Sexual assault lawsuit filed against QB DeShaun Watson

djbayko

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I'm very curious what the return is. Sure, he's probably a Top 5 QB, the most valuable position on the field. But the uncertainty + potential negative backlash is off the charts. This could blow up in their face hours after a trade is announced. And there's only one person on Earth who knows how much worse this whole situation can possibly get...Deshaun Watson.

And that's if you simply ignore the morality of the situation. You really want THAT on your team?
 

Lose Remerswaal

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I'm very curious what the return is. Sure, he's probably a Top 5 QB, the most valuable position on the field. But the uncertainty + potential negative backlash is off the charts. This could blow up in their face hours after a trade is announced. And there's only one person on Earth who knows how much worse this whole situation can possibly get...Deshaun Watson.

And that's if you simply ignore the morality of the situation. You really want THAT on your team?
Maybe the Eagles are trading for him so they can release or bench him and give him what he deserves?
 

mauf

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I suppose you could structure a deal with conditional picks so that the Texans don’t get much if Watson doesn’t play in 2021 or 2022. Still a risk for the Eagles that Watson ends up on the restricted list and ties up a big chunk of their cap (because he’d still get paid), but maybe a rebuilding team like the Eagles doesn’t care too much about that.

I’ll still be surprised if anything happens. Maybe Philly fans’ embrace of Michael Vick makes ownership think they can weather the PR hit, but Vick’s legal and disciplinary problems had been resolved by the time he signed. There’s just so much uncertainty with Watson.
 

Shelterdog

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I'm very curious what the return is. Sure, he's probably a Top 5 QB, the most valuable position on the field. But the uncertainty + potential negative backlash is off the charts. This could blow up in their face hours after a trade is announced. And there's only one person on Earth who knows how much worse this whole situation can possibly get...Deshaun Watson.

And that's if you simply ignore the morality of the situation. You really want THAT on your team?
Yes. This is all pretty predictable really--he's going to settle with the women, no prosecutor will bring any serious charges, he gets zero jail time, maybe (maybe) an 8 game suspension by the NFL then Deshuan Watson will be a top NFL QB for another decade or so.

For many teams a couple weeks or months of negative press and backlash (and even a lengthy NFL suspension) is worth it if you do get a really good QB on the cheap.
 

bsj

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Yes. This is all pretty predictable really--he's going to settle with the women, no prosecutor will bring any serious charges, he gets zero jail time, maybe (maybe) an 8 game suspension by the NFL then Deshuan Watson will be a top NFL QB for another decade or so.

For many teams a couple weeks or months of negative press and backlash (and even a lengthy NFL suspension) is worth it if you do get a really good QB on the cheap.
Raiders
 

HomeRunBaker

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Yes. This is all pretty predictable really--he's going to settle with the women, no prosecutor will bring any serious charges, he gets zero jail time, maybe (maybe) an 8 game suspension by the NFL then Deshuan Watson will be a top NFL QB for another decade or so.

For many teams a couple weeks or months of negative press and backlash (and even a lengthy NFL suspension) is worth it if you do get a really good QB on the cheap.
I agree that this is how it will play out. I still feel Vegas is the ideal fit where there won’t be much if any backlash toward him (at least when at home) if Gruden wishes to move on from Carr.
 

mauf

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Yes. This is all pretty predictable really--he's going to settle with the women, no prosecutor will bring any serious charges, he gets zero jail time, maybe (maybe) an 8 game suspension by the NFL then Deshuan Watson will be a top NFL QB for another decade or so.

For many teams a couple weeks or months of negative press and backlash (and even a lengthy NFL suspension) is worth it if you do get a really good QB on the cheap.
Imo, the most likely outcome is Watson spends the 2021 season on the restricted list, manages to buy peace with most of his accusers by this time next year, serves a suspension*, and is back on the field in late 2022 or 2023. But that’s assuming no further revelations and a group of accusers that is mostly willing to settle for compensation rather than justice. There probably isn’t the equivalent of a Ray Rice video out there, but it’s not hard to imagine things getting a whole lot worse for Watson. Anyone who trades for him is taking on that unknown risk.


* - Goodell suspended Roethlisberger on the theory that even if you believed his denials, it was reckless for him to have sex with a stranger in a public restroom when he had just been sued for sexual assault. I think he’ll find similar grounds to suspend Watson, even if there are no victims willing to cooperate with an NFL investigation.
 

Shelterdog

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Imo, the most likely outcome is Watson spends the 2021 season on the restricted list, manages to buy peace with most of his accusers by this time next year, serves a suspension*, and is back on the field in late 2022 or 2023. But that’s assuming no further revelations and a group of accusers that is mostly willing to settle for compensation rather than justice. There probably isn’t the equivalent of a Ray Rice video out there, but it’s not hard to imagine things getting a whole lot worse for Watson. Anyone who trades for him is taking on that unknown risk.


* - Goodell suspended Roethlisberger on the theory that even if you believed his denials, it was reckless for him to have sex with a stranger in a public restroom when he had just been sued for sexual assault. I think he’ll find similar grounds to suspend Watson, even if there are no victims willing to cooperate with an NFL investigation.
We will see. I think this is a much harsher penalty (1.5 years roughly) than we see but it's all guess work.

It's not hard to imagine things getting a whole lot worse for Watson but I frankly think that's unlikely.
 

Gash Prex

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Edit:

Yikes, wrong thread.

Would be a huge mistake to trade or trade for Deshaun right now
 
Last edited:

Mugsy's Jock

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The surprising thing to me about the Eagles' presumed interest is that the Luries are probably the NFL's most politically liberal ownership group, and I'd have guessed least likely to tolerate Watson's behavior.

On the other hand, I haven't seen any statements from them denying all interest, so there you go...
 

Big McCorkle

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I don't understand why the league hasn't suspended him and taken this off of Houston's plate.
The Commissioner's Exempt List seems like the obvious place to put him. But I suppose the most charitable interpretation is that the NFL's own investigation into the situation does reasonably have until the regular season starts to wrap up its work, and if it's not yet complete then there's not yet a need to publish it and make a disciplinary ruling. Houston's training camp seemingly being a much less pleasant working environment as a result of Watson's presence doesn't really constitute cause to levy whatever decision now instead of a few weeks from now, all else equal.

But, again, that's being charitable. I'm not exactly willing to be charitable on the topic of Roger Goodell's disciplinary decisions.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Is there precedence for suspending players with no criminal lawsuits pending (or visual evidence ala Ray Rice)? Because if there isnt, the players union will be chomping at the bit for Goodell to suspend Watson.
 

Cellar-Door

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My guess is the owners think he is making them more money than anyone else could. Including me.
Also, part of the Commish job is eating the bad press for things the owners want to do. Goodell's inconsistencies aren't a bug, they're a feature. Each decision is balancing negative press, union issues and what the owners want. So sometimes the union hangs a guy out to dry, or the PR is bad (there's video evidence on TMZ) and he comes down harder, etc. etc.
 

Lose Remerswaal

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Also, part of the Commish job is eating the bad press for things the owners want to do. Goodell's inconsistencies aren't a bug, they're a feature. Each decision is balancing negative press, union issues and what the owners want. So sometimes the union hangs a guy out to dry, or the PR is bad (there's video evidence on TMZ) and he comes down harder, etc. etc.
JTTS, as the phrase goes in the wrestling world.
 

Marciano490

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I hope they were wearing those anti domestic violence ribbons when they victim-blamed. Is that committee even still extant?
 

Shelterdog

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Is there precedence for suspending players with no criminal lawsuits pending (or visual evidence ala Ray Rice)? Because if there isnt, the players union will be chomping at the bit for Goodell to suspend Watson.
Also-and I think this matters a lot-I’m no it sure how bad folks at league offices or on NFL teams think Watson’s conduct actually is that bad. We all see the pretty obvious pattern of abuse here but not sure that either football teams that give the likes of Tyreke Hill multi million dollar contracts or league office employees who victim blame to protect the shield will see these facts as as bad as they are
 

DannyDarwinism

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It just happened with Derrius Guice as well, multiple sexual assault charges were dropped after settlement, he just got suspended for 6 games, announced on Friday. Though he's currently a FA with significant knee injury history playing a mostly fungible position, not an upper echelon QB

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32016840/nfl-suspends-rb-derrius-guice-6-games-violating-personal-conduct-policy
 

Captaincoop

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I don't understand why the league hasn't suspended him and taken this off of Houston's plate.
The whole story here is that there are accusations included in a civil action that hasn't been litigated, right? How can he be suspended for that?

Even in the Roethlisberger situation, there was at least a criminal complaint with some fact finding by the DA and police.
 

Average Reds

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The whole story here is that there are accusations included in a civil action that hasn't been litigated, right? How can he be suspended for that?

Even in the Roethlisberger situation, there was at least a criminal complaint with some fact finding by the DA and police.
In a league that had a consistent policy of allowing criminal due process to play out, I'd agree with you. (And I largely agree in any case.) However, Goodell seems to make it up as he goes along and it's legitimate to at least ask why the league is allowing the elephant in the room to persist without providing clarification as to what the next steps are.
 

BrazilianSoxFan

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The whole story here is that there are accusations included in a civil action that hasn't been litigated, right? How can he be suspended for that?

Even in the Roethlisberger situation, there was at least a criminal complaint with some fact finding by the DA and police.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/13/report-grand-jury-subpoenas-are-being-sent-out-in-connection-with-deshaun-watson-allegations/amp/

According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston, subpoenas are being sent out in connection with the process. This means that witnesses are being asked (technically, compelled) to testify before the grand jury.

The Harris County district attorney’s office declined comment to Berman, but it did not deny his report.

Although 22 civil lawsuits have been filed against Watson, 10 individuals (as of last count) had filed criminal complaints.
 

Captaincoop

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I missed that there had been criminal complaints filed. At least that puts this on a reasonable path to a suspension. Still can't imagine we're there yet.
 

bakahump

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My guess is the owners think he is making them more money than anyone else could. Including me.
Then the owners are stupid. Or short sighted. both totally plausible.

Even if you do somehow agree with the Notion that NO OTHER person could make them more or equal money. ( IE That there is NO OTHER Candidate to be commish that would do as well. Which seeing the way he randomly makes decision and arbitrarily mis applies his authority is a stretch.....)

Even You or me would make a few.....say 10s of millions less. Now is that alot of money? I guess. I mean it is to us. But is it really to a 2-4 billion dollar entity like a team? And more importantly is it alot of money if a segment of society gets pissed and pickets your games because you allowed a(n alleged) serial Sex offender to be one of the highest profile players in your league? How much will that cost in eyeballs and commercial dollars? 2 million? 10? 100?

I think the one redeeming quality he has is that he is controllable. Mailable. And thats not exactly a 1 in a million talent.

I will always argue that the notion that Goodell is somehow the BEST possible Candidate or even REALLY good at his job is overblown. Its not like he is the guy sitting in a room with an abacus multiplying the commercial dollars for the NFL. Nor is he the guy in a room negotiating with CBS/Fox and ESPN. He gets brought in for Photo Ops. He gets his directives from the owners and disseminates those to his underlings...the ones With the Abacus and in the room negotiating.
 

Captaincoop

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I think the one redeeming quality he has is that he is controllable. Mailable. And thats not exactly a 1 in a million talent.
They can't hire Chance the Gardener to be the Commissioner, they need someone who has a really impressive resume AND is willing to be their lightning rod/puppet. That narrows the field a bit.

The owners aren't stupid at all. They found themselves a commissioner with exactly the right background to maintain a semblence of public credibility, who has plenty of other career options but apparently is okay unquestionably doing their bidding and appearing for all the world like a boob with no morals or judgment. Meanwhile they are all raking in media revenue and he's making his family wealthy for several generations on their coin.
 

Marciano490

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They can't hire Chance the Gardener to be the Commissioner, they need someone who has a really impressive resume AND is willing to be their lightning rod/puppet. That narrows the field a bit.

The owners aren't stupid at all. They found themselves a commissioner with exactly the right background to maintain a semblence of public credibility, who has plenty of other career options but apparently is okay unquestionably doing their bidding and appearing for all the world like a boob with no morals or judgment. Meanwhile they are all raking in media revenue and he's making his family wealthy for several generations on their coin.
Gotta love an American success story where an unlikely hero pulls himself up by his bootstraps and manages to set his impoverished family on the road to riches :)
 

bakahump

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and he's making his family wealthy for several generations on their coin.
Which Opens up the Field Considerably.

How often do we talk about there only being 32 HC spots? And that when the opportunity comes You take it.
There are 4 Commish Slots. There has to be 50 People with at least as impressive resume and who wouldnt make your league look like it was run by a moron.

Your probably right. From a Robber Baron perspective they do have the perfect boob.

For Todays more correct moral compass, As an Owner, I would prefer a guy (or Girl) who "overreacted" about "alleged" sexual assaults', rather then PSI or Dress codes. I would love to own a component team of an organization headed by someone who recognized how it could be a tool for social change. Most importantly it would be a Fresh Start to do these things. Currently the NFL can never with a straight face "create a anitViolence and Spousal Abuse council" aimed at helping not only its players wives but also society" (yeah remember that?)

So even when you do "try to make the shield an advocate for decency and change" its headed by the same buffoon who suspended abusers for a game.

Some times there is value in a fresh start.
 

nattysez

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PFT's theory is that the league and the Texans have agreed that the Texans won't play Watson so the league can avoid having to put him on paid leave and thereby creating a PR moment. It's a little hard to believe that the Texans are going to willingly have what amounts to a 52-man roster this season, but if you're aiming for the #1 pick, maybe that's a feature rather than a bug.
 

Average Reds

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That doesn’t even seem remotely plausible. More to the point, why would the Texans agree to it? It doesn’t save them $$$. It makes them much worse as a team. It also makes them the the target of fan scorn/derision rather than the league.

Seems like an incredibly stupid agreement just to compete for the top pick.
 

swiftaw

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Plus wouldn't the commentary every week be, why is he not playing, he's not suspended, he's not injured, so why isn't he playing?
 

Captaincoop

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That doesn’t even seem remotely plausible. More to the point, why would the Texans agree to it? It doesn’t save them $$$. It makes them much worse as a team. It also makes them the the target of fan scorn/derision rather than the league.

Seems like an incredibly stupid agreement just to compete for the top pick.
Why would he or the union agree to it?
 

Gash Prex

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So how does this all end? Seems like there are zero options available for the Texans.

1) Watson refuses to play for the Texans but has reported to avoid fines

2) Watson cannot be traded for reasonable value by the Texas because of the pending criminal and civil cases

3) Watson may not be allowed to play because of the Commissioners exempt list

4) Texans can't release Watson because of the loss of a franchise player for nothing
 

Captaincoop

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I don’t think the scenario that was outlined required the union or Watson to agree to it.

To be clear, I agree that it doesn’t make sense in any case.
No, but I assume there is some protection against that scenario under the CBA.

And if not, the union would still presumably go apeshit over that level of discipline without an opportunity to appeal.