HOUSTON _ What's with the Browns and text messages?
There was the time former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel urged the Browns to draft him in 2014 by texting then-quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains something along the lines of let's "wreck this league."
We all know how that one turned out.
Later the same year, ex-Browns general manager Ray Farmer's texts to coaches from the press box during games resulted in the NFL suspending him for four weeks the following season.
Now Browns coach Hue Jackson and Houston Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson are the central figures of another text-related saga.
Watson insisted Jackson texted him "be ready" April 27 on draft day, but Jackson denied doing so. CBS play-by-play announcer Andrew Catalon told Watson's version of the story Sunday during the telecast of the Browns' 33-17 loss to the Texans at NRG Stadium, and Watson and Jackson weighed in during postgame interviews.
"Me and Hue during the draft process communicated," Watson said. "They were a team that was big on me, brought me in, worked me out, met with me, phone calls throughout the weeks and building a relationship, building a friendship. I didn't know where I was going to go, but at the end of the day, God put me here with Houston.
"Hue texted me that morning [of the draft] and just said, 'Be ready. Anything can happen.' [The Browns] took the picks they wanted to take, and I belong with this situation and this organization, but the relationship and friendship will always continue."
At first, Jackson said he didn't remember sending the "be ready" text on draft day. Then he said, "I know I did not send that text on draft day. You said on draft day, so no. I knew who we were taking with the first pick, and we took the guy that we wanted. So I don't remember making that text."
The Browns knew they would draft defensive end Myles Garrett at No. 1 overall, but did Jackson lead Watson to believe they would use their second first-round choice on him at No. 12?
"Again, I don't remember making a text to him on draft day, other than later on telling him congratulations of him being drafted to where he went to Houston," Jackson replied. "I don't remember telling him to be ready for us to draft him or anything like that. I wouldn't have done that."
Of course, the Browns picked Garrett first overall and didn't nab Watson when he was there for the taking at No. 12 overall. They traded the 12th pick to the Texans. In return, the Browns received the No. 25 overall selection, which they used on safety Jabrill Peppers, and the Texans' 2018 first-round choice.
The Arizona Cardinals told Watson they would take him if he were still available at No. 13, Catalon said. After the Texans drafted Watson at No. 12, the Cardinals picked linebacker Haason Reddick at No. 13.
And remember, NFL Network's Michael Silver, a close friend of Jackson who had access to the Browns' war room during the draft, reported on May 1 Jackson wanted the organization to pick safety Malik Hooker 12th overall, not Watson, if it had stayed put instead of trading down.
Still, Watson definitely thought Cleveland was a potential landing spot.
"It was a possibility," he said. "I knew they had two first-round picks and anything can happen. So I just kept an open mind, didn't want to get my hopes up too big and enjoyed it, had fun with it. It was a lifetime dream, and it ended up being a great night."
The bottom line is Watson is haunting the Browns for passing on him.
On Sunday, he went 17-of-29 passing for 225 yards and three touchdowns with an interception for a rating of 107. He became the first rookie in NFL history to throw three or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
Afterward, Watson spoke as if he and Jackson remain friendly.
"He came up to me before the game, pregame, and said best of luck, he was proud of me and just keep it going, and then after the game, he pretty much said great job, keep leading this team and best of luck," Watson said. "Our relationship, we text here and there, checking up on each other, but we're both busy, and he's a great guy. I respect him and all the things he does."
