San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Watching Rodgers has helped Watson grow as a QB
HOUSTON — When quarterback Deshaun Watson was a rookie in 2017, an instrumental part of his learning process was watching tape of mobile quarterbacks who excelled in the NFL.
Sean Ryan, Watson’s position coach, emphasized how Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers played the position. To expedite Watson’s development, Ryan wanted his quarterback to see how Rodgers moved around to buy time to throw but always kept his eyes down the field trying to find a receiver before he elected to run.
“The biggest thing was keeping plays alive,” Watson said last week about what he learned from watching Rodgers as a rookie. “Always looking for guys, regardless if you’re scrambling outside the pocket or moving inside the pocket. He’s always looking for an open receiver.”
Beginning Monday when the Texans have the first of two practices against Green Bay in Wisconsin, Watson will have upclose opportunities to watch Rodgers work and see how much he can learn from the 15-year veteran.
In his third season, Watson is a sponge who soaks up information about playing quarterback. He has improved at looking down the field for receivers while he is trying to avoid pass rushers, but he has to get better so he won’t be sacked a league-high 62 times again.
As good and as experienced as Rodgers is, he was sacked 49 times last season. He has been sacked 50 times twice.
“If he can have that connection with open receivers, it’s another factor the defense has to worry about and has to take care of,” Watson said about Rodgers’ success on the move. “It makes the offense a lot more dangerous because the play’s never over.
“For any defensive back, regardless of who you are, it’s hard to cover a guy running around for six to seven seconds. It gives you a chance to move the ball down the field and create plays.”
Rodgers, 35, has earned an NFL Most Valuable Player award and a Super Bowl ring. Last year, he received a four-year extension that could be worth $134 million.
“This is another opportunity for me to take my game to another level and, hopefully, in a couple of years, be in his position,” Watson said. “He’s one of the best ever, a guy I’ve been looking up to for a long time.
“I’m excited to watch him work, see how he practices and goes about his business every day.”
During Watson’s first training camp in 2017, the Texans practiced against New England in West Virginia. After practice, Watson was eager to spend time picking Tom Brady’s brain about playing their position.
Watson loves getting advice from veteran quarterbacks as well as former quarterbacks. It is a key part of his development that he hopes will make him a Super Bowl-winning quarterback like Rodgers.
“I’m a huge fan,” Watson said about Rodgers. “I’ve known ARod for the last couple of years. When I see him, I say, ‘what’s up.’ We communicate.”
Watson has developed a close relationship with coach Bill O’Brien, who calls the plays. O’Brien remembers Watson’s rookie year and everything that went into his transition to the NFL from Clemson before he suffered the season-ending knee injury.
Rodgers had the benefit of playing behind Brett Favre in his first three seasons (2005-2007) and didn’t become a regular starter until 2008.
“In Aaron Rodgers, you’re talking about one of the best to ever do it,” O’Brien said. “You can tell the guy has great command of the offense.”
What impresses O’Brien about Rodgers?
“How the offense needs to be run,” he said. “How to get in and out of a play, how to look at something that really might not be a good look and change that play, understanding defense, having a feel for the rush and knowing when you can hold onto it and when you can get rid of it quick.
“Vision down the field, feel the rush, see the coverage and all the things you can show.”
Watson has learned from his coaches and from watching other quarterbacks at every level in which he has played.
“I think the biggest thing is being as detailed as I can be,” he said. “Each play matters, regardless of what quarter it’s in and what’s the down and distance. Being able to take advantage of open plays and scoring touchdowns.”
Watson has learned how important it is for a quarterback to take command in the fourth quarter.
“As you see in just about every NFL game, it’s rare when you have a team that’s blowing out (opponents),” he said. “Each week is a test, and it comes down to that last drive or a two-minute situation. Being locked in on every snap, creating field position.
“If I can continue to build on it and have the team have that same mindset, we’ll be just fine.”