Media by Associated Press: Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson kneels on the field during the NFL football team’s training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Anyone hoping the Deshaun Watson drama would be over by now is sorely disappointed by recent events. The NFL decided to appeal the suspension on Wednesday and will be after a more stringent penalty than what Sue L. Robinson handed down Monday. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will hear the appeal.
What the NFL is hoping to impose is an indefinite suspension and fine. Now that the NFL has taken this step, everyone can expect the fight to get uglier. The NFLPA, the union representing the players, will currently read a case to file in federal court. However this case ends, it will be ugly.
During his time with the Houston Texans, Watson was accused of sexual misconduct with 26 massage therapists. Many civil cases against Watson were filed out of court, while others are still pending.
Dolphins not off the hook, either
The Miami Dolphins will be hit hard by the NFL following confirmed allegations of tampering with Sean Payton and Tom Brady. Owner Stephen Ross is facing a lengthy suspension after the NFL determined that Ross at least hinted at prioritizing getting high draft picks over winning games. Ross also contacted Brady and Payton in 2019, which violates league rules.
Ross will get a $1.5 million fine and a suspension until October 17. The NFL couldn’t prove that the Dolphins didn’t lose games intentionally in 2019, a year in which they finished 5-11. The league also couldn’t support former coach Brian Flores’ claim that he was offered money to lose games.
However, Goodell did acknowledge that Ross’ comments to Flores and team president and general manager Chris Grier about prioritizing draft picks instead of wins in 2019 carry a risk, even if they were said in a joking manner.
Lighten up, Trevor
New Orleans Saints rookie tackle Trevor Penning earned an early shower during Wednesday’s practice. For the third game in a row, the Northern Iowa product squared up and fought with a teammate during the training camp practice session.
Saints coach Dennis Allen wasn’t amused and sent Penning and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach off the field to think about what they had done.
Barr heads to Dallas
Veteran linebacker Anthony Barr, 30, signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys. Barr, who is a four-time Pro Bowler, saw injuries cut down his productivity in the last four years with the Minnesota Vikings.
Barr hasn’t played an entire season since he finished with 75 tackles and a sack in 2017. Last year, the former UCLA star was limited to 11 games but finished with 2.5 sacks and 72 tackles, including 38 solo stops.
Radio silence
In an effort to focus exclusively on his game, Zach Wilson revealed that he had deleted all social media from his phone. Wilson, a first-round pick by the New York Jets last season, will be locked in a quarterback battle with veteran Joe Flacco to start. Wilson had a difficult rookie season, passing for 2,334 yards and nine touchdowns.
Where Wilson struggled was with his accuracy. He tossed 11 interceptions and only completed 55.6 percent of his passes. The former BYU standout compiled a 3-10 record and missed four games due to injury.
Wilson’s social media hiatus makes sense, given his scandalous offseason. The young quarterback faced Internet backlash after his ex-girlfriend shared embarrassing information about him on Instagram. No wonder he wants to keep everything private now.
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