Watt’s progress excites O’Brien
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Coach Bill O’Brien is as eager as Texans fans to see how much progress defensive end J.J. Watt has made when the players report for the offseason program April 17.
Watt aggravated a back injury in the third game last season and underwent back surgery for the second time in six months. He missed the remainder of the season.
Watt, who turned 28 this month, said during Super Bowl week he had been cleared by doctors to resume working out. How much he’s able to do in the offseason program remains to be seen. His rehabilitation is designed for him to be 100 percent for the start of the season.
“J.J. is doing great,” O’Brien said during the NFL meetings this week. “He’s really looking forward to being back in Houston (for the start of the offseason program). He’s definitely on track to be ready to go.
“I don’t know how much he’ll do in OTAs and things like that, but he’s on track to be ready to play. And, knowing J.J. the way I do, I will tell you he cannot wait to be back out on the field.”
Payton disputes Manziel report
Saints coach Sean Payton downplayed his team’s immediate interest in signing quarterback Johnny Manziel.
The two had breakfast during Super Bowl week in Houston and there were reports last week that New Orleans was considering signing the former Texas A&M star.
“There’s a handful of things he’d have to do, and yet, I think the part of the report that insinuated that this was moving in that direction, I’ll just say it was false,” Payton said at the NFC coaches breakfast. “Now I’m sitting here answering 15 questions over a reporter’s report. We didn’t visit very long. Met with him, had a good breakfast. That was that.
“That really was just what it was. It was my first time having a chance to talk to him. (It) made sense to me to get to know him a little. I’ll leave it at that.”
Payton was impressed with Manziel when he won the Heisman Trophy.
“I watched him from afar in the 2012 season, but I wasn’t really part of the evaluation process,” said Payton, who served a oneyear suspension for his role in the Saints’ Bountygate. “He’s got a skill set that’s unique. He’s got good feet. He can create. I think he’s got decent arm strength. I think he’s got a lot of work to do with some of the mechanics, protection-wise, in our league.”
The Saints agreed on a contract with another quarterback Wednesday, bringing back Chase McDaniel, ESPN reported.
If Gordon back, Browns interested
If commissioner Roger Goodell reinstates Josh Gordon, the Browns may be interested in bringing back the suspended receiver.
Gordon, a Houston native who played at Lamar High School and Baylor, has been suspended for 30 of his last 35 games because he has violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy multiple times.
Gordon, who turns 26 in April, could get another chance with the Browns, according to Sashi Brown, the team’s executive vice president of football operations.
The Browns let receiver Terrelle Pryor leave in free agency and replaced him with Kenny Britt. Brown was asked if losing Pryor might alter their view of Gordon, who’s serving an indefinite suspension.
“No,” Brown said. “(Gordon) would be a talent I think no team in the NFL would turn down if he got back in.
“Our decision with Josh is just understanding where he is in this process and being able to have him. We’re not in position at wide receiver to turn down a guy like Josh if we feel he’s settled himself.”
Gordon has applied for reinstatement, but there’s no indication if or when Goodell will give him another chance.