Deshaun Watson Has Been Fined $5 Million and Suspended 11 Games, With His First Game Back Being At The Texans
Finally. That's what I've got on this one. Do I think, from a Browns fan perspective, it sucks that the suspension nearly doubled from what Sue L. Robinson decided was fair? Yes, I do. Do I think, from a morals perspective, that he probably should've got a year the first time? Yes, I do. This tweet is a really bad look for the NFL:
But whatever, it's finally over. I accept the 11 games. Now can we all just move on? I'm assuming the answer to that will be a big fat NO every time the Browns take the field for not only the next year, but for as long as Deshaun remains a Brown.
Let me just say this: I really hope the investment is worth both the money and toll it is and will continue to take on the franchise. Browns fans have had to play mental gymnastics for the past 5 months, defending a guy with 24 sexual misconduct cases. And if this doesn't end in a decade worth of home playoff games and AFC Championships and maybe even a Super Bowl, then I can certainly say that it was not worth it. The good news is that I do see very bright days ahead for the Cleveland Browns. Deshaun Watson is an extremely talented quarterback and we have an extremely talented, young roster.
The question right now is, with 11 games without Deshaun, can it still happen this year? Sounds like we're rolling with Jacoby Brissett, although I would love to let Jimmy G come game manage this roster to 7-4 and allow Deshaun to take us home when he returns. But with a solid QB2, here's an unbiased schedule prediction of how the first 11 will go:
@ Panthers - LOSS (and I'm sure Baker will take the high road)
Jets - WIN
Steelers - WIN
@ Falcons - WIN
Chargers - LOSS
Patriots - WIN
@ Ravens - LOSS
Bengals - LOSS
@ Dolphins - WIN
@ Bills - LOSS
Bucs - LOSS
5-6.
Can Deshaun Watson, who will have been out of live action for basically two years when he returns, take a 5-6 team to the playoffs? I don't know. 9-7-1 was the worst record in the AFC to make the postseason last year, and I'd imagine it'll take 10 on most years. That means Deshaun would need to go 5-1 in the Browns final six, which includes both @ Cincinnati and hosting the Ravens. Seems like a tall task and essentially a waste of a season for the Browns and for Deshaun, but at least the NFL is getting their ratings out of him...
The NFL wins again. Classic Goodell. Couldn't have written the script any better. In fact, I'd imagine if the NFLPA proposed 12 games, the NFL probably came back and said how about 11?