How Deshaun Watson looked at OTAs, and why the Browns are encouraged: Mary Kay Cabot (2024)

BEREA, Ohio -- Deshaun Watson let one fly to Elijah Moore during individual drills on Thursday, while offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey looked on like a proud parent.

It was the first time in organized team activities that Watson had really opened it up, and Dorsey and others were thrilled to see it. Watson is about six months out of surgery to repair the fractured shoulder socket and partially torn labrum, and is on track to start Sept. 8 against the Cowboys.

“You see him continue each day ramping it up a little bit more and more,” Dorsey said after practice. “He threw the ball down the sideline, a vertical throw today, and that’s one I hadn’t seen from him a lot. We haven’t pushed him to do it, so that was good to see. The more he grows and feels comfortable with it, the more you’ll start seeing those things get ramped up more and more.”

Watson threw only individual drills and routes on air on Thursday, the first time he threw in front of the media this offseason, but he had good zip and velocity on the ball, as well as his trademark excellent accuracy.

He didn’t throw at all against the defense and didn’t have Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy or David Njoku on hand — the three have skipped some or all of OTAs — but he completed many pinpoint passes to Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman and David Bell, including some intermediate and deeper routes.

After his throws, he showed no ill effects, such as no shaking out the shoulder or rotating it. He looked much like he did in pre-surgery practice, throwing from different arm angles, and easily making every throw.

Fortunately for Dorsey, he’s been through this before. In 2017, when he was quarterbacks coach of the Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton underwent surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in March, and made it back for the start of the season, going 6-8 that season.

“We had to make sure we’re monitoring distance of throws, and couldn’t go past a certain yardage,” he said. “How many throws he’s making that practice, all those things were basically throughout the entire year. So I think where (Watson’s) at right now is kind of in that process. And as he gets more and more comfortable — and part of that’s just the mental side of things too — that, ‘Okay, I can start really open it up more and more because of the confidence.’”

Watson still took the ceremonial first-team reps in 7-on-7s, simulating his throws, and watched closely when Winston and Huntley ran those drills for real. The two also threw in a few 11-on-11s, with Watson completely dialed in.

“I’ve seen intentional leadership of (Watson) taking mental reps like he’s one of the best quarterbacks in this league,” Winston said. “I’ve seen a consistent growth and just him focusing on his shoulder routine, focusing on building that strength back and when he throws it, he spins it. So I haven’t seen anything of lack. I’ve just seen him just continue to grow, continue to lead these guys because it’s challenging when you’re not getting the reps.

“It’s challenging to have a presence when you’re sitting back from afar watching, and he’s done an incredible job just staying locked in, staying focused. I smile when he’s communicating to the receivers in the back, communicating to the offensive line, talking protections, because that’s football and he’s not missing a beat.”

Between drills, Winston and Watson spent time talking over plays and technique in the new system. They were friends before Winston signed here, and are even closer now.

“It’s continuing to grow and that trust and commitment is starting to come in just between us,” Winston said. “Just regular conversations, not just about football, but about life, about increase.”

He acknowledged that Watson is a big reason he came here.

“Absolutely,” he said. “The opportunity was here for me to serve and to give to my teammates. And him being one of the best quarterbacks in this league, being a quarterback that I have had to see him grow as a number one draft pick and just see his ascension as a player, I have familiarity with that. So it’s an honor to serve him.”

A 10th-year pro, Winston has urged Watson to stay in the moment.

“There’s nothing more important than winning today,” Winston said. “Focus on today. Focus on your healing. There’s times when he’s out there lighting it up throwing. Focus on today. Do your best. And I’ve been so impressed with how he’s continued to stay locked in and focused even when he’s not in.

“As a unit, we’ve done a great job of allowing him to get the mental reps that he deserves because it’s his. But I’ve been so impressed with him and how he’s just been going about each day. It’s not like I didn’t expect it, but our conversations has been, ‘Hey man, continue to do what you’re doing because you’re doing an amazing job at it.’”

Moore, who skipped last week but has been here all three days this week, is encouraged by what he’s seen from Watson so far.

“He looks good,” he said. “Yeah, it looks good. I mean at this point I feel like it’s like this cycle. We always talking, we always checking in. We just want to play too. So we’re just taking it day by day. That’s all you can do. We’re putting our best foot forward just like he’s putting his best foot forward every single day. I watch him work his ass off every single day. You see what I’m saying? That’s all that we could ask for is for him to work his a-- off. So I think he looks good.”

Moore, who posted career highs in receptions (59) and yards (640) last season, is expected to flourish with a healthy Watson this season.

“It would be something exciting,” Moore said. “Anytime someone could get in their groove like that, I feel like you would see nothing but them getting better week in and week out.”

Moore believes Watson has grown during his time here, just like everyone else.

“He’s totally different but different in a better way,” Moore said. “He’s learned from what happened last year and the years before and what happened yesterday in his meetings. You see what I’m saying? So he’s definitely a better person every single day. He’s nothing but a positive light in our locker room and on the field.”

Dorsey acknowledged the challenge of installing the new offense and getting ready for the season with their QB1 on the mend. But day by day, they’re making it work, and Thursday was another good session for Watson, his fourth time throwing on his every-other-day protocol.

“What we’re trying to do right now is, because of his situation, obviously, he’s trying to get all the reps he possibly can from a mental standpoint, but we still want to install the offense, and we still want to get everybody else involved up to speed,” Watson said. “So that puts a lot on us as coaches and in the quarterback room to make sure we’re maximizing every learning tool possible. From the different camera angles to on the practice field, making sure we’re talking live as plays are going on and all that stuff.

“So you don’t want to limit what you’re installing just based off of his availability, because there’s things that those other guys need to make sure they’re getting reps on, too.”

At the end of practice, the quarterbacks threw into pockets in a net — the bull’s-eye drill — with mixed results. Watson missed more than he wanted to, but when all four — including Dorian Thompson-Robinson who’s resting with a hip injury — unleashed one last pass, his swished right in, as did Tyler Huntley’s. Watson celebrated like he had just thrown the game-winning touchdown pass against the Ravens.

Right now, it’s baby steps for Watson, but he’s passing every hurdle with flying colors, and passes.