Deshaun Watson wants to prove he’ll be better than he was in Houston
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Browns practice and interviews …
In his first media appearance of the regular season, Deshaun Watson reiterated all the positive stuff he’s said throughout training camp. He’s really comfortable with the state of things on offense, he’s in a great place mentally, and he aims to be a better quarterback for the Browns than he ever was for the Houston Texans.
Watson’s 2023 debut on Sunday is a lot different from his first game last year following an 11-game NFL suspension. Jimmy Haslam has said he believes this is the true beginning of the Watson Era. He was voted a team captain and has embraced ownership of his position as the quarterback on whose shoulders rests the fate of the team.
“Every game means a lot to me, not just because I missed the first half of the season last year and came back in,” Watson said. “I think each and every game is an opportunity for myself to go out there and show who I am. And I have a lot to prove, and I want to go out there and prove it, not just for people in general, but just for myself because that’s the type of competitor I am, and I just want to go out there and be the best I can and help this team win.”
Watson said his confidence in returning to previous form is based on “time … time and just reps are the biggest thing that makes my confidence a lot better than it was last year.”
A lot has been said about Watson’s final full season in Houston in 2020 when he completed 70.2 percent of his passes for an NFL-high 4,823 yards. He had 33 touchdowns v. 7 interceptions.
Watson said his expectation is to surpass that kind of season.
“I don’t want to return as that guy in Houston, I want to be better than that guy,” he said. “So, what I was, what is it, 2023? So three years ago, I’m not the same guy. So, I feel like I’ve evolved to a new level, and I’m ready to be able to show that. Last year was a tricky time, where I was learning everything, but I don’t want to just get caught up on, ‘Hey, Houston this, Houston that.’ I had a lot of fun, a lot of success in Houston, but I want to have that success and start something new in Cleveland.”
All of which is sweet music to the ears of coach Kevin Stefanski.
“He's a locked-in football player,” Stefanski said. “I think eager to get out there on the field and get to work. But he's the same guy he was when we started in April.”
Denzel Ward is still in concussion protocol, but his 'limited' participation in practice on Wednesday means he's close to being available Sunday. (TheLandOnDemand)
The Warden back on duty
Cornerback Denzel Ward officially was still in concussion protocol, but he participated in practice on a limited basis. In the portion of practice open to media, Ward did not look limited in position drills. He moved freely and did everything the other DBs did.
Stefanski sidestepped questions about Ward’s availability for the game, but the fact Ward was on the field was obvious progress. It was Ward’s first practice since the preseason finale on August 26.
Asked what needs to be seen for Ward to be released from protocol, Stefanski said, “Progress through the protocol. It's as simple as that, really. Make sure that he hits all the benchmarks and we'll go from there.”
A-Walk is ready
Linebacker Anthony Walker did not play in a preseason game but he pronounced himself “ready to go” for the season-opener against the Bengals.
Walker’s rehab from quadriceps tendon surgery last September was rigorous, lonely, and intense. His leadership on the field, sorely missed last season, is back.
“Long road, but happy to be in this place that I’m at mentally, physically, and spiritually,” he said.
Walker’s return from 2022 surgery – along with that of Sione Takitaki, who had ACL surgery in December – were major reasons the Browns did not add much to their unheralded linebacker unit. The only new players are ex-Colt Matthew Adams and undrafted free agent Mohamoud Diabate.
The other linebackers are Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Tony Fields and Jordan Kunaszyk (on short-term injured reserve).
“We know how each other needs to be talked to on the field, off the field,” Walker said. “We have that camaraderie together, obviously adding Matt Adams, I’ve played three years with him Indy. A guy that I know pretty well. So, he fits right in with everything that we do and then add Mohamoud, another great linebacker. I really enjoyed the way he played this preseason. I think he has the potential to be a star in this league really soon, so I know he’s going to keep learning, keep grinding, and when his numbers called, he’s going to be ready to go. "So, I think our room … has the potential to be good, but we’ve had potential in this locker room at every position for the last – I’ve been here two years. So, we want to transform that into some wins and some playoff runs.”
Brownie bits
For the time being, P.J. Walker will serve as the scout team quarterback. Walker, 28, was signed to the practice squad after the Chicago Bears released him at the 53 cut. “For me, it’s just take advantage of every rep, try to help as much as I can, give my opinion on things I think I can help. Just help the quarterback room,” Walker said. He would not speculate on whether there is an avenue for him to move up to No. 2 on the depth chart eventually …
New cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, who was claimed by the Browns after the Chiefs waived him at the 53 roster cut: “You know, I thought I was playing pretty good in the preseason. But, shoot, I’m blessed to be here. Some players after those cuts they be sitting on the couch. I’m able to play for the Cleveland Browns. I’m blessed to be here.” Hailassie doesn’t know if he’ll be up to speed for the Cincinnati game, but he did say early returns on the Jim Schwartz defense are that it’s much more simpler than the Kansas City defense coordinated by Steve Spagnuolo …
Rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman has switched to No. 19 …
Left guard Joel Bitonio and receiver Amari Cooper did not work with the team and enjoyed a VDO (veteran day off).
