Attitude, dedication translate to success
QB Watson brings a rare energy to workouts, game preparations
Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has an unmistakable swagger.
It’s a rare confidence that ranges from his ability to spin a football perfectly through the air toward his target, down to his dancing skills.
If Watson is feeling the song of choice blaring from the loudspeakers at the practice facility, he’ll break into a few impromptu dance steps with his particular style and rhythm. The Georgia native has a fun-loving personality, much to the delight of his teammates.
“Just his swag and how he dances, he just has fun with everything,” receiver Will Fuller said. “It’s easy to have fun with him when he’s out there. That’s another reason I like playing with him. It’s just so fun playing with him.”
Watson laughed when told about Fuller’s commentary on his dancing. Anyone who follows the 22-year-old former Clemson national championship quarter-
back, consensus All-American and first-round pick on social media learns quickly about his affinity for music and, if so moved, dancing, singing and rapping.
“I guess I have a couple moves here and there,” Watson said. “I’m a music guy so I like all types of music and just different cultures and different — like you said, swag stuff. I just try to stay up to date and just bring some fun into the locker room.”
Heading into the third game of the preseason Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams, Watson and the Texans have a lot to be happy about.
Watson has shown he has made a full recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee suffered last season in practice that interrupted his rookie season.
Comfortable with his health, Watson has regained his trademark mobility and has been rifling passes downfield with excellent timing to his receivers. He could have completed every pass in his lone series against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend if not for a few drops, delivering a touchdown pass on a slant to Bruce Ellington on fourth down to cap the drive.
“I’m good with where I’m at,” Watson said. “I’m right where I needed to be as far as mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, just being able to come out here each and every day and try to get better.”
Watson’s growth has been exponential. He was on pace to throw 43 TD passes as a rookie.
Now, he’s more knowledgeable about the offense and how to read defensive schemes. The Texans devoted the offseason to tailoring the offense to suit Watson’s multidimensional skills.
“Just everything,” Watson said when asked how he has improved. “Mentally, knowledge of the offense, knowledge of the game, me as a person physically, emotionally. Each and every day is a learning experience.
“So, I’m growing. I’m only 22 years old and just trying to prove it each and every day. And if I can do that, however long I play and be able to walk on this earth, I’ll be able to be the best me.”
Potential to be MVP
He transformed a moribund offense last season into the highestscoring operation in the NFL as the Texans averaged 34.7 points per game in his six starts. Now, more is expected from Watson in his second NFL season.
“I think he has a chance to be MVP of the league this year,” former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann said. “I thought he was off to a terrific start last year. He has a rare combination of athleticism and ability to work from the pocket. He’s more accurate than Cam Newton, faster than Cam Newton, more elusive than Cam Newton.”
Although it was a short span, Watson tossed 19 touchdown passes. He finished the season with 1,699 yards and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 269 yards and two scores.
The Texans are thrilled with Watson’s work ethic, intelligence, accuracy and humility.
“Deshaun’s been great,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “Deshaun does everything we ask him to do. He’s fun to coach. I really can’t say enough about the guy. He’s a great guy.
“He’s worked very hard to understand the system going into his second year. He’s the type of guy that’s always going to show up to work. He loves football. He’s got great questions. He’s been great since the day he walked in the door here.”
Watson haunts the film room, watching countless hours of game video. He enjoys breaking down defenses and soaking up information about personnel, tendencies, blitz packages and coverage schemes.
“He loves watching film and he loves studying our offense,” O’Brien said. “I think the growth that I’ve seen is just his overall knowledge of our offense, the NFL game, how teams are playing defense, watching other offenses.
“I think he really studies a lot of tape and I’ve seen him grow with his, what we call ‘FBI.’ — his football intelligence, his ability to take in more information.”
Upward spiral in growth
During practice Wednesday, Watson marched the offense to a score in a two-minute drill. It was another impressive moment to add to the growing pile of snapshots of a young quarterback entering his prime.
“I can probably name 50 (examples) just from this practice right here, whether it’s calling a play at the line of scrimmage quickly or getting us into a different play or handling a situation there at the end of practice,” O’Brien said. “Those things, as a rookie, those are hard. You’re learning a brand-new language. He’s got that language down right now. Now, he’s able to do other things. So there’s been a lot of growth.”
And there has been corresponding excitement surrounding him. He has become a popular fantasy football figure, not that he’s too involved in that.
“I don’t really get into the fantasy football stuff,” Watson said. “I don’t really get into it, but I see a lot of people who are very competitive and it’s growing each and every year. If you have a pick, draft No. 4, for sure.”