BarleyNY

I don’t know what the going suspension is for making a masseuse cry. But seriously, the NFL doesn’t have to consider things like whether or not Watson’s actions constitute sexual assault. They just need to decide whether or not his actions violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy - and that’s a much lower bar. So let’s consider a plausible scenario that gives Watson the benefit of some doubt. He was getting massages from masseuses and from non-masseuses. He has admitted to asking many of them for sex of one kind or another. And he’s done that a lot. I’m not sure if he admitted to exposing himself, but let’s say he has or at least that we believe he did. Now let’s say we believe that he didn’t intentionally touch any of them with his naughty bits (not sure about that) and that he didn’t coerce anyone into anything (highly unlikely IMO). Isn’t that still plenty to get him suspended? The only real problem for the NFL in handing down punishment to Watson is Robert Kraft’s frequent visits to his favorite Florida massage parlor. I’m sure the NFL is going to work overtime to tamp down any mention of that and the hypocrisy of handing down zero punishment to him. But that’s the world we live in.

That’s fair. You’d think they’d want to minimize it and not add fuel to the fire though. But maybe they already have a good idea of what it’s going to be. I can see the league announcing the suspension on 7/1 so it gets buried over the holiday weekend.

Speaking of lawyer’s strategies: while that might be true from a criminal standpoint, how does that admission not invite suspension from the league?

You think this woman got some new information from the HBO special? I didn’t see it, but I know Watson didn’t do an interview for it. So it’s kinda odd how - even though he wasn’t on it - she suddenly felt he had no remorse. Also it’s worth noting that Buzbee has been saying for weeks that there could be more cases. The timing and narrative are completely strategic. Whether or not the 23rd accuser actually felt the way that has been stated is immaterial. This is how the game is played.

This is what I meant by not being naive. Yes, of course, the narrative has to be something like that. What else are they going to say? Incidentally, what’s “minimum compensation”? $1 and an apology? I suspect it’s a bit more than that. More optics. Again, this is completely independent of the legitimacy of the suit. This is strategy and pressure.

Let’s not be naive. The timing of the filing of the last two suits was planned by Buzbee. The purpose was to keep the suits in the news. By doing so it keeps pressure on Watson to settle the cases, which is his overarching goal. Please note that I am not speaking to the legitimacy of any of the cases, I’m just pointing out the lawyer’s strategy.

I think you’re confused about what’s actually happening. Rescinding the antitrust exemption is definitely something congress can chose to do.

I’m sure the Browns would be happy to void Baker’s contract today if they could. But why would Baker give up $18.9M?

The simple answer to your question about how this would work is to watch the current Congressional Oversight Committee proceedings. That’s how this is supposed to work. Whether or not the US Congress chooses to - or is capable of - doing its job is another matter. This is still their job, whether or not they chose to do it.

His contract would toll. The Browns probably could void his contract as well, but I’m not 100 on that.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/12/03/congress-could-really-hurt-the-nfl-if-it-wants-to/ Specifically Congress has exempted the NFL from antitrust (aka anti-monopoly) laws where broadcasting revenues are concerned. That is why the NFL can collectively bargain for those rather than each individual team having to do so independently. The NFLPA and CBA also enable otherwise illegally monopolistic practices such as the draft, free agency restrictions, roster limits, salary cap, revenue sharing, minimum player age, schedule coordination, etc. This all allows the NFL to act as one organization rather than 32 separate ones. In fact, it even allows the NFL to determine the number of teams. In a free market system new ones could be formed by anyone just like in any other industry.

I agree that owners don’t want to hold each other accountable because of their own skeletons, but I think Snyder crossed the one line that’ll do him in - he stole from other owners. How stupid was that?

The NFL operates as a legal monopoly so Congressional oversight is mandatory. It is odd to think that overseeing the NFL is part of Congress’s job, but it is

Much different optics. When there’s this kind of money at stake there are always going to be people who cheat to get more of it. It’s economics. Usually the best you can do is hold some of them accountable.

Liability issues if they condone or even tacitly encourage their use. PR issues if they don’t ban them.

One of the owners has told me how much he hates gettin a bad review for soggy takeout wings. There’s nothing you can do. Once you put them in a closed box they’re going to get soggy.

Restaurant Depot is awesome. I usually get mine at Costco. As of now that means a trip to Rochester, but there will soon be one in B-lo. I know the brothers that own a place in Buffalo known for its wings (always on the top rated places for them). They’ve both told me they make almost nothing on them ($15.99 for 10) and just hope people that order them also buy beer. Take out wing orders suck for them.

Wow. Odd that draftsharks missed that one: https://www.draftsharks.com/fantasy/injury-history/david-njoku/7770 He had Covid at the end of 2021: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/32883355/cleveland-browns-activate-te-david-njoku-covid-19-list?platform=amp

He wasn’t injured. He got Covid.

He has not. Since being in the NFL he’s only missed games due to injury in 2019. He was out most of the season with a broken wrist. I believe he also had a concussion on the same play. This is year 5 and that’s been it.

I agree on the optics, they are bad. And I agree that Cleveland was very desperate for a FQB. Thus, the traded picks (including 3 first rounders!) and guaranteed $230M contract as well as having to deal with this PR disaster. But many people are looking beyond what’s there and making stuff up to be enraged about - and there’s certainly enough legitimate stuff to complain about.

Flame away at me all you want, but I don’t think we’ll ever see Tre in goal again.

I am so glad that this is finally being discussed. The deep dive into Tua’s imminent ascension to greatness is long overdue.

You are correct. Here’s a link to Spotrac. People thinking that the Browns did anything out of the ordinary with Watson’s contract should take 1 or 2 minutes to educate themselves. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/contracts/quarterback/

Specifically he was asked why he sent a text apologizing to her. If reports are to be believed 13 teams - to some extent at least - tried to trade for Watson.