Deshaun Watson was grilled by Cleveland media at Browns introductory press conference
CRINGE ALERT!
25 March 2022
We haven't heard Deshaun Watson speak much over the last year, so it was very interesting to see him answer tough questions in front of the Cleveland media on Friday. Overall, it was a bad look for Deshaun and GM Andrew Berry in my opinion. The whole thing was uncomfortable and just felt icky. But that was to be expected in a circumstance like this.
The presser was filled with what seemed to be blatant lies from Watson and Berry. Such as, the money not being that big a factor in Watson's decision to play for Cleveland. Andrew Berry stating that Watson's base salary of $1 million in 2022 wasn't an attempt to avoid financial punishment from the league when a suspension is handed down. Also, the Browns saying they fully investigated the lawsuits against Watson, but didn't actually talk to any of the alleged victims.
Andrew Berry and owner Jimmy Haslam told the media they received "strong recommendations" from their legal team not to speak to any of the woman. The list goes on and on. When Watson was asked tough questions about the sexual assault allegations, he was able to hide behind the ongoing lawsuits and not comment.
Watson was also asked about the status of the lawsuits, and said he didn't plan on settling the cases and plans to keep fighting and trying to clear his name. One of the highlights of the day was Watson saying he has "no regrets" for what has transpired over the last year.
In the end, the Browns basically said they felt comfortable with Deshaun as a person, and that ultimately led to the decision to trade for him.
I highly recommend watching the full press conference above, especially if you're a fan of cringe-worthy pressers. And let's give credit to the Cleveland and national media for asking tough questions and not backing down. See you later Deshaun, you're Cleveland's problem now.
How Astros surging ace raises key questions about Houston's short, long-term rotation moves
Jul 25, 2024, 5:39 pm
It's no secret to Astros fans that the ascension of Hunter Brown is one of the primary reasons the team was able to rebound from a disastrous start to the season.
Astros manager Joe Espada has seen enough from Brown to start throwing around the word “ace” when talking about him.
Joe Espada on Hunter Brown: "He's having that ace feeling to him. We are expecting him to go out there and deliver what he just did. We knew all along that is in him and now he's starting to turn the corner. He's starting to have that swag where he knows 'my team needs a win.'"
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) July 24, 2024
And it appears the biggest key to Brown's turnaround was mixing in a two-seam fastball to keep right-handed hitters honest. Brown needed a pitch that could command the inside of the plate, which allows his other pitches to be more effective.
We learned just recently, from Chandler Rome of The Athletic, that Alex Bregman was the one that suggested the addition of the two-seam fastball to Brown's arsenal.
Come to find out, Bregman often shares advice on how to attack hitters. Or he'll ask pitchers why they chose a certain pitch in a specific situation.
This just goes to show that veteran leadership can make a big difference. Especially on a team with so many young pitchers and catchers. Bregman was able to help Brown when no pitching coach could.
For Brown, this small tweak could be the catalyst that changes the course of his career. And the Astros season for that matter.
However, some will say the difference in Brown is more about confidence than anything else. But confidence only builds after repeated success. Nobody knows where Brown would be without the two-seam fastball.
Looking ahead
If the Astros do make the playoffs, where will Espada slot Brown in the playoff rotation? Framber Valdez has the playoff experience, so he'll probably be penciled in as the number one starter.
Justin Verlander (neck) still isn't facing live batters, so it's hard to count on him. Ronel Blanco has been an All-Star level pitcher this season, but he doesn't have any experience pitching playoff games for the Astros.
So it wouldn't be surprising at all if Brown is the team's number two starter. In all likelihood, whoever is pitching the best at the end of the season may get the nod. But it's fun to discuss in the meantime.
Finally, how does Hunter Brown's arrival impact the Astros' plans at the trade deadline? And how could that affect Justin Verlander's future with the club?
Be sure to check out the video above for the full conversation!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
