brownie man Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) This is unarguably one of the biggest decisions in NFL history. Hopefully it's the last thread I have to make on this subject, but I do believe this specific topic warrants it's own thread. There are 3 options to this 1. NFL appeals this and decides to add games and a fine. - I think this is the worst option for all parties. No one is going to win this PR battle, and I believe if you do decide to demean the entire system you just set up you're going to open pandora's box when Watson takes this to court. This in my opinion would be the worst outcome for everyone. 2. Appeal and only adding a fine. - I'm starting to think this will be the outcome. Keep the game count, but give Watson a significant fine. Someone on TV I forget who recommended fining him 10 million which was apparently his salary from 2021. I think that could be possible. Kinda high in my opinion, but if you add a fine that at least upholds her game ruling, allows the league to say they did add additional punishment, and the money can be put toward a good cause potentially. I don't think Watson's team would fight it either. 3. The NFL decides to let Judge Sue Robinson's decision stand. - I think this is second to adding a fine. They'd get backlash from media, but it would be the best move in terms of relationship with the NFLPA. I think this whole situation is such an outlier you'll never see anything quite like this again, and if you allow her decision to stand in this situation it makes any other personal conduct ruling from here on out so much easier to handle. If you let this stand it allows the league to follow this process moving forward which sets up expectations for players from here out. We've got a few days before a decision has to be made, and I think it'll be one of the most significant decisions Goodell has had to make that'll impact player punishments for the next decade aka the when this current CBA is up. I'm going with option 2. I think upholding her game decision and only adding the fine allows them to validate the process along with her decision while also adding positive PR if the money is put toward a good cause. I believe if they add games to his suspension and this winds up in court it's going to be such a horrible outcome it won't be worth it. There is no amount of games that will make everyone happy. It doesn't exist the only thing we can do moving forward is Deshaun rehabbing his image. Some people want him to never play again, and that's just not realistic so you'll never make everyone happy. Just is what it is. Edited August 2, 2022 by brownie man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forge Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 I think they'll let it stand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAF-N72EX Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) I think it gets raised to 8-10 games, but wouldn't be surprised to see it stand at 6 games either. I can see both sides. I think it gets raised because you can never underestimate the power of media backlash and the NFL's continuous quest to TRY and maintain a "good" image. They're already receiving confused responses --to put it light-- from both active and retired players, GMs, media, and fans. It would set a bad precedent moving forward if they let the 6 game suspension stand, but they can't go too crazy either (like a full season) because then that would be them ultimately admitting they were wrong in their initial decision, and the NFL would rather inadvertently embarrass themselves in more subtle ways than openly accepting it. Again, "good" image and all that. I also wouldn't be surprising to see it stand with a heavier fine either for two reasons. 1) As said above, the NFL don't like to admit they are wrong. 2) They did already place a stipulation on him that he can only use massage therapists approved by the team AND no involvement with law enforcement in a negative manner that violates the player conduct policy and both are set for the rest of his career. That's already a lifetime blemish on his personal life and business likeness that he's going to have to face for the rest of his life. I guarantee a lot of sponsors that otherwise would've been lining up at the door for him are never going to touch him again. The public perception of him will never be the same either. So they may look at both these factors and say this is justifiable enough to keep at 6 games and may throw in a heavier fine just to kinda please the masses as another way of saying "see, we did more like you all wanted us too but we also didn't do anything wrong in our initial assessment"--even though they did. Remember, this is the NFL. Completely blinded by business and common sense be damned. Edited August 2, 2022 by JAF-N72EX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PossibleCabbage Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Six games is unbelievably light. Also, it would be very funny if the legal fight stretches into next season at which point "Suspending Watson" actually does impact him financially (unlike suspending him this season.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie man Posted August 2, 2022 Author Share Posted August 2, 2022 What people are bringing up is that if they do upgrade his suspension and then Deshaun sues and they go to court he could play week 1 like what happened with Zeke. Im a browns fan, but that would be the worst optic possible to watch him playing week 1 for everybody. Especially Deshaun vs Baker it would dampen the start of the year and take much of the attention away from the other games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NudeTayne Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 Who cares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AkronsWitness Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 (edited) I dont think Rodger will appeal for the simple fact that it would undermine what the owners voted for having in exact situations like this. They wanted a independent arbitrator to make these decisions, not the NFL. Rog going in there and changing the punishment would probably piss off a lot of owners Edited August 2, 2022 by AkronsWitness 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forge Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
August4th Posted August 2, 2022 Share Posted August 2, 2022 if that's true. watson/players union will go to court. so Watson will play week 1? and potentially against Baker? wow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BayRaider Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Forge said: I thought owners AND fans biggest complaint was Goodell not taking suspensions into his own hands? Can’t have your cake and eat it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingOfNewYork Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 What was the point of the judge then? Oh we don’t like your decision so we’re going to go against the precedent we set due to outrage/fake outrage from the public. I have no idea what a fine will do and why it would be warranted. Im starting to think people don’t really care about the women they just want Watson punished. What’s the point of a system and due process if the court of public opinion is going to dictate how things go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie man Posted August 3, 2022 Author Share Posted August 3, 2022 (edited) 22 minutes ago, KingOfNewYork said: Im starting to think people don’t really care about the women they just want Watson punished. Oh bro it's been that. You late to the party. None of the people on TV or posters on here care about the women. They just want to see Watson punished especially after his contract. Owner's don't want to see 230 mill guaranteed. They don't want to have to put their money in escrow so 30 other owners are frowning at this just for that, and the media and other people want to feel self righteous about themselves. Watson's a villain and people wanna see the villain punished. That's just life. 22 minutes ago, KingOfNewYork said: I have no idea what a fine will do and why it would be warranted. Here's where I'll disagree. If you fine him and put the funds directly to a domestic violence organization that could directly make an impact. You send 2 million to a women's abuse organization that makes a direct impact for that organization. If you fine him and it goes back to the league I agree that absolutely makes no sense, but they'd have the power to decide where those funds are allocated. Fining him and sending that money toward a good cause could actually give this whole thing a sliver of positive PR. I'm telling you after all this the worst thing is Watson playing week 1. I GUARANTEE YOU the same people saying that his suspension is too light are going to be the same people throwing at fit if he's out there week 1. I guarantee you check the posters. It would just be absolutely the dumbest thing. If you think 6 games is stupid. Watson vs Baker Mayfield in the revenge game is going to be 3x as dumb. Just absolutely dumb and horrific PR. The definition of cut your nose to spite your face. Edited August 3, 2022 by brownie man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aceinthehouse Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 Goodell is a tyrant. I'll be shocked if he leaves it at 6 games. Nobody in the League likes to show their power, more than Goodell. If I had to guess? He'll get the whole 2022 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingOfNewYork Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 20 minutes ago, brownie man said: Oh bro it's been that. You late to the party. None of the people on TV or posters on here care about the women. They just want to see Watson punished especially after his contract. Owner's don't want to see 230 mill guaranteed. They don't want to have to put their money in escrow so 30 other owners are frowning at this just for that, and the media and other people want to feel self righteous about themselves. Watson's a villain and people wanna see the villain punished. That's just life. Here's where I'll disagree. If you fine him and put the funds directly to a domestic violence organization that could directly make an impact. You send 2 million to a women's abuse organization that makes a direct impact for that organization. If you fine him and it goes back to the league I agree that absolutely makes no sense, but they'd have the power to decide where those funds are allocated. Fining him and sending that money toward a good cause could actually give this whole thing a sliver of positive PR. I'm telling you after all this the worst thing is Watson playing week 1. I GUARANTEE YOU the same people saying that his suspension is too light are going to be the same people throwing at fit if he's out there week 1. I guarantee you check the posters. It would just be absolutely the dumbest thing. If you think 6 games is stupid. Watson vs Baker Mayfield in the revenge game is going to be 3x as dumb. Just absolutely dumb and horrific PR. The definition of cut your nose to spite your face. Would the donation be good PR for the league or Watson? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas5737 Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 53 minutes ago, brownie man said: Oh bro it's been that. You late to the party. None of the people on TV or posters on here care about the women. They just want to see Watson punished especially after his contract. Owner's don't want to see 230 mill guaranteed. They don't want to have to put their money in escrow so 30 other owners are frowning at this just for that, and the media and other people want to feel self righteous about themselves. Watson's a villain and people wanna see the villain punished. That's just life. You're every bit as bad as the worst Steeler poster defending Ben or the worst Raven poster defending Rice. No one cares about the women? WTF do you think this is about? Why would Browns fans be disgusted by him being the starting QB if it was about a contract? The people who think Watson should be punished more than 6 games and his salary of 300k for 25 cases of putting people in a frightening position because they are weaker than him as he was trying to get them (or force them) to perform sexual acts are self righteous? Yep, probably. Sexual misconduct/assault against people weaker than you is disgusting and if some don't think so then I do feel morally superior to you. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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