Post-hearing briefs from both sides in the Deshaun Watson case are due Tuesday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Following the submissions of these summaries, disciplinary officer Sue Robinson will come to a decision on the Browns quarterback’s punishment in connection with his alleged sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct.
Robinson’s ruling is not expected to emerge this week. The retired judge plans to deliberate for at least a week, according to Yahoo.com’s Charles Robinson (on Twitter), and Josina Anderson of USA Today notes this process may still be “a few weeks” away (Twitter link) from an initial ruling. A detailed report will accompany Robinson’s ruling, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, who also offers the weeks-long timetable before the initial suspension length surfaces (video link).
The length of Watson’s ban has long been expected before Browns training camp, which begins July 27, but the longer Sue Robinson’s ruling takes, the longer it will be before the Browns know how to proceed at quarterback.
Following Robinson’s ruling, the appeal process is likely to begin. Unless Robinson rules Watson did not violate the NFL’s personal conduct policy, both sides can appeal. The final result will almost certainly not be known until the Browns begin camp, and it could come well into the team’s preseason workouts. With Baker Mayfield now officially out of the picture, Jacoby Brissett is positioned to be Cleveland’s starter if/once Watson is banned.
The Browns have taken an avalanche of criticism for acquiring Watson and giving him $230MM fully guaranteed — a figure that induced the former Texans standout to pass on NFC South destinations and head to Cleveland. The Browns expected the Pro Bowl passer to be suspended; they just did not anticipate a full-season ban being on the table. The team will need to determine how to prepare Brissett for the season, with Watson currently eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games.
A full-season Watson suspension — the NFL’s preference, which is certainly relevant considering Roger Goodell could ensure it via a league appeal — could induce the Browns to go after another QB to play in front of Brissett. A Jimmy Garoppolo trade has been floated, but nothing much has emerged regarding such a deal. Barring an injury, however, the 49ers do not appear to have many options regarding their four-plus-year starter. The Browns, who lead the NFL in cap space by a wide margin, could become one. But until they receive certainty on Watson’s timeline, it is unlikely they will pursue a non-Brissett replacement option.
The way they screwed Baker, I hope this guy gets a 2 year ban.
I like Baker too but the guy was the 26th rated quarterback last year. Watson is a legitimate top 8. He led the league in passing yards his last year and was 1st team All Pro.
How do you figure he is legit top 8. He sat a year already. The man isn’t smart he has bad judgement. That’s a fact in the year off already how much work has he put in. I would guess he gets a second year off now. So after 2 years off and on a diffrent team playing outside in bad weather at home and all late division games. You juts are assuming he is going to pick up where he left off….. I don’t believe that will be the case.
He has made the pro bowl 3 of 4 years. He threw for 4863 yards, 33 TD’S, 7 interceptions and ran for 460 yards. Plus completed 70% of his passes. If that’s dumb,I’m good with that. You can hate the guy, but you look stupid when you say he’s not that good of a quarterback. He’ll miss at most a half of season. He’s practicing and will play in the preseason games so it’s not like he’s been injured and hasn’t picked up a football. The last 2 winning Super Bowl quarterbacks were playing for a new team too. What else you got?
I do have one more and it’s the biggest point. What motivation does he have anymore win lose or draw he gets all that money guaranteed. Any fan worth their salt have seen players get a nice deal and roll over and die. This man of horrible character gets 236 million even if he stinks….
He’s not going to stink and most quarterbacks don’t get lazy and don’t care how they play. Like I said before, you’re hoping, wishing, and praying that Watson fails but it’s not going to happen unless he gets hurts. So you do have that to hopefully look forward to
True. There are a lot of guys on defensive lines that have sisters, wives, moms, and daughters. He might have a go fund me up if you want to help the poor guy buy some presents for his o-line.
You’re fooling yourself if you think other players get involved with someone’s personal life.
Sure man. Consummate professionals, the lot of ‘em. They’ll try extra hard to hit guys for bounties, but never ever for personal reasons.
26th rated QB with no throwing arm, due to shoulder injury… If he had an arm to throw with last year he would have been top 15 easy.
If I’m not mistaken, the injury was to his non-throwing shoulder. Jimmy G is the one with the throwing shoulder injury
I think you right cwalla. That’s my b.
He was also first team All Sexual Predator. Which apparently is more important to you. You clearly want him on your team so that he can normalize your own personal activities. You are not DeSean Watson. You will get charged when caught.
And you are not the Astros. You will get punished when cheating. Try cheating at a casino and see what happens. Astros are the biggest cheaters in all sports. I guess you’re a fan of Shoeless Joe Jackson too? Watson will serve a small suspension and it’ll all be forgotten. Just like Brady. Just like Hunt. Just like Roethlisberger. All stars that came back from a bad situation and never offended again. Here we go Brownies here we go. Woof woof.
Baker screwed himself last year by proving he wasn’t an elite long term option. Watson has nothing to do with that
by playing on a bum shoulder for 15 games?
Yeah, he’s better than that I think but I think he’s somewhere around 15th in the league. He’s thrown more interceptions in the league since he’s come into it. Watson is a definite upgrade. Apparently, he wasn’t liked by some people on the team. It’s better for everyone
Gonna just guess that a respected former federal judge is not going to want her legacy to be “the lady who decided it was OK for Deshaun Watson to rub his junk on whoever he wants” and will rule that he violated the policy.
I can assure you that nobody in the legal profession is going to gain respect or build a legacy by simply caving in to public sentiment every time they’re presented with a case. Judges ruled in favor of John Gotti and Judge Ito ruled in favor of O.J Simpson. Their legacy’s won’t suffer because they acted impartially and objectively based on evidence provided by opposing legal teams.
Exactly.
Cases are decided SOLELY by the law.
Which is why every Supreme Court ruling is 9-0, of course.
Because human nature NEVER comes into play…ONLY the law.
I believe jury’s decided in favor of John Gotti and OJ Simpson, not judges.
Technically your correct but the judge decides what evidence the prosecution and defense can present to a jury and what evidence is inadmissible.
Juries decided the fates of John Gotti and OJ Simpson. Judges presided over the proceedings. They did not decide their fates. This is much different.
4-6 games, then we won’t have to deal with this anymore
He’s definitely getting more than that so prepare to hear about this more.
Maybe 8. NFL already offered him 12 and he turned it down. Robinson is a retired judge and judges look at evidence and not public opinion.
Retired judges have ego’s she won’t want to have it appealed and made longer.
Don’t worry, Goodell won’t change her decision either way. It’s the first case where an independent arbiter will rule instead of Goodell. He won’t undermine her 1st decision. If he does, what’s the sense in having her?
Can this POS just get the death penalty already…
I think chemical castration would be better. A life of misery is better than a quick way out.
If he can still be the same quarterback, I’m ok with that. No games missed. If Watson didn’t play for the Browns, I couldn’t care less about his punishment. I’m not the type of guy that worries about what others do. I can only control my actions
Me boycotting the Browns hurts me more than it does them. I like football but if I didn’t have a vested interest in a team, what’s the sense? I don’t picket or boycott for someone or something else. Look at the idiots on January 6th rioting for Trump, what did that get them other than jail time and job loses? I root for me
for not committing a crime? what is wrong with you morons
Alphtron….it’s because their team didn’t get him. We have a guy on here who is a huge Astros fan and yet wants Watson banished for life. He’s fine with stealing a World Series but don’t proposition a massage therapist