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

[chrisrich91]

I promise you, Watson playing in 6-8 games is not getting us to the playoffs.

I agree with that.

I would take solace, however, in the idea that Watson could use those games to knock some of the rust off with live game reps. Otherwise he needs to do that in games that matter in 2023...with an even longer time away from the game to overcome.

If this season is a lost cause I want to set ourselves up for success in 2023 the best we can.

 

[Triplethreat]

Maybe not, but there are winnable games early.

Let's say Watson's suspended 10 games... could Brissett go 4-6 in the first 10 games? If it's 12 games, could Brissett manage to go 5-7?

If Brissett can win 4 of the first 10 or 5 of the first 12, there's at least a chance the Browns could still make the playoffs.

Our defense would have to take an absolutely MASSIVE step forward for that to become a reality.

I agree with that.

I would take solace, however, in the idea that Watson could use those games to knock some of the rust off with live game reps. Otherwise he needs to do that in games that matter in 2023...with an even longer time away from the game to overcome.

If this season is a lost cause I want to set ourselves up for success in 2023 the best we can.

The extra cap from him sitting a whole season would help us a hell of a lot more than knocking some rust off.

 

[CBBI]

Even if the Browns end up not making the playoffs, if they can grind out a few of those winnable on paper games early in the season, they'd at the very least be playing meaningful games upon Watson's return and that's nothing to shake a stick at.

Yeah it might be unrealistic to expect Watson to immediately knock off the rust and go 5-2, but to suggest it absolutely couldn't happen... I dunno about that.

 

[CBBI]

Our defense would have to take an absolutely MASSIVE step forward for that to become a reality.

The extra cap from him sitting a whole season would help us a hell of a lot more than knocking some rust off.

If Watson isn't suspended for the entire season, the Browns are gonna convert his 2023 base salary into a signing bonus anyway, so this isn't as beneficial as you think.

You're talking about a difference of about $9M ultimately. Not going to make or break anything.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Our defense would have to take an absolutely MASSIVE step forward for that to become a reality.



The extra cap from him sitting a whole season would help us a hell of a lot more than knocking some rust off.

I think you overestimate how far our defense was from being very, very good last year.

Remember, we were absolutely decimated by injury and we still finished:

• #14 in points per game
• #14 in expected points added
• #2 in yards per play

This includes those incredibly ugly blowouts early in the year.

If you look down the stretch, our numbers are incredible.

The potential for us to be a top defense is there. Simply adding JOK makes an enormous difference, not to mention another year in the system for our new additions from last year.

The Browns, with Brissett, very well could go 6-11 on the year, but if you told me we went 11-6 and won the division, I'd believe you.

I'd bet more heavily on the former than the latter. I think Brissett sucks. But success is still within the realm of possibility. I'll take us with Brissett over the roster of the 2021 Titans--and they were the #1 seed in the AFC.

 

[Triplethreat]

I think you overestimate how far our defense was from being very, very good last year.

Remember, we were absolutely decimated by injury and we still finished:

• #14 in points per game
• #14 in expected points added
• #2 in yards per play

This includes those incredibly ugly blowouts early in the year.

If you look down the stretch, our numbers are incredible.

The potential for us to be a top defense is there. Simply adding JOK makes an enormous difference, not to mention another year in the system for our new additions from last year.

The Browns, with Brissett, very well could go 6-11 on the year, but if you told me we went 11-6 and won the division, I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility as well.

I'd bet more heavily on the former than the latter. I think Brissett sucks. But success is still within the realm of possibility. I'll take us with Brissett over the roster of the 2021 Titans--and they were the #1 seed in the AFC.

Yeah, I wouldn't..

 

[Vee-Rex]

A record of 9-8 could win this division. Is it likely to happen? Maybe not. But Brissett going 5-5 or 4-6 in 10 games DOES open the door for a possible division run at Watson's return (if 10 games) or wildcard depending on how badly the AFC beat up on each other.

If you're the type of Browns fan who is insecure about your own expectations and actively try to downplay chances in order to soften the blow of disappointment, then that's between you and your god to remediate. The rest of us don't think a 10 or less game suspension automatically means the season is lost even if the odds aren't in our favor.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

Yeah, I wouldn't..

At times, their offense was Ryan Tannehill, with D'Onta Foreman and Dontrell HIlliard as the top two backs, with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the top receiving threat.... with an offensive line and defense that have less talent than ours on paper.

You can point to the abysmal AFC South as the reason for their record, but the point remains that their team wasn't significantly better than our 2022 roster.

 

[CuriousMinds]

When the front office adds quality interior defensive tackles that’s when the overall team defense takes shape.

The bend but don’t break defense is one of the worst in the red zone. That’s gonna kill us.

 

[Vee-Rex]

When the front office adds quality interior defensive tackles that’s when the overall team defense takes shape.

The bend but don’t break defense is one of the worst in the red zone. That’s gonna kill us.

There is still time to figure out our interior DT position. Guys like Jordan Elliot are on their last legs to do something, and Perrion Winfrey will have an opportunity to develop into an impact player. Roster cuts are around the corner and we may have an opportunity at some talent there.

I get it... we want all pros at every position. But if we are going to field a team that competes for years while paying big money to QB1, the o-line, DE1, CB1, and having money invested in solid TEs, RBs and DBs, then certain positions are going to need to see development from our young players. Believe it or not, DT is one of those positions, as well as LB and WR 2/3.

 

[red.]

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Would be fucking awful for us if that happened.

Not ideal as it almost certainly eliminates the Browns from the playoffs. More than anything, the most important thing for Browns/Watson at this point is avoiding a full year suspension. Then they can at least get a look at what the team could look like next season with Watson and get a better idea what they need with Watson.

Plus, if it's less than a full year Watson avoids having to apply for re-instatement. This is the bigger deal as we have absolutely no idea how the league might behave when applying for re-instatement.

 

[CBBI]

 

[CBBI]

 

[Vee-Rex]

NFL hasn't been in contact with Peter C. Harvey?