By STEVE KING
We’ve spent so much time recently — and rightfully so — on the Browns’ controversial trade to acquire Deshaun Watson, a talented quarterback whose morals come into question.
The fact they then signed him to a historic contract extension served only to ramp up the controversy.
All that has been both exhausting and disappointing, among many other things, none of which are positive.
But now we get to spend time — joyfully so and rightfully so — on the Browns’ signing Denzel Ward, a talented cornerback whose morals are above reproach, to a huge five-year contract extension worth $100.5 million, with a whopping $71.25 million guaranteed.
.@denzelward put the league on notice in his very first start ✌️
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 20, 2022
📺: #NFLDraft on @NFLNetwork | April 28-30 pic.twitter.com/QbDuWBnJ5Z
All that is both invigorating and wonderful.
The fact that he is a local guy, from nearby Nordonia High School and Ohio State, serves only to ramp up positivity.
And it is just what the Browns needed in a variety of ways, for not only does it bring them back into a positive light for giving a king’s ransom to another core player — and Ward is definitely that, as is Watson — but also doing so to a guy who, with his smile and commitment to the team and the local community, is a walking advertisement for the other extreme from Watson, in being a feel-good story about the club.
Quarterback is the most important position not just in football, but also in all of team sports. You can’t win without a good one, and the Browns now have that in Watson.
But cornerback is the second-most important position on a football team, for you need a lot of good guys there as well who can cover all these fast and talented receivers in the NFL. The Browns are building a good stable of those players, and they have locked up the ringleader of the bunch while he is entering his prime years.
So, at least for a day or two or three, there is some big news about the Browns that can make all of their fans — not just a portion of them — smile.
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