Deshaun Watson should be the NFL's MVP

Photo credit: K A Sports Photos via flickr.com

By Lou Roesch
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 4, 2021) Not to many things went right in 2020 for the Houston Texans but quarterback Deshaun Watson is not one of those things. In fact, he might be the only real bright spot for this team and the one certainty moving forward.

After a 4-12 season in which Watson singlehandedly kept the Houston Texans in the hunt for a win each week, there is little room doubt that he is the most important puzzle piece going forward. Had this team been 12-4 instead of what they are, the Texans field general would be in the conversation for MVP. Throw out the records. Deshaun Watson should be the NFL's 2020 MVP. What you say? It should be Patrick Mahomes. Did I hear you say it should be Aaron Rodgers? Well, you are right all three should be in the conversation. Let's compare the numbers.

In the the statistical categories of attempts. completions, passing percentage and yardage, Watson finishes second in the NFL. He is number one in yards per pass completed at 8.8. He has thrown the second fewest interceptions of the top five quarterbacks in the league in 2020 despite the fact he was sacked twice as many times as Mahomes and 2.5 times more then Rodgers in spite of having the best left tackle in football (tongue in cheek).

As a rushing quarterback, he had the most most attempts, yards, average and touchdowns when compared to Mahomes and Rodgers. Of the top five quarterbacks only Buffalo's  Josh Allen had more rushing attempts, yards and touchdowns then Watson.

Of the seven statistical categories rating NFL quarterbacks, Watson finished first or second in six of them. On the ground, he was first or second in all five categories. All this while playing for a losing no make that a dismally, horrendously losing team.

If the MVP trophy is really about the value of one player, the team could not have otherwise done this well without number four on the field . Simply put, were Watson to be on the Chiefs, Packers, Bills or Seahawks with what he posted for the Texans they would all basically be in the same spot but flip the table and none of the others would have elevated the Texans any differently. Watson will not be the NFL MVP in 2020, but he should. 

Texans OC Tim Kelly excited about the 2020 Houston offense

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By James Jacobs

Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 21, 2020) Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly met with the media this past week and is excited about what the Texans offense can be this year provided of course the NFL has a season. Speaking about the elephant in the room or more notably on Zoom, Kelly addressed why the trade of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be an asset to the club and that despite losing a great receiver the team is better off.

 "I think any time you take the field with multiple weapons, multiple guys who can hurt a defense at a variety of different levels not just necessarily deep, short or intermediate but be able to threaten every aspect of the field is a good thing. So as far as being able to attack the defenses and really as each opponent presents its own issue, being able to take advantage of different matchups throughout the entire field and not necessarily one player, it's an encouraging thing." 

Kelly expounded on how the offensive line is fast becoming a strength of the team especially Laremy Tunsil.

"As far as Laremy, him being here for the offseason is going to be very beneficial. Again, more importantly, when we all get together, him being able to get those training camp reps, those reps with the offensive line, with Max (Scharping) and things like that are – I can't stress how important those are for an offensive line to be able to kind of come together and play as one unit. It's a good thing that we have all five of those guys coming back.” 

DeShaun Watson, as the field general, will be expected to shoulder an even bigger load and show even more improvement in 2020 says Kelly.

 “And yeah, there's things that Deshaun needs to get better at, as all of us need to improve on. We've talked about that with him, coming out and being consistent and playing at that – he’s set the bar so high, so it's really a challenge for him to be able to play at that level every time he steps on the field.” 

Houston has brought in new weapons in Randall Cobb, Brandin Cooks, David Johnson and Kahale Waring.

"You look at Brandin (Cooks), you look at Randall (Cobb), you look at Will (Fuller V) and Kenny (Stills) obviously with the production they had last year, Keke (Coutee) and DeAndre Carter, Steven Mitchell (Jr.) made some big plays. Obviously those are guys that have produced and that are coming in with a great mindset and with a chip on their shoulder and are working hard every day to make sure they're on the same page with the coaching staff and making sure they're on the same page with DeShaun." 

Houston's weapons coming out of the backfield gives Kelly more flexibility in playcalling.

“I think it opens up the play calling, obviously. You're not limited by a guy's ability to only run the ball or only catch the ball. When you have guys that are versatile and are both a vital running threat and a good receiving threat, it allows you to open up and be creative and find different ways to get guys the ball in space and do some good things. So, yeah, we're excited to have both of those guys back there." 

Six Houston Texans named to 2019 Pro Bowl roster

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 27, 2019) Six Houston Texans have been named to the 2019 Pro Bowl and will take to the field at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, January 27, 2019.  Defensive end J.J. Watt (shown right), outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will be starters in the game, while inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney will see action as a reserve. Quarterback Deshaun Watson and running back Lamar Miller were also named to the elite squad as alternates.

The game will feature the same format as the previous five Pro Bowls. For the sixth straight year, the Pro Bowl will differ from standard NFL game rules and format in that there will be no kickoffs and every quarter will have a two-minute warning. Also, the play clock will be only 35 seconds, and the game clock will run after pass incompletions except when there is less than two minutes left in either half.

The game will be televised on ESPN and ABC with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. CST.

Questions remain after Houston falls to New England

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

File photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2018 Al Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 9, 2018) It was the first game of the 2018 season, and Houston Texans' fans were chomping at the bit. They had their franchise quarterback back on their field. They had their team leader and all-time fan favorite back leading the defense, and they were coming off a training camp that some said was the best they had in years. With all that, and even more in their favor, the Houston Texans looked like they were heading for their best season and an eventual trip to the playoffs.

They took the field at Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots, it became clear the Texans still have a great deal of work to do. The Texans fell to New England 27-20 in the first game of the season for both teams. On Houston's first offensive play of the game, quarterback Deshaun Watson (No. 4, shown right) fumbled the ball, which was recovered by New England. four plays later, the scored their first touchdown of the game. Watson went on to compete 17 passes on 34 attempts for 176 yards and one touchdown. He threw one interceptions, rushed for 40 yards on eight carries and was sacked three times. He finished the game with a 62.9 rating. 

Granted, Watson played only seven games last season before his season-ending injury. He had a good training camp but looked tentative and rusty early in the game. His play did improve late in the game, and began to direct the team to two second half scores. However, this was not the start the Texans had hoped for. A clear win over the Patriots would have been a good start for Houston, but it was not to be. Many have predicted the Texans winning at least 12 games and winning the AFC South, but if today's play was an indication of things to come, they still have a great deal of work to do, not just with Watson, but the entire offensive line. Only time will tell if they can get better as the season goes on, but they had better get back to work as soon as possible on Monday morning. They next play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, September 16.

Houston Texans pass starting QB role to Tom Savage after Watson season-ending injury

Photo by Darla S. Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (November 5, 2017)  With a few hours left before Houston faces the Indianapolis Colts, the talk among Texan fans is can backup quarterback Tom Savage fill the shoes left by injured rookie Deshaun Watson (shown right). Beginning at 12 noon CST, those in the stands at NRG Stadium and millions more watching on television will see if the success generated under command of their rookie quarterback, who was injured earlier in the week during practice, will continue with Savage.

Watson, who was having a remarkable rookie season, tore his ACL in a non-contact drill on Thursday. As a result, Watson is out for the season and Savage will take command of the Texans on the field. Texan staff quickly signed Matt McGloin to back up Savage and also were in the process of signing T.J. Yates to also serve in a back up role, according the ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeff Dickerson.

Savage has seen limited action in 2017, playing in two games, completing seven passes (on 13 attempts) for 62 yards and no touchdowns. After playing four seasons with the Oakland Raiders (2013-2016), he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles on April 10, 2017. He was released by the Eagles on September 1, 2017. In his four seasons in Oakland, he played in 13 games, started in seven, and was 171-of-277 for 1,868 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing 11 interceptions. 2017 will be Yates' third stint with the Texans; first playing from 2011 to 2013, and again in 2015. In 2016 he saw action in one game for Miami.

No matter what happens inside NRG Stadium on Sunday, the Texans and their fans are going to miss Watson in the backfield.

Houston Texans score team-record 57 points in defeat of the Tennessee Titans

The Houston Texans assembled on the sideline, prior to kickoff, for the
National Anthem, and received thunderous cheers and shouts
of approval from the fans at NRG Stadium.
Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 1, 2017) In a game that saw no players kneeling during the National Anthem, the Houston Texas scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and went on to down the Tennessee Titans by the score of 57-14 at Houston's NRG Stadium on a beautiful Sunday, October 1, 2017 afternoon. The 57 points was a franchise record for the Texans and pushed their season record to 2-2 for the season. The 43-point  difference is also the largest margin of victory in a game in team history. The previous high was a 34-point drubbing at Tennessee on October 23, 2011.

It did not take long for the Texans to jump on the scoreboard, and in this case, capitalize on a Titan mistake during their first possession. On their first possession and a third-and-six play, Titan quarterback Marcus Mariota's pass, intended for Delaine Walker was picked off Andre Hal, who returned it ti the Tennessee 43-yard line. From that point, Houston rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson engineered a four-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a two-yard option rush by Lamar Miller. Along with Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point, the Texans took a 7-0 lead at the 12:13 mark of the first quarter.

After a three-and out drive by the Titans, Houston took control of the ball for their second possession and promptly drove 76 yards in 11 plays for their second score of the game. Watson connected with DeAndre Hopkins on a short eight-yard pass for the score. Fairbairn again added the extra point push the Texans' lead to 14-0 after 9:46 of play.

Watson and the Texans continued to rack up points; kicking off the second quarter with a 16-yard pass to Will Fuller V for another six points. Fairbairn again converted the extra point, giving the Texans a 21-0 lead. The Titans finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when Mariota drove the ball 75 yards in five plays for their first touchdown; a 34-yard quarterback keeper. Ryan Succop kicked the extra point to cut the Texans' lead to 21-7. Houston responded with a 50-yard field goal by Fairbairn midway through the quarter to increase their lead to 17 points (24-7). The 50-yarder was this longest of the season and extended his team record streak of making his first seven kicks of his pro career.

In the final minutes of the first half, Mariota added six more point to the Titan's total with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with another quarterback keeper; a two-yard run for the score. Succop added the extra point to bring Tennessee within 10 points of the Texans (24-14). After the ensuing kickoff and two penalties against the Titans, the second a 52-yard defensively pass interference call which gave the Texans a first-and-goal from the two-yard line. This time, Watson decided to imitate Mariota; keeping the ball and rushing the final two-yards for the score. Fairbairn kick was wide, giving the Texans a 30-14 lead when the half ended. The Texans' 30 first-half points are the second most in team history. The most points scored by Houston in the first half in 34 against Indianapolis on September 11, 2011.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

At the 6:54 mark in the third quarter, Watson (shown left) again connected with Fuller V on a 10-yard pass; to cap a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive; along with Fairbairn's extra point; giving Houston a 37-14 lead. After the score, Tennessee replaced Mariota, who was reported as questionable with a hamstring injury,  with Matt Cassel. Cassel did little to improve the Titans' performance against the Texans; as Tennessee still had difficulty finding the end zone. Houston added an insurance touchdown and extra point with 11:25 remaining in fourth quarter, when Watson hit Miller with a eight-yard pass for the score. A little less than three minutes later, Fairbairn connected for 40-yard field goal. To add insult to injury; and the very next set of downs, Cassel, with a pass intended for Walker, was picked off by Dylan Cole and returned for a touchdown. Fairbairn added another extra point to his scoring total for the day; giving Houston a 54-14 lead.

Watson, in only his fourth game as a professional; completed 25-of-34 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. In addition, he rushed for 24 yards on four carries and one touchdown. He is the third rookie quarterback with four-plus touchdown passes and one-plus rushing TDs since 1950. Johnny Green first accomplished the feat in 1960; playing for the Buffalo Bills. Fran Tarkenton was the second rookie to achieve that status in 1961, for the Minnesota Vikings.

Miller led the Texans on the ground, carring the ball 19 times for 75 yards and one TD. In the air, Hopkins caught the ball 10 times for 107 yards and one touchdown. The Texans' 57 points were the most scored in a game since Green Bay scored 55 points against the Chicago Bears in Week 10 of 2014.