I was waiting to use a trough and noticed there were two chicks in the men's room waiting to use the stalls. They were openly checking out the guys at the troughs.

 

[HammerGold]

Did the NFL give Watson the Pete Rose treatment or something that I am not aware of? Even if the NFL suspends him for 12 games he will play some games this season and be free for next season.

This is like saying the Clippers' signing Kawhi Leonard was a failure because he missed most of the season.

I would definitely say the Browns overpaid if he gets suspended a full season. That's also 2 full years missed so how long would it take him to return to form.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

One time I was waiting to use a trough and noticed there were two chicks in the men's room waiting to use the stalls. They were openly checking out the guys at the troughs.

Between the trough experience at Wrigley and at old Browns Stadium, any woman willing to sit in stalls in those bathrooms just to get a peep at some johnson is missing more than just a few brain cells.

 

[CBBI]

One thing I will say that I've seen a LOT of over the last 24-48 hours - not so much in this thread, but around the internet - is this idea that a lot of fans seem to have that Watson and the NFLPA's only goal is to get the smallest suspension possible and get Watson back on the field as quickly as possible.

And I just don't think that's the case for Watson or the NFLPA. Obviously a short suspension would be the perfect scenario, but there's many circumstances beyond that IMO.

-can he even get the Browns to the playoffs in 2022 playing X number of games?
-will his contract accrue or toll for 2022?
-how big is the fine?
-does mandatory counseling include some sort of admission of guilt and/or some sort of mandatory show of public contrition?

There's a lot more things at play here, many of them tied to Watson's current and future earning ability, that go beyond "get me back on the field as quickly as possible no matter what!"

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

I would definitely say the Browns overpaid if he gets suspended a full season. That's also 2 full years missed so how long would it take him to return to form.

Him missing a full year is better than 10 games to be honest. He doesn't accrue a contract year if he misses 12 or more.

As others mentioned, Browns were going to have to give up picks for Jimmy G or Ryan and neither was a long-term solution. Without question Watson has baggage, but he's still very young, and is ultimately why you could justify giving up the picks despite the circumstances.

I think people are probably over-estimating the "return to form" time. I'm sure he'll have some rust to knock off, but I don't really think it'll take him that long. Keep in mind that even league average QB play last year gives the Browns probably 10-11 wins last season. As long as the defense keeps improving in the way it has, the team will be able to keep itself afloat until Watson gets back to the top 5 type level, whether that's in 2022 or 2023.

 

[Jscc]

I would definitely say the Browns overpaid if he gets suspended a full season. That's also 2 full years missed so how long would it take him to return to form.

The alternative is to draft a new QB, take the same (or more) amount of time as Watson's suspension to develop, and then hope he pans out. No thank you.

 

[bushwick_bill]

That 538 article is terrible journalism

I won't read it but I am sure one of my insufferable Baker Bros buds will text it to me and try to shove it down my throat... LOL

 

[CuriousMinds]

Keep in mind that even league average QB play last year gives the Browns probably 10-11 wins last season. As long as the defense keeps improving in the way it has, the team will be able to keep itself afloat

I’ll bite, name the QBs

The defense looks good in certain areas, but they have massive issues in 4th down conversions and red zone conversion. That’s gangster talk for the interior defensive line sucks

 

[Mr. Orange]

I won't read it but I am sure one of my insufferable Baker Bros buds will text it to me and try to shove it down my throat... LOL

Don’t read it. It’s terrible. Even referenced debunked allegations like forced oral sex.

Just have to weather the storm.

 

[red.]

 

[HammerGold]

The alternative is to draft a new QB, take the same (or more) amount of time as Watson's suspension to develop, and then hope he pans out. No thank you.

First round draft picks are gold in the NFL. No way he would have cost as much if it was already established he'd miss the entire year. Last year's first round pick wasn't even late and neither will this year's if he misses the year.