FS1's Bayless: 'Terrible start' could've been avoided for Watson |
Fox Sports 1’s Skip Bayless is a big fan of
Deshaun Watson.
Not so much his new head coach with the Texans, Bill O’Brien. Although O’Brien hasn’t named a starter for Thursday’s game at Cincinnati, NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport says Watson is expected to make his first career start - if healthy - as the Rapoport also cites sources in Watson having some sort of ankle injury. Watson entered the game Sunday at the half already down 19-0 after a less-than-stellar effort from incumbent starter Tom Savage and his offensive line. The former Clemson quarterback threw his first career touchdown pass, but also committed two turnovers (fumble and an interception) in the blowout loss. Bayless says O’Brien could have handled the situation better going in. “I first-guessed this and feared BIll O’Brien would blow this,” Bayless said. “He blew it all through preseason and blew it in the game, No. 1 in which he started his guy, Tom Savage. I said I didn’t like it and I don’t love the situation that Deshaun has fallen into with Bill O’Brien.” “You throw Deshaun back into the fire against a team that’s just pinning its ears back and after you and it’s sack city and it gets ugly. Now you’re off to a terrible start and you’re going to try to throw Deshaun back into the fire for a coach that doesn’t completely buy into him. “That’s what bothers me, because of the coach doesn’t completely buy into the quarterback - you know and I know - not ever a really healthy situation.” Savage was drafted the year O’Brien took over in 2014, which is why Bayless labels Savage as “his guy.” Bayless says Watson did enough to warrant being QB1 from the start. “His leadership intangibles and his big game poise are off the charts special,” Bayless said. “But you know how hard it is to figure this league out because it will figure you out quickly. You have to hand this kid the reins and make him the guy from the start because he earned that right through the draft and through college football.” "Deshaun Watson's leadership intangibles and his big-game poise are off the charts special… hand this kid the reins." — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/jhJgLe2VcC
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