The Cleveland Browns will need Deshaun Watson to return to his old form if they want to do better than last season’s finish in the basement of the AFC North.
Unlike last year, however, Watson will start Week 1 under center.
The Browns participated in organized team activities last week, and head coach Kevin Stefanski is pleased with what he’s seen from his quarterback.
“I don’t think it’s fair to compare,” Stefanski said. “I would just tell you he’s done a really nice job throughout this entire offseason of being diligent about understanding the playbook, understanding his teammates every single day. … There are always going to be things that you want to get back and do a little bit differently. That’s no different than every player at every position, but he’s right where he needs to be.”
Tight end Jordan Akins, who played with Watson in Houston and recently signed with the Browns, also raved about Watson’s performance.
“Great rhythm throws,” Akins said. “Deep ball throw, he’s great at that. The defense, he’s really good at it. He can read defense, pick apart the defense. When we get the mismatches, he’ll find the mismatches. Whenever he seems like he’s surrounded, he’s going down, somehow, he pops out. So you got to stay on your feet, stay moving downfield and be ready to make a play at all times.”
Only time will tell how Watson performs as the full-time starter, but it sounds like the project is on the right tracks.
