QB Deshaun Watson (9.18.24)
After you watched the film, what did you think about Sunday? Good, bad?
“I mean, a little bit of both. I think honestly, we left a lot of opportunities out there on the field, overall, all of us. And I think that we didn’t play a complete game. And that’s our motto, especially going into this week is just, starting off fast like we did, but also, picking up speed as we go through the course of the game to add more points and try to get that lead a little bit bigger than what it was last week so the game don’t come down to what it did.”
What do you make of the fact that you and Amari (Cooper) just really haven’t really been able to connect yet, the way that everyone expects you to?
“It’s part of the game. It sometimes depends on the defensive coordinators and the way they scheme. Sometimes it’s the way that the game is kind of playing out. But, you know, we never lose faith in each other. And it’s a long season and we’re just gonna continue to work and figure it out. But when it do click, it’s definitely going to be very exciting for both of us.”
What do you think you can do to get things going? What are your conversations like during the week to try to jump start it?
“We’re just working. We just keep working, keep talking about what we’re seeing on tape, what we’re seeing on film, how we run certain routes versus different defenders and different schemes. And that’s all we can do, is just keep working. And when it comes on game day, trying to execute that plan that we built throughout the week.”
Deshaun, the Browns lead the league in penalties. So, my question is, being behind the sticks as often as you are, how does that curtail what you can do?
“I mean, that’s definitely not the game plan and that’s not what we want it to be. We just got to correct those. We got to lock in a little bit more on the details of the operation and it starts with that. And if we can clean up that, I think that we can be a lot more successful, especially offensively. But yeah, we’re definitely aware of that and it’s definitely a point of emphasis for this team.”
Deshaun, what felt different maybe out there on Sunday compared to the first time out against Dallas (Cowboys). I mean, for you, just in terms of being comfortable physically, any of that. Was there a difference the second time out compared to the first?
“No, just game two. You know, the games–you know, the more reps we get, I think that’s for every player, the more comfortable you get, the more free in the game plan. And just each and every game is different. So, like, I said Dallas was Dallas and after that Monday, I was past that one and I was focused on Jacksonville (Jaguars). So there was no different or anything that we did anything differently.”
Along those lines though, you were much more decisive, and it seemed like you were just setting your feet and letting it rip on the first look. Was that point of emphasis last week?
“No, just again, just more reps and just getting comfortable with the scheme. That was our first time, all eleven of us together, plus the coaching staff together, calling the plays and just operating in a live setting. So we [are] always a little bit more aware of where we want to go with the ball and the game plan. So, you know, it’s definitely an opportunity for us to improve this week against the Giants and just try to build on that.”
How will you make sure that something like this doesn’t happen in the future? Can you sort of explain what your thinking was on the third-and-6 there instead of just taking a sack and letting the 40 seconds run off? Kind of take us through what you were kind of told to do or what you did do or what you saw on that play.
“I saw a touchdown, but you got to give (Josh Hines-Allen) Allen a great play. Credit making a great play. (Cedric) Tillman, he did his job of selling the block. We got outside and he ran a corner, the corner popped open, but Allen beat me to my spot to where I wanted to throw it and that’s pretty much it.”
You said a couple of times since you’ve gotten here, you don’t have to be as much of a game changer. You can be more of a facilitator, point guard and you’re a quarterback on this team. What’s the difference in your mind between playing quarterback as a facilitator and being the game changer guy?
“It’s no different. It’s just the way the game goes and how the flow of the game is.”
Did you have a different mindset between, ‘okay, take this check down’ and, you know, ‘let’s see if they’ll try to make a bigger play?’
“No, I don’t have a different mind. I go into each and every game with the same mindset. And that’s me walking on the field being the best player that I could be on the field.”
How important has Jerry (Jeudy) been in these first two games and does it feel like you guys are on the same page when it comes to those scramble situations? Feels like you’ve been able to connect multiple with him times.
“Yeah, he’s just been in the right spots at the right time. And I tell all my guys, it’s just to be able to…the play is never over until it’s over. So you never know when the ball might come to you, regardless if I’m looking your direction or not. So just constantly playing until the final whistle. That’s always been my motto since I’ve been growing up. And, yeah, he’s just been in the right spots and been making big plays for us.”
Deshuan, your slipperiness, your elusiveness was really on display in this game. It almost seems maybe even more so than in some other games that you’ve played here. Do you feel like there’s just so much more to come with that and that is probably one of your strengths and it’s really going to serve you well as you move forward?
“Yeah, I mean, that’s always been part of my game since high school, college, even in the pros. I mean, I’ve always been that type of player to try to make the first two guys miss and make something happen after that. So, yeah, it’s just something that is just part of me, I guess.”
Do you feel like sometimes with those situations, they just have to let you be you and sometimes you have to take a little bit of bad with the good because the good is going to outweigh the bad and you’re just going to make the play?
“Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely something that most coaches don’t really coach in a sense. It’s just kind of letting your guys be the guys and make those plays and we gonna take our chances with that. You know, sometimes in certain situations you gotta be smart, but, at the end of the day, I’ve always told Kevin (Stefanski), I play off my instincts. And one coach always told me to never go against my instincts and gut feelings. And I definitely have so much respect for that coach. And, yeah, he’s been pretty right since.”
Could you tell us who the coach was?
“It was coach (Bill) O’Brien.”
Downfield passing numbers are down. Even guys who often throw it deep are throwing shorter than ever. But do you think that’s because two-high defense? Is that part of the scheme? What do you think goes into that?
“It’s definitely the two-high defense. You know, I think that might be an emphasis for a lot of defensive coordinators over the year. This offseason, it’s just trying to eliminate those shots. Especially with the game going the way it’s going, you know, with a lot of DPI’s and you can’t touch the guys down the field for the defense, so it’s harder for them. So they try to play with a lot of depth and two-high shells, so they keep everything underneath, and you don’t get those opportunities. At least that’s what I think for sure.”
What’s the give-and-take with that? Do you still have to try to take a shot every now and again to keep them honest, even if you think they’re taking it away?
“Yeah, but you gotta be smart with it. I think the biggest thing is really just, you gotta catch them when they’re in that one-high-man-type defense and take your one-on-one shot. So you got to be very selective. And when those opportunities come, you got to capitalize on them, but until then, you just got to keep taking. And it might be a longer drive here and there, but you got to kind of play that game, that chess match with the defensive coordinator.”
Are you confident that the explosives can still be there even though, you know, David Njoku is unlikely to play in this game and you and Amari are still trying to find your way. Can you still hit those explosives that you need to?
“Of course, we have a lot of guys that can be explosive. You know, not just one or two guys going into each and every game plan. You know, everyone that step on the field can be explosive. So that’s our mentality, that’s my mentality. Whoever’s on the field, whoever gets open, you know, you catch the ball, I get the ball to you, and let’s make those plays go.”
You did it with the 16-play drive to start that game but just how much of a test of patience is it when the defense isn’t giving up those big plays so you have to go methodically down the field and not try to force something?
“I mean, yeah, you just gotta lock in. That’s what they’re banking on is the offense turning over, getting a sack, doing something crazy to help them out, and not getting into the end zone. But if we can continue to do that the biggest thing, you gotta get in shape, you gotta make sure you’re locked in on each and every play, so you don’t have those mistakes that the defense is banking on and hoping that you do. And if you can get points on those long drives, it definitely helps the whole team. It helps the defense and let them kind of get their wind back, let them make their adjustments, and then we get points. That helps us as a whole.”
How do you feel like you have evolved in your career in that way where, I mean, when you’re coming to the league, probably in college and high school, you probably feel like no one can tackle me, I can make any play, and you kind of have to learn in the league to take the easy once?
“I’ve always been like that, though. I’ve always been the mentality that I can make every play. So I don’t think that changed or I don’t think I’ve changed that mindset since I’ve came into the league to now. I think it’s always been the same for me.”
Along those lines, do you think maybe because there’s maybe less of the ability to throw the ball down field and the numbers are kind of down, has the standard of what an elite quarterback in this league maybe looks like changed a little bit, or at least what people kind of consider that? And people obviously reference 2020 for you when you led the league in passing, but is it not necessarily just like hitting those marks with yards and all that as much as it used to be?
I think that’s more opinionated than anything. You can get kind of wound away with stats and things. But there are a lot of great quarterbacks out there that might not have the stats that certain guys do, but they win games, and I think in this league it’s about winning games. You want to get to that ultimate championship. 2020, I had the best couple of — I think me A-Rod (Aaron Rodgers) and Pat (Patrick Mahomes) was like the top three quarterbacks in the league, but my team was 4-12. So, those stats really didn’t matter because we didn’t win any games. So, like I said, my mentality as far as that, off the field stuff and just coming down the stats, it’s about winning games in this league and you have to win games to get those opportunities to play in the playoffs. And then that’s when you can have the opportunity to go get the ultimate goal and that’s that Super Bowl ring and that’s what every team is chasing.”
When you look back at the week that you had, starting with Friday and the loss of your two loved ones, and then going into the Cowboys game and then what happened on Monday, just what was that all like to go through that period of that, like four days?
“I’m good. Like I mentioned before, it’s all glory to the Lord. I have a great support cast in the organization and my family and friends. And, yeah, just more glory.”
You guys understand the health risks every time you go out there. I was just wondering, the unfortunate Tua (Tagovailoa) situation, has that been a topic of conversation amongst you guys? Has it changed any way you look at the game?
“Yeah, I mean, the biggest thing, especially as any player, but, as a quarterback especially, but it goes for all players, is really just trying to be as safe as possible. You know, sometimes you can’t really control it. My prayers to Tua and his family. Hope he’s getting very, very well quickly and have the opportunity to come back as soon as possible to help his team. But it’s kind of like that deal where you try to protect yourself and sometimes the hits go your way and they don’t go your way and it’s just kind of the nature of football. But I think the NFL and the league is doing a good job of trying to protect that and trying to get away from those type of kind of hits. But at the same time, guys are playing full speed, so it’s kind of hard to stop in it in the heat of the moment and try to hold up or protect yourself on both sides.”
You played with Dexter Lawrence at Clemson. What type of challenges does he pose in the middle there?
“Yeah, Big Dex, that’s my dog. I mean first off, he’s a huge human-being up front. He has a high motor, very exciting player. He’s gonna talk a lot of junk, but he just creates a lot of problems up front. And a lot of times you got to get two guys on him because for me, I think he’s gotten more athletic than he was in Clemson, which is crazy. But I mean, he’s just that All-Pro, three tech, nose (tackle) wherever you want to put him up front and just let him go play. We got to make sure we’re aware of 97 and really all those guys up front because they got some guys; zero (Brian Burns) and five (Kayvon Thibodeaux), all those guys can go. So much respect to them and we got to make sure we keep eye on them.”
So you have some banter coming out from this weekend?
“Something like that (laughing), but I haven’t spoken to him yet. But on Sunday we’ll be talking a lot.”