Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍
DW4 Traded to Cleveland
- Thread starter Texansphan
- Start date
- Status
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I did purposefully. That reply was specifically to respond seriously to Watson's ridiculous statement that he took advantage of counseling resources afforded him by the Browns. I'll take a break when Watson and his legal team take a break.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Browns beat writers are certainly ready to heel to Deshaun Watson
And this is the problem with sports media members who live for access
By Sam Fels
Deshaun Watson would like you to know that this is all very difficult for him.Image: Getty Images
We are past the time when it is acceptable for anyone who covers sports, no matter how old, to be able to claim that they’re just not equipped to cover the kind of story that Deshaun Watson is. There may have been a time, when all the things that come into play when covering a sexual assault story may have been beyond the cigar-chomping, rarely-sober scribe with the stains on his suspenders. But these stories have been around sports for too long to not at least be aware of the nuances and usual excuses and denials for them that writers are all too aware of. To not ask the obvious questions, the questions that need to be asked, is simply shirking one’s duty simply to remain in good standing with both the player and team. This is where that hallowed “access” that writers haven’t stopped bitching about losing during the pandemic, and yet do so little with it, comes in. It’s not the access to the stories worth telling they want, it’s just the being around the locker room.
Watson once again had to get out in front of the press, and his delusional oratory was once again on display. Last time he did this at his introductory presser with Cleveland, as well as having his lawyer go on HBO’s “Real Sports,” resulted in additional lawsuits against him. This appearance probably will, too.
It doesn’t really matter why Watson has deluded himself. He’s gotten to the point, and did long ago, where he thinks that what he asked of and did to these women is just part of massage therapy. Maybe he convinced himself of that to justify simply not going to a “professional,” which is really what he was after. Maybe that’s the kind of thing he thought was beneath him, and this was his out. Maybe he thinks, or has convinced himself, they’re the same thing. Maybe he genuinely thinks this is how massages work. Maybe he has convinced himself since that they do in order to shield himself from what he’s accused of doing. Certainly the Texans didn’t help by providing him NDAs and a safe space. Whatever the path, this is where Watson is. That’s how he can get up in front of another group of microphones and cameras and actually be convinced he did nothing wrong. He almost certainly doesn’t think he did.
But we know better, or should. And yet here’s a sampling of the questions Watson faced in front of the Cleveland media:
Of course, these reporters know the game. It’s unlikely that Watson will be suspended for life, though that would be appropriate. There will come a point, maybe this season, maybe next, when they have to cover Watson just as the quarterback for the Browns. And they don’t want any perceived slights from doing their jobs in the past to cloud that kind of reporting in the future. They don’t want to lose the answers to their questions about a coverage on a second-quarter TD pass in Week 3, whether it’s 2022 or 2023. Maybe they thought he wouldn’t answer a lot due to the open lawsuits. Just because you might not get an answer doesn’t mean the question doesn’t have value if asked. Here are some things it would have been good to see Watson face:
Why 66 women? Don’t athletes usually stick with just one therapist they find that they like, given how much care they put into their bodies?
Why did you need NDAs?
Why did you hire some who hadn’t even gotten their licenses yet?
Why didn’t you just go through the Texans for these appointments?
Why didn’t you care what their experience level was at times, as you said in your deposition? What was your priority if not recovery?
And that’s just a sampling of where they could have gone. But no, it was about the “hurt” Watson is experiencing, as they climbed over each other to get on his good side. It’s pretty easy to see how an athlete like Watson can be so shielded and become so entitled as to think the things he’s done are normal. After all, he never hears any criticism directly, does he? All these lawsuits are from the outside, at least to him. The ones inside the circle, the writers he’ll see most every day, well, they clearly aren’t going to do anything to make him feel like he was in the wrong. They have a job to do, as they see it. Sadly, it’s not the job that’s required.
And this is the problem with sports media members who live for access
By Sam Fels
Deshaun Watson would like you to know that this is all very difficult for him.Image: Getty Images
We are past the time when it is acceptable for anyone who covers sports, no matter how old, to be able to claim that they’re just not equipped to cover the kind of story that Deshaun Watson is. There may have been a time, when all the things that come into play when covering a sexual assault story may have been beyond the cigar-chomping, rarely-sober scribe with the stains on his suspenders. But these stories have been around sports for too long to not at least be aware of the nuances and usual excuses and denials for them that writers are all too aware of. To not ask the obvious questions, the questions that need to be asked, is simply shirking one’s duty simply to remain in good standing with both the player and team. This is where that hallowed “access” that writers haven’t stopped bitching about losing during the pandemic, and yet do so little with it, comes in. It’s not the access to the stories worth telling they want, it’s just the being around the locker room.
Watson once again had to get out in front of the press, and his delusional oratory was once again on display. Last time he did this at his introductory presser with Cleveland, as well as having his lawyer go on HBO’s “Real Sports,” resulted in additional lawsuits against him. This appearance probably will, too.
It doesn’t really matter why Watson has deluded himself. He’s gotten to the point, and did long ago, where he thinks that what he asked of and did to these women is just part of massage therapy. Maybe he convinced himself of that to justify simply not going to a “professional,” which is really what he was after. Maybe that’s the kind of thing he thought was beneath him, and this was his out. Maybe he thinks, or has convinced himself, they’re the same thing. Maybe he genuinely thinks this is how massages work. Maybe he has convinced himself since that they do in order to shield himself from what he’s accused of doing. Certainly the Texans didn’t help by providing him NDAs and a safe space. Whatever the path, this is where Watson is. That’s how he can get up in front of another group of microphones and cameras and actually be convinced he did nothing wrong. He almost certainly doesn’t think he did.
But we know better, or should. And yet here’s a sampling of the questions Watson faced in front of the Cleveland media:
Of course, these reporters know the game. It’s unlikely that Watson will be suspended for life, though that would be appropriate. There will come a point, maybe this season, maybe next, when they have to cover Watson just as the quarterback for the Browns. And they don’t want any perceived slights from doing their jobs in the past to cloud that kind of reporting in the future. They don’t want to lose the answers to their questions about a coverage on a second-quarter TD pass in Week 3, whether it’s 2022 or 2023. Maybe they thought he wouldn’t answer a lot due to the open lawsuits. Just because you might not get an answer doesn’t mean the question doesn’t have value if asked. Here are some things it would have been good to see Watson face:
Why 66 women? Don’t athletes usually stick with just one therapist they find that they like, given how much care they put into their bodies?
Why did you need NDAs?
Why did you hire some who hadn’t even gotten their licenses yet?
Why didn’t you just go through the Texans for these appointments?
Why didn’t you care what their experience level was at times, as you said in your deposition? What was your priority if not recovery?
And that’s just a sampling of where they could have gone. But no, it was about the “hurt” Watson is experiencing, as they climbed over each other to get on his good side. It’s pretty easy to see how an athlete like Watson can be so shielded and become so entitled as to think the things he’s done are normal. After all, he never hears any criticism directly, does he? All these lawsuits are from the outside, at least to him. The ones inside the circle, the writers he’ll see most every day, well, they clearly aren’t going to do anything to make him feel like he was in the wrong. They have a job to do, as they see it. Sadly, it’s not the job that’s required.
Last edited:
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
A prime example of the "unbiased" Cleveland media.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
TexansBull
Hall of Fame
Deshaun Watson needs to settle civil suits so Cleveland Browns can move on
Marla Ridenour
Akron Beacon Journal
Just glad that headline doesn’t have Houston Texans in it.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Says NFL decision will come down ~July 4.
Last edited:
Have y'all come to grips with the fact that the person y'all once worshipped is a bad person and a pervert.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
From what I've heard, it's not just criminal complaints that allows the Browns to void his contract...........it's at least criminal charges that would be required.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Further confirmation that Watson sought counseling to deal with the stress of what was affecting him.......not for admitting/correcting his wrongs and his obvious perversions.........because he has none.............
Deshaun Watson reiterates his innocence and discloses he’s receiving counseling to deal with the stress of his legal situation
As of Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
In his first press conference since his introduction on March 25 – and probably his last until the NFL renders a verdict on a possible suspension -- Deshaun Watson reiterated his innocence of charges of sexual assault and misconduct brought by over two dozen massage therapists.
“Like I said, I never assaulted anyone, I never harassed anyone, I never disrespected anyone, never forced anyone to do anything,” Watson said after the Browns’ first of three mandatory minicamp practices.
The number of civil lawsuits was 22 when the Browns moved the stars and planets to win Watson’s favor and acquire him from the Houston Texans. Now the cases are up to 26. Watson would not answer when asked if he was surprised by the additional lawsuits.
“I can’t control what the other side is doing with the legal process,” he said. “But I just have to continue on focusing on being the best Deshaun Watson I can be for this organization.”
In his introductory press conference, Watson said he didn’t need counseling “because I don’t have a problem.” But he has agreed to counseling provided by the Browns to deal with stress of his legal fight against a barrage of unseemly allegations that have disgraced his reputation, and a parallel investigation by the NFL that may result in a suspension.
“It’s been a long year and a half, I can say that, personally,” Watson said. “It’s been tough. Since I came here and have been a Cleveland Brown, I’ve been able to use all the resources that this organization has. Been able to start using counseling and talking to someone just to make sure I’m mentally straight, so I can be prepared to walk on this field and be as sharp as I possibly can.
"I’m going to continue to do that and be the best person and grow as an individual, grow as a human being, and just be able to be the best citizen, the best person I can be, and also the best teammate and player I can be.”
Deshaun Watson reiterates his innocence and discloses he’s receiving counseling to deal with the stress of his legal situation
As of Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
In his first press conference since his introduction on March 25 – and probably his last until the NFL renders a verdict on a possible suspension -- Deshaun Watson reiterated his innocence of charges of sexual assault and misconduct brought by over two dozen massage therapists.
“Like I said, I never assaulted anyone, I never harassed anyone, I never disrespected anyone, never forced anyone to do anything,” Watson said after the Browns’ first of three mandatory minicamp practices.
The number of civil lawsuits was 22 when the Browns moved the stars and planets to win Watson’s favor and acquire him from the Houston Texans. Now the cases are up to 26. Watson would not answer when asked if he was surprised by the additional lawsuits.
“I can’t control what the other side is doing with the legal process,” he said. “But I just have to continue on focusing on being the best Deshaun Watson I can be for this organization.”
In his introductory press conference, Watson said he didn’t need counseling “because I don’t have a problem.” But he has agreed to counseling provided by the Browns to deal with stress of his legal fight against a barrage of unseemly allegations that have disgraced his reputation, and a parallel investigation by the NFL that may result in a suspension.
“It’s been a long year and a half, I can say that, personally,” Watson said. “It’s been tough. Since I came here and have been a Cleveland Brown, I’ve been able to use all the resources that this organization has. Been able to start using counseling and talking to someone just to make sure I’m mentally straight, so I can be prepared to walk on this field and be as sharp as I possibly can.
"I’m going to continue to do that and be the best person and grow as an individual, grow as a human being, and just be able to be the best citizen, the best person I can be, and also the best teammate and player I can be.”
leebigeztx
Keep it Movin!
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
Agree with everything they said and I can very easily see how someone like Watson, young, rich, famous, been a winner everywhere he's played, would feel entitled and believe that every woman he sees wants him. Thats not the real world but people like Watson don't live in the real world but when they get themselves in these situations the real world is happy to slap them across the face. Do I think Watson did wrong, yes do I think he realized he was doing something wrong that's more difficult to say. Ultimately though that doesn't matter because illegal is illegal whether you meant to do it or not and there is a always a price. Watson didn't pay the price when it first came around, when he was first contacted, so now he will pay the bigger price if from nothing else than his reputation is forever tarnished if not ruined. He can certainly kiss the HoF goodbye no matter how many rings he wins.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Sociopathic behavior is seldom recognized by the sociopath.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Dejaview
Wahoo Sabi
No wonder there are so many shootings in public places…does that dude have fingers?
Nick Caserio brushes off possibility of the Deshaun Watson trade being undone
As the last three weeks have entailed a chain of negative developments for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, some have wondered whether, at some point, the Browns could undo the trade with the Texans.
profootballtalk.nbcsports.com
for everyone posting fear that the trade will get nullified.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Nick Caserio brushes off possibility of the Deshaun Watson trade being undone
Posted by Mike Florio on June 16, 2022, 4:23 PM EDT
As the last three weeks have entailed a chain of negative developments for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, some have wondered whether, at some point, the Browns could undo the trade with the Texans.
Houston G.M. Nick Caserio, appearing Thursday on SportsRadio 610, was asked about the possibility of the Browns getting out of the trade, months after the fact.
“Any trade — forget about this particular one — any trade that takes place, so there’s a process that you have to go through,” Caserio said. “Teams agree on that and then once you agree on that, it gets submitted to the league. The transaction gets processed and it goes on file with the league. Unless there’s somebody that’s gonna go in there, you know, overnight in a mask and try to get on a computer, and may have a cyberattack like that, I’m not sure anything that can be done there.
“No different than a draft day trade. Even though it kind of happens more in real time. You have an agreement in place, OK, you contact the league. Or we have a trade, we have an agreement, send the paperwork along, and everybody goes on their merry way. Unless I’m missing something, or unless [you] call Goodell and ask him for interpretation and opinion, I would say that whatever trades have happened have happened in the past, and now we’re just focused on training camp and moving forward with the team.”
Caserio is right. Nothing can be done at this point. The trade happened. It’s over. It’s done. The Browns knew or should have known about the circumstances surrounding Watson. They assumed the risk that there will be more lawsuits. They assumed the risk that there will be more negative media coverage. They assumed the risk of one or more adverse verdicts against Watson. They assumed the risk of whatever the league may do with Watson under the Personal Conduct Policy.
It this goes off the rails for the Browns, they can’t blame the Texans. The Browns allowed themselves to get caught up in a four-team chase for Watson, and they apparently glossed over or underestimated the potential problems that still could emerge for the team and the player.
The remedy for the Browns isn’t to back out now. The remedy for the Browns was to back out then. Instead, after Watson removed them from the competition, they put together an offer he couldn’t refuse, and they won the race.
Although the Browns would never admit that they wish they hadn’t, the other three teams are surely glad that they did.
Posted by Mike Florio on June 16, 2022, 4:23 PM EDT
As the last three weeks have entailed a chain of negative developments for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, some have wondered whether, at some point, the Browns could undo the trade with the Texans.
Houston G.M. Nick Caserio, appearing Thursday on SportsRadio 610, was asked about the possibility of the Browns getting out of the trade, months after the fact.
“Any trade — forget about this particular one — any trade that takes place, so there’s a process that you have to go through,” Caserio said. “Teams agree on that and then once you agree on that, it gets submitted to the league. The transaction gets processed and it goes on file with the league. Unless there’s somebody that’s gonna go in there, you know, overnight in a mask and try to get on a computer, and may have a cyberattack like that, I’m not sure anything that can be done there.
“No different than a draft day trade. Even though it kind of happens more in real time. You have an agreement in place, OK, you contact the league. Or we have a trade, we have an agreement, send the paperwork along, and everybody goes on their merry way. Unless I’m missing something, or unless [you] call Goodell and ask him for interpretation and opinion, I would say that whatever trades have happened have happened in the past, and now we’re just focused on training camp and moving forward with the team.”
Caserio is right. Nothing can be done at this point. The trade happened. It’s over. It’s done. The Browns knew or should have known about the circumstances surrounding Watson. They assumed the risk that there will be more lawsuits. They assumed the risk that there will be more negative media coverage. They assumed the risk of one or more adverse verdicts against Watson. They assumed the risk of whatever the league may do with Watson under the Personal Conduct Policy.
It this goes off the rails for the Browns, they can’t blame the Texans. The Browns allowed themselves to get caught up in a four-team chase for Watson, and they apparently glossed over or underestimated the potential problems that still could emerge for the team and the player.
The remedy for the Browns isn’t to back out now. The remedy for the Browns was to back out then. Instead, after Watson removed them from the competition, they put together an offer he couldn’t refuse, and they won the race.
Although the Browns would never admit that they wish they hadn’t, the other three teams are surely glad that they did.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Well this worked out well! Clowney signed for only one year the midst of the undecided $#it storm.......good move.
Why would you say something like that to the Browns and Browns fans at this point? Sign him up for Mensa.
Why would you say something like that to the Browns and Browns fans at this point? Sign him up for Mensa.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
See, NFL league office, we are transforming our staff the way you like.........feel free to go easier on us.
Add to her new title VP of football operation.
Add to her new title VP of football operation.
badboy
Hall of Fame
My source tells me Browns got Hopkins approval then completed the deal.
banned1976
sleeper mode
She served as VP of Football Operations with the Eagles in 2021. She was the first female in the CFL to hold a personnel executive position since 1988. She might actually be qualified.
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
Pretty sure there is a great, deep metaphor about a foundation of sand but I'm not wise enough to figure out what it is. Instead I'll just say Browns tried to light a fire under their team using **** as a fuel source so now they have to deal with the fact everything cooked over that fire is gonna smell.
The Pro Football HOF doesn't consider character when selecting members. O.J. Simpson is still enshrined is all you need to know.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
According to ProFootballTalk, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is bracing for an "unprecedented" punishment to be levied against Watson for violations of the league's personal conduct policy.
The NFLPA will, of course, defend their member as obligated to by federal duty. And they already have a strategy in mind.
PFT noted that the NFLPA's defense for Watson will be to point out the NFL's hypocrisy and double-standard for its owners. Specifically, they will point to the league's handling of off-the-field incidents involving New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
Whether or not that strategy works for Deshaun Watson remains to be seen. Using hypocrisy arguments as a core strategy doesn't have a great track record.
The bigger question right now is what this so called "unprecedented" punishment might be. We've seen players suspended for a whole season or suspended indefinitely.
"Unprecedented" could suggest a multi-season suspension.
The recent two season suspension for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer could be the example the NFL follows. While Bauer does play a different sport, there are parallels between his situation and Watson's.
LINK
The NFLPA will, of course, defend their member as obligated to by federal duty. And they already have a strategy in mind.
PFT noted that the NFLPA's defense for Watson will be to point out the NFL's hypocrisy and double-standard for its owners. Specifically, they will point to the league's handling of off-the-field incidents involving New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
Whether or not that strategy works for Deshaun Watson remains to be seen. Using hypocrisy arguments as a core strategy doesn't have a great track record.
The bigger question right now is what this so called "unprecedented" punishment might be. We've seen players suspended for a whole season or suspended indefinitely.
"Unprecedented" could suggest a multi-season suspension.
The recent two season suspension for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer could be the example the NFL follows. While Bauer does play a different sport, there are parallels between his situation and Watson's.
LINK
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Unlike some GMS and VPs of Football Operations we know, Ms. Raiche has gone through the ranks and earned her position. It would raise eyebrows if someone of her qualifications were not offered the position. It would be nice if we could support all women, be they Assistant GMs, assistant coaches, or massage therapists.
Pokitren
Practice Squad
It looks like he got lucky.
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
They do consider how much of a pain you were for the league though. OJ didn't have his, shall we say, troubles till after he retired.
True, but Lawrence Taylor had plenty of issues and got in. It's just not how the PFHOF operates. And I'm glad because you can't tell the story of football without OJ and LT. You also can't tell the story of baseball without Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, or Barry Bonds. The Baseball HOF can't figure that out.
But let's slow the roll. Watson is a very long way from a HOF career.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
I agree with you 100%. But it is difficult to accept Raiche's hire as a sign of the Browns' support of females, when their approach to all that surrounds Watson's situation beginning with his hire to this day screams the opposite.
Well, she was already the VP of football operations and has been in the business for 8 years. So it doesn't seem like that much of a stretch.
Exactly and I bet she's more qualified than Easterby to have a front office job. Glass houses, rocks and things like that.
Yes it does seem like a stretch, because The Browns did not contact any of the plaintiffs to get their side of the story. Haslam stated his daughters OK’ed the trade. It’s quite possible it’s nothing but a “for show”
move. Hell, Cleveland writers even put out an article recently about how tough conversations were had with the women in the organization. They do not deserve any benefit of the doubt because a lot of this is for show.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
And her hire may be in anticipation of a Berry ousting as Haslam's sacrificial lamb when things go totally south. A minority promotion for an established minority position which would require no further formal "search."
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
maverick512000
Hall of Fame
She's got more qualifications than some of these yahoos we don't even bat an eye at; john Lynch/Elway or frig'n Mayock
OK I can't help it, but I remain a big fan of the THE Clown-Man, and I know I'm in the minority on that topic on this Board.
Why even my own wife who's a pretty knowlegable football fan for a woman ( oops there I said it !) says that Clowney misses too much playing time and she questions his motivation or lack thereof to which I remind her that he's been injured a lot.
I was actually hoping that Lovie might reach out and try to bring The Clown-Man back for an encore performance.
Speaking of Atlanta I wonder how different this whole thing would be playing out if Watson had gone home to the ATL instead of Cleavland ?
For one thing what a difference in owners: the popular and highly regarded Arthur Blank vs the Cleavland ownership of dubious
ethical reputation.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
Watson and the media coverage with Greg Rosenthal
Begins at ~1:06:00
Begins at ~1:06:00
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
So have the Bills, and look at what they are planning on building. After all of Haslam's recent manuevers, wonder how willing the taxpayers will be willing to to plop down mega millions for a new stadium.
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
CloakNNNdagger
Hall of Fame
When Haslam was asked if he knew Hardin, he essentially said he only knew of him. When in fact, Hardin defended Haslam's #1 man, president of Pilot Flying J, Mark Hazelwood, who he got off on a technicality (and prosecutors did not want to retry) ...........17 of the top people in Flying Pilot J all plead guilty.............Jimmy Haslam (who was the driving force behind the massive fraud) and his brother Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, reached a $70 million settlement with nearly 6,000 defrauded customers to avoid prosecution. The Pilot Flying J/Haslam saga is a look into the money and power corruption aspect of the justice system............apparently the same thing that is trying to repeat itself in the Watson saga.
- Status