Watson now suspended 11 games/$5 million fine-update

[Stewy]

(08-04-2022, 08:22 PM)jason Wrote: It's the NFLPA's job to defend him. The really bad look is that Watson is gonna be on the field week 1 now with the appeal.

No and I'll tell you why below.

So as you all know I live in Houston and there is an inordinate amount of interest in the DW situation because the worse the Browns are the better the draft picks the Texans get.  So I was listening to local sports radio on the way home and there are some interesting tidbits about this whole situation in the CBA that you all need to know.

#1 - The Arbiter found that DW HAD in fact violated the leagues personal conduct policy.  Period.  This is exceedingly important and differnet than previous cases.
#2 - FACT:  The Appeal process is not for the facts, but for the punishment.  The 6 game suspension is officially no more, according to this process.  The league now has the 100% right, as negotiated by the CBA, to appeal and met out it's own punishment.  They have appointed the guy who was one of three people on the panel that handed Zeke Elliot his 6 game suspension.
#3 - NFLPA suing in federal court - FACT:  This situation is entirely different than Zeke Elliot's and Brady Deflate Gate.  With NFLPA saying they will stand by the Artier's ruling, they are essentially admitting guilt.  This is entirely different than Zeke and Brady who were fighting for their innocence.  This is the process the NFLPA negotiated, they already have said they will abide by the arbiters ruling who ruled DW guilty.  They are going no where in Federal Court and will likely not get a TRO.
#4 - It has been reported by Yahoo sports - that the league will not back off the suspension of at least 12 games because they absolutely DO NOT want a spectacle week 12 when the Browns visit the Texans.  They want DW no where near that game.  They do not want the publicity.  They do not want 100 news outlets harassing the women who filed suit for interviews and having it all dug up again.  Whatever the league can do, DW will not be on the field week 12 in Houston.  So barring at least 12 game suspension coming from the Arbiter, they were always going to appeal.

My prediction:
NFLPA goes to Federal Court - Admits it accept the Arbiters Ruling - League Shows via the CBA they had the right to appeal and met out their own punishment - NFLPA complains that it isn't right - Federal Judge says "You accepted guilt, the league exercised their rights that you both negotiated and it's right here in writing".......GTFO here.

2nd Prediction:  If for some reason the NFLPA actually gets their TRO, I believe DW is going to the exempt list.  The NFL does not want him on the field this year and will do whatever they can to make that happen.