Cowboys' Dak Prescott reveals why he's 'super proud' of Javonte Williams
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams has made all of the skeptics of his offseason move eat humble pie over the first seven weeks of the season.
Thought to not be the player he once was as a result of an ACL injury in his second year (2022), and then when he did return, it was back-to-back years of lower production, and the Denver Broncos moved on at the end of last season.
Some thought Williams was done, but he has had a serious turnaround this season, already rushing for 592 yards and six touchdowns to be one of Brian Schottenheimer's best offensive weapons.
After being down and out, then bursting back to life this season, Williams has fought back to prove he can still be a player to depend on, and Dak Prescott has nothing but pride for what Javonte has been through and what he's doing now.
"Super proud of the guy, knowing everything that he's been through, to battle back and not only battle back and play, but to play at this level, such a high level,” Prescott said. “Dominant, knows every part of our game and our offense, the ins and outs, knows the defense, knows everything about them when we playing them.
"Super excited for him in this matchup. I know it's probably one he's been looking forward to, he's doing everything right.”
Williams key to Cowboys offensive power
Last season, the Cowboys' run game was poor until Mike McCarthy gave Rico Dowdle the majority of the carries, and suddenly, the rushing attack saw an uptick in production.
But it was nothing like what Williams is doing.
A brutal and tough runner, Williams, behind the Cowboys' offensive line, already has two games of 100+ rushing yards, along with games of 87 and 95 yards, as he is reminding the entire league of the back he used to be.
Now, he returns to Denver in Week 8 in what will no doubt be a big moment for him at Mile High, so naturally, he will want a big game.
After dwindling production and doubts over his health, Williams has bounced back with authority, and as Schottenheimer stated, Dallas "bet right" on Javonte.
Browns Coach Sends Strong Message on Deshaun Watson’s Role With QBs
Deshaun Watson has had a positive impact on Dillon Gabriel's development.
Deshaun Watson has not sniffed the field this year, and may never put on a Cleveland Browns uniform ever again. But he is having an impact on their offense and rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, specifically.
Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees opened up about Watson’s impact on Gabriel’s development through his first NFL season, including his first NFL win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Watson, of course, reinjured his Achilles tendon in January, which prompted the Browns to overhaul their quarterbacks room. Watson has been pushing to make a return, yet Gabriel has played well since taking over for Joe Flacco after the 40-year-old was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Deshaun Watson’s Relationship With Dillon Gabriel Has ‘Really Been Positive’
Watson may not seem like an ideal mentor for a 24-year-old based on his catastrophic fall from grace. But according to Rees, Watson’s presence has been beneficial on the first-time NFL starter.
“He goes out of his way to help him talk through some coverages, talk through things like that,” Rees said.
Whatever you want to say about Watson’s controversial, injury-marred tenure with the Browns, Watson sure could play the quarterback position when healthy. He made the Pro Bowl three times as a member of the Houston Texans before they traded him to Cleveland for three first-round picks.
Plus, whatever Gabriel has gotten from Watson has worked. Gabriel has not yet thrown an interception in three starts, tossing three touchdowns while completing 72.2 percent of his 18 passes against the Dolphins in the rain Sunday.
Plus, whatever Rees is seeing has been backed up by coach Kevin Stefanski.
“He’s doing a great job at rehabbing, good job in meetings,” Stefanski said last week of Watson.
Deshaun Watson Is Unlikely To Play This Year — and May Never Suit Up For The Browns Again
This is the fourth of Watson’s fully guaranteed five-year, $235 million contract, which means fans who have been counting down the days until his contract expires are getting closer to freedom.
The Browns will owe Watson an appalling $80 million-plus in dead money if they release him after June 1, according to Over The Cap. Yet, if they also release him after June 1, that dead cap hit will be spread over his void years.
But with Gabriel on an entry-level contract of a third-round pick, plus Shedeur Sanders backing him up and Myles Garrett locked into a huge deal, the Browns could swing that deal to rid themselves of Watson’s stench — particularly since his contract is untradeable.
Or the Browns could decide simply to suck up Watson as the highest-paid backup quarterback in NFL history — even more so than Kirk Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons this year — then be rid of the Watson mistake rather than compounding it through the rest of the 2027 season.
Watson has only thrown for 3,365 yards, 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and 465 rushing yards and three scores in a Browns uniform. What’s worse is he’s only played 19 games for the Browns, mainly due to injuries and an 11-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy.
