Linda » Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson isn’t overthinkin

New England since a season-ending knee injury last November.The key to being successful this year is simple.“Really just one thing Tytus Howard Jersey ,” he said. “Be me. That’s it.”That approach helped Watson excel immediately as a rookie last season when he took over for Tom Savage at halftime of Houston’s season opener.He made six starts after that and finished with 1,699 yards passing and 19 touchdowns before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in practice in early November.His performance was a revelation for a team that has dealt with years of disappointment and inconsistency at quarterback, with the lowlight coming when the team signed Brock Osweiler to a $72 million contract in 2016 and traded him after just one tough season.This will be Watson’s second trip to New England after he and the Texans came up just short in a 36-33 loss there last year. Watson, who was the 12th overall pick in last year’s draft, threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, but what he remembers most about that game are the two interceptions he threw.“We had the opportunity to put the game away and we didn’t,” he said. “Left too much time for Tom Brady. The interception I threw early on in the game. That was pretty much it.”Coach Bill O’Brien wasn’t surprised that Watson handled himself well in the tough environment in New England after he starred for Clemson while leading the Tigers to a national championship in the 2016 season.“From the time that he arrived here … he had really good poise, very smart guy,” O’Brien said. “This guy had beaten Alabama in the national championship game in front of 100 Rock Ya-Sin Jersey ,000 people on national television and almost did it the year before. I don’t think there was ever going to be any stage too big for him.”Though Watson’s rookie season was cut short, his injury didn’t end his learning and development. He was at the stadium almost every day, watching film and talking to coaches and players to try and get better.“When you get injured as a rookie, that’s a tough deal,” O’Brien said. “He approached it in a very professional manner. He got his rehab done. He would study tape. He’s been with us out on the field ever since the offseason program started on April 18. He’s worked diligently to get back to where he is right now.”Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins has dealt with a revolving door at quarterback, including playing with four different ones last season, since he was drafted in 2013. After what Watson did in limited work last year, Hopkins can’t wait to see what’s next for the 22-year-old.“I’m very excited,” Hopkins said. “I think everybody is http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ben-banogu-jersey , not just myself. He’s shown improvement, he’s matured a lot since last year.”Watson isn’t concerned about his surgically repaired knee holding up after performing well after having the same surgery on the other knee in 2014.He looked good in limited action in the preseason, but questions about his health will remain until Sunday when he plays a full game for the first time in more than 10 months.“(I) don’t worry about it,” he said. “I trust my preparation that I’ve put in, trust the rehab and the things I did over the summer to get back to this point and just go out there and cut it loose.”
The Arizona Diamondbacks open a four-game series Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and by the time they move on to Miami, their rotation could look different. As in, more intact.

Right-hander Zack Godley (7-5, 4.77 ERA) is scheduled to face Pittsburgh righty Ivan Nova (4-5 Khari Willis Jersey , 4.42) in the opener and, in fact, the Diamondbacks (40-33) have starters penciled in all four games against the Pirates (36-37).

But starters Shelby Miller (Tommy John surgery) and Robbie Ray (strained right oblique) appear close to returning, particularly Miller.

“He’s getting close,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said of Miller. “With these outings and the feedback he’s giving us, he’s telling us that he’s getting closer every day.”

One possibility is that Miller will replace Matt Koch, who allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings Wednesday in a 5-4 loss against the Angels.

“Yet to be determined,” Lovullo said. “We’re going to huddle up and have some conversations … and figure out what the next course of action.”

In the meantime, Godley is 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA over his past two starts. That includes a 7-3 win Friday against the New York Mets when he gave up two runs in 6 2/3 innings.

“I had to fight through myself pretty much for the first three innings and then after that kind of settled in a little bit and got some quick outs and was able to go deep into the game Josh Allen Jersey ,” Godley said. “I was just kind of fighting myself body-wise, just kind of not finishing some of my pitches and leaving some up and in on righties and up and away on lefties.”

Getting through that impressed Lovullo.

“He’s battling himself,” Lovullo said of Godley’s early innings in that game. “He can’t duplicate pitches, and he just made some key pitches at the right time. … So, when you see things like that when a guy doesn’t have his best stuff, that’s what sticks out for me. Pretty impressive.”

Godley is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two appearances, one start, against Pittsburgh.

The Diamondbacks, who were off Wednesday Parris Campbell Jersey , have won eight of their past 12 games. That includes taking two of three last week when the Pirates visited Chase Field.

Pittsburgh last lost two home games in a row against Arizona but had won six in a row before that.

The Pirates have won four of six after getting an impromptu day off Wednesday — their game against Milwaukee was postponed after a rain delay of more than two hours.

Nova, like Godley, is coming off two good starts, going 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA since he came off the disabled list (sprained finger).

On Saturday, he struggled with his curveball but it didn’t stop him from allowing just one run and five hits in six innings in a 6-2 win over Cincinnati.

“Even though I walked a couple guys, the fastball command is better than what it was before I hit the DL,” Nova said. “I think I’ve been able to control it a bit better. I think that’s been the key.”

Nova is 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Pittsburgh will be without starting left fielder Corey Dickerson for at least the start of the series. He is on family leave.