'Not My Specialty!' Watson Refuses To Run?

The Cleveland Browns offensive line has been decimated with injuries and quarterback Deshaun Watson has been under siege through three games this season.

Opposing offenses know that they can just pin their ears back and get after the quarterback, which is why Watson has taken so many sacks this year. Or could it be something else?

In a recent session with the media, Watson revealed his shocking stance on running the ball from the quarterback position.

“I’m not going in there to ask them for more designed runs,” Watson said. “If I don’t have to run, I’m not going to run. I’m not trying to take any hits. … I’m not a running quarterback, in a sense. I can make things happen, but I’m not trying to run.

“I’m not a running back. It’s not my specialty. They signed me to throw the ball, make decisions, and be a quarterback, not a runner.”

Two things stuck out to us in this comment. First and foremost, “I’m not trying to take any hits.” This is professional football, and with a turnstile offensive line, he’s going to take hits regardless, so why not take them gaining positive yards for his team instead of losing 6-8 yards per sack?

We can’t get behind that kind of thought process, especially when Watson’s success in Houston came with him escaping pressures, running the ball, and making plays on the run. This is a complete 180-degree turnaround.

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The other statement was “It’s not my specialty.” Definitely could have fooled us, because that is part of the reason Cleveland signed him to begin with. He was a dynamic runner who could make plays with his feet both in the passing game and the running game.

Not wanting to run the ball and not wanting to get hit is a very bad combination for a quarterback in the NFL. We are curious to see how his statements to the media and his play on the field intersect. It sounds like he’s just out there making business decisions instead of trying to win.

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