Browns can only blame themselves for uncertainty at quarterback

The Cleveland Browns are once again waiting on a decision after the NFL appealed the Deshaun Watson suspension, but they can only blame themselves for this uncertainty

For roughly 48 hours, the Cleveland Browns thought they knew the status of quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Judge Sue L. Robinson issued a six-game suspension for Watson, meaning he would be back on the field for their Week 7 game in Baltimore. However, the league ended up exercising its right to appeal the decision and it will now go to another arbitrator.

The league clearly wants a harsher punishment and while Robinson’s decision rendered a six-game ban, Dan Labbe of Cleveland.com says it was also very damning to Watson.

"“Robinson’s report from the initial hearing, despite what many viewed as a light punishment, was damning to Watson, finding the NFL was able to prove he violated three provisions of the league’s personal conduct policy: sexual assault; conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person; and conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL.”"

Some of the wording in her decision was very concerning. Those who say she didn’t think he deserved more than six games are glossing over a few key points. One is that she said Watson’s actions were “egregious” as well as saying he posed a danger to others.

The league clearly took that to mean he’s gone well beyond the six-game suspension reserved for violations of the Personal Conduct Policy. That policy wasn’t exactly written to handle cases such as this and that will be their contention.

Browns uncertainty is their own fault

For the Browns, they have no one to blame but themselves for the position they’re in. They once again don’t know what to expect under center — and don’t know how Watson will perform when he’s finally back on the field.

Sure, he looks great in practice but if he does get a year-long ban, that would mean he hasn’t played in a regular season game in two years.

The entire situation is ugly and the Browns dove head-first into this. Time will tell if it was worth it but for now, they’re getting exactly what they asked for.