In Brady, Watson is learning from the best
New England QB showers praise on rookie counterpart
The legend and the rookie huddled together on a practice field in August, a moment in West Virginia when arguably the top quarterback in NFL history imparted wisdom to one of the league’s most promising young newcomers.
When New England’s Tom Brady talked with Texans rookie Deshaun Watson at The Greenbrier following a joint training camp practice, the owner of five Super Bowl rings and four Super Bowl Most Valuable Player awards already was a longtime fan of the former Clemson star.
Brady has been watching Watson for the past few years, including his national championship game clashes with Alabama.
Now, the vast potential that Brady witnessed is starting to manifest itself at the professional level as Watson will start the second game of his career Sunday against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
“He was super talented obviously in college and watching him up close at The Greenbrier was a lot of fun for me to see a young, kind of aspiring player that really wants to work hard and play the quarterback position at a high level,” Brady said Wednesday. “He looks like he has all the talent. The first year in the NFL is certainly an adjustment for everybody, but they have so much confidence in him and … that’s why he’s playing.
“It’s a big test for our defense. You know, there’s not a lot of film to study on him, but just knowing the kind of attributes that he has as a quarterback is a big test for our guys.”
At 40, Brady has reached the pinnacle of success Watson is chasing. The 22-year-old grew up in Georgia watching Brady, a two-time NFL MVP who has been named to a dozen Pro Bowls and has passed for 62,296 yards and 459 touchdowns. Belichick chimes in
Brady is coming off an epic game against the New Orleans Saints, a win he engineered by completing 30 of 39 passes for 447 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Drawing compliments from his idol is enough to trigger big smiles from Watson, the Texans’ first-round draft pick who replaced Tom Savage at halftime of a season-opening loss to Jacksonville. “It means a lot,” Watson said. “It gives me confidence in myself and what I can do at this level of play. Coming from a guy that’s done and accomplished what the majority, if not all the quarterbacks want to do, it’s a big compliment.”
In six quarters of NFL regular-season play, Watson has had some encouraging moments. Especially his 49-yard touchdown scramble against Cincinnati to manufacture a 13-9 victory in his first start last Thursday.
“Very athletic, ran for a touchdown against us in the preseason game — of course, he had a great run against Cincinnati — throws the ball well, accurate, can make all the throws, so we have to do a good job of defending the passing game,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “We also have to do a good job of containing him and do a good job of tackling him because he’s a tough guy to get down when he runs. He’s not running to slide. He’s running to gain yardage, so that will be a big challenge for us.”
As a rare dual-threat quarterback, Watson still has a lot to learn. He has completed 27 of 47 passes for 227 yards, one touchdown and one interception for a 68.3 passer rating. He also has rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on seven carries
The Patriots are keenly aware of his skill set after he practiced effectively against them. Watson wasn’t as sharp in the third preseason game against the Patriots, but he did run for a touchdown. He completed 3 of 10 passes for 102 yards.
“We’ve got a guy that we got to see a little bit in preseason who is a very dangerous quarterback,” Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. “He’s a guy who gives them a different approach to the offense. He’s very calm. He’s a real smooth guy. This is an experienced guy from the standpoint of he has played in some big games before.
“He can make throws downfield. … I would say his ability to run the ball, his ability to escape pressure brings just a whole other level of a dynamic to their offense.” Two different styles
For Watson to climb to the rarified air that Brady has occupied, he’s aware he’ll need to keep growing as a quarterback. Part of that quest for knowledge involves studying Brady and how he operates.
The two have vastly different styles. Watson has the athleticism to take off and run away from defenders. Brady is a classic, traditional pocket passer who has flawless fundamentals and throwing mechanics.
Nearly two decades younger than Brady, Watson is a fellow student of the game who thrives on film study and is dedicated toward improving his skills.
“As much as I can, really,” Watson said when asked how much he studies Brady. “I’ve been watching Brady since I was a little kid, and being able to be in the vicinity of him and see him play live is going to be awesome. Each chance I get, not just Brady but all the quarterbacks in the NFL, I always try to watch.”