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Watson – A Receiver’s Dream - Plus a Browns Beating Review

The first 5-1/2 games of Deshaun Watson’s career (which includes only 4 games where he has been allowed to really quarterback) must resonate with one Andre Johnson. You remember ‘Dre, whose 1062 receptions and 14,185 yards receiving were both 11th in the history of the NFL. You also remember that ‘Dre had 70 receiving TDs in his 14 seasons, which is tied with Dez Bryant (in 7 seasons plus a few games) and Gary Collins who played 10 seasons for the old Browns mostly in the 1960’s era of grind it out football.

When outsiders look at Andre, they will look at those reception and yardage numbers and wonder about his TD numbers including the fact that he never caught more than 9 TDs in a season. Insiders, like John McLain will state that all you have to do is look at who was throwing to him and you will know why he did not seem to ever excel in this area. The QBs that threw to him did not have the type of arm and confidence to throw balls up for him to come down with (like Deshaun Watson has). They also did not have the maneuverability and sixth sense to allow them to extend plays to allow the receivers to get loose (like Deshaun Watson has).

Through 6 games this season, Watson the league leader has thrown 15 TDs, as many as Brock O had all of last season and more than Tom (frigging) Brady’s 13 TDs through 6 games. And he is doing this despite being 19th in pass attempts in the league.

D’Andre Hopkins tied for the most TD catches last season with four. Will Fuller in 14 games last season had 2 TD receptions. This season, Hopkins is tied for the league lead with 6 TDS in 6 games and Fuller is tied for third with 5 TDs in only 3 games.

Watson has already developed Madame Curie type chemistry with Hopkins and Fuller, while still sharing the ball with ten other receivers. The amazing part is the team is much more run centric than pass centric as they are 3rd in the league in rushing attempts and 2nd in yards gained. However, they only have three rushing TDs as Watson has shown that the easier way to put the ball in the end zone is through the air.

The bottom line is that if Andre Johnson had played his Houston years with someone like Deshaun Watson - he would be somewhere north of the 100 TD line at his retirement.

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A quick look at the Texans 33-17 win over the Browns and some thoughts from the game:

  • It was only the Browns…..

  • But….anything that gave Deshaun Watson and a legion of defensive newbies more NFL exposure is a good thing.

  • Speaking of newbies, here’s hoping that Dylan Cole, who has been a ton of fun to watch, has a minor hamstring issue that allows him to come back for Seattle.

  • And speaking of that....if the Texans’ offense continues to hit in that 25 – 30 point range – who of the remaining teams (Seattle, Indy twice, Rams, Cards, Ravens, Titans, 49ers, Jags and Steelers) is likely going to outscore them?

  • Was there anything prettier than that 39 yard laser beam TD from Watson to Fuller?

  • Once or twice a game Deshaun Watson looks like a rookie, for instance his silly overthrow pick 6 in this game. But on the other 60 plays – man he looked good.

  • Is it just me or did it look like instead of covering the Browns’ receivers, the DBs should have been about 10 to 15 yards farther up field and intercepted about 10 balls?

  • Poor Kevin Hogan looked just totally overmatched by the moment

  • J-Jo looked like an experienced DB who was sick of being put out prematurely to pasture as he took one pick 6 strutting to the house and might have taken a second if the field was about a foot wider.

  • Ka’imi Fairbairn has been nails on his FGs – hitting 10 of 10 so far including 5 of 5 from beyond 40 yards. On the other hand he has missed 2 of his 17 extra point attempts. Well if you are going to pick between XPs and FGs…..

  • Does the Chris Clark injury move the needle on the Duane Brown holdout? Probably not….

  • Braxton Miller with the odd-wad stat sheet of the week – 2 receptions for -5 yards and a TD

  • D’Onta Foreman (12 carries for 59 yards) continues to have more success carrying the ball than Lamar Miller (15 for 41 yds). But Lamar had 3 receptions for 40 yards and is more trusted in the blocking scheme.

  • Were you ever afraid the Browns were going to win this game? Me neither.

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