The Browns and Eagles are holding joint practices in training camp this week, and as such, reporters are observing the sessions, trying to glean as much information as they can ahead of the new season.
Eagles reporter Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com posted a picture of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on Wednesday, and went into detail about his mixed performance against Philadelphia.
“Deshaun Watson Training Camp Stats vs. Eagles defense,” Shorr-Parks posted on X. “The Eagles defense definitely got the better of Watson during the joint practices. Watson had a few really nice throws at times, beating good coverage with better throws. His arm definitely has the ability to make special throws. The pass rush definitely got the better of Watson as he was really only effective in 7v7, not 11v11. The Eagles pressure forced Watson into some bad decisions, and in two days, they ended up picking him off as many times as they allowed [TDs].
“Stats on Day 2: 7/16, 3 TD, 2 INT. Overall in two days: 17/33, 3 TD, 3 INT.”
Deshaun Watson Training Camp Stats vs Eagles defense:
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 16, 2023
The Eagles defense definitely got the better of Watson during the joint practices
Watson had a few really nice throws at times, beating good coverage with better throws. His arm definitely has the ability to make special… pic.twitter.com/sv5RjUM3eJ
The post seems straightforward enough. NFL fans and media who are present on social media see plenty of posts like this throughout training camp, as reporters try to give fans a glimpse of how the team is looking.
Watson was not having it though. He responded to Shorr-Parks’s post with “Lol,” and included a ball cap emoji. “Cap” is a slang term for a lie.
Lol 🧢 https://t.co/HRSPblMAw8
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) August 16, 2023
It’s unclear what Watson took offense to, but it sounds like the Browns had an up-and-down performance against the defending NFC champions in camp. Time will tell if Watson can improve in his second season as the starter with Cleveland.
His return from suspension in his first year with the Browns did not yield the best results. In six games, Watson completed a career-low 58.2% of his passes for 1,102 yards and seven touchdowns to five interceptions.
Watson served an 11-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. He faced a total of 26 civil complaints, which featured graphic allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. All but one of the lawsuits have since been settled. Criminal complaints were also filed against Watson, but two Texas grand juries declined to charge him last spring.
After sitting out the entire 2021 season due to a contract dispute with the Texans, and most of ’22 due to violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, Watson looked like a shell of his Pro Bowl self on the field
