Watson to the Browns.

[EDGECRUSHER]

NFLPA believes Watson will be suspended for one year at the minimum, and perhaps indefinitely. Watson and the NFL were having conversations about his suspension length but talks have broken down. To me, that means Watson thought the suspension was way too long and didn't want to budge past a certain number of games, probably 4-6.

No doubt Watson will sue and appeal, but what is his legal case? The NFLPA is the worst union in all professional sports, they let Goodell basically have complete power over how he hands out suspensions. Even suspending for accusations. Legally speaking, I think he can basically suspend Watson for however long he wants and that's that.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is why Brady lost for the deflated balls. The Courts ruled that Roger had the power to suspend him and that's that.

P.S. Let's say the suspension is indefinitely, minimum of one year. Did the Browns not put any protections in their trade agreement with the Texans for this? Or, are they out all those draft picks and get nothing in return?

[ArtieChokePhin]

NFLPA believes Watson will be suspended for one year at the minimum, and perhaps indefinitely. Watson and the NFL were having conversations about his suspension length but talks have broken down. To me, that means Watson thought the suspension was way too long and didn't want to budge past a certain number of games, probably 4-6.

No doubt Watson will sue and appeal, but what is his legal case? The NFLPA is the worst union in all professional sports, they let Goodell basically have complete power over how he hands out suspensions. Even suspending for accusations. Legally speaking, I think he can basically suspend Watson for however long he wants and that's that.

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is why Brady lost for the deflated balls. The Courts ruled that Roger had the power to suspend him and that's that.

P.S. Let's say the suspension is indefinitely, minimum of one year. Did the Browns not put any protections in their trade agreement with the Texans for this? Or, are they out all those draft picks and get nothing in return?

If they are out all those draft picks, the GM and the entire front office should be fired.   They failed to perform their due diligence with this guy and as a result, it will set the franchise back for years to come.

[EDGECRUSHER]

If they are out all those draft picks, the GM and the entire front office should be fired.   They failed to perform their due diligence with this guy and as a result, it will set the franchise back for years to come.

I think they did their due diligence and decided to roll the dice anyway. Giving Deshaun that contract is the greater sin as far as I'm concerned.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

I think they did their due diligence and decided to roll the dice anyway. Giving Deshaun that contract is the greater sin as far as I'm concerned.

Both were stupid.  What due diligence? I knew he was toxic and an extreme risk of being unavailable due to legal/suspension issues based on reports in PFT and ESPN. 

[Dave Gray]

The NFL is in such an unwinnable position.

If they had a hard line where you needed a conviction or no-contest or civil settlement to be suspended by the league, at least they'd let themselves off the hook.  Individual teams could suspend for their own PR, but it would have to be the league.

The precedent is set and they're in this tough spot of weighing one kind of crime or case to another.  I do not envy their choices.

[ArtieChokePhin]

I think they did their due diligence and decided to roll the dice anyway. Giving Deshaun that contract is the greater sin as far as I'm concerned.

And what happens when you roll the dice?   Sometimes you'll get snake eyes. 

You don't gamble with multiple draft picks on a risky player like that.  You just don't. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The NFL is in such an unwinnable position.

If they had a hard line where you needed a conviction or no-contest or civil settlement to be suspended by the league, at least they'd let themselves off the hook.  Individual teams could suspend for their own PR, but it would have to be the league.

The precedent is set and they're in this tough spot of weighing one kind of crime or case to another.  I do not envy their choices.

There were 20 cases that reached settlement.

A bright line rule that a settlement means suspension could be problematic.  NFL is playing softball in his backyard and hits ball through neighbors window, day after neighbor files suit in small claims court,  player settles for $300 (the cost to replace window).  A bright line rule means suspension.  Is it really warranted?

Also lets say there is bright line rule of 6 game suspension for settling a lawsuit.  Does Watson get a 6 game suspension or a 120 game suspension?

[Dave Gray]

There were 20 cases that reached settlement.

A bright line rule that a settlement means suspension could be problematic.  NFL is playing softball in his backyard and hits ball through neighbors window, day after neighbor files suit in small claims court,  player settles for $300 (the cost to replace window).  A bright line rule means suspension.  Is it really warranted?

Also lets say there is bright line rule of 6 game suspension for settling a lawsuit.  Does Watson get a 6 game suspension or a 120 game suspension?

I wasn't suggesting that settled would guarantee suspension -- just that the league wouldn't consider cases at all until there was some kind of legal filing or admission of wrongdoing.  Then they'd evaluate like normal.

Else, you're kind of having to be judge and jury on everything, which is where they are now and are dealing with these problems.

[ArtieChokePhin]

Watson will have his disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.   And Edge was right that the league is pushing for a long suspension

[Spider-Dan]

Seems like the outcome that saves the most face for the most people (which should not be mistaken, in any way, for the outcome that is the most just) is to suspend Watson without pay for the 2022-23 season.

Watson's contract is specifically written to minimize the financial impact of such an event.
The Browns still have Baker signed to the roster for next season.
The NFL can credibly claim that they issued the longest suspension for sexual assault allegations in league history.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Seems like the outcome that saves the most face for the most people (which should not be mistaken, in any way, for the outcome that is the most just) is to suspend Watson without pay for the 2022-23 season.

Watson's contract is specifically written to minimize the financial impact of such an event.
The Browns still have Baker signed to the roster for next season.
The NFL can credibly claim that they issued the longest suspension for sexual assault allegations in league history.

To me, this seems the most likely but no way Watson and the NFLPA don't fight this, maybe even beyond Goodell if he upholds it. It's a loss of tens of millions and a year off the field for no convictions. I know that this seems like a special case, but it's still going to be a lengthy legal battle if it's over 8 games or so.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

To me, this seems the most likely but no way Watson and the NFLPA don't fight this, maybe even beyond Goodell if he upholds it. It's a loss of tens of millions and a year off the field for no convictions. I know that this seems like a special case, but it's still going to be a lengthy legal battle if it's over 8 games or so.

While no convictions there were at least 20 women whom he tacitly admitted to assaulting.  This guy is a serial rapist.

[Dave Gray]

Seems like the outcome that saves the most face for the most people (which should not be mistaken, in any way, for the outcome that is the most just) is to suspend Watson without pay for the 2022-23 season.

I'm in the camp that thinks this happens.  It allows everyone to walk away and come back with something later.

[EDGECRUSHER]

While no convictions there were at least 20 women whom he tacitly admitted to assaulting.  This guy is a serial rapist.

He did not admit to assaulting them, he settled for money to make them go away. Not saying he is innocent, but settling doesn't denote guilt.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Wall Street Journal is reporting that the suspension will probably be indefinitely, with a year being the minimum.

The NFLPA is ready for war, of course it should be noted that they gave Goodell and the league the power to suspend outside of the Judicial system in the first place.