Off-season thoughts (Vol. XXXIII)

Deshaun Watson stepped front and center with the Cleveland media for about 10 minutes for the first time in about three months Tuesday during the first day of the Browns' three-day mandatory minicamp in Berea and absolutely nothing changed.

The Cleveland quarterback steadfastly maintained his innocence regarding sexual misbehavior allegations and civil suits brought by at least 24 massage therapists that still hang over his head. Football questions were left unasked.

It was all about the civil suits and Watson, to his credit, calmly handled them all almost as though he fully anticipated the tenor of the conversation and had stock replies ready.

"Like I said (previously), I never assaulted anyone," he declared. "I never disrespected anyone. I  never forced anyone to do anything. I'm going to continue to say it until the facts come out (in court)."

His lone regret appears to be the effect all this has had on everything in his life. "I do have regrets as far as the impact (it has had) on the (Cleveland) community and people outside of just myself," he said. "That includes my family.

"That includes this organization . . . My teammates in the locker room who have to answer these (kinds of) questions. That includes the fan base of the Cleveland Browns. . . . the impact it has triggered on so many people. It's tough to have to deal with it."

Asked whether he considered countersuing, Watson said his only goal -- he called it the "biggest thing" -- is "clearing my name so I can get back to being in an environment I'm most comfortable in. . . . Just focusing on doing what's right and being honest." Assume that's a no.

He admitted the journey thus far has been tough. The hardest part, he said, was "trying to make sure I stayed balanced with my mental health and social life. When I walk into that building (in Berea), all that (other) stuff is outside. I want to be the best teammate I can be."

Until there is absolute closure to his well-tentacled situation, Watson better get used to the non-football questions. No one knows how long this will last. The National Football League has yet to render a decision on Watson's punishment.

The only certainty is the decision will be handed down eventually. When? Anyone's guess. For how long? Ditto. Because it is an unprecedented case, it's entirely possible the punishment could be unusually harsh to make certain something like this never happens again.

No one knows for certain why it's taking so long to adjudicate. Perhaps the uncertainty of whether further lawsuits will be filed against Watson has delayed it. Then again, the New York Times piece recently that revealed Watson contacted 66 massage therapists in a 17-month span got the league's attention.

Watson says he wants to be the best teammate he can be, but too many obstacles remain in his path to achieve that. Right now, there is little normalcy, so important for the good and welfare of any sports team (professional or otherwise), with Cleveland's professional football team.

Now it's time for owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam III and General Manager Andrew Berry to follow suit and step front and center, face the media and provide answers that need to be heard by Browns Nation.