Browns beat writer Chris Easterling on Deshaun Watson starting at QB
Cleveland Browns beat writer Chris Easterling analyzes the decision by the team to start Deshaun Watson at quarterback to open the season.
Video Transcript
Chris Easterling from the Akron Beacon Journal outside, the Browns facility here in Berea, where it was decision day, and Deshaun Watson was the decision to be the starting quarterback for the Browns when they open the season September thirteenth against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It had seemed like this was the trend that everything was, was going toward over the last few weeks, but of course, it being Cleveland, there's always a wrench that gets thrown in occasionally.
And in this case, it was Watson's, post-game comments on Saturday after the preseason game against the Bills, where he talked about the boos, which he felt were personal, not based on performance.
So, you know, there were questions of, well, how much will that influence and, and impact what, what decisions Todd Monken made.
Now, he spoke yesterday and, and said, they had no impact.
And, and I think that was sort of a tip-off to some that, hey, he might still be going with, sticking with, you know, kinda trending toward Watson as the starter.
And then, of course, this morning it broke and, and here we are.
And, you know, to Todd Monken, he said he feels like Deshaun Watson gives them the best chance to win.
You know, no offense to Shedrer Sanders, who he said has certainly improved and grown, but the growth isn't quite as, pronounced as, as w- enough to, to, to overtake Deshaun.
So Watson will start in Jacksonville.
It-- They, they can now start to, to, over the next couple of weeks, really sort of zero in the game plan and, and the reps with the first-team offense and, and try to, to, to, to develop a little bit of a rhythm, going into the regular season.
Now, none of the, none of the regulars will start or, or play against, the Patriots on Thursday in the, the preseason game.
It-- Everything is right now tracking toward, getting ready for that Jacksonville game.
It also should be noted and, and, and to bury the lead a little bit, Watson came out and gave about a two-and-a-half minute, apology for what he said.
Said, you know, he, he let his emotions get the best of him.
You know, he, you know, he, he said he, he's sorry for what he said about the fans and, and the booing and, you know.
He had worked so He, he really wants to bring a winner to Cleveland.
So, actions and, and words, a-as, as we all know.
So it'll be interesting to see, you know, what, what version of Deshaun Watson we see in Jacksonville, when this season begins.
But, the first home game is a month from now, September s- twenty-seventh.
They actually have two home games in a five-game stretch 'cause they play the Steelers on October first, national television, televised, Thursday night game.
So that's where we're at right now.
That's-- Decision's been made and, and so now everything sorta moves, moves forward toward, toward the, the regular season.
So from the Beacon Journal, I'm Chris Easterling.
