Joe Montana talks about Deshaun Watson’s expectations after a long layoff, Tom Brady’s dominance and helping the elderly
The NFL has been a quarterback-run league ever since Joe Montana passed the ball to players like Jerry RiceJohn Taylor and Dwight Clark, and so it will be for the first 12 weeks of the 2022 season.
Entering the 13th week, Deshawn Watson and Tom Brady dominate the storylines. Watson returns to the field for his first regular season game in 700 days, while Brady’s surprise performance at age 45 propelled the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the top of the NFC South despite their losing record.
Watson is set to play his first official game for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday against his former team, the Houston Texans.
Watson sat out the entire 2021 season after asking for a trade amid allegations of sexual misconduct against him. More than two dozen women have filed civil lawsuits against him, alleging that he flaunted himself, touched them or kissed them against their will.
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He settled 23 lawsuits.. The other two remain under consideration. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict him on criminal charges. He accepted an 11-game suspension before the start of the season and was allowed to play preseason with the Browns before having to leave the team until last week.
Montana told Fox News Digital in a recent interview that he expects Watson to take time to get back on track, but not too long.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshawn Watson gestures on the field during practice at the team’s practice center on Wednesday, November. December 30, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.
(AP Photo/David Richard)
“Guys are used to getting injured and missing a few games and even in practice it takes time to get used to things.” Montana said. “But he will get into the saddle pretty quickly. Obviously with a different team, so it will take a bit of adjusting at the same time.
“But how well will he perform? I bet my money that it will be average, maybe a little better (than average) than what he usually plays, simply because no matter what you actually do in training and how physically fit you are stay in shape or do what you need to do, there is nothing better than playing in real time. And it will take him a little time. I don’t think it will take him too long to get back on track, but it will take one or two games.”
The debate heated up after Brady left the New England Patriots. pirates before the start of the 2020 season about who was the NFL GOAT, Brady or Montana. The latter played until the age of 38, and Brady still has quality seasons at 45.
Montana said that in Brady’s case, it was good to have strong support around him to avoid injury.
“I think everyone is already used to it,” he said of Brady, who was doing well in his 40s. “But when he first started playing, obviously there were a lot of influences. He is an excellent player. He has great team on both sides of the ball and that helps you. it’s a little easier to get through those games physically. So when you get to next week, you’re still not beaten up and you don’t have many injuries.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes in the second half of a game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, November 11. 27, 2022.
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
“They took out a lot of things that usually hurt a quarterback, like low kicks and ground pressure from a quarterback. So I’m not surprised that he is (great). Actually I was surprised that Drew Brees is out so at this age. He played really well when he came out.”
Montana, now 66 in partnership with Wellcare to help older people get guidance while they enroll in Medicare. Montana is eligible for Medicare for a year and knows firsthand that the process can be confusing, especially with December plans. 7 deadlines are looming.
“I really didn’t think I’d be sitting here and talking to someone about this,” he told Fox News Digital. “The process was actually much more complicated and confusing. And there are people out there trying to sell you a lot of crap, things you don’t really need or are looking for. Once we met with the WellCare team, they really smoothed the process.
“Honestly, it seemed like they really wanted you to fight and skip the December 7th date,” Montana said of the process. “I’m really not sure why there is a deadline, but there is. So we’re trying to tell everyone to make sure you find someone and go through the process because even if you think you have it, by the time you realize it, the deadline may be past.”
Montana said part of the goal is to just stay as healthy as possible.
Joe Montana at the Fanatics Super Bowl Party at the College Football Hall of Fame. February 2, 2019 in Atlanta.
(Sharif Ziyadat/WireImage)
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“You have to find ways that fit with what you’re comfortable with,” he explained. “You have to find a way to exercise – be it walking, jogging. I’m kind of bound by an exercise bike or walking. I had 27 surgeries, so that was one of the things where I was a little different. .
“But I know that I have to, in terms of health, keep an eye on things. The best way to do this is to have your family around you, your friends, whatever it takes to help you start eating better.
“I think those are the most important things. You just have to find ways to keep your mind in good shape and your body, and you have to train it. All this. You have to train your mind to train your body and you have to eat right.”