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QB Deshaun Watson, CLE (1 Viewer)

Found this paper on Texas law which mentions:

The right against self-incrimination is automatic in criminal case and one cannot hold it against the defendant or draw any negative inference. However, in civil matters, if the witness fails to testify you can hold it against the witness and make a negative inference. Further, in civil cases, even though any party can call the opposing party as a witness, the Judge rules on whether the witness can assert his 5 th amendment right to a given question. The party may not make a blanket assertion against self-incrimination in a civil case

 
so uhhhh....maybe I am just way out of touch here with the happenings in the world today....but outside of the bunny ranch or something of that sort.....is "prostitution" actually really considered a profession....like you put it on your resume and pay taxes and stuff.....and are you able to cross state lines and do this wherever you want if so....?

 
Dr. Octopus said:
She is not - but I believe the same would apply for the party's witnesses. Not 100% sure.
Ok, I did not know she was Watson's witness. I assumed she was being deposed by plaintiff's involuntarily as someone who may have information helpful to their claim.

 
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports the Bucs "have done extensive homework" on Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

The Bucs are hoping to lure Tom Brady out of retirement, but if that fails, are expected to trade for a veteran. Watson lost a potential suitor when Brian Flores was fired from Miami, but Houston still plans to move on from him before the start of the new league year, and teams expect "some level of clarity" on Watson's status in the next coming weeks. The Bucs have also been connected to Seahawks QB Russell Wilson as a possible Brady replacement.

RELATED: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SOURCE: NFL Network

Feb 13, 2022, 11:18 AM ET

 
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports the Bucs "have done extensive homework" on Texans QB Deshaun Watson.
Buccaneers leaving door open for potential Tom Brady return, could explore trades for Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson

... doing extensive homework on Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and are one of multiple teams expected to explore a potential trade for Russell Wilson,...
....Both Watson and Wilson have no-trade clauses and would need to sign off on any deal.

Other teams that figure to be in the mix with QB trades include the Broncos, Panthers, Saints and Commanders.

 
Speaking with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Lovie Smith noted that he wants resolution on QB Deshaun Watson's standing with the team "as soon as possible."

"There are things that need to be taken care of before the football part comes into play. We’re patient, we’ve waited an entire year and I just feel like this offseason, it’ll come to an end and we’ll get it solved and it’ll be good for both parties, whatever that might be," Smith added. Smith has struck a decidedly more open tone on the Watson situation in his answers on it, but the money is still heavily on the Texans trading Watson. Watson's deposition is scheduled for February 22nd. 

SOURCE: Sports Illustrated

Feb 15, 2022, 2:48 PM ET

 
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Vikings and Buccaneers are among the teams that Deshaun Watson is interested in being traded to this offseason.

Watson has a no-trade clause, so his interest in a team is crucial to a deal being finalized. Watson remains the defendant in 22 civil cases filed by women across four states who are alleging sexual assault or inappropriate behavior. The Houston police department is also investigating the complaints of 10 women against Watson. Until Watson's legal issues are resolved it will be difficult for a team to justify trading for him. This is especially true because the Texans' asking price has been off-the-charts. Houston reportedly turned down an offer of three first-round picks and two second-round picks from the Dolphins in-season. The Texans reportedly believed they could get more once Watson's legal issues are resolved. The timeline for that to happen remains uncertain.

RELATED: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SOURCE: ESPN.com

Feb 16, 2022, 11:07 AM ET

 
saw a note from the Score that said "Report: Watson begins search for potential trade partners"...it just kind of made me laugh a little....like this guy thinks he is in a position to just kind of pick and choose where he wants to go.....if any team is willing to offer a six pack and a bag of chips for him right now, he should be doing cartwheels...just seems kind of funny to me...

 
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Deshaun Watson


: Where things stand one month out from free agency
That's a good read. Long, but really worth seeing it from football and non-football angles. Reading that makes me realize I don't have a clue how this plays out. 

Even if it gets sorted legally, EVEN IF that happens, the Texans front office seems to be a mess. Messy front office, unhappy guy, some shady legal stuff, and the player in question, his trade value is hard to quantify, because players like this don't become available for trade. 

 
That's a good read. Long, but really worth seeing it from football and non-football angles. Reading that makes me realize I don't have a clue how this plays out. 

Even if it gets sorted legally, EVEN IF that happens, the Texans front office seems to be a mess. Messy front office, unhappy guy, some shady legal stuff, and the player in question, his trade value is hard to quantify, because players like this don't become available for trade. 
Part of me has a very hard time believing DW sets foot on the field at all this season. 

 
Messy front office, unhappy guy, some shady legal stuff, and the player in question, his trade value is hard to quantify, because players like this don't become available for trade. 
and he has a no-trade clause so he’d have to approve the destination. So…even messier. 

 
Eight teams have enough salary cap space to acquire Deshaun Watson this offseason. 

A team would need at least $35 million in cap room to absorb Watson's salary hit, though several teams could clear enough cap space if they really wanted to take on the PR nightmare that would come with making Watson a team's franchise player. The Seahawks, Dolphins, Chargers, Bengals, Jaguars, Jets, Broncos, and Colts are the teamswith more than $35 million in cap space. The Steelers and Commanders are within shouting distance of that number. The Texans quarterback faces more than 20 accusations of sexual misconduct -- legal issues that submarined his 2021 campaign in Houston. The Houston police department is also investigating the complaints of 10 women against Watson. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported this week that the Vikings ($14.7 million over the cap) and Bucs ($6.8 million under the cap) are among teams interested in trading for Watson, 26. His no-trade clause means Watson would have to green light any trade the Texans can arrange in the coming weeks and months. 

RELATED: 

Minnesota Vikings

, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SOURCE: Jason OTC on Twitter 

Feb 18, 2022, 11:04 AM ET

 
Part of me has a very hard time believing DW sets foot on the field at all this season. 
Last year I predicted if no criminal charges were brought on him and he did not settle the civil suits that he'd be put on ice by the Texans in 2021 and then suspended all or part of 2022.  I still hold true to that and like I was saying last year this is a little similar to Antonio Browns situation where an allegation basically took him out 1.5 seasons.

Bringing back AB again if anyone recalls he went on social media and begged Goodell to hand down his suspension. He knew teams needed to know were he stood before he could take that next step with a team. Watson is now in the exact same spot.

So way I see it in order for Watson to play next year he'd got to get to point were NFL is ready to hand down his suspension status and that status does not take him out the entire season.

 
A team would need at least $35 million in cap room to absorb Watson's salary hit


This is why I think things will get super interesting if Watson's league/legal status is still not resolved when it's time to start paying him. Texans and Watson mutually agreed he'd sit and get paid over $10M last year but will the Texans really be ok adding another $35M onto that?

 
Quoting cap numbers and contracts in February is mostly pointless. Teams will clear space if interested and the Texans could eat part of Watson’s salary by converting to a signing bonus if that is still an issue.

I would think all parties would want him moved by first day or two of the new league year though (3/16) so a new team can put in place a new contract since his 2023 Roster bonus and salary become fully guaranteed on 3/20/22. Of course if still no clarity on his legal status before then, who knows?

 
Part of me has a very hard time believing DW sets foot on the field at all this season. 


I have a hard time believing the Texans will come close to the 3 1st round pick idea that the front office keeps throwing around.  They have no leverage and with all the off the field problems seems like his value on the open market just keeps decreasing.  Wouldn't surprise me if they just keep holding him in hopes some team meets their ask.  

 
I can’t believe people still write this stuff in 2022 (obviously not talking about you Faust). Every single team in the league could clear the necessary money for him if they wanted to. It’s an absurd thing to write about that ignores common sense. 

 
I can’t believe people still write this stuff in 2022 (obviously not talking about you Faust). Every single team in the league could clear the necessary money for him if they wanted to. It’s an absurd thing to write about that ignores common sense. 
Just another convenient "excuse" that owners use to bail them out of fans asking why not go after any player with a price. Oh we might but we just can't afford it due to the cap. Yet when they really want someone they somehow find a way.

 
Pro Football Network reports there is "no specific timetable" on Deshaun Watson's sexual assault cases. 

Facing 22 civil lawsuits, Watson is also the subject of "10 active criminal complaints." As such, his trade market remains in a "holding pattern." Aaron Wilson reports the Texans "would prefer to have closure on this issue before the start of free agency on March 16," but there appears to be almost no shot of that happening. In the criminal case, there has yet to be any "DNA, audio, or video evidence submitted or discovered by Houston Police detectives." The civil case, meanwhile, could be "pushed back to a later date due to the fact that not all 22 of the complainants have been deposed." Trade rumors have come and gone, but the deeply troubling underlying facts that have prevented anything happening for the past year remain. 

SOURCE: Pro Football Network 

Feb 20, 2022, 10:18 AM ET

 
Major said:
I have a hard time believing the Texans will come close to the 3 1st round pick idea that the front office keeps throwing around.  They have no leverage and with all the off the field problems seems like his value on the open market just keeps decreasing.  Wouldn't surprise me if they just keep holding him in hopes some team meets their ask.  
there’s no chance he nets 3 1sts, unless Maybe if the trade is conditional. 

At this point he’s probably not playing in 22. I still have him in a SF but he’s almost dead weight. 

 
menobrown said:
Last year I predicted if no criminal charges were brought on him and he did not settle the civil suits that he'd be put on ice by the Texans in 2021 and then suspended all or part of 2022.  I still hold true to that and like I was saying last year this is a little similar to Antonio Browns situation where an allegation basically took him out 1.5 seasons.

Bringing back AB again if anyone recalls he went on social media and begged Goodell to hand down his suspension. He knew teams needed to know were he stood before he could take that next step with a team. Watson is now in the exact same spot.

So way I see it in order for Watson to play next year he'd got to get to point were NFL is ready to hand down his suspension status and that status does not take him out the entire season.
You’re probably right. But with these multiple criminal investigations, it’s hard to imagine the league just suspending him a few games and moving on. 

 
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there’s no chance he nets 3 1sts, unless Maybe if the trade is conditional. 

At this point he’s probably not playing in 22. I still have him in a SF but he’s almost dead weight. 
Does the NFL allow conditional trades? I'm surprised, for example, that Miami didn't offer the Eagles the lower of its 2 first round picks in 2022. 

 
Does the NFL allow conditional trades? I'm surprised, for example, that Miami didn't offer the Eagles the lower of its 2 first round picks in 2022. 
Yes, the NFL allows conditional trades.  The Wentz trade for the Colts 1st.was conditional.

 
Yes, the NFL allows conditional trades.  The Wentz trade for the Colts 1st.was conditional.
Forgot about that. If I were GM, I would put conditions on many trades. The Texans lost big-time in the Tunsil trade (high 2021 1st and 2nd round), while Miami lost in the trade-up with PHI giving up their 1st instead of the SF 1st.

For Watson, I guess the conditions would be based on how much he plays in 2022. 

 
Proof? I'm serious because there seemed to be a whole lot of smoke and then it seemed to just go away because his wife seemed to do a 180 when it looked like her meal ticket might lose his job.
How exactly do you prove something that didn’t happen.?

 
Forgot about that. If I were GM, I would put conditions on many trades. The Texans lost big-time in the Tunsil trade (high 2021 1st and 2nd round), while Miami lost in the trade-up with PHI giving up their 1st instead of the SF 1st.

For Watson, I guess the conditions would be based on how much he plays in 2022. 
Right, but it does take the other team being willing to agree to that condition.
It makes sense with Watson because if he does play he could lead many teams to the playoffs or more.  Indy (It won’t be them but they would have been a good fit), Pittsburgh, Denver, Washington or New Orleans could all do well with him if he plays. But the risk is significant and mostly outside the team’s control. 

 
Right, but it does take the other team being willing to agree to that condition.
It makes sense with Watson because if he does play he could lead many teams to the playoffs or more.  Indy (It won’t be them but they would have been a good fit), Pittsburgh, Denver, Washington or New Orleans could all do well with him if he plays. But the risk is significant and mostly outside the team’s control. 
He would be a good spiritual successor to Roethlisberger too

 
The Athletic's Jeff Howe reports the Texans "don’t plan to lessen their asking price [for Deshaun Watson], which has been five to seven assets, including three first-round picks."

Three first rounders has been the reported asking price since the 2021 offseason, when Watson first faced multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. His legal issues have dragged on, and his deposition -- scheduled for this week -- could reportedly be delayed. Watson is also the subject of ten active criminal complaints. Houston is all but guaranteed to part ways with Watson in the coming months. His landing spot will depend on which team is most willing to mortgage their future and absorb the PR nightmare that would come with acquiring Watson. 

SOURCE: The Athletic 

Feb 21, 2022, 11:08 AM ET

 
AJ Schulte @AJDraftScout

For those interested in the Deshaun Watson stuff, there's a special hearing being held today to delay his deposition (which I believe is scheduled for tomorrow) until "no earlier than" April 1st. If it is granted, any trade would be delayed until well into April.

 
AJ Schulte @AJDraftScout

For those interested in the Deshaun Watson stuff, there's a special hearing being held today to delay his deposition (which I believe is scheduled for tomorrow) until "no earlier than" April 1st. If it is granted, any trade would be delayed until well into April.
You may be right that any trade remains a long ways down the road, but I would think settling before he is cross-examined under oath by a sharp and experienced attorney about the sordid details of 22 encounters would be the greatest incentive Watson will have short of trial itself to get the case settled (which rumors report has been very close already). I think getting the case behind him is a huge step toward a trade being completed. I am guessing that getting a settlement hammered out is a big part of why this continuance might be granted (and if they are close, perhaps not even objected to).

 
AJ Schulte @AJDraftScout

For those interested in the Deshaun Watson stuff, there's a special hearing being held today to delay his deposition (which I believe is scheduled for tomorrow) until "no earlier than" April 1st. If it is granted, any trade would be delayed until well into April.


I'd add a few times today Rusty Hardin said he expects to know determination of criminal charges by April 1st. While I don't know anyone who anticipates Watson facing criminal charges as long as it's possible that's as big of an issue to cross to be able to do a trade as the 22 civil suits.

So way I see things unfolding about a month before the draft we likely know for certain or not if Watson is facing criminal charges. If not the ball is basically 100% in his court to settle the lawsuits and at that time if the lawsuits are still going on the NFL can begin their investigation.

I will say something I said earlier in this thread. The NFL does not need final determination of those civil suits to hand down any suspension to Watson and I'd refer to the Antonio Brown case again. The NFL can hand down a suspension based on information they obtain from Watson and plaintiffs in their investigation and word the suspension, again similar to AB's, that if new information is made light past what they investigated they could suspend Watson longer.

So if Watson has issues settling I don't think he'll necessarily need to.

I'd also add, and I really think is key if true, about a week ago Micheal Lombardi speculated that the  Texans took one for the league when they hired Lovie and that some reciprocity from the league regarding Watson's suspension could be coming their way.

Way things are hard to see Texans being able to deal Watson when the league opens up for full on business in mid-march but they might be able to have enough ducks in a row before the NFL draft.

 
Good luck with that. I'd have a hard time seeing a team spending that much capital on one player even if he was squeeky clean and had multiple rings.

 
menobrown said:
I'd also add, and I really think is key if true, about a week ago Micheal Lombardi speculated that the  Texans took one for the league when they hired Lovie and that some reciprocity from the league regarding Watson's suspension could be coming their way.

Way things are hard to see Texans being able to deal Watson when the league opens up for full on business in mid-march but they might be able to have enough ducks in a row before the NFL draft.
If true (and I don’t know if we’ll ever know if true), the NFL stands to lose a lot of fans or at least piss them off for a bit. 
he really thinks the NFL will show their appreciation for hiring a black coach by mitigating discipline for an alleged sex offender? Or disciplining quicker than they would otherwise? That’s offensive on multiple levels. First being to assume Lovie didn’t deserve to be hired. 

i do think it’s in the league’s interest to discipline as quickly as they reasonably can here like mentioned. 

 
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Does anyone know if Watson has continued to draw money from the Houston Texans?

He signed in 2020, got a $27M signing bonus that went right into his account. Made $10.5M last season and is scheduled to start making roughly $35M per season this year. 

 
Does anyone know if Watson has continued to draw money from the Houston Texans?

He signed in 2020, got a $27M signing bonus that went right into his account. Made $10.5M last season and is scheduled to start making roughly $35M per season this year. 
Yes, he is still getting money from the Texans according to his existing contract which you spelled out correctly.

 
Okay, my take on the delay in depositions yesterday. I think Hardin is trying to get all the legal issues settled and Deshaun traded before the draft without Deshaun having to be deposed. For this to happen, I think the dominoes have to fall in this order:

  • The DA decides to dismiss the criminal complaints by April 1st. Hardin indicated yesterday that he thinks the DA will have a decision by April 1st. My opinion has always been that there is not enough convictable evidence to bring charges or the DA would have done it by now.  If charges are brought against Deshaun, then he will not get traded before the draft.
  • If the criminal complaints are dismissed, then Deshaun can increase his settlement offers in the civil lawsuits to try and get them settled. I do think he tried to settle during the 2021 season to facilitate the trade to the Dolphins, but was not going to increase his offer due to the criminal complaints still hanging over his head. With the criminal complaints dismissed, it will be worth it to him to increase his offer to get the lawsuits settled. While it is still possible one or more of the woman who reportedly wouldn't settle in the fall of 2021 could still refuse to settle, increasing the settlement offer makes it more likely to happen. 
  • With all charges against Deshaun resolved, the league can then decide on whatever punishment they deem adequate for Deshaun. Whether the punishment is formally announced before the draft or not, I think the league will at least let any trade partners know what the punishment is going to be before the draft to help facilitate a trade. The NFL wants to put this bad PR behind them and also get an exciting player back on the field as soon as possi
  • Once the legal issues are resolved and there is a known NFL punishment, teams will then be willing to make offers to trade for Deshaun Watson. The Texans, for all their posturing, will take whatever he best deal is. They want to move on from this situation so it isn't hanging over them for another season.
I really think that keeping Watson from being deposed is a big deal to Hardin and Watson. Being grilled for 42 hours, which is what Buzby is allowed to do, is going to put some things on record which will make Watson look very bad (we all would look bad in some way being questioned for 42 hours by a lawyer). Even if the deposition is supposed to remain secret, those things usually leak out at some point, especially when you have media who are willing to pay good money for that information. That is why Hardin wants to keep the deposition from ever happening (in my opinion)

 
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10 minutes ago, dhockster said:Being grilled for 42 hours, which is what Buzby is allowed to do, is going to put some things on record which will make Watson look very bad (we all would look bad in some way being questioned for 42 hours by a lawyer). 
Speak for yourself there bucko. 
although 42 hours with an attorney is horrific. Ask my wife. 

 
 I think Hardin is trying to get all the legal issues settled and Deshaun traded before the draft without Deshaun having to be deposed.ion)


Good summary of situation and I'd just add that as long as no criminal charges are filed  I absolutely think he'll be traded prior to the draft. I will say this even if he's not settled all 22 lawsuits.

 
Okay, my take on the delay in depositions yesterday. I think Hardin is trying to get all the legal issues settled and Deshaun traded before the draft without Deshaun having to be deposed. For this to happen, I think the dominoes have to fall in this order:

  • The DA decides to dismiss the criminal complaints by April 1st. Hardin indicated yesterday that he thinks the DA will have a decision by April 1st. My opinion has always been that there is not enough convictable evidence to bring charges or the DA would have done it by now.  If charges are brought against Deshaun, then he will not get traded before the draft.
I have no idea how this will play out but this is a piece of the picture that has me curious. I'm unclear what the concept is where a DA would make a final decision on criminal complaints and become unable to file charges if new facts emerge in depositions. Is it a statute of limitations re: the claim types?

 
I have no idea how this will play out but this is a piece of the picture that has me curious. I'm unclear what the concept is where a DA would make a final decision on criminal complaints and become unable to file charges if new facts emerge in depositions. Is it a statute of limitations re: the claim types?
Just a guess is that the DA will get Watson to plead guilty to some other much more minor offense in agreement to not be charged later with something more harsh.  I am not sure how this would play out for this case but I could see it be something like that.

(please note I am not a lawyer and did not even sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night)

 
Just a guess is that the DA will get Watson to plead guilty to some other much more minor offense in agreement to not be charged later with something more harsh.  I am not sure how this would play out for this case but I could see it be something like that.

(please note I am not a lawyer and did not even sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night)
Hmm, could be but my gut is pleading guilty to any criminal conduct would be held over his head in civil claims.

What stifles me is what could Watson's end game conceivably be at this point? If his plan was to miss 2021 and 2022, I can see why no one traded for him last year. I guess he can kick the can down the road until his prime is completely behind him, but is that a more logical strategy than paying off 22 civil claims a year ago?   

 
I imagine his goals would be to be welcomed to a team who needs him, to minimize exposure of the graphic details of what he is accused of (so that he can deny the worst of it and it will recede more easily into fans' memories as largely unknown), to pay as little as possible in settlement dollars and to put it behind him and start over to build his popularity and fan appreciation. Maybe Ben can advice here.

All of those things favor getting rid of the potential criminal cases (none of which have, I believe, been filed - whether getting rid requires pleading guilty to a minor misdemeanor or as I believe, the prosecutor won't want to pursue them if the women are satisfied with a settlement and have agreed at some level not to assist in the criminal cases). BTW, unless Texas has a special statute of limitations on filing, cases can be filed now or whenever down the road if new evidence is found, or even if the DA's office just changes their mind and decides to file with the same evidence - although the latter would be a pretty bad look.  

Then, he probably just wants to settle the civil cases with as much restriction on what the women will say after the settlement as he can get in the agreement (which would have to be bargained for by higher settlement figures to offset the huge sums they could otherwise sell their stories for).I don't know how much of this he cam get, but that's my guess at what Deshaun and his legal team might be thinking. 

 

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