The Deshaun Watson Discussion Thread

[FantasyFreak]

sounds like he's a heartbeat from being a Dolphin and if he is traded before the deadline could play this year as the league is claiming they don't have enough info to put him on the exempt list. Which makes sense as it seems clear the league will do everything they can to avoid taking any action until there is some sort of clarity over the legal situation

https://twitter.com/flasportsbuzz/statu ... gr%5Etweet

This guy (27 years with the Miami Herald) claiming they want the legal issues resolved before consummating the deal, so not so sure. Could be something that will be pushed to the off season.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/desh ... -resolved/

Here, too.

I wonder if the civil gets settled out of court (which Watson doesn't want), if they'd make the deal, or wait for the criminal, if it's still active, I never heard the cases were closed, so not sure. Either way, far from a done deal it seems.

If this all gets settled it will cost Miami more. Right now they can get a discount in exchange for a little risk. They may view it worth it. Miami just wants to make sure that if they make the trade, Watson isn't suddenly going to be on the commissioners exempt list.

But that's not what they are saying, they are saying they want his cases settled. I don't blame them either. Regardless of what the league has said about his current situation, the reports are Miami wants his court stuff settled. Watson will end up on the exempt list at some point, or suspended, it just might be next year. They have to know that's almost guaranteed at some point.

[Orenthal Shames]

If this all gets settled it will cost Miami more. Right now they can get a discount in exchange for a little risk. They may view it worth it. Miami just wants to make sure that if they make the trade, Watson isn't suddenly going to be on the commissioners exempt list. It's previously been discussed that the reason he's not on it now is because Houston is content with paying him and having him sit and Watson is content to sit and get paid.

The commissioner is avoiding making any moves right now because if he doesn't do anything he can't be blamed for making the wrong move and he can just wait.

If Watson is traded and going to play it puts more pressure on the commish and Miami wants to make certain that Watson won't end up on the commissioner exempt list because of it.

Additionally let's be clear, there is no way the legal process will be concluded by the time the trade deadline approaches. Even if the civil complaints were settled there is still the criminal complaints which won't begin until 2022. Further by putting this requirement on Watson to make the trade work, gives leverage to the accusers. And again let's not forget, Watson is still being paid. He can sit, get paid, and have his day in court or he can shell out money, play, and be labeled (rightly or wrongly) as a sexual predator.

I don't disagree, but i'd bet the criminal complaints get dropped once the civil suits are settled.

Maybe but not necessarily. Once criminal complaints are settled it's up to the DA/police on whether or not to proceed. And I know you said you don't disagree so this isn't directed at you, but let's remember Watson has had ample time to settle this. He has chosen not to.

I don't pretend to be an expert in the legality of the matter. Nobody can know for sure except those involved directly. Almost nothing would shock me either way, but if I were to lay odds, I would lean towards everything being settled at some point. The majority of the accusers in the criminal cases are also plaintiffs in the civil cases, all but 2. There's also been rumors of FBI investigations on extortion as well.

[abloom]

I don't disagree, but i'd bet the criminal complaints get dropped once the civil suits are settled.

Maybe but not necessarily. Once criminal complaints are settled it's up to the DA/police on whether or not to proceed. And I know you said you don't disagree so this isn't directed at you, but let's remember Watson has had ample time to settle this. He has chosen not to.

I don't pretend to be an expert in the legality of the matter. Nobody can know for sure except those involved directly. Almost nothing would shock me either way, but if I were to lay odds, I would lean towards everything being settled at some point. The majority of the accusers in the criminal cases are also plaintiffs in the civil cases, all but 2. There's also been rumors of FBI investigations on extortion as well.

Whoops I said "once complaints are settled" meant to say "once complaints are filed". Criminal complaints are followed through by the police and DA. It's up to them to pursue the case. They have to weigh the likelihood of a conviction among other things. In order to convict they need witnesses. If the witnesses are no longer willing to testify or if the DA believes that their testimony will be less persuasive after a civil settlement then they can choose to not pursue charges.

However just because a civil suit is settled it does not automatically mean that the criminal charges are simply dropped.

[Orenthal Shames]

Maybe but not necessarily. Once criminal complaints are settled it's up to the DA/police on whether or not to proceed. And I know you said you don't disagree so this isn't directed at you, but let's remember Watson has had ample time to settle this. He has chosen not to.

I don't pretend to be an expert in the legality of the matter. Nobody can know for sure except those involved directly. Almost nothing would shock me either way, but if I were to lay odds, I would lean towards everything being settled at some point. The majority of the accusers in the criminal cases are also plaintiffs in the civil cases, all but 2. There's also been rumors of FBI investigations on extortion as well.

Whoops I said "once complaints are settled" meant to say "once complaints are filed". Criminal complaints are followed through by the police and DA. It's up to them to pursue the case. They have to weigh the likelihood of a conviction among other things. In order to convict they need witnesses. If the witnesses are no longer willing to testify or if the DA believes that their testimony will be less persuasive after a civil settlement then they can choose to not pursue charges.

However just because a civil suit is settled it does not automatically mean that the criminal charges are simply dropped.

Not at all. I'm saying that I'd imagine those pursuing criminal cases would likely drop them if they get what they want in the civil ones as part of the agreement, whether under the table or not.

[abloom]

I don't pretend to be an expert in the legality of the matter. Nobody can know for sure except those involved directly. Almost nothing would shock me either way, but if I were to lay odds, I would lean towards everything being settled at some point. The majority of the accusers in the criminal cases are also plaintiffs in the civil cases, all but 2. There's also been rumors of FBI investigations on extortion as well.

Whoops I said "once complaints are settled" meant to say "once complaints are filed". Criminal complaints are followed through by the police and DA. It's up to them to pursue the case. They have to weigh the likelihood of a conviction among other things. In order to convict they need witnesses. If the witnesses are no longer willing to testify or if the DA believes that their testimony will be less persuasive after a civil settlement then they can choose to not pursue charges.

However just because a civil suit is settled it does not automatically mean that the criminal charges are simply dropped.

Not at all. I'm saying that I'd imagine those pursuing criminal cases would likely drop them if they get what they want in the civil ones as part of the agreement, whether under the table or not.

Right but what I'm saying is that accusers cannot choose to drop criminal charges. Pressing charges isn't a thing like you see in movies or tv.

[Anteaters]

those pursuing criminal cases would likely drop them if they get what they want in the civil ones as part of the agreement, whether under the table or not.

Some may drop the criminal case. Many may. It is also possible that for some of the plaintiffs, what they want cannot be achieved in only a civil case. If what they want includes a criminal prosecution, those plaintiffs will continue to pursue a criminal case.

A lot of outsiders are assuming all of the women want only money. It's possible some want justice.

[NWABCS]

So we don't have a trade in place... or we do... but we don't...

[Orenthal Shames]

Whoops I said "once complaints are settled" meant to say "once complaints are filed". Criminal complaints are followed through by the police and DA. It's up to them to pursue the case. They have to weigh the likelihood of a conviction among other things. In order to convict they need witnesses. If the witnesses are no longer willing to testify or if the DA believes that their testimony will be less persuasive after a civil settlement then they can choose to not pursue charges.

However just because a civil suit is settled it does not automatically mean that the criminal charges are simply dropped.

Not at all. I'm saying that I'd imagine those pursuing criminal cases would likely drop them if they get what they want in the civil ones as part of the agreement, whether under the table or not.

Right but what I'm saying is that accusers cannot choose to drop criminal charges. Pressing charges isn't a thing like you see in movies or tv.

Appreciate the clarification! I guess my terminology was wrong. Swap in drop complaints for no longer willing to testify then I suppose, or whatever the equivalent would be.

[Ice]

So there seems to be a lot of talk of Criminal Cases but there are none to date. The Houston Police I am sure have spoken to all relevant parties months ago at this point and the FBI was also involved but that may have been an extortion attempt.

There is nothing to drop and if criminal charges are ever filed it won't be by individuals.

Teams would be foolish to trade for him at this point. Teams do foolish things a lot but still, trading for him would look next level stupid at this point.

[Orenthal Shames]

So there seems to be a lot of talk of Criminal Cases but there are none to date. The Houston Police I am sure have spoken to all relevant parties months ago at this point and the FBI was also involved but that may have been an extortion attempt.

There is nothing to drop and if criminal charges are ever filed it won't be by individuals.

Teams would be foolish to trade for him at this point. Teams do foolish things a lot but still, trading for him would look next level stupid at this point.

Unless nothing major materializes and they get an elite, young QB at a discount, then they look genius.

[FantasyFreak]

So there seems to be a lot of talk of Criminal Cases but there are none to date. The Houston Police I am sure have spoken to all relevant parties months ago at this point and the FBI was also involved but that may have been an extortion attempt.

There is nothing to drop and if criminal charges are ever filed it won't be by individuals.

Teams would be foolish to trade for him at this point. Teams do foolish things a lot but still, trading for him would look next level stupid at this point.

I'd be very surprised if someone does right now. More likely to me is this off season, but you never know. With the Dolphins, it's not like they are vying for a playoff spot, so no rush. I bet they wish they had their first right now, and Devonta Smith, instead of Waddle. That trade is looking awful right now, even worse than it looked at the time.

[burntfire]

The trade isn't happening before the deadline. I expect him to move closer to the draft.

[mild]

The trade isn't happening before the deadline. I expect him to move closer to the draft.

Source? Lol.

It's up in the air. I'm holding him in 2 redrafts on the off-chance they pull the trigger.

The fact that the Dolphins line is "we want his legal status resolved" (when we know that's very hard to do before Tuesday, if not impossible) and the Texans line is "they still haven't met our price" means that they are haggling over the deal. Both are leaking these stories in order to try and make the other side blink - but there's clear smoke and fire here.

I'm sure the Texans would love to get off this sorry story asap rather than continue to have it drag out. I think the Dolphins are desperate enough to "pave over" their Tua/Herbert misstep and set a plan in place for 2022 that they might just do it, and scoop him as a distressed asset - convincing themselves it's worth the gamble to get the talent, considering he's just turned 26.

I mean, Mike Vick played again after going to prison...

[burntfire]

The trade isn't happening before the deadline. I expect him to move closer to the draft.

Source? Lol.

It's up in the air. I'm holding him in 2 redrafts on the off-chance they pull the trigger.

The fact that the Dolphins line is "we want his legal status resolved" (when we know that's very hard to do before Tuesday, if not impossible) and the Texans line is "they still haven't met our price" means that they are haggling over the deal. Both are leaking these stories in order to try and make the other side blink - but there's clear smoke and fire here.

I'm sure the Texans would love to get off this sorry story asap rather than continue to have it drag out. I think the Dolphins are desperate enough to "pave over" their Tua/Herbert misstep and set a plan in place for 2022 that they might just do it, and scoop him as a distressed asset - convincing themselves it's worth the gamble to get the talent, considering he's just turned 26.

I mean, Mike Vick played again after going to prison...

I'm from Houston and know when certain reports come from certain reporters what camp is sending it out. I 100% believe this is the Watson camp saying that a deal should happen etc etc especially when it comes from McClain.

That being said, the new GM seems pretty sharp and I don't believe he'll ship Watson out without a ton of pieces. The longshot here is McNair selling the team and Watson actually stays since he and McNair apparently despise each other. (Hey I can dream)

What's hilarious is Watson wants to go to Miami who would have theoretically just traded away their future to obtain him. Going from one dumpster fire to one with no future for the next 3+ years.

[Anteaters]

Teams would be foolish to trade for him at this point. Teams do foolish things a lot but still, trading for him would look next level stupid at this point.

I agree. As a Dolphins fan, I'm terrified the rumors are true. Of all the possible veteran QB acquisitions, I think I'd rather have anyone else rather than waste 1sts 2nds and quality players on getting Watson. Miami's last big Free Agent QB Decision was Brees OR Culpepper, and that went about as terrible as it could have. The decision should be Russ or Aaron or just keep Tua. Hell, I'd rather take a chance on Trubinsky than give up what it would take to acquire Watson in trade.

If he's coming as a free agent (or very cheap), sure, I'm on board. If we have to give up multiple 1sts and/or 2nds and players, I don't want him until his legal troubles (and possible NFL suspension) are over.