Story by
How does Ken Dorsey plan on maximizing Deshaun Watson in the new Browns offense?
- Story by
- How does Ken Dorsey plan on maximizing Deshaun Watson in the new Browns offense?
BEREA — No one needs to tell Ken Dorsey what his mission will be as Browns offensive coordinator. He arrived at the correct answer on his own .
The reason why Dorsey is going into his first year in that position in Cleveland instead of it being Alex Van Pelt going into his fifth is because of one player. That player is quarterback Deshaun Watson .
Advertisement
Watson's first two seasons with the Browns since the famous trade with the Houston Texans have left, for better or worse, much to still be desired. An 11-game suspension in 2022 and shoulder injuries that limited him to just six starts last season have played major roles in stunting the former three-time Pro Bowl quarterback's performance.
Dorsey, as part of a nearly complete offensive staff overhaul, was brought in to help create a new offense that unlocks the Watson who was among the league's top five quarterbacks while with the Texans. He believes, with the aid of head coach Kevin Stefanski and others, they have crafted just that scheme.
"You know, it's not my system," Dorsey said after Thursday's OTA session. "It's not Kevin's. It's our system, and so we're developing our system."
Whoever's system it may be, it is expected to try to accentuate many of Watson's strengths, which he's showcased all the way back to his collegiate days at Clemson — a higher percentage of plays out of the shotgun, a higher usage of run-pass options (RPOs) and the implementation of option routes that give receivers like Jerry Jeudy the opportunity to create explosive plays.
Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey during a workout in Phase II of the offseason program in Berea on May 7.
So, how do you make sure the new scheme being authored gets the most out of Watson?
Advertisement
"I mean, it's going to be a constant evaluation to make sure we're doing the right things," Dorsey said. "That's part of developing an offense and coaching and making sure we're maximizing our personnel as much as possible. And, of course, that starts with Deshaun. So we're constantly going to be evaluating that, making sure we're doing the right things, especially as he gets out there and those reps continue to grow from a full-speed standpoint."
Right now, the Browns remain in a holding pattern in terms of getting their full money's worth out of Watson as they wrapped up the second of three weeks of OTAs. He continues to rehab the surgically repaired throwing shoulder, a ramp-up process that has him limited to just two days' availability to actually throw, and even that is just during individual drills.
Watson has been getting reps in 11-on-11 drills, although none have actually involved releasing the ball. He'll run the play, but when it comes time to deliver the football, he'll basically pantomime the throw. Meanwhile, when Jameis Winston or Tyler Huntley have been taking reps in any of the team or partial-team drills, Watson has been behind the play, mimicking what's being done in the play.
The Browns have one more week of OTAs, with officially four more days of them. After this upcoming week, they'll wrap up the offseason program with mandatory full-team minicamp June 11-13.
Stefanski has hinted over the last two weeks that Watson's rehab program could change once the Browns get into minicamp. Dorsey, though, said he doesn't believe the limited nature of Watson's availability is a hinderance to the installation of the offense.
Advertisement
"I think what we're trying to do right now is, because of his situation, obviously, he's trying to get all the reps he possibly can from a mental standpoint, but we still want to install the offense, and we still want to get everybody else involved up to speed," Dorsey said. "So that puts a lot on us as coaches and in the quarterback room to make sure we're maximizing every learning tool possible, from the different camera angles to on the practice field, making sure we're talking live as plays are going on and all that stuff.
"So you don't want to limit what you're installing just based off of his availability, because there's things that those other guys need to make sure they're getting reps on, too."
The fact Watson has been limited is not the only factor why a full evaluation of the new scheme at this point is a fool's errand. Wide receivers Amari Cooper , Jeudy and Elijah Moore have all missed at least a portion of the OTAs, as has Pro Bowl tight end David Njoku .
All will be expected to be in attendance for minicamp in a week and a half. Beyond that, there remains a six-week training camp/preseason for the Browns to deal with as well before the true unveiling at 4:25 p.m. Sept. 8 in the regular-season opener against the visiting Dallas Cowboys .
Advertisement
Dorsey, though, refuses to diminish whatever work can be done at this point in time.
"I think to be able to get out here, get live reps, to be able to teach off of guys see it, things are happening fast," Dorsey said. "I mean, our defense is darn good, so things happen fast out there for those guys. So there's a teaching aspect of it."
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ken Dorsey has plan for maximizing Deshaun Watson in Browns offense
