Texans QB Deshaun Watson seeks to be 'as detailed as I can'



Deshaun Watson



Nobody said being a starting NFL quarterback is easy. Even when one has a fiery start to a rookie year, such as the Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson, there are things to learn. The jump from the college ranks to the pros is filled with film room, learning intricacies, and developing mechanics.

“I think the biggest thing [to learn] is being as detailed as I can, and each play matters, regardless of what quarter it’s in, what down and distance,” Watson said to reporters after Wednesday’s training camp. “Being able to take advantage of the open plays, being able to take advantage of scoring touchdowns. Little things like that.”

And then, there are the big things. Whether it be managing the clock or dealing with adversity on the field, it all matters. Watson told reporters, “Because in that fourth quarter, as you see in every NFL game, it’s rare where you have a team that’s blowing out teams. Each and every week is a test, and it comes down to that last drive or a two-minute situation.”

Just because an offense is doing well, doesn’t mean your team is. That’s pounded into the brains of quarterbacks when they go into a high-tech, leather chaired, NFL classroom.

“Being able to be locked in each and every snap and taking advantage of that and creating field position, playing complementary football in all three phases, special teams, defense and offense,” Watson notes in the cool, fan-made, breeze of the Houston Methodist Training Center bubble field.

In the end, if a quarterback can get that down, their team will be okay.

“If I can continue to build on that and have the team have that same mindset, we’ll be just fine,” Watson said.

Watson has learned a lot in his short time in Houston. As a rookie, he was a no-care-given gunslinger that threw for touchdowns, but also made a fair share of mistakes. A portion of those mistakes was cut down from year one to two. In his second season, he threw just nine interceptions the whole year — a major difference from his projected 20 as a rookie, based on his rate of play in seven games.

But, there is still a ways to go; Watson wouldn’t disagree with that.


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