A wooing of Watson and a backhanded slap to Baker

There was lot not to like about the Browns’ quarterback situation by Tuesday night.

The Browns spent the day trying to woo Deshaun Watson so that they could pull off a trade for him with the Houston Texans. And in doing so, they effectively ended Baker Mayfield’s career in Cleveland. For after that courtship of Watson, they publicly embarrassed Mayfield and said to him in no uncertain terms, “You’re not our guy.”

Although it means nothing now, let me be very clear once again reiterate what I have already said about Mayfield in that I think he’s a good quarterback when healthy and can no doubt lead the Browns to where they want to go. He was beaten up last season, but he courageously tried to play through it. It didn’t work to the benefit of him or the team.

But the members of this Browns regime didn’t take Mayfield in the 2018 NFL Draft and so they do not feel beholden to him. They have nothing invested in him. He’s not their guy.

That’s how it works not just in pro sports, football and otherwise, but also in college and even high school sports when a new general manager and/head coach comes in. They get their own guys, those they believe in, especially at the most important positions, and move forward with them.

As for Watson, he’s a good quarterback — there’s no doubt about that — but I seriously question whether he’s a good person. He might not be taken down by the criminal side of the sexual assault accusations against him, but there may be as many as 22 — or more — civil lawsuits against him. Can 22 women all be wrong? The numbers don’t seem to add up on that.

Thank you, @KenCarman, for your commentary tonight on Deshaun Watson. I appreciate your candor, your commonsense and your compassion, and I'm proud to have you as a colleague. pic.twitter.com/gFBkCJSTMt

— Jen Steer (@jensteer) March 14, 2022

A pro athlete doesn’t need to be an altar boy, but he does need to be responsible and trustworthy.

And anyway, is this the message the Browns want to send to their fans, especially their female fans, that they’re willing to look past some things if Watson can lead them to the Super Bowl?

At least for me, not my Cleveland Browns, the team I grew up rooting for and following.

By Steve King