Garrett Bush of the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show and Jeff Lloyd of the Locked On Browns Podcast discuss the latest Cleveland Browns News, Rumors, and Analysis. Garrett and Jeff discuss the Deshaun Watson 6 game suspension and What Does Judge Robinson's Ruling Mean For The Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, and NFL?

Robinson, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association to rule on the case and administer any punishment, listened to arguments from the league, the union and Watson's attorney during a three-day hearing held in her home state of Delaware in late June. The NFL had been pushing for a suspension of at least a year, while the union and Watson's attorney argued that the quarterback should not be suspended at all. The sides discussed a potential settlement all the way up through the hearing, but they could not agree to a deal. In the days leading up to Robinson's decision, the league and Watson's side engaged in further settlement talks, sources told ESPN's Dan Graziano, but neither side ever felt they were close to an agreement. The most Watson's side indicated it was willing to offer was a suspension in the range of six to eight games, according to sources. The best the league indicated it was willing to offer was a 12-game suspension and a significant fine -- in the range of $8 million, sources said. While the NFLPA said it will not appeal the decision, the league still has the right to appeal.

Since March 2021, 25 civil lawsuits have been filed against Watson, accusing him of actions ranging from inappropriate behavior to sexual assault during massage sessions. One of the 25 lawsuits was dropped after the judge ruled the petition had to be amended with the plaintiff's name. Watson and 20 of the other plaintiffs agreed to settle their lawsuits in late June. Early Monday morning, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee told ESPN's John Barr that Watson agreed to settle three of the remaining four active lawsuits against him.

In mid-July, the Houston Texans reached settlements with 30 women who were prepared to make claims against the organization for its alleged role in "enabling Watson's behavior" while he was still with the team, according to Buzbee. One of those 30 women had filed a suit against the Texans in June, but that case, Buzbee said, was also settled.

Watson has maintained he is innocent of the allegations. Two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson earlier this year. The Texans traded Watson to the Browns in March after the first grand jury announced it would not indict Watson.

Now that Robinson has ruled on Watson's suspension, what is next for the quarterback and the Browns?

He has the right to appeal, but the NFLPA issued a statement Sunday night saying it would not appeal Robinson's decision, and called on the NFL to do the same: "Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office. This is why, regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling." According to the CBA, any appeal, either from the NFLPA or the league, "shall be in writing within three business days of the Disciplinary Officer's decision, and any response to the appeal shall be filed in writing within two business days thereafter. The appeal shall be limited to arguments why, based on the evidentiary record below, the amount of discipline, if any, should be modified." After that ruling has been made, the CBA says, "The Commissioner or his designee will issue a written decision that will constitute full, final and complete disposition of the dispute and will be binding."

What suspension length did the Browns expect when they acquired Watson?

The consensus within the organization in the immediate aftermath of the trade was Watson would probably be suspended in the range of four to six games, according to sources. When the Browns first made the trade, they knew a suspension -- even a season-long one -- was possible. They made a commitment to Watson, signing him to a five-year contract worth $230 million fully guaranteed, the richest deal in NFL history for any player. And sources say they remain committed to him.

Watson will continue to be able to participate in practices and games during the preseason. But he will have to be away from the team during the first half of the suspension after the regular season begins. According to the CBA, Watson will be allowed to rejoin the Browns and practice with them during the second half of the suspension, which would begin in Week 4.

#NFL #Watson #Deshaun #6Games #BreakingNews #Browns #Cleveland

• What Does Judge Robinson's Ruling Mean For The Cleveland Browns, Deshaun Watson, and NFL ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson suspension: Legal expert on Judge Sue L Robinson's six-game punishment ( Download)
• Will Judge Robinson Rule on Deshaun Watson’s Suspension Before Cleveland Browns Training Camp ( Download)
• Legal Analyst on Why Judge Sue L. Robinson is Beneficial for Deshaun Watson - Sports4CLE, 7/22/22 ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson suspension: Jim Donovan and Mike Florio discuss the latest on the Browns quarterback ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson 6-game suspension: Will the NFL appeal the ruling ( Download)
• Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson latest: Disciplinary hearing ends ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson Suspension Exposes NFL's True Goals ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson suspension leaves mixed emotions among Browns fans ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson case: How does NFL arbitration hearing work ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson suspension: Cleveland Browns fans react to news of NFL appeal ( Download)
• Complete analysis of Sue L. Robinson's ruling on Deshaun Watson | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC ( Download)
• Sue L. Robinson's Timeline on a Decision for a Deshaun Watson Suspension - Sports4CLE, 7/18/22 ( Download)
• Deshaun Watson suspended : What does it mean : And what's next for the QB and the Cleveland Browns ( Download)
• The Importance of How Sue L. Robinson's Decision is Written for Deshaun Watson - Sports4CLE, 7/5/22 ( Download)