Watson’s work day removed from sight
The Texans finally realized parading Deshaun Watson around the practice field and having him play a limited role as the fourthstring quarterback was a dogand-pony show that continued to be too much of a distraction.
The last thing the Texans need as they prepare for their first game of the regular season Sept. 12 against Jacksonville is the circus-like atmosphere they get when Watson is on the practice field and his every move is dissected like a lab rat in a biology class.
Perhaps it was Watson snapping at the media last week — “Why are y’all always filming me every day?” — that convinced general manager Nick Caserio to leave the quarterback inside NRG Stadium this week.
It was obvious before practice Tuesday that Caserio and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby had instructed coach David Culley to take a different approach with the media.
Rather than his standard “there’s nothing new” response about Watson, Culley was more forthcoming than at any previous time since training camp began.
Culley was asked why Watson didn’t practice Monday after being on the field the previous week.
“Deshaun’s here,” he said. “Every day, he’s here; he comes in and works. He does what we ask him to do. He got his work done (Monday). He just didn’t get his work done when we were out here (on the practice field).”
Reporters were stunned at Culley’s response. Obviously, it was part of the team’s new strategy while it tries to figure out the best way to handle the controversy.
Now, Culley didn’t get specific about what Watson was actually doing to get his “work done,” but it wasn’t too complicated.
By staying inside NRG Stadium, Watson can do his weight training, work out, get treatment, attend meetings — anything but
walk across Kirby Drive, be recorded by reporters,
and then experience a wasted practice lining up behind Tyrod Taylor, Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel.
“He’s here every day, and he’s doing fine,” Culley said. “He’s not injured. Every day, we have a thing for him. He’s doing everything, just like he has from day one.”
No matter how the Texans try to sell it, they’re doing Watson a favor even though he’s demanded to be traded, vowed never to play for them again, and is the subject of 22 civil lawsuits and investigations by Houston police and the NFL.
It’s an extraordinary situation that’s received worldwide attention, and it’s not going away any time soon.
Maybe Caserio believes if he allows Watson to work inside and avoid the prying eyes of reporters — not to mention his teammates on the practice field — the quarterback will revoke his notrade clause.
When the time comes and Caserio believes he has an offer that’s too good to pass up, he doesn’t want Watson to invoke his no-trade clause and kill the deal. It’s difficult to imagine Watson surrendering the kind of
leverage that allows him to avoid teams he doesn’t want to be a part of.
The Texans begin the regular season in 25 days. Watson doesn’t appear to be any closer to a resolution of his legal problems than he was 25 weeks ago.
Watson reported to camp to avoid being fined $50,000 a day. As long as he fulfills his contractual obligations, he’ll get paid his base salary of $10.54 million, which increases to $35 million in 2022.
Before the season begins,
commissioner Roger Goodell could place Watson on the exempt list. He would receive his base salary while the league continues its investigation.
Watson could suffer an injury and hope the Texans place him on injured reserve until they’re
able to trade him. He also could be on the 53-man roster and be inactive for each game, but coaches don’t like wasting roster spots on players who don’t contribute.
I don’t believe Caserio will give away Watson for the first offer that comes along. This saga has lasted for so long, why cave for a quick deal just to get rid of a humongous problem?
The best time to trade Watson would be after the season when Caserio will know what teams are in the market for a new quarterback and how high the draft choices will be in each round.
The volume of lawsuits, the serious accusations against Watson, the investigations and his trade demand have created an unprecedented situation that’s forced the Texans to regroup and try to figure out a position that works best for them as they get closer to the season.
Based on Culley’s response Tuesday, that position is to leave Watson inside NRG Stadium for now, be more informative with media and fans, try to be patient when it comes to the investigations, and continue to play the waiting game.
Because they have no other choice.