Watson follows Brady’s model
Star QBs ‘talk about life’ when schedules allow
The conversations are less frequent nowadays between Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Especially heading into a pivotal Sunday night game at NRG Stadium between the two division leaders.
Since he entered the NFL, though, Watson has interacted with Brady. That included them talking at a joint training camp practice at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
They text during the offseason and Watson considers Brady as a valuable resource for how to conduct himself on and off the field.
“We don’t talk as often, especially during the season,” Watson said. “We’ve both got our own things going on. Maybe a couple times in the offseason where I’ll shoot him a text or things like that.
“If we’re ever in the same area, we’ll definitely speak and just talk about life and I’ll ask him questions and vice-versa and how his family is doing. But as far as just talking on a daily basis and (it being) normal, not too often.”
A six-time Super Bowl champion and a former NFL and Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, how Brady handles all of the responsibilities of the job and as a businessman proves instructive for Watson.
“Just everything, how he carries himself, how his offthe-field tacts are, how he takes care of his body, business side,” Watson said.
“And then, on the field, just his leadership and how precise and smart and how he kind of leads that team to win a whole bunch of games and gets to where they want to get to.”
Watson has played against the Patriots twice, losing both games. He pushed the Patriots to the brink as a rookie in a 36-33 loss as Brady engineered a late comeback on a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks.
Since that game, Watson has continued to display growth as an all-around player.
“I mean, a lot, honestly,” Watson said when asked where he’s improved since that first meeting with New England. “Knowledge of the game, knowledge of the system, leadership, just everything.”
Watson has shined in primetime games, throwing 18 touchdowns with three interceptions. The Texans have gone 5-2 in those and he’s accounted for 21 total touchdowns with a 118.6 passer rating. He was 3-0 last season in prime-time games with a 131.1 passer rating.
This season, Watson has completed 69 percent of his throws for 2,899 yards, 20 TDs and seven interceptions. He has rushed for 301 yards and five scores.
“Deshaun’s a very talented player, certainly one of the top players in the league at his position that we’ve faced,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “Does a great job on the deep ball, has very good touch and accuracy, is a good decision maker, obviously very athletic kid that can do a lot.
“He’s a very good passer, can extend plays and make throws out of pocket, make throws in the pocket. And if he has to run the ball to convert a third down, he’s a hard guy to tackle. I’ve been very impressed with his downfield passing ability and decisionmaking and accuracy on third down.”
Watson has passed for 8,763 yards and 65 TDs and rushed for 1,121 yards and 12 touchdowns in 34 career games. The former firstround draft pick was added to the Pro Bowl roster last season as an alternate.
Watson ranks fourth in NFL history behind Dan Marino, Kurt Warner and Patrick Mahomes for the most touchdown passes through 34 career games.
“Deshaun’s come a long way,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “Anybody that’s as talented as Deshaun, in combination with the work ethic — he’s just got a great work ethic. He was here over the weekend studying and he was here early with (offensive coordinator Tim Kelly) and I watching some things. I mean, the guy puts in a ton of work.
“He’s really passionate about the team. He’s passionate about winning, and I think any time you have that, plus you have the incredible talent that he has, you’re going to get better.”