posted by Al Bundy

After missing basically 2 years, I think that it is fair to call him a project right now. He put up big numbers in a gimmick offense in a dome in a terrible division. They got exposed when they made the playoffs. If you are going to give up 3 first round picks, it better be for an all-time great, and even then it doesn't usually work out. We win easily last night with an average QB.

He had only missed 1 year, and it was mostly on his own accord to get out of Houston. And we overpaid, because he was going elsewhere if we didnt. This is all revisionist history, the move is not working out currently, but it was a swing a franchise like the Browns had to make, imo. How many more QBs did you want to draft and waste more time on? 

posted by Laley23

He had only missed 1 year, and it was mostly on his own accord to get out of Houston. And we overpaid, because he was going elsewhere if we didnt. This is all revisionist history, the move is not working out currently, but it was a swing a franchise like the Browns had to make, imo. How many more QBs did you want to draft and waste more time on? 

Spot on. This roster is built to win now. They have a small window to try to put something together. They don't have time to develop a young QB. The defense is now going to likely be a top 5 defense. They had a generational talent at RB and a good run blocking (not pass blocking) O-Line. They had to put all of their chips in. The last time a QB like Watson became available was Drew Brees and many considered him damaged goods.

posted by Laley23

He had only missed 1 year, and it was mostly on his own accord to get out of Houston. And we overpaid, because he was going elsewhere if we didnt. This is all revisionist history, the move is not working out currently, but it was a swing a franchise like the Browns had to make, imo. How many more QBs did you want to draft and waste more time on? 

He basically missed 2 years. He played a handful of games in 2022. Almost everyone thought that it was insane to give up 3 first round picks. Where would you rank him in AFC QBs? If a franchise is going to give up 3 first round picks, you better be the best. He's not even in the top half. 

posted by Al Bundy

He basically missed 2 years. He played a handful of games in 2022. Almost everyone thought that it was insane to give up 3 first round picks. Where would you rank him in AFC QBs? If a franchise is going to give up 3 first round picks, you better be the best. He's not even in the top half. 

The 49ers gave up three 1st rounders to move up to draft an unknown in Trey Lance. Watson, at one point, was a proven commodity and borderline MVP quality. People may think it's "insane" but 1) it's the going rate and 2) if you hit, the draft picks are an afterthought.

posted by BR1986FB

The 49ers gave up three 1st rounders to move up to draft an unknown in Trey Lance. Watson, at one point, was a proven commodity and borderline MVP quality. People may think it's "insane" but 1) it's the going rate and 2) if you hit, the draft picks are an afterthought.

So the logic is that the niners gave up 3 first rounders for a QB who sucks, so we made a good trade? There are other veterans who we could have had much cheaper. The Rams only gave up 2 first rounders for Stafford, who is much better than Watson. We greatly overpaid.

posted by Al Bundy

So the logic is that the niners gave up 3 first rounders for a QB who sucks, so we made a good trade? There are other veterans who we could have had much cheaper. The Rams only gave up 2 first rounders for Stafford, who is much better than Watson. We greatly overpaid.

Trey Lance also didn't cost $230M guaranteed.  THAT is a gigantic issue in and of itself - he WILL be your QB through 2025, unless you get lucky and snag a young QB outside of R1.

Best case scenario is you find someone willing to give you maybe an R2, if you eat half his guaranteed money.

But I think it may still be a bit premature to write him off.  Only Wk2, and that's pretty devastating to lose a guy your gameplan was built around that week.

posted by Al Bundy

He basically missed 2 years. He played a handful of games in 2022. Almost everyone thought that it was insane to give up 3 first round picks. Where would you rank him in AFC QBs? If a franchise is going to give up 3 first round picks, you better be the best. He's not even in the top half. 

At the time we traded, he had only missed 1 season. And there was decent speculation that would be his punishment. 

posted by Al Bundy

So the logic is that the niners gave up 3 first rounders for a QB who sucks, so we made a good trade? There are other veterans who we could have had much cheaper. The Rams only gave up 2 first rounders for Stafford, who is much better than Watson. We greatly overpaid.

I wouldve rather traded 3 first for Watson, than 2 for Stafford. Again, revisionist history that isnt currently working out. But if Watson was still good (and still a little early), that money would be a joke compared to what guys will be in 5 years. And he is younger/in prime. It was a good trade for a team like the Browns, they just need Watson to still be elite/very good and thus far he has not been. Doesnt mean the process was wrong. 

posted by Laley23

I wouldve rather traded 3 first for Watson, than 2 for Stafford. Again, revisionist history that isnt currently working out. But if Watson was still good (and still a little early), that money would be a joke compared to what guys will be in 5 years. And he is younger/in prime. It was a good trade for a team like the Browns, they just need Watson to still be elite/very good and thus far he has not been. Doesnt mean the process was wrong. 

NO ONE else was offering what we offered. When we try to be smarter than everyone else, it always backfires. Just make smart football decisions instead of taking stupid chances where you need everything to be just perfect. I'll ask the question again, where would you rank Watson in terms of AFC QBs? In terms of what we gave up for him, he should be the best. He's not even in the top half. 

posted by Al Bundy

NO ONE else was offering what we offered. When we try to be smarter than everyone else, it always backfires. Just make smart football decisions instead of taking stupid chances where you need everything to be just perfect. I'll ask the question again, where would you rank Watson in terms of AFC QBs? In terms of what we gave up for him, he should be the best. He's not even in the top half. 

He had a no trade clause so he could pick where he wanted to go ultimately. Cleveland was seemingly out of the race and there were 2-3 teams that he was debating. Cleveland came in at the last second with the ridiculous guaranteed money and he was sold then. Cleveland had to offer what no else was otherwise they weren’t getting him. Whether or not it was a good investment is yet to be seen but so far you’d be right to be nervous. 

posted by friendfromlowry

He had a no trade clause so he could pick where he wanted to go ultimately. Cleveland was seemingly out of the race and there were 2-3 teams that he was debating. Cleveland came in at the last second with the ridiculous guaranteed money and he was sold then. Cleveland had to offer what no else was otherwise they weren’t getting him. Whether or not it was a good investment is yet to be seen but so far you’d be right to be nervous. 

100%. Doesn't mean this will work out but that was the price if they were going to get him. 

I wasn't thrilled with what they paid for him either but it's kind of the cost of doing business to land a (perceived) FQB. As I stated before, the only other time I can remember a QB in his prime (not TB12) being on the market was Drew Brees so this isn't common.

Much of Watson's woes, at least last night, were on Stefanski. Once Fitzpatrick "Tonya Harding'd" Chubb, the Browns were one dimensional. The Pittsburgh front 7 could send the hounds. 

All Stefanski had to do was run a few screens and it would've kept the Steelers defense honest. But instead he dials up these long developing routes, allowing the pass rush to get to Watson. No excuse for Deshaun's inaccuracy but KS needs to put him in a position to succeed.

posted by BR1986FB

100%. Doesn't mean this will work out but that was the price if they were going to get him. 

I wasn't thrilled with what they paid for him either but it's kind of the cost of doing business to land a (perceived) FQB. As I stated before, the only other time I can remember a QB in his prime (not TB12) being on the market was Drew Brees so this isn't common.

Much of Watson's woes, at least last night, were on Stefanski. Once Fitzpatrick "Tonya Harding'd" Chubb, the Browns were one dimensional. The Pittsburgh front 7 could send the hounds. 

All Stefanski had to do was run a few screens and it would've kept the Steelers defense honest. But instead he dials up these long developing routes, allowing the pass rush to get to Watson. No excuse for Deshaun's inaccuracy but KS needs to put him in a position to succeed.

If the price is too high, you walk away. They paid the price for a hall of famer, but only got a very inconsistent player who will make highlight plays at times because of his athletic ability. We did the exact same thing with OBJ a few years ago except we threw away more picks this time. 

posted by Al Bundy

If the price is too high, you walk away. They paid the price for a hall of famer, but only got a very inconsistent player who will make highlight plays at times because of his athletic ability. We did the exact same thing with OBJ a few years ago except we threw away more picks this time. 

So they are supposed to sit on their hands and ride it out with Baker Mayfield when he was 1) not all that talented and 2) kind of a divisive presence in the locker room?

Whether we like it or not, these front office guys will do anything to keep their jobs and I think Haslam, unlike the Dolan's, wants to win in the worst way. If they saw this as the way to do it, so be it, although it may not have been the best decision but you still have to pull the trigger.

I hate to defend the Browns or Watson but there were about a half dozen other teams willing to do what they did. 

posted by friendfromlowry

I hate to defend the Browns or Watson but there were about a half dozen other teams willing to do what they did. 

Exactly and I bet if their backs were against the wall, some of them probably would've given him the fully guaranteed deal.

posted by BR1986FB

100%. Doesn't mean this will work out but that was the price if they were going to get him. 

I wasn't thrilled with what they paid for him either but it's kind of the cost of doing business to land a (perceived) FQB. As I stated before, the only other time I can remember a QB in his prime (not TB12) being on the market was Drew Brees so this isn't common.

Much of Watson's woes, at least last night, were on Stefanski. Once Fitzpatrick "Tonya Harding'd" Chubb, the Browns were one dimensional. The Pittsburgh front 7 could send the hounds. 

All Stefanski had to do was run a few screens and it would've kept the Steelers defense honest. But instead he dials up these long developing routes, allowing the pass rush to get to Watson. No excuse for Deshaun's inaccuracy but KS needs to put him in a position to succeed.

Good points.  And, definitely not sold on Stefanski.

No shocker here but it sounds like they've brought back Kareem Hunt on a 1 year deal.

Hunt is washed, more than likely. But he knows the system, tough hard runner, and can block. One of the reasons I was fine with us potentially signing Zeke is for his pass-pro. Hunt isnt that good, but he is very solid. 

posted by BR1986FB

No shocker here but it sounds like they've brought back Kareem Hunt on a 1 year deal.

Seems lazy a bit

posted by Ironman92

Seems lazy a bit

Like Laley said, I think he's washed but they brought him back due to system familiarity. 

I think he might be a viable option on 3rd down (as a pass catcher/blocker) if they can get him the ball in space. 

Kareem Hunt from a few years ago was the ideal RB for a Watson offense. 

Think there's a reason he's gone unsigned. Also thought he'd be a nice piece for the Bills when the Browns decided to move on. Pretty odd because it doesn't seem like he has a ton of tread on the tires due to missing time.

"Potentially" good news...

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38471366/sources-browns-rb-nick-chubb-believed-only-torn-mcl

Watson WTF?

That was a dirty forearm on Watson

Titans atrocious discipline on that play sll-around 

Titans has no clue how strong Cleveland’s pressure and defense is

The ref who called Cooper out should be fired at halftime. That’s fucking atrocious. He wasn’t even close to being oob.