How Deshaun Watson can shake off the rust: Film Review

CLEVELAND, Ohio — After 700 days of not playing competitive football, Deshaun Watson had rust that was on full display in Cleveland’s 27-14 win over the Texans on Sunday.

Watson was 11 of 22 for 131 yards, with a key interception in the red zone. His footwork, fundamentals, mechanics, and ability to process information were all off because of the extended time away from live competition.

However, Watson’s mediocre start shows the importance of playing well in all three phases of football. The Browns were able to score two touchdowns on defense and one on special teams to carry the struggling offense.

Below is an example of Watson’s day against the Texans. It’s a look at a RPO (run-pass option).

The Browns will run a pin and pull concept to the left. Watson will read the linebacker who is right in front of him. If the backer runs with the pin and pull, Watson will pull the football out and attempt to hit Amari Cooper on a quick slant. If the linebacker stays, he will simply hand the ball off to Nick Chubb on the run play.

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Because safety Jonathon Owens is stacked behind nickel back Tavierre Thomas, Watson assumes Thomas is coming on the blitz, which he does. Quarterbacks are often aware of the stack rule - when a defender is stacked on another defender, chances are the defender in front is going to blitz.

With the linebacker going with Chubb and Thomas blitzing, Watson is in a hurry to get the ball out fast to Cooper. Watson’s speed causes him to rush and overstride with his left foot. This over stride will always result in the football going low. With game repetitions, Watson will adjust to this speed and easily make this throw.

Below is a look at the red zone interception from Watson.

Safety Jalen Pitre is in the middle of the field and will read the eyes of the Browns quarterback. Cleveland will run a variation of a double post or deep slant concept at Pitre.

Donovan Peoples-Jones will cross in front Pitre, with Cooper behind. Watson assumes that Pitre will stay with People-Jones and will keep his eyes on Cooper. Pitre does a great job taking a step with Peoples-Jones and then jumping under the route of Cooper.

With more game reps, Watson will use his eyes to move the defenders and make these easy throws.

Watson’s struggles will slowly go away with more practice repetitions, and more importantly, more game repetitions. The Browns’ new signal caller relies on instinct and feel that only comes with playing in live competition

Moving forward, here are three ways the Browns can help Watson quickly shake off the rust:

1. Take the Joe Burrow/Ja’Marr Chase approach

The connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase has created one of the most productive duos in the National Football League. For the most part, the foundation of their success is based on very simple schemes that allow for high accuracy from Burrow and the football in space to Chase.

Hitches, slants, fade routes, and back shoulder fade routes are simple concepts that maximize the talent of the two Bengal superstars. This Browns offensive staff could take this approach with Watson and Cooper. By running these simple routes, it minimizes the reads for Watson, and highlights the route running ability of Cooper.

Watson has an incredible ability to process information and make the correct throws, but until he gets up to game speed, simplifying the pass game will give him more immediate success.

2. Designed quarterback runs

No quarterback at any level is touched or hit during practice. This lack of contact, at times, creates bad habits and unrealistic timing with receivers and overall footwork. By running Watson early, he can get in the flow of live contact and the speed at which the game is being played.

Bottom line – getting hit gets the “juices” flowing and brings out the competitor in all football players.

3. Screen game off play action

Running some screens off play action, from underneath center, is another great way to help Watson improve. Successful short passes get him a completion, and allow him to work on footwork from a non-shotgun alignment.

Most of his career, Watson has been primarily in the shotgun. Footwork from underneath the center is different than being in a shotgun alignment. This is especially true when running play-action passes, a staple of a Kevin Stefanski offense. Running a screen off play action allows Watson to work his footwork and mechanics needed when throwing a true play-action pass downfield.

What we learned

Watson was rusty in the Browns’ win over the Texans. As he gets more practice and game repetitions, he will slowly return to the form that made him a top quarterback in the NFL. Until then, Cleveland’s defense and special teams will have to bridge the gap.

Lance Reisland is the former coach at Garfield Heights High School, where he spent 18 seasons as an assistant for his father, Chuck, and four as head coach, from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, his team finished 11-1 and appeared in the OHSAA Division II regional semifinals. That team went 10-0 and made history as the first Garfield Heights team in 41 years to have an undefeated regular season along with beating Warren G. Harding for the first playoff win in school history.

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