Month: June 2022

Not really. In the world of the NFL, it’s 365 days of the year. So, let’s get started. According to Mary Kay Cabot, RB Kareem Hunt would like to sign a contract extension with the Browns. I love Hunt and he’s an important cog in the offense, but the team just drafted his replacement, Jerome Ford. Sorry Kareem, I wish there was a way it could happen, but it won’t.

Appearently the front offices of both the Carolina Panthers and the Seattle Seahawks get paid by the hour. Last week it was reported the Panthers were doing extensive research on trading for Baker Mayfield. This week it’s being reported that the Seattle Seahawks and doing extensive research on trading for Baker Mayfield. Go watch your current quarterbacks at practice, research over. Between the two teams, Seattle has the draft capital and Carolina has the cap space. It’s being reported, again, the Browns are willing to pay half of Mayfield’s salary ($9.5 million). It’ll get done before training camp.

The Deshaun Watson news is starting to get better. Watson and his attorney have settled 20 of the 24 civil cases, with the last four being settled soon. It’s been reported each case was settled for $150,000. The people who hate Watson will call this an admission of guilt; the fans who love Watson will say it’s not. I say it’s putting this situation behind us. Over the last month, this has turned from an issue that’s not talked about enough to a Sh*t Show. The best part about this news, since Tony Buzbee’s announcement of the settlements, both attorneys have shut up. Silence is golden.

As for the potential Watson suspension, no one knows anything. Opinions are like a certain area of your body in the lower regions, everyone has one. I do know this will be the first Personal Conduct Policy case heard under the new arbitration system. If the arbitrator, retired judge Sue Robinson, suggests a lengthy suspension, the players union will sue. The PCP applies to all players, coaches, front office staff AND owners. Daniel Snyder, we see you. The union has retained attorney Jeffery Kessler to represent them and Watson against the league. He successfully sued the league on behalf of Tom Brady over “deflategate” (later appealed by the league resulting in a four-game suspension a year later) and represented the United States Womens Soccer team in their fight for equal pay.

Finally former Brown Joe Haden has caused a stir on his Instagram account. Is he thinking about signing with the Browns? Or is he going to sign a one-day contract and retire a Brown? Only Joe knows. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.

Mandatory minicamp has started, and the practice videos are all over twitter. I love this time of year. A few rumblings, I think kicker Cade York is going to make the team. The ball explodes off his foot. Wide receiver David Bell hasn’t dropped a pass yet and the defense seems ready for the season to start. This secondary is going to be very, very good.

There is news on the Baker Mayfield trade front. It’s being reported the Carolina Panthers are closing in on a deal. The sticking point is still who pays what of his contract. Carolina really wants to get him into mandatory minicamp so Mayfield can start learning the playbook. Of course it could be the Panthers, the Browns first opponent.

As for QB Deshaun Watson, he talked to the media today. He said he was open and honest to the NFL investigators and doesn’t know what kind of punishment he’ll receive. Said he wasn’t going to settle and wants to prove his innocence. He also said he’s taking advantage of the Browns counselling service. Good. The national media is predicting everything from six games to he’ll be locked in his basement for the rest of his life. Some are suggesting the commissioner place Watson on the commissioners exempt list till all the cases are settled. I can’t see this happening, there are no criminal charges. A lawsuit from the players union would follow quickly. All I know is this has gone from a serious issue to a pissing contest between two celebrity lawyers. Tony Buzbee, the plaintiffs’ attorney keeps digging up cases to force something to court prior to July 1st. After that date no cases can be brought to court till after March 31, 2023.

I reached out to a client of mine who’s an attorney and a sports fan (Cubs and yes, he reminds me of 2016 every time I talk to him). He say’s Buzbee is getting more desperate every week. Buzbee doesn’t get his 33% cut until the cases are settled, so his plan is to try these cases in the court of public opinion. Adding an NFL team, the Houston Texans, won’t do him any favors with the NFL. Some have mentioned a ruling on a suspension will come prior to training camp. I still can’t see how the NFL can suspend Watson without a resolution to any of these cases. The league can’t suspend him twice for the same offense. It’s interesting that Watson is taking all the snaps with the number one offense this off-season. I have a feeling the Browns know what’s going to happen.

That’s it for now. Enjoy the minicamp videos, hopefully Mayfield will be traded soon, and will see if Tony Buzbee includes the Toronto Argonauts in his list of plaintiffs against Watson. Everyone stay safe and Go Browns.