My thoughts on Deshaun Watson, and his first start with the Browns
Deshaun Watson made his debut for the Browns yesterday. He finished with the second worst passer rating in the NFL this week at a 53.4, only finishing ahead of backup quarterback John Wofford of the LA Rams. Watson defenders will move the goal post from "he's an elite player, who will solve all the Browns problems immediately" to "he hasn't played in 700 days rust is to be expected."
I don't know Deshaun Watson, so I can't weigh in on whether or not I like the guy, but what I will say is I wish more than anything he wasn't playing on my football team. I am a feminist. And I know that statement tends to trigger conservative snowflakes, but I genuinely believe in standing up for any and all marginalized groups.
*Also...I know every company/team/organization/etc. has skeletons in their closet. Sadly American capitalism isn't rooted in morality. Having said that there is a bit of a difference between many of these examples...and offering the face of your franchise a record setting contract in spite of those "skeletons". It's wild that people don't understand the difference there.*
I understand, at times, claims can be made against someone in a vicious effort to damage the image of the accused (i.e. Fantastic Lies). But I also know pattern of behavior is one of the greatest indicators in these situations. Additionally I know how important it is to believe victims. Inevitably, this will create push-back from some saying "in America it's innocent until proven guilty." And I mostly support that position. We live in the "freest" nation on earth...even though, per capita, we lead the world in incarcerated adults...and therefore I agree the American justice system does not protect the innocent, but I also know sexual assault is an incredibly under-reported and under-convicted crime. Rarely does smoking gun evidence exist in these crimes, so it winds up "he said/she said" which makes it very difficult to prove someone guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
What I'm getting at is, the system is broken. I don't have an answer on how to fix it, but I do know it is broken. Side note I hate when you know something is wrong, some will say "well what's your solution" and you respond "I'm not sure, I just know this is wrong" and then they'll be like "well if you don't have a solution, then don't say anything." And then they'll just return to doing the thing we all know is wrong. That shit happens constantly with discourse in our society...but...I'm digressing.
I know the system is broken and does not protect sexual assault victims. I know sexual assault is an extremely difficult crime to convict against. I know it is incredibly important to believe victims and validate their voices. So, while I don't know Deshaun Watson personally, and therefore cannot weigh in on whether or not I like the guy, I do know these things, and it's what makes me hate that I have to root for the football team he plays for.
I'll get out in front of this right now, I fully expected Deshaun to look rusty. I would have been shocked if he didn't. But he did look downright bad, like I said above, second worst passer rating this week. The Browns gave up so much for him, not just in capital, but in dignity. I don't blame a single former* Browns fan for no longer rooting for the team. No level of play from Watson would justify this move in my eyes. If he would have come out and been elite, if he would have looked like the best quarterback in the league, I still wouldn't think it's worth it, because some things are bigger than winning and losing.
I'm not trying to sound "holier than thou" I have made countless mistakes in my life, many of which are tremendously embarrassing. I don't think I'm better than anyone, but I do like to think at this point in my life I have a general understanding of what is right and what is wrong, and I try my best to do the right thing. Rooting for a guy who makes so many people feel invalidated, or unseen, or disrespected...rooting for that guy just isn't in my cards; and no matter how good he would have done, I trust myself, that I would feel the same way.
Deshaun is a young man, who seemingly, still has not admitted any fault. I know there is probably a legal team strongly advising him against admitting any fault, but all of that denial makes it easier and easier for me to not root for the guy.
Browns have the Bengals on the schedule next. Joe Burrow has yet to beat the Browns, and across the board the Browns have had the Bengals number the last several seasons regardless of who the quarterback is. This will be a huge test for Deshaun, and I am interested to see where his supporters move the goal post next if things go south. How long is rust an excuse? You traded three first round picks for him. You knew there was a risk of rust. At what point is that excuse no longer reasonable.
For the record, I do think it's understandable for a week or more...I am just curious if any Deshaun defenders have a timetable of when the rust excuse moves towards concern.
I love the Browns, I always will. I rooted for them when they were 0-16, so, I think that proves it has never been just about winning football games for me. Over the years I have found plenty of enjoyment out of the nuances of the games, not just the outcome. If you would have asked me "what is the best case scenario in Deshaun's first start?" The defense and special teams playing out of their mind while he plays embarrassingly bad would have been pretty much my ideal outcome.
-BG
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