QB Deshaun Watson, CLE (2 Viewers)

[Maurile Tremblay]

It makes sense for Watson to keep it at 11 games. He needed 6 games to get a year of service time in.

He's a vested veteran, additional accrued seasons don't mean much to him.

The articles I have read on the settlement point out that by playing in 6 games, this season would qualify Watson for an accrued season. Not really sure if that matters or not at this point in his career. Maybe @Maurile Tremblay can add some perspective.

I don't think he needs any more accrued seasons. (How many accrued seasons a player has determines whether he'll be restricted or unrestricted when he hits free agency. Watson already has enough to be unrestricted.) He wants to avoid having his contract tolled, but that's between him and the Browns. The contract may already say that it won't be tolled during a suspension; and even if it doesn't, the Browns could agree to that now as part of the settlement. So I don't think the number of games means a lot in terms of contractual ramifications.

 

[Hankmoody]

It makes sense for Watson to keep it at 11 games. He needed 6 games to get a year of service time in.

He's a vested veteran, additional accrued seasons don't mean much to him.

The articles I have read on the settlement point out that by playing in 6 games, this season would qualify Watson for an accrued season. Not really sure if that matters or not at this point in his career. Maybe @Maurile Tremblay can add some perspective.

Correct it does, and if he only had 5 games it wouldn't, but the accrued season is pretty meaningless to vested veterans. Once they clear the RFA -> UFA barrier (4 accrued seasons) the extra seniority doesn't mean much if anything to them. That's why rookie contracts are such a key milestone, because losing accrued seasons via holdout or otherwise push that UFA season out another year. Mixon/Cook were the most recent ones popularized as having no leverage to force extensions prior to completing those rookie contracts due to this.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

if the one case that is left declined to give the NFL any information/details at the time the NFL was investigating....and then agree to once Watson is found guilty/liable (let's say assuming he is)....then this would theoretically be "new information" and a new case and a new violation of the PCP...?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

with the one case against him still pending a civil trail....and if it wasn't one of the cases the NFL presented to Robinson....if that case is not "settled" and he is found/guilty /liable....can the NFL bring that back up as another/additional violation of the PCP....?....and basically ask for more games once the case comes to a conclusion....

No. The civil (and criminal) cases don't have anything to do with this. The league's investigation is separate from them. If Watson is held liable in a civil case, his punishment by the league won't increase. If Watson is found not liable in a civil case, his punishment won't decrease. That would have been true even without a settlement with the league. It's even more true with a settlement.

 

[Anarchy99]

with the one case against him still pending a civil trail....and if it wasn't one of the cases the NFL presented to Robinson....if that case is not "settled" and he is found/guilty /liable....can the NFL bring that back up as another/additional violation of the PCP....?....and basically ask for more games once the case comes to a conclusion....

No. The civil (and criminal) cases don't have anything to do with this. The league's investigation is separate from them. If Watson is held liable in a civil case, his punishment by the league won't increase. If Watson is found not liable in a civil case, his punishment won't decrease. That would have been true even without a settlement with the league. It's even more true with a settlement.

If 10 more women file civil complaints for incidents prior to today, would those be covered by today's agreement, or would the league be able to launch another investigation and extend his suspension? Or does the settlement today give Watson a clean slate for similar incidents that might still come to light? (I don't see any language on that in the league's statement). I would think that any incidents from today forward would have to be considered new (and therefore subject to a new case and potential new punishment).

 

[Da Guru]

I had originally been in the 6-8 games suspension. As a Browns fan, I am good with the 11 games and the fine. Hoping this is behind us and we can move forward. Hoping Brissett can shock us all and keep us above .500. By the way Watson looked in the first preseason game, I doubt he is going to be very sharp his first game back.

Do you think it is just a coincidence that Watsons first game back is against the Houton Texans? Now you know why it was settled at 11 games.

Never underestimate the NFL in getting the max out of every situation. Just like Breast Cancer and the Military.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

with the one case against him still pending a civil trail....and if it wasn't one of the cases the NFL presented to Robinson....if that case is not "settled" and he is found/guilty /liable....can the NFL bring that back up as another/additional violation of the PCP....?....and basically ask for more games once the case comes to a conclusion....

No. The civil (and criminal) cases don't have anything to do with this. The league's investigation is separate from them. If Watson is held liable in a civil case, his punishment by the league won't increase. If Watson is found not liable in a civil case, his punishment won't decrease. That would have been true even without a settlement with the league. It's even more true with a settlement.

what if during their initial investigation they weren't given any details/ information from the "victim"...or let's say they didn't even ask for information from the victim....but now they either get information from the victim or attempt to get information from the victim.... and they get it.....wouldn't that be new information and possibly a new violation...?

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I had originally been in the 6-8 games suspension. As a Browns fan, I am good with the 11 games and the fine. Hoping this is behind us and we can move forward. Hoping Brissett can shock us all and keep us above .500. By the way Watson looked in the first preseason game, I doubt he is going to be very sharp his first game back.

Do you think it is just a coincidence that Watsons first game back is against the Houton Texans? Now you know why it was settled at 11 games.

Never underestimate the NFL in getting the max out of every situation. Just like Breast Cancer and the Military.

#metoo probably disagrees right now....

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

with the one case against him still pending a civil trail....and if it wasn't one of the cases the NFL presented to Robinson....if that case is not "settled" and he is found/guilty /liable....can the NFL bring that back up as another/additional violation of the PCP....?....and basically ask for more games once the case comes to a conclusion....

No. The civil (and criminal) cases don't have anything to do with this. The league's investigation is separate from them. If Watson is held liable in a civil case, his punishment by the league won't increase. If Watson is found not liable in a civil case, his punishment won't decrease. That would have been true even without a settlement with the league. It's even more true with a settlement.

If 10 more women file civil complaints for incidents prior to today, would those be covered by today's agreement, or would the league be able to launch another investigation and extend his suspension? Or does the settlement today give Watson a clean slate for similar incidents that might still come to light? (I don't see any language on that in the league's statement). I would think that any incidents from today forward would have to be considered new (and therefore subject to a new case and potential new punishment).

The settlement agreement hasn't been made public (to my knowledge), but there's nearly a 100% chance that it settles the matter with regard to every claim prior to today relating to any massage therapist Watson has ever met. Both sides want this to be final. Watson is very unlikely to have agreed to anything that isn't final.

 

[Anarchy99]

with the one case against him still pending a civil trail....and if it wasn't one of the cases the NFL presented to Robinson....if that case is not "settled" and he is found/guilty /liable....can the NFL bring that back up as another/additional violation of the PCP....?....and basically ask for more games once the case comes to a conclusion....

No. The civil (and criminal) cases don't have anything to do with this. The league's investigation is separate from them. If Watson is held liable in a civil case, his punishment by the league won't increase. If Watson is found not liable in a civil case, his punishment won't decrease. That would have been true even without a settlement with the league. It's even more true with a settlement.

If 10 more women file civil complaints for incidents prior to today, would those be covered by today's agreement, or would the league be able to launch another investigation and extend his suspension? Or does the settlement today give Watson a clean slate for similar incidents that might still come to light? (I don't see any language on that in the league's statement). I would think that any incidents from today forward would have to be considered new (and therefore subject to a new case and potential new punishment).

The settlement agreement hasn't been made public (to my knowledge), but there's nearly a 100% chance that it settles the matter with regard to every claim prior to today relating to any massage therapist Watson has ever met. Both sides want this to be final. Watson is very unlikely to have agreed to anything that isn't final.

LINK to the statement the league released. I realize the official settlement agreement is different. We may never get to see the full agreement and all terms, conditions, and provisos.

 

[GregR]

Saw Kevin Stefansky's press conference. Thought he handled the questions very well.

Also saw excerpts of the Haslam's and Berry. Definitely didn't handle it as well.

I chuckled at when Dee Haslam started speaking at 1:45 and her husband had a pretty straight face. And then right around 2:00 where she mentions donating $1 million towards educating youth, his mouth puckers like he just bit into a lemon.

 

[need2know]

Pretty good deal for him considering all the raping

 

[Godsbrother]

I had originally been in the 6-8 games suspension. As a Browns fan, I am good with the 11 games and the fine. Hoping this is behind us and we can move forward. Hoping Brissett can shock us all and keep us above .500. By the way Watson looked in the first preseason game, I doubt he is going to be very sharp his first game back.

Do you think it is just a coincidence that Watsons first game back is against the Houton Texans? Now you know why it was settled at 11 games.

Never underestimate the NFL in getting the max out of every situation. Just like Breast Cancer and the Military.

Actually the story I heard before the suspension is the NFL was holding out for a 12 game suspension so he would miss the Texans game. Obviously that was not the case

 

[Ministry of Pain]

There are no winners today

 

[GregR]

There are no winners today

Texans won pretty much a whole nation cheering for them week 13.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

There are no winners today

Texans won pretty much a whole nation cheering for them week 13.

That might be the one Texan game that the networks make room for.

 

[Anarchy99]

There are no winners today

Texans won pretty much a whole nation cheering for them week 13.

That might be the one Texan game that the networks make room for.

As things stand currently, the Sunday night game is slated to be IND / DAL. CLE / HOU is an early game, and other early games include DEN / BAL and TEN / PHI. Those other games will probably feature more competitive games with playoff caliber teams (who knows once we get there what the landscape will look like). Other than the Watson angle, by that point both the Browns and Texans could have losing records.

 

[zeeshan2]

[Cabot] Statement from attorney Tony Buzbee on #Browns Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension

By settling this matter the way he has, Roger Goodell has proven one of two things: either his recent rhetoric was utter baloney, or his bark is much worse than his bite. My belief is that he is nothing more than a paper tiger. The message today to all victims is clear, if you believe you have been sexually assaulted by a powerful person, keep your mouth shut and go away. The NFL has certainly demonstrated that its ownership and the organization doesn't care. To all sexual assault survivors, do not allow this recent "punishment" to deter you. Keep speaking up and keep speaking out. Your voice matters. You are making a difference. We stand with you. - Tony Buzbee

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Deshaun Watson on why he’s apologizing then: “For everybody that was affected by this situation. There were a lot of people that were triggered.”

https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1560303046479040520

What a swell guy.

 

[Chaka]

Whatever, he's still a ######$$$

 

[CamelGod]

On the radio (forget who) on Saturday, the speculation was that the NFL loves scheduling stuff like Bucs @ Pats after Brady went to the Bucs, etc. and because the Browns aren’t scheduled fo play the Texans until later in the year, (Dec 4th) that’s indicative that Watson is facing a lengthy suspension. Otherwise why not schedule that matchup out of the gate?

Note: not my conspiracy theory, just saying what I heard.

This aged well. May 18th.

 

[MAC_32]

There are no winners today

Texans won pretty much a whole nation cheering for them week 13.

I'm embracing being the enemy, but those who feel strongly enough about this to root for a team in which they had no affiliation with and enabled this behavior would be more than a little funny.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

On the radio (forget who) on Saturday, the speculation was that the NFL loves scheduling stuff like Bucs @ Pats after Brady went to the Bucs, etc. and because the Browns aren’t scheduled fo play the Texans until later in the year, (Dec 4th) that’s indicative that Watson is facing a lengthy suspension. Otherwise why not schedule that matchup out of the gate?

Note: not my conspiracy theory, just saying what I heard.

This aged well. May 18th.

Was just reporting what I’d heard.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

On the radio (forget who) on Saturday, the speculation was that the NFL loves scheduling stuff like Bucs @ Pats after Brady went to the Bucs, etc. and because the Browns aren’t scheduled fo play the Texans until later in the year, (Dec 4th) that’s indicative that Watson is facing a lengthy suspension. Otherwise why not schedule that matchup out of the gate?

Note: not my conspiracy theory, just saying what I heard.

This aged well. May 18th.

Was just reporting what I’d heard.

I think for once that phrase wasn’t used sarcastically.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

On the radio (forget who) on Saturday, the speculation was that the NFL loves scheduling stuff like Bucs @ Pats after Brady went to the Bucs, etc. and because the Browns aren’t scheduled fo play the Texans until later in the year, (Dec 4th) that’s indicative that Watson is facing a lengthy suspension. Otherwise why not schedule that matchup out of the gate?

Note: not my conspiracy theory, just saying what I heard.

This aged well. May 18th.

Was just reporting what I’d heard.

I think for once that phrase wasn’t used sarcastically.

Yep - I gathered as much. Just sayin - I don’t get credit for someone else’s conspiracy theory.

 

[Anarchy99]

Haven’t read all the posts since the news broke, so not sure if it was covered out not. But the league put some requirements in that Watson has to comply with or he will get more than 11 games. LINK

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Haven’t read all the posts since the news broke, so not sure if it was covered out not. But the league put some requirements in that Watson has to comply with or he will get more than 11 games. LINK

Wonder if Vegas is taking odds.

Sexual predators have a very high rate of recidivism. I’m just sayin.

Just imagine the circus if he were caught in a massage parlor sting in his tiny towel.

 

[daveR]

Deshaun Watson on why he’s apologizing then: “For everybody that was affected by this situation. There were a lot of people that were triggered.”

https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1560303046479040520

What a swell guy.

It kinda looks like his legal team told him this was being fought on three fronts -- the criminal side, the NFL side, and the civil side. The first was resolved when the GJ refused to indict. The second was all about getting an agreement in place so he could return to work, and the third was about proving his innocence if he wanted to go that route.

 

[Major]

Glad the NFL finally rendered a decision. This thread was a tough read the months leading up to this. So many horrific takes

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Glad the NFL finally rendered a decision. This thread was a tough read the months leading up to this. So many horrific takes

You do understand that you read it by choice, right?

Like, you’re not a prisoner in North Korea strapped to a gurney with your eyes taped open ala Clockwork Orange with a monitor in front of your face scrolling Watson topic updates.

You chose to open this topic however many times, and you chose to read those takes.

Complaining about the topic you voluntarily read is merely telling on yourself.

HTH

 

[Major]

Glad the NFL finally rendered a decision. This thread was a tough read the months leading up to this. So many horrific takes

You do understand that you read it by choice, right?

Like, you’re not a prisoner in North Korea strapped to a gurney with your eyes taped open ala Clockwork Orange with a monitor in front of your face scrolling Watson topic updates.

You chose to open this topic however many times, and you chose to read those takes.

Complaining about the topic you voluntarily read is merely telling on yourself.

HTH

Agreed. That's why I avoided it for the most part.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Glad the NFL finally rendered a decision. This thread was a tough read the months leading up to this. So many horrific takes

I hate to be the nitpicker but it is important to keep in mind the NFL did not render a decision. This is a settlement - an agreed resolution of the dispute which presumably takes everything off the table, subject only to the player's obligations to undergo some consultation and abide by whatever program is recommended for him.

The cliche among lawyers is that a sure sign of a good settlement is when both parties are disappointed, even a little angry with the result. By that measure, I think this is a good settlement and a very good resolution of this ugly saga. I expect the remaining pending civil lawsuit(s) to be quietly settled in the coming months. Watson will live with the stigma of his actions forever. I don't expect NFL fans to ever forget what he did and he will likely be reminded of this at every game and every public appearance for the rest of his career if not the rest of his life.

 

[RC94]

I guess when he "apologized" he really was just apologizing to his mom.

 

[menobrown]

I guess when he "apologized" he really was just apologizing to his mom.

Obviously felt he needed to say something when Roger just got in front of a camera saying he wanted to give him a year and part of that was for his lack of remorse. He was just playing the game.

Personally I applaud the way he took his apology back once he was in position to do so and remained defiant over his innocence especially when he's probably been advised the public would lap up an act of contrition.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I guess when he "apologized" he really was just apologizing to his mom.

For Christmas she should send him a set of extra large towels.

 

[Chaka]

“All non-consensual sexual acts are a violence, particularly when the predator far outweighs his victims in physical stature and influential power. And inherent and unspoken threats are just as damaging to the psyche as explicit threats."

PREACH, SISTER!!!

 

[Deamon]

Can he still practice while suspended?

 

[-OZ-]

Glad the NFL finally rendered a decision. This thread was a tough read the months leading up to this. So many horrific takes

I hate to be the nitpicker but it is important to keep in mind the NFL did not render a decision. This is a settlement - an agreed resolution of the dispute which presumably takes everything off the table, subject only to the player's obligations to undergo some consultation and abide by whatever program is recommended for him.

The cliche among lawyers is that a sure sign of a good settlement is when both parties are disappointed, even a little angry with the result. By that measure, I think this is a good settlement and a very good resolution of this ugly saga. I expect the remaining pending civil lawsuit(s) to be quietly settled in the coming months. Watson will live with the stigma of his actions forever. I don't expect NFL fans to ever forget what he did and he will likely be reminded of this at every game and every public appearance for the rest of his career if not the rest of his life.

They decided to settle

 

[-OZ-]

There are no winners today

Texans won pretty much a whole nation cheering for them week 13.

This titans fan will be cheering for them both to lose.
Or, Cleveland to win while Watson plays horrendously.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Well this is an interesting development

“In a statement made last April, she said Watson “clearly directed me away from a therapeutic glute massage to [his] anus” during a session the year before.”

Final Deshaun Watson Plaintiff Shares Why She Rejected Settlements - Sports Illustrated

The Browns quarterback reportedly agreed to settle three of the four remaining lawsuits ahead of the initial Aug. 1 ruling.

www.si.com

Let he who hasn’t attempted to forcibly coerce a massage therapist to rub their anus cast the 1st stone.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Well this is an interesting development

“In a statement made last April, she said Watson “clearly directed me away from a therapeutic glute massage to [his] anus” during a session the year before.”

Final Deshaun Watson Plaintiff Shares Why She Rejected Settlements - Sports Illustrated

The Browns quarterback reportedly agreed to settle three of the four remaining lawsuits ahead of the initial Aug. 1 ruling.

www.si.com

Let he who hasn’t attempted to forcibly coerce a massage therapist to rub their anus cast the 1st stone.

Well at least now we know what his favorite planet is.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Well at least now we know what his favorite planet is.

This is a judgement-free zone, sir.

 

[facook]

Well at least now we know what his favorite planet is.

This is a judgement-free zone, sir.

The way to a man's heart is through his...uhh....hmmm. Well, not through THAT I don't think.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

I'm going to go listen to some Digital Underground

 

[TheWinz]

Well this is an interesting development

“In a statement made last April, she said Watson “clearly directed me away from a therapeutic glute massage to [his] anus” during a session the year before.”

Final Deshaun Watson Plaintiff Shares Why She Rejected Settlements - Sports Illustrated

The Browns quarterback reportedly agreed to settle three of the four remaining lawsuits ahead of the initial Aug. 1 ruling.

www.si.com

Let he who hasn’t attempted to forcibly coerce a massage therapist to rub their anus cast the 1st stone.

This lady needs to stand her ground, and go on tour telling her story. She could sell out stadiums.

 

[Galileo]

Can he still practice while suspended?

It is my understanding that he can still practice through the preseason, but not once the suspension begins at the start of the regular season. He can resume team activities, including practicing, after half of the suspension is served, so after the sixth suspended game.

 

[Deamon]

Can he still practice while suspended?

It is my understanding that he can still practice through the preseason, but not once the suspension begins at the start of the regular season. He can resume team activities, including practicing, after half of the suspension is served, so after the sixth suspended game.

Ah ok. So still lots of practice time. All this talk about him returning and I wonder how good he will actually be? Been a long time since he's played football, and he got this insane contract, I think he will be good but not a top 5 qb again

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Can he still practice while suspended?

It is my understanding that he can still practice through the preseason, but not once the suspension begins at the start of the regular season. He can resume team activities, including practicing, after half of the suspension is served, so after the sixth suspended game.

Ah ok. So still lots of practice time. All this talk about him returning and I wonder how good he will actually be? Been a long time since he's played football, and he got this insane contract, I think he will be good but not a top 5 qb again

This is going to be really interesting to watch. I'm starting to feel like this is Vick 2.0, only not quite as extreme since there's not any actual prison time involved or anything like that.

For me personally, Michael Vick is still the most electrifying player I've ever seen in the NFL. Lamar Jackson is very similar, but early-career Michael Vick was a rich man's Lamar Jackson. When he came back after a long time away from the game, he was still a productive player but he was never anything like the same guy he was when he went away.

Obviously Watson is a different guy. He's a far better passer than Vick ever was, and maybe that comes back easier than all the crazy "athletic" stuff. And he hasn't been away from the NFL for that long, and he can keep himself in game shape easier than Vick since he's not, you know, incarcerated. But between the time away and the mental toll of having this part of your life broadcast to hundreds of millions of people who you know are all rooting for you to fail, I'm not sure that Watson will be the same QB in the future. This season is obviously a lost cause, but I'm not sure that he'll really be the player the Browns were hoping for in 2023 and beyond either. We'll see of course.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Goodell actually did the entire FF community a favor and here is why...Until the week of December 4th you don't have to reveal how far off your moral compass is from pointing Straight North because it seems almost implausible somebody will take DeShaun Watson on Draft Day. Different leagues different rules but for example in a league where we have only 16 roster slots including a very small 7-man bench, most of those folks competing are only drafting 1 Quarterback to start the season.

 

[GregR]

Can he still practice while suspended?

It is my understanding that he can still practice through the preseason, but not once the suspension begins at the start of the regular season. He can resume team activities, including practicing, after half of the suspension is served, so after the sixth suspended game.

Not quite right. He is allowed back in the facility after week 5 but cannot practice. I guess for things like lifting weights, getting treatment, maybe team meetings.

He can't practice until week 11.

It's intended to be an acclimation period for health and safety reasons.