The Houston Texans have a complement of deep ball threats in Will Fuller, Keke Coutee, and Vyncint Smith. The opportunity for splash plays is readily available.
For quarterback Deshaun Watson, he has to be on target, and the Pro Bowler is not concerned about overthrowing his speedy targets.
“I mean, the biggest thing is trying to get it as far out as you can and let them run and you let them use your traits,” Watson told reporters Wednesday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “I’d rather overthrow it than under throw it, if so then the DB can try to make a play.”
One example of an under throw where a defensive back was able to make a play on the football was in Week 1 of 2018 at the New England Patriots. Watson sought Smith on a deep ball in the end zone, but cornerback Stephon Gillmore intercepted the pass and killed a promising Texans drive that had just edged into New England territory.
“So, either my receiver can catch ball or no one can, but I just try to get as many reps in the live action, full speed in practice as I can and try to see how they get their clean release and if they’re kind of getting jammed up at the line, how I need to throw the ball,” Watson explained.
The deep ball figures to return to the Texans’ passing game as Fuller continues his rehabilitation from an ACL tear sustained in Week 8 last year. Watson certainly has the arm to deliver deep passes, and if Houston is able to reclaim that part of their arsenal, then the club should be able to keep up with some of the more prolific offenses on their schedule and put others in a bind as they generate points at a quick pace.
