QB Deshaun Watson (10.7.26)
Deshaun, now that Denzel Boston has the four of the longest plays from scrimmage for you guys, do you look to him more and more in confidence more and more?
“Yeah, the more we play, the more we get more reps, the more confidence we build in each other. And that chemistry continues to build. But as far as just kind of me looking for him directly, I think just kind of going through the game plan, depending on what play is call and what coverage we’re getting. I’m just trying to find the open guy. And he’s been doing a heck of a job whenever his number is called and his opportunity comes, he makes those plays, and he’s just going to continue to get better and better each week.”
After looking at the tape from last week, what can you do to kind of make that first half a constant, entire game and keep it consistent throughout?
“We just got to come out and just continue to stack plays, and ultimately the defense is going to adjust. We got to make sure that we’re ready for the adjustment, and we just got to continue to just finish drives. And if we can do that, finish drives, especially with a kick and then especially with points, then we can continue to set that. But each week is different and each game is different, and we just got to continue to try to set place.”
What are some of the things that you guys are doing as an offense, or maybe you’re doing specifically, to try to accelerate the timing and the bonding and the chemistry that we’re now starting to see come out on the field?
“You know, spending time with each other, watching film together, talking over routes, getting some extra work after practice, watching some extra tape. All those little things that you got to do to be able to try to be on the same page and be able to see it through the same lenses. That’s the most important.”
Jerry Jeudy had become our forgotten receiver until the end of that game Thursday. How did it come to pass that he was such a key player in the winning drive?
“I mean, that’s something that we don’t forget about Jerry. Jerry’s been around. He’s been a leader. He’s been that vet in that receiving room, making sure all the young guys are staying on task. And then whenever his opportunities come, he takes advantage of it. And those opportunities came, and he made some great plays at the end, and he was ready for those. That’s what vets do. Sometimes, depending on the game plan and the way the game goes, you might not get too many opportunities. We only have one football, so we try to spread it around as much as possible. But whenever your opportunities come like he did, he took advantage and helped us win.”
When you have confidence in a receiver, and Denzel is catching the ball like he is, what does that do for you as a quarterback, knowing that if I throw it to this guy, he’s going to catch it?
“I mean, it feels good. You have a guy that is very confident in himself, especially being so young, and each week is gaining experience and wisdom. And as a quarterback, it’s good to have those types of receivers that can make those big plays.”
I know we’ve asked you a lot about the ability you’ve had to run the ball, the big plays you’ve had doing that. Has it been any surprise that you’ve been able to do that, given the two Achilles that you had and the success you had?
“No, not at all. Like I mentioned before, it’s the work that I put in. I trust my work. I trust the people that helped me get to this stage, and I’m confident in everything that I put in. So, none of it’s a surprise for me.”
Just how important are those to what you’ve been able to do offensively? Especially in those fourth quarters, it feels like all the big drives, you’ve made at least one of those run plays to kind of continue the drive.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s part of the game. It’s part of what I do. I’ve always had that. I’ve always made plays with my legs whenever those times come. And coach always preaches to play quarterback. So, if you can make it and extend a drive and help the team win, then I’m going to do whatever I need to to possibly do that.”
What do you see happening with the running game right now? Four games, still not where you want it to be. Why isn’t it working?
“You just got to keep working. You got to keep stacking. It’s hard to run in this league. You’re not just going to run 200 yards every week. Sometimes you might have that, sometimes you might not. So, we just keep plugging away, keep stacking them, and know that sooner or later they’re going to pop, and Q (Quinshon Judkins) and all the running backs are going to get those opportunities to really break one.”
What kind of a morale boost might it be for you guys in the quarterback room, and even out on the field, to have Dillon Gabriel designated for return and out there practicing with you? I see you guys talking a lot, how might he be helpful to you?
“Yeah, I mean, Dillon’s been around this whole time. He’s been at every meeting. He’s been traveling with us. He’s been on the practice field with us. He’s been communicating, giving suggestions within the offense and different reads. So, DG, man, he’s a great teammate, better person, and yeah, it’s good to have him back on the field and see that he’s healthy. All of us in that room, we’re one big group, we got one goal, and that’s ultimately to win and be successful.”
You talked earlier this season about how the different intricacies of playing receiver, for young guys, can be a challenge to get up to speed on. Given that, how impressed are you with Denzel’s production so quickly into his young career?
“Yeah, Denzel’s been, again, he’s been a guy that has came in from day one just ready to work. Whatever preparation he had before coming into the league, it really helped him. He was ready for this opportunity. And he’s been trying to find ways to get better, regardless of if he’s talking to Jerry, talking to other people that has experience around the league. He’s doing a heck of a job of just making sure that he’s finding ways to get better and ready for those opportunities.”
Was there any kind of moment during camp where he did something where you said, okay, this guy can be a guy?
“I mean, I’ve seen it. Like I said, I’ve seen it back in the spring. The plays that he was making in the spring, and the way he runs routes and attacks the ball, it’s impressive, especially for a young guy like him that’s coming in, first year in the league. The way he operates, it’s real professional. So, it’s been great.”
How important is it for you guys to keep this winning feeling going, to go up to New York and just keep the train rolling along?
“I mean, that’s the number one priority. Priority number one. That’s the whole thing. That’s the whole reason why we come in every day and put the work in, is to try to win.”
What have you seen from the Jets’ defense, especially in the past few weeks?
“A very veteran, experienced defense. A lot of zone, but they create a lot of pressure up front. They want you to create those mistakes. You got to earn everything that you do. And again, there’s a lot of veteran guys that play super hard, that have played a lot of football, and they’re going to make you earn every yard. It’s a very good defense, we respect them, and we got to go out there and make sure that everything that we’re doing is top tier. We got to go earn that win.”
Todd (Monken) said that during film sessions, when you see some of your mistakes, he said you can usually see what you’re looking at and that you’re right most of the time or that you think that you’re right 100% of the time. What’s the process been like watching film with him and have you ever had a coach break down film the way he does with you?
“Yeah, all my coaches that I’ve had over the years, we’ve watched film together. And I think it’s just unique because I kind of watch film and break down things a little bit differently. Maybe some things that I don’t see, they see, and vice versa. So, as we continue to learn and build a relationship together, he’s trying to see what I’m seeing, what I’m thinking as a quarterback. And a lot of times you understand why I made these types of decisions, or these reads and I placed the ball in a certain location. So, as we continue to grow, we’re just going to continue that bond and try to help each other the best we can so we can continue to win games.”
Back to your days in Houston, was there a receiver like Boston at the Texans? Nico Collins came after you, right?
“Yeah, I had Nico when he was a rookie, but I didn’t get to play with him. He was coming in, I don’t know, I mean, I just, I don’t like to compare receivers, honestly, because everyone has their own unique way. So again, Boston is his own player and his own character, and he’s doing a heck of a job.”
What do you think it’s been about you and this team collectively that’s been able to come up so big in the final minutes of these last three games?
“Just the connection, just the chemistry, the belief, the will, the hope, the grit, everything that we put in this offseason. We didn’t listen to anything other than what Coach Monk (Todd Monken) wanted us to build in this foundation in this room. So, we just take it one play at a time, and we always have hope until the game is over. The game is never over. So, we believe that we can go in and win and play with anybody. And I think that’s what helped us in the final drives of these last couple of games.”
Deshaun, so many people have climbed onto the bandwagon, saying great things about you every time I see or hear something now on national media. Everything seems really positive, and people are catching on. How do you feel about the fact that people are realizing that you can still play this game?
“Appreciate it. That’s pretty much it. Keep the main thing the main thing. Keep working. It’s a humbling league, and never too high, never too low. So just stay neutral, keep working every day, finding ways to get better and appreciate.”
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