NFL Update

Clumsy spy operations are great fun in films.

Inspector Clouseau comes to mind. Austin Powers. Or date yourself (you can’t date me, I’m married) and remember Monty Python’s “how not to be seen” routine, where spies hide behind shrubs that the enemy blows up, one after the next.

On Tuesday, the Houston Texans decided to make a change at quarterback. But it’s a secret.

It’s not a secret with much of a shelf-life. The Texans play on Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals and they plan to start rookie (and No. 1 pick) Deshaun Watson instead of Tom Savage.

We know this because, during the part of practice open to the media on Tuesday, Watson took all of the snaps. We could get guess that, because Savage was 7 of 13 passing for 62 yards in the 29-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars while being sacked six times, giving way to Watson.

Our eyes may not deceive us, but Texans coach Bill O’Brien need not confirm visual evidence.

“I don’t think there’s a rule that says I have to publicly announce it,” O’Brien said.
OK. Fine. Be that way. Deceive our ears as well.

The Bengals and Texans, both 0-1, were horrendous in their losses. The change for the Texans makes sense, even on the road.

But say the words. Just say them. It’s ok. The Bengals know. You know. We know.

But hey, who am I to ruin a surprise?
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman