While it may seem only natural that an NFL team’s quarterback is one of its leaders, that’s not always the case.
History is littered with talented athletes who took on what is alternately referred to as either the most difficult or most important position to play in North American team sports. Certainly, a great many of them have succeeded at the game’s highest level — but a great many of them have not.
Ryan Leaf, JaMarcus Russell, Art Schlichter, Todd Marinovich, Vince Young … these passers had plenty of promise when they came into the league, but each of them flamed out for various reasons.
Largely, you could attribute the reason for their collective failures to a lack of discipline, motivation, maturity, and leadership, though.
The Houston Texans are fortunate to have finally found their man in starting quarterback Deshaun Watson, who will enter his fourth season in the NFL this fall.
A proven winner while in college at Clemson, Watson has only improved on his own innate talent and ability since making the jump to the pros as the 12th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has done everything and more for this team and its fanbase … both on and off the field.
Deshaun Watson doesn’t mind going the extra mile when it comes to his craft
Per Drew Dougherty of HoustonTexans.com, one of the major secrets to all of Watson’s success lies in the way he prepares himself — and prepares his teammates — during the offseason … well before September ever rolls around.
"“It’s not just on the field; it’s off the field as well,” Texans tight end Jordan Akins said of Watson’s incredible work ethic and ability to communicate with his teammates. “The stronger your relationship is, the stronger your connection is going to be on the field. Sometimes if I want to break the route or keep the route on, he’ll know. And I know what he wants to do.”"
Dougherty notes that Watson has long been a proponent of organizing individual and group workouts with his teammates during prior offseasons.
While this particular offseason has looked different because of the coronavirus pandemic, he’s still going above and beyond to put in the extra time and effort with his teammates through virtual teaching and collaboration sessions via Zoom.
"“We’re doing Zoom meetings, asking Deshaun what he’s looking for, what does he like to see from his receivers, what is he seeing in this defense and the way that he likes to throw things,” new addition Brandin Cooks told Dougherty."
Watson and his Texans teammates have their sights set on achieving even greater milestones this season. Houston has yet to play in a Super Bowl or conference title game.
Hopefully, that will all change this year.