Unlike you I was never that big a Deshaun Watson fan - real good, fun to watch, but he never caught hold with me. There was something missing. And as you point out - now we know.
I had followed Stafford (as much as I could here in bumblesticks western Montana with a rabbit ears antenna and network TV) and admired him for his arm talent in his first season, his courage and leadership in playing through obvious pain with a broken wing. Left arm limp and lifeless at his side, he goes back in, and keeps throwing. I admire that. Especially when he got the job done.
Even in Detroit's losses, I saw a guy who could suck it up, deal with so-so to p!ss-poor coaching, one great receiver to throw to but not much else for offensive weaponry, inconsistent line play, and
still hang in there and get it done - or give his all trying. And every game I watched he'd make throws that had me on the edge of my seat, saying a quiet "Wow."
Brady got the glory in those years; Stafford had the greater arm talent, and while Brady was flopping and calling for flags Stafford was taking some real hits and getting up, bearing down, and continuing to make plays. He bucked up - didn't wilt - under pressure. And the prerssure on him seemed incessant when I watched Detroit for maybe a game or two a season.
What could he do, if he played for a winner? I asked myself.
Now we all know - and I'm glad for us, and for him, that we do.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2024 03:42PM by mtramfan.
