RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Deshaun Watson has been branded the worst quarterback in a scathing take after his showing against the Bills. Analyst John Fanta pulled no punches.
Watson completed just five of 12 passes for 36 yards with an interception in the 31-7 loss. The boos started early and never let up.
It has gone from frustration to open war between the quarterback and the fanbase.
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images
Deshaun Watson called ‘the worst’ in blistering assessment
Fanta wrote on social media after the game:
‘Browns fans have seen the worst QB play of anybody since 1999. They would have settled for average from Watson. This isn’t even below average play. Worst transaction in league history, full stop. Today’s performance plus the press conference has to be the nail in the coffin.’
That press conference was notable. Watson called the booing ‘disrespectful’ and ‘personal’, and pointed to the fans who cheered him when he tore his Achilles tendon two years ago.
‘It has nothing to do about the performance. It’s a little bit personal. I think that’s a disrespectful thing. I’m going to keep whatever I feel with me and my family internally on how I feel about that. Just move on,’ he said.
Watson has started just 19 games since arriving from Houston on a fully guaranteed $230 million deal that cost the Browns three first-round picks. He served an 11-game suspension after two dozen women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct, paid a $5 million fine and completed a treatment programme.
His numbers since then are grim. Four seasons, a 9-10 record, just 3,365 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Another era of Cleveland football has been wasted around him.
Coach Todd Monken has been clear that winning solves most things.
‘I don’t want to get booed. It comes with the territory. You don’t want to get booed? Let’s play good football,’ he said.
Competing with rookie Shedeur Sanders, who has already defended Watson publicly, the quarterback said he may feel more love on the road than in Cleveland.
‘If it is my spot and he does make me the starter, maybe it’s 17 away games then,’ Watson said.
Monken has yet to name his starter for the opener in Jacksonville. After this week, the decision carries far more weight than normal.
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