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Here's why the Texans could be hiding their quarterbacks from the media
Jun 2, 2021, 12:43 pm
This is getting ridiculous. Composite image by Jack Brame.
As we all are fully aware of by now, Deshaun Watson is embroiled in some litigation revolving around sexual misconduct, and possibly sexual assault, allegations in some twenty-two civil lawsuits filed against him. If the timeline holds true, his accusers will be deposed in September, but Watson himself won't be deposed until February 2022. This means Watson may not be available for the media for public comment until after he's deposed in 2022.
Could Watson's situation be the reasoning behind the media blackout of Tyrod Taylor and Davis Mills? Given that Watson's situation with the team is in flux (sexual misconduct/assault allegations and civil suits), you'd think the media would've heard from the two most prominent quarterbacks the team has brought in by now, right? Wrong! The Texans have kept Taylor and Mills away from the media strategically. Given the situation with Watson and how head coach David Culley and general manager Nick Caserio have handled it so far, it's really no surprise why they haven't allowed their other quarterbacks to speak with the media.
Culley and Caserio haven't exactly been pillars of confidence when it comes to media relations in their tenure so far. Neither has projected enough confidence or truthfulness so far in my opinion. Both have had gaffes that have turned into soundbites. They have often sounded like two guys that are in their first year on their respective jobs despite being in and around the league for decades. So why have they chosen to hide Taylor and Mills from the media thus far?
One thought could be that they're trying to avoid either guy saying anything alluding to either of them being the presumptive starter. Given the fact that the team more than likely knows more about Watson's case than what they're alluding to, that info could have been passed along inside the building. If that info has trickled down in some way, shape, or form to Taylor and/or Mills, they may be liable to spill some beans the team doesn't want spilled before they're ready to have said info out there.
For example: what if the team knows the true severity of the situation and likelihood of it getting resolved any time soon. Do you think they want it known that they'll be without Watson for the upcoming season? Also, any knowledge they have that may shed a more negative light on the situation and potentially hurt Watson's trade value would only do more harm than what's already been done. In light of the fact that Watson asked for a trade just before the allegations dropped, the Texans would want to keep any negative info tight to the vest.
So when could we expect to hear from the other quarterbacks on the roster? My best guess would be during training camp. Typically, players are made available to the media after training camp practices. If Watson's situation has or hasn't been resolved by then, it'll be hard to hide Taylor and Mills, especially if either is taking most of the first team reps at practice. The media will be able to see as much and will hopefully ask questions. My only trepidation about this is how soft most of the media is that covers sports in this town. They're so used to sucking up to teams and players in order to keep their access and get autographed jerseys, that they tend to leave out the tough questions. This will all play out eventually. Hopefully we'll get a more detailed answer sooner rather than later.
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The phrase most associated with the late former Oakland-Los Angeles-Oakland Raiders’ owner Al Davis was “Just win baby.” One has to think Al would strongly approve of the Houston Astros. Going to the fifth inning Sunday against the Mariners the Astros were facing a 3-0 deficit and staring at the prospect of being swept out of Seattle and having their American League West division lead slashed to just two games. Now after roaring from behind with 11 unanswered runs to take the series finale in the Emerald City, and then sweeping three games from the Diamondbacks in Phoenix, the Astros stand six games up with 60 games to go. So, if the Astros play just .500 ball the rest of the way (which would have them finish with 90 victories), the Mariners have to play .600 ball to catch them. If somehow the Astros are to maintain their season long win pace to the finish line they’d close with 95 wins, and the race is already over unless someone thinks the M’s are poised to uncork a finishing kick of 41-19 or better. It’s quite a pleasing perch from which the Astros survey the standings. Coupled with the freefalling Detroit Tigers having dropped nine of their last ten games, the Astros amazingly start this homestand sporting the best record in the entire American League. On the homestand they follow four games against the team with the second-worst record in the American League (Athletics) with three versus the team with the second-worst record in the National League (Nationals). I know, I know. There is fear of the Astros playing down to the competition, but that is not the way to look at it. A bad Major League team can beat a good team in a series at any time. If it happens it happens, but it wouldn’t mean it happened only because the Astros didn’t take their opponent seriously. This isn’t the NBA.
Trade deadline looming
Of course, It hasn’t been all good news with Isaac Paredes badly injuring a hamstring Sunday. Paredes could be back in three weeks (doubtful), he could miss the rest of the season. GET WELL SOON JEREMY PENA! Lance McCullers’s latest Injured List stint could be considered addition by subtraction for the Astros’ starting rotation. Whether impacted by his blister issue, Lance was lousy in four of his last five starts. So, one week from the trade deadline, if general manager Dana Brown has the ammo to get one deal done, where does he make the upgrade? The left-handed hitter everyone knows the Astros can use regardless of Yordan Alvarez’s status is a natural priority. With the Astros’ weak farm system it would seem difficult for Brown to put forth the winning offer for the top bats that could be in play. That probably rings even truer now, since if he wasn’t already untouchable, Brice Matthews may have cemented untouchable status by darn near winning the first two games of the Diamondbacks series by himself. Matthews is going to struggle mightily to hit for a good average if he can’t make notable improvement in the contact department, but the power is obvious, as is the athleticism in the field. The 23-year-old Matthews and 22-year-old Cam Smith (though presently mired in a three for 36 slump) are the clear (and right now only) two young shining beacons for the lineup’s future.
You can't have enough pitching
While Brandon Walter has been a revelation, a starting pitcher would make sense unless the decision is to hope Spencer Arrighetti and/or Cristian Javier can contribute meaningfully upon return to the big leagues, likely sometime next month. Going after a reliever or two may make more sense in terms of availability and transaction cost. Overall the Astros’ bullpen has been excellent, but Bryan Abreu is the only trustworthy right-handed option for Joe Espada. Back to Walter. Barely two months ago no way Walter himself would have believed he’d be where he is now. Nine starts since being summoned basically out of desperation, Walter has a 3.35 earned run average, and a stunning 13 to one strikeout-to-walk ratio with his 52 strikeouts against a measly four walks allowed in 53 2/3 innings. Walter has pitched fabulously in seven of his nine starts. He only has two wins, but that’s because in five of the six Walter starts the Astros didn’t win the game they failed to score more than two runs. Walter turns 29 years old in September. His only prior big league experience was 23 innings in relief with a 6.26 ERA for the Red Sox two years ago. The Bosox released him last August, the Astros signed him basically as minor league depth. Look at him (and the Astros) now.
For Astro-centric conversation, join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and me for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday. Click here to catch!
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