Watson stepped up big in New England’s 25-24 win over Buffalo. After dropping a catchable ball late in the fourth quarter with the Patriots down by 11 and time slipping away, Patriots fans were sinking into a state of disbelief, too stunned to even mutter expletives. Those at Gillette Stadium looked like they had eaten some bad clams, and those watching at home were ready to throw the nearest object at the TV screen. The Patriots’ 50th anniversary celebration was turning into a wake.
But Tom Brady would have none of it. He didn’t become a superhero for nothing. Of course, every caped crusader needs a sidekick. Batman had Robin. Captain America had Bucky. And Brady has Watson (Randy Moss is a superhero in his own right).
Watson redeemed himself. Not once. But twice. Brady put two passes on the money in the end zone, and the tight end made both catches for touchdowns. Watson showed athleticism, grace, balance, strength and hands – everything that made him the Patriots’ 2004 first-round pick in the first place. He finished the game with six catches for 77 yards, leading the team with a 12.8 yards-per-catch average
That’s a good sign. After posting a career-high 49 receptions in 2006, Watson has caught fewer passes in every season since, dropping to 36 receptions in 2007 and 22 in 2008. He’s already a quarter of the way to matching last season’s reception total, an indication that trend might be reversing.
The Patriots would be happy if it did.
Tight end is a key position in today’s NFL. A good tight end can be a quarterback’s best friend — a safety net when the pocket collapses, a life preserver while stranded in stormy seas. A good tight end can turn the ground attack into a Patton blitzkrieg — sealing off running lanes and clearing paths with solid blocks. Add it all up, and a good tight end can mean the difference between winning Super Bowls and missing the playoffs.
When Patriots camp opened in July, the tight end position was one of the most crowded on the depth chart. By the end of camp, there were more questions than answers about Watson. Would the six-year veteran make the roster? Would the former Georgia standout be forever known as a bust? Had he played his last game in Foxborough?
Cream rises, and competition brings out the true character in people. Either they rise to the challenge or fade into obscurity. Watson did not shy away from any preseason battle and survived cuts. In Week 1, he proved that Bill Belichick and Co. made the right decision by employing him as the starter.
Only good things can happen when Watson plays well. The more Watson makes teams pay for double covering Moss, the less inclined opponents will be to focus all their attention on the wideout. If Watson is viewed as a legitimate threat, defenses will be forced to stay honest, and when opponents play straight up, in single-man coverage, the entire offense will open up.
Dr. Watson helped Sherlock Holmes solve crimes. Ben Watson can help Tom Brady and the Patriots win games.
Capable. Trusted. Brave. Those words weren’t being used much to describe the tight end prior to New England’s season-opening win, but they are today. Watson is loved again. He’s in a contract year, and he’s already made a statement and shown his value.
Of course, one game doesn’t make a season — for a player or team. Had the Patriots lost to Buffalo, they would have thrown their throwback uniforms in a dumpster with lighter fluid, struck a match and forgotten the game faster than Kanye West puts his foot in his mouth.
But now New England has a few reasons to remember.
The most important one might be the transformation of Watson from perennial head-scratcher to perpetual game-changer.
His performance on Monday night was the first time in a long time that Watson saved the day for the Patriots. As long as he keeps making the game look elementary, it won’t be the last.
