Along with passes and plays, Deshaun Watson is practicing patience. And like nearly everything else with Cleveland's quarterback, it's taking time.

Four starts into his tenure with the Browns, Watson insisted Thursday he's not frustrated by his poor passer rating, uneven performances or any other statistics that might not be up to his past standards.

While staying present, Watson is looking ahead.

“It’s the long run and that’s why I came to Cleveland," he said. “It’s not about right now. It’s the long run.”

Watson is 2-2 as a starter since being reinstated from an 11-game NFL suspension following accusations of sexual misconduct by two dozen women during massage therapy sessions in Texas.

The 27-year-old's numbers are pedestrian, but there have been some extenuating circumstances for each of his outings.

His Dec. 4 debut in Houston — where he spent four seasons — was emotional, and he had to knock off rust from a 700-day layoff between starts. He posted the lowest QB rating (53.4) of his career as Cleveland beat the Texans.

Watson looked more like himself the following week in a loss at Cincinnati. He didn't need to do much in a 13-3 home win over Baltimore.

Last week against New Orleans, the Browns played the coldest regular-season home game in franchise history (6 degrees at kickoff) with whipping winds off Lake Erie making it tough to throw. Watson had a pair of potential TD passes dropped and another pass deflect off rookie receiver David Bell’s hands for an interception.

His numbers — 703 yards, two TDs, three picks, eight sacks and a 69.3 rating — are underwhelming and not eye-pleasing to Watson, who led the league with 4,823 yards passing in 2020.

He's not ignoring them, just minimizing their importance.

“My main focus is winning. I came to Cleveland to win a Super Bowl,” he said. “If that’s throwing the ball five times or throwing the ball 40 times and scoring five touchdowns or scoring zero touchdowns, as long as we win, that’s all I really care about.

“So the stats and stuff like that, I’ve done that before. I’ve had opportunities before. I’ve led the league in passing before, scored a lot of touchdowns, did Pro Bowls, all that stuff. My ultimate goal is trying to get that ring, and I’m going to do whatever I can to be able to try to have that opportunity.”

The Browns (6-9) aren't going to the playoffs. They can, however, wreck any postseason plans for the Washington Commanders (7-7-1) on Sunday and next week in the season finale against Pittsburgh (7-8).

Watson views the games as chances to grow with an offense he's still learning and that has scored just three TDs in his four starts.

“This is an opportunity for us to be able to continue to improve as an offense as a whole and as a team to go out there and score points and show what the Cleveland Browns is about,” Watson said. “We gotta find ways to put more points on the board.”

Cleveland's second straight losing season has intensified the pressure on coach Kevin Stefanski, who led the Browns to a playoff berth in his first season but is 14-18 since.

While there may be an outside drumbeat for Stefanski's job, Watson said the Browns believe in him.

“We all trust Kevin, we love Kevin, we support Kevin, we respect Kevin and everything that he’s about with the Cleveland Browns,” Watson said. “We’re going to continue to build that trust and build that chemistry and look for the future.”

NOTES: DE Jadeveon Clowney didn't practice due an illness, one day after returning from the concussion protocol. ... Pro Bowl LG Joel Bitonio also offered his support of Stefanski. “He's the man for the job for sure,” Bitonio said. “I have a lot of faith in him, what he’s done with our offense, the circumstances we’ve been under.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

MYRTLE BEACH — Cody Lovejoy 22, smiled as he walked into Grand Strand Medical Center on Dec. 28.

“I feel like I was just here two weeks ago,” the Longs native said, shifting his weight on his prosthetic leg. “It’s been a long ride.”

In July, Lovejoy was injured in a motorcycle crash and needed to have his left leg amputated below the knee.

This week, more than five months after the accident, Lovejoy returned to the hospital to take a “victory lap,” which included him touring areas where he received care and reuniting with staff who helped him.

Aaron Worthley, pediatric trauma program manager, escorted Lovejoy around the hospital. He said the “victory lap” program, which started in 2012, benefits staff and former patients by allowing them reconnect.

“For the patients, they’re healing from their injuries,” Worthley said. “And then, it takes an emotional toll on the staff, dealing with this day in and day out. Being able to see people after they’ve recovered is a huge boost for us.”

Grand Strand Medical Center sees about 4,500 trauma patients, like Lovejoy, every year. Vehicle collisions, including motorcycles, are among the top causes of trauma injuries at the hospital, according to officials.

Lovejoy was driving his motorcycle through the intersection of U.S. 17 and Graystone Boulevard in Little River, when he collied with another vehicle on his left side. Lovejoy was wearing a helmet.

Although Lovejoy cannot remember how he arrived at the hospital after the crash, the medical staff said they remember him well.

Paramedic Eddie Saliba was in the ambulance with Lovejoy when he was rushed to the hospital. He said Lovejoy kept telling him that his leg was hurting and that he wanted to call his mother.

Saliba said he had never reunited with a former patient through the “victory lap” program before, and he said it was a special moment for him and his fellow crewmates, who were also in the ambulance that day.

“I’m very pleased with the care that was provided by everybody, and I’m very pleased that he’s standing here with a smile on his face talking to us right now,” Saliba said.

As a result of his injuries, Lovejoy spent 14 days collectively in the hospital and at the Josephs M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Ga. He had 10 surgeries, and received a new prosthetic leg in October.

Lovejoy said that with his family’s support, he has remained optimistic since his accident.

“It was tough at first, but everyone kept reassuring me that I’d be able to do everything I did before,” Lovejoy said. “They were right. It’s a little more complicated, but I can still do it.”

Despite the accident, Lovejoy said he plans to continue working with motorcycles at the Beach House Harley-Davidson in Shallotte, N.C.

“I’m still here, so I’ll still get back out there and do everything I enjoy,” Lovejoy said.

Most people know of Myrtle Beach as a popular vacationing destination.

But in recent years, many who made “The Beach” part of their annual summer traditions, who created memories fishing, playing in the sand, walking the boardwalk and hanging out by the piers, are now calling the Myrtle Beach area home. In fact, earlier this year, U.S. News and World Report named Myrtle Beach one of the fastest growing cities in America for a second year in a row.

To welcome newcomers to the Grand Strand, The Sun News is creating a Guide to the Myrtle Beach Area, a series of articles and newsletters with information that new residents, visitors (and longtime locals) will find helpful. The guide in the Myrtle Beach Life section of the website will have all you need to know about the beach, where to go and what to do as well as extra tips to help you enjoy life in the Grand Strand.

Explore the Grand Strand with us: Sign up for our new newsletter in the form below.

Feel at home in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is not your average beach town. Sign up for our Guide to the Myrtle Beach Area and get all of the information you need to become a local. Whether you are new to town or you would like to fall in love with Myrtle Beach again, we have everything you need.

If there’s someone you know who would like this guide? Share this story, so they can sign up, too!

As part of these guides, we asked The Sun News readers, “What would be the one thing you’d recommend to someone who is new to Myrtle Beach?”

Basically, what would be the one place that all residents of Myrtle Beach must go to in order to be considered a true local. And readers responded with hot restaurant tips, where to take the kids to play minigolf, and other ways to make the most out of the Myrtle Beach area.

Here are some of the tips we’ve received so far, and scroll to the bottom of this story to submit your tips.

“Go to Bumstead’s Pub and adjacent Dagwoods. It’s No frills, great food and drinks and welcoming service.” — Marlane White, resident for 20 years

“Have dinner at Hook & Barrel, ice cream at Kirk’s, minigolf at Hooks, walk the pier at Myrtle Beach State Park, stroll Brookgreen Gardens, movies at Market Common, shop at Broadway at the Beach, all after a relaxing day at the beach!” — Karen Riordan, resident for 4 years

“Mt. Atlanticus is the most creative of all of [the minigolf courses] with indoor/outdoor sections, sprawling holes, multiple levels too it and an interesting theme. It also play pretty well, so it isn’t too difficult for families etc., but it does keep you on your toes with a variety of different holes and ways to play. (I believe they can also move the cups on the holes too, to change up the experience.) Love playing this course when we are down there for the Mini Golf Masters on other courses.” — Pat Sheridan, frequent vacationer

“Brookgreen Gardens has majestic trees, awe-inspiring sculpture and art, beautiful gardens, wildlife exhibit and just a great quiet place to walk and enjoy!” — Tracy Turner, resident for 60 years

“Spend time at the beach. It’s the best way to just relax and have no worries.” — Dave, resident for 3 years

“Captain Hooks minigolf. Play the layout with up and down stairs, caves, and water. It has two amazing courses.” — Barry Post, new resident

“If I had kids with me, Broadway at the Beach (Ripley’s Aquarium, Wonder Works, Grand Prix), Barefoot Landing, putt-putt golf (several to choose from), Cherry Grove Pier, Painter Ice Cream, Sky Wheel, Ultimate California Pizza, Lu Lu’s. This list is a start, because as you drive around you will see many other opportunities. Also, plan your vacation time to get the most from you time in Myrtle Beach. Your vacation is over before you know it, and I found myself thinking of the things I wanted to do but not enough time left.” — Steve Farrow (8 children and 20 grandchildren), vacationer for over 30 years

“Gilligan’s Island in Garden City is fun (for minigolf), yet has some pretty challenging holes that can drive you nuts!” — Greg Forquer, frequent vacationer

“Head to Myrtle Beach State Park. It’s a beautiful beach, nice grounds and plenty of parking, and the price is right.” — David, resident for 6 years

Want to add your local tips to the list? Fill out our form, and you could be part of our guide.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The beach always seems like a good idea, but how about the beach in the winter?

The City of Myrtle Beach released new data that said their lodging rates for this holiday season are pacing 10-15 points above 2019, and they're seeing an increase in tourism in the cooler months.

What we typically think of as the "off-season"- while not as busy as the summer- has proven to be a good time for snowbirds to visit.

That proves to be true as the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce said they're on Tripadvisor's top 10 trending winter destinations for U.S. travelers.

“What economists are saying is that Myrtle Beach remains geographically an ideal spot. A wide swath of Americans can actually get to us by car or by plane, it’s pretty easy to get to us, and we’ve had 40-50 years of reinforcing that first and foremost it’s a family place to come. And secondly, that it doesn’t break the bank- that it’s affordable," Karen Riordan, President and CEO of Myrtle Beach Chamber, said.

However, how is the city keeping a steady flow of visitors? Riordan said it's because businesses are putting together more events to attract tourists year-round.

“That is great ammunition for us because the more things like that, that we see our business community and our municipal community deciding to do, then the more we can kind of put it together, package it, put a big red bow on it, and serve that up to the visitors and say, ‘isn’t this something you wanna check out and consider and come here to make holiday memories?"' Riordan said.

Their plan is working, with events like the Beach Ball Classic, the Myrtle Beach Bowl, and Christmas light shows. More events mean more money for the city.

“Many people would say that just 10 years ago, after Labor Day it would get so quiet on the Grand Strand. And now, there’s just a million things happening in September and October, so I think we’re going to try to do the exact same thing for November, December, January and February- so that we can have that year-round vibrancy and have people come at different times," Riordan said.

For every dollar spent on a Myrtle Beach advertising campaign, $180 in visitor spending and $24 in local tax revenue is generated

The chamber said their efforts to keep tourists coming to the beach in the cooler months is good for the economy and sustains employment opportunities year-round.

A massive World War II-era military building tumbled 200 feet from a sandy cliff onto a California beach, officials said.

The structure was “undermined when saturated bluff sand slid onto the beach” at Fort Funston, a park with 200-foot oceanside bluffs on the “western edge of San Francisco,” according to a Jan. 16 tweet from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Beachcombers at Fort Funston will share the beach today with a WWII military structure undermined when saturated bluff sand slid onto the beach. Thanks to @sffdpio for safety assistance. Visitors are encouraged to follow postal trailhead signs and be attentive to surroundings pic.twitter.com/2GKylHz9V5

— Golden Gate National Recreation Area - Alerts (@GGNRANPSAlerts) January 16, 2023

There were no injuries, Capt. Jonathan Baxter with the San Francisco Fire Department said in an email to McClatchy News.

“Coastal agencies encourage visitors to exercise caution around post-storm saturated hillsides and coastal bluffs as they enjoy sunny days after weeks indoors,” the Golden Gate National Recreation Area said on Twitter.

Photos shared with McClatchy News from the San Francisco Fire Department show the corroded, graffitied structure sitting below a tall cliff on the beach.

“The collapsed structure was likely an observation post that was part of the Battery Davis coastal defense fortification,” the Golden Gate National Recreation Area said in an email to McClatchy News. “It is made of reinforced concrete and would be incredibly expensive to remove from the beach, so it will remain in place as we assess our options.”

Fort Funston was once a harbor defense installation, which housed military equipment and buildings, including batteries, bunkers and barracks, according to the website California Military Museum.

“The garrison complex would grow during World War II by the construction of a new class of ‘temporary’ barracks and quarters and other structures to a total, by the end of 1942, of 86 buildings,” the website said

After World War II, most of those structures were removed “so that today only a few remain,” according to the website.

The landslide at Fort Funston is the latest in the aftermath of a recent onslaught of back-to-back atmospheric rivers that hit the state.

The powerful storms resulted in sinkholes, as well as rockfalls and landslides that caused the closure of a number roads, The Associated Press reported.

One of the storms collapsed a pier in Santa Cruz, as well as left a popular beach in ruins, McClatchy News reported.

The recent surge of storms also led to at least 19 deaths, The Los Angeles Times reported.

Though heavy rainfall helped the state’s drought conditions in recent weeks, it did not put an end to the drought, The Sacramento Bee reported.