There is no way the trade will be voided. The Browns owners said they did an extensive investigation (that didn’t question any of the plaintiffs or their lawyers) and that they were good with what they found out. That’s on them. They were ok with the no indictments, there was no false pretense in negotiating. And if they put in a clause to void his contract for further cases, they then knew that there was potential for more. Again, that’s on them.
#1. Browns did their "homework". #2. Texans already used picks from the trade. #3. No one covered up for Watson. #4. NFL owners are PISSED about the Watson contract. They won't allow the Browns to be bailed out.
I don’t see a situation where the trade gets voided even if it’s proven that Cal was standing there with the massage oil. Cleveland did their due diligence and went all in.
If the Texans knowingly helped Watson commit crimes, or had knowledge of his guilt, then I could see the league voiding the trade, and even going so far as to transfer future picks from HOU to CLE to compensate for the picks already used. I couldn't see that happening without Watson's contract being voided first, however, which I think is only on the table if this goes back into a criminal proceeding. That being said, the odds of any of that happening, especially the former, are close to zero.
Someone probably already mentioned this, but there's an interesting caveat in Watson's contract: Watson is set to make just $1 million as his 2022 season salary, meaning he will lose only $55,556 for every game if he’s suspended during the upcoming season. This begs the question; if the NFL suspended him for a year, would Watson/NFLPA be all that upset? I think this creates some daylight for the NFL to save face by dropping a "harsh" punishment that satisfies the public but does not raise hackles internally.
I don't think Cleveland cares about what is now their problem and what has come out or if they didn't due proper due diligence, they knew what they were getting themselves into once they gave him all that money. They just looked at the opportunity of signing one of the top premier qbs in this league since they've never been able to have a franchise qb and lets be honest eventually all of this will be forgotten once he steps onto the field and starts playing and winning games (unfortunately for all the victims)
My $0.02- As someone already mentioned the NFL would probably not void the trade (unless the Texans were involved in criminal activity) but might dock future picks if things come out in a civil case. Do I think Janice McNair was rubbing down DW? No. Do I think someone in the organization knew or should have known? Probably. The question becomes IMO what was their duty to report.
I was thinking that. It's hard to take two full years off and have the sharpness you need to be great.
There's also a whole bunch of guys, especially in baseball, from WWII and Korea. But I get your point. Something tells me Deshaun ain't wired like those guys.
Too late to edit, but since this is and NFL forum there's also Bob Kalsu, who was the Pat Tillman of Vietnam. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Kalsu I wouldn't have know about him either, but I borrowed the Keith Nolan book "Ripcord" from my dad's stack years ago. There's a great and sad inspirational movie to be made about him, somewhere out there, waiting.
Absolutely true. But timing, reaction, anticipation, feel to live full speed rushers is something that has to be practiced as well. That’s not even mentioning throwing the actual ball against live coverage and full speed runners. The mental part will be difficult to keep sharp and improve.
We do know that most elite QB's can excel into their 30's (and 40's) despite declining physical skills because so much of that position is mental/reading the defense/knowing where the open man will be/etc. Watson does rely on his athleticism to be elusive in the pocket, and while RPO has been less of a focus, its still a strength that sets him apart... but he's always been more of a thrower vs. a runner. Also Michael Vick had a similar layoff, during his prime, and came back to have an MVP season.
Even with all his natural ability (and I was one of his biggest supporters before this) there's no way he's mentally there. This has to weigh on him and my guess is a lot of his teammates don't like him. I don't see his career lasting long after this. Probably will be one of the biggest fall from graces ever. From being a top 5 QB, "great guy" to a sexual predator and absolute disgrace
