Just as Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson was unwrapping the gift of perhaps the best rookie season ever, it was over. Watson exploded on the scene with a 50-yard run against the Cincinnati Bengals on a nationally televised Thursday night game and never looked back—until last week. Watson tore his ACL in practice on Nov. 1, ending perhaps the most exciting rookie season from a Black quarterback since Robert Griffin III. In similar fashion, Griffin tore his ACL after mesmerizing fans in the District his rookie year and instantly became the savior for the Washington football team. Griffin, however, never regained the magic from his inaugural season and is currently out of football. Will Watson bounce back or go out RGIII style? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debates this question.
FILE – In this Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, file photo, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) sits on the sideline during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns in Houston. Two people familiar with the situation tell The Associated Press that Watson sustained a season-ending knee injury in practice on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. The rookie suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees and will go on the injured reserve. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the injury. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Riley: It’s tough for Watson and all of his fans. He was everything you want a quarterback to be, and before we could even savor his rookie year, it was all gone. A mobile signal caller with the ability to manipulate defenses with run options and play action, Watson played arguably better football than any other signal caller so far this year. His mobility made him deadly, and while it’s not out the realm that he can regain his leg strength after his latest injury, there’s just no telling if he’ll be the same threat. I would love to see it but the odds are against him.
Green: The thing that separated Griffin from Watson was that the latter pushed the ball downfield relentlessly. The mobility was a plus and definitely made him a threat to run but Watson didn’t have to rely upon that. Even if his mobility is zapped when he returns, his intelligence, arm strength and accuracy will continue to make him a weapon in the league. Watson’s personality is different from Griffin’s, who received a lot of criticism off the field for how he conducted himself inside the locker room and among fans. Watson is the real deal and he’s torn an ACL in his left leg before so I wouldn’t count him out.
Riley: Tearing an ACL in college is one thing. Tearing an ACL and returning to NFL action is a whole different world. Regardless of Watson’s leadership skills or characteristics, an ACL injury is going to greatly affect his mobility and that’s where his dangerousness came from. It’s easy to push the ball downfield when defenses are trying to account for you taking off and running but when that threat is gone then what? Ask RGIII.
Green: Watson isn’t Griffin, though, and that’s easy to see. Aside from that 50-yarder he broke against the Bengals, we haven’t had to see much of Watson running this year. He’s an official quarterback who can hurt you in a number of ways whether it’s running, throwing or decision making. He’ll bounce back just like he did before and he’ll progress in the NFL, unlike RGIII.
