Houston, We Have a Quarterback:

The Unsurprising Rise of Deshaun Watson


© Bobtanney.com 

Anyone who ever saw Deshaun Watson play in college knew the kid was special.  His National Championship game performances are the stuff of legend, both of them.  In two combined NCAA Playoff Championship games against the powerhouse Alabama program he threw for a combined 825 yards and 7 TDs.  In 2015 he lost narrowly in a 45-40 barnburner.  He avenged that loss last year with a 35-31 come from behind classic. The guy is a born leader with an undeniable physical skillset and there should have been a lot more hype around him coming out in last April’s draft.  The reason there wasn’t is because scouts and talking TV heads have been burned so many times in the past that no one wants to shout any QB’s name from the mountain tops for fear they become a bust.  No one wants to be the guy on record saying unequivocally that Ryan Leaf or JaMarcus Russell are going to be the next Joe Montana.  So now they downplay or present caveats, under promise and over deliver on your projections.  If they say ‘this kid could be a great one but needs to work on A, and B,’ instead of ‘this kid will be great’ then they have an escape clause in their analysis.  It’s kind of a chickenshit way to do your job because every player has areas in their game to work on but I understand why they do it.  Either way Watson has ‘franchise QB’ written all over him and he’s been proving it week in and week out since Coach O’Brien handed over the reins to him.  In three starts he has 2 wins and one loss under his belt and that loss was a classic 36-33 duel against the Patriots and Tom ‘GOAT’ Brady in New England.  That’s not a bad early ROI on the 12th overall draft pick for the Texans. 

Last week he exceeded everyone’s expectations both on and off the field.  Early in the week he donated his first NFL game check to 3 women who work in the Texans’ cafeteria who were harshly affected by Hurricane Harvey.   So much for the ‘son of a bitch’ NFL player’s character scrutiny put forth by the president.  After his 'good new neighbor' move off the field he then absolutely balled out on the field in week 4.  He shredded a usually respectable Titans defense to the tune of 283 passing yards and 4 TD’s in a 57-14 annihilation in front his home crowd.  Talk about endearing yourself to your new community. 

This week will be his toughest test to date against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.  The good news is that the game will be in the friendly confines of his home stadium, the other good news is that between the ‘good QB’ points he’s already banked and the supreme talent he’s got on the defensive side of the ball, he doesn’t have to be Superman and throw 4 TDs every week to win games and the Texans’ coaches, fans and players all know it.  Being afforded patients from the local fan base and coaching staff is a luxury that not all young QB’s are granted. 


A couple of weeks ago I wrote that I fully expected Watson to lead the Texans to a playoff win, just not this season.  Watson has since shown me signs that he may be ahead of that bell curve.  At this point thanks to Andrew Luck being MIA and Marcus Mariota being banged up and liable to miss time, the only real competition the Texans have in the AFC South is Jacksonville… Yes you read that last part right.  The best asset Watson has shown is his poise in the big moments which is a rare and invaluable trait for a QB to possess.  He proved in college that he shows up the biggest when the lights are the brightest, and the lights don’t get much brighter than NFL football in Texas.  If the first quarter of season one is any indication, Watson will continue to right by Houston both on and off the field and ownership is sure to renew extra seasons.  

Popular posts from this blog

Division Winners, Wild Card and Super Bowl Picks!!!!

The After Sunday Spaz-out (Week One)

Hard Truths About the 2020 NFL Season