1.21 Versa-Watts!!!!!?

[GBMelBlount]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x6SXG3WKucg/hqdefault.jpg

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is near the top of the sack leaderboard among rookies, tied for second with five.

But Watt has become an increasingly versatile player for the Steelers defense, and Pittsburgh’s coaches are now able to expand his role beyond just rushing the quarterback.

His seven pass breakups rank him tied for fifth among rookies – and he’s the only non-defensive back in the top 10.

That skill set was certainly evident last week when Watt was tasked with dropping in pass coverage against Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson. He also picked up a sack in that game on an impressive play in which he first backpedaled into pass coverage before rushing forward to drop quarterback Brett Hundley.

“My dad always told me to try to show them as much things as possible so they have to keep you on the field. They don't have a choice,” Watt told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview.

(Continued)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2017/11/30/tj-watt-pittsburgh-steelers-jj/911199001/

[43Hitman]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/x6SXG3WKucg/hqdefault.jpg

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is near the top of the sack leaderboard among rookies, tied for second with five.

But Watt has become an increasingly versatile player for the Steelers defense, and Pittsburgh’s coaches are now able to expand his role beyond just rushing the quarterback.

His seven pass breakups rank him tied for fifth among rookies – and he’s the only non-defensive back in the top 10.

That skill set was certainly evident last week when Watt was tasked with dropping in pass coverage against Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson. He also picked up a sack in that game on an impressive play in which he first backpedaled into pass coverage before rushing forward to drop quarterback Brett Hundley.

“My dad always told me to try to show them as much things as possible so they have to keep you on the field. They don't have a choice,” Watt told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview.

(Continued)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2017/11/30/tj-watt-pittsburgh-steelers-jj/911199001/

Great read. Thanks for sharing! I am so glad that we got TJ, he is one helluva an athlete and becoming a very good LBer right before our eyes.

[Hawkman]

Great read. Thanks for sharing! I am so glad that we got TJ, he is one helluva an athlete and becoming a very good LBer right before our eyes.

Yeah but he’s not getting enough sacks.....he could very well end up a bust.:chuckle::stirthepot::chuckle:

[tube517]

Yeah but he’s not getting enough sacks.....he could very well end up a bust.:chuckle::stirthepot::chuckle:

http://moaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/greenwood_david_lg.jpg

[Hawkman]

http://moaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/greenwood_david_lg.jpg

:rofl:

[stillers4me]

I'm thrilled he's in Pittsburgh and so looking forward to watching his game mature in the next few years...can you imagine! Kudos to Colbert/Tomlin for snagging him!

[teegre]

Carl Lawson has more sacks (7.5) and he pressures the QB on almost every snap. So, people are saying he should have been the choice.

Meh.

Watt can do so much more (than only rush the passer). That coverage in Jordy Nelson was as good as I’ve seen any LB do (since Derrick Brooks).


So, Watt was the right choice in R1. Now, if we are talking about “Lawson vs. Conner” (or, “Kittle vs. Conner”) then an argument can be made that we made the wrong choice.

[86WARD]

The sack...pretty athletic play as well.

[BlackAndGold]

Carl Lawson has more sacks (7.5) and he pressures the QB on almost every snap. So, people are saying he should have been the choice.

Meh.

Watt can do so much more (than only rush the passer). That coverage in Jordy Nelson was as good as I’ve seen any LB do (since Derrick Brooks).


So, Watt was the right choice in R1. Now, if we are talking about “Lawson vs. Conner” (or, “Kittle vs. Conner”) then an argument can be made that we made the wrong choice.

I'm still holding out hope that Dupree can become more consistent, but man it would be nice having Lawson also.

[Craic]

...
Watt can do so much more (than only rush the passer). That coverage in Jordy Nelson was as good as I’ve seen any LB do (since Derrick Brooks).

I'd say as good as I've seen since the early days of Timmons, who was great in coverage. And, he was fast. The only problem with him in coverage is that he was even better rushing the QB.

[86WARD]

No fine for Watt’s “illegal” hit on Hundley...

[Psycho Ward 86]

Bold prediction: Watt will surpass Kendrell Bell's record for most sacks by a rookie

[Hawkman]

No fine for Watt’s “illegal” hit on Hundley...

Evidently not “illegal”. :wink02:

[GBMelBlount]

Bold prediction: Watt will surpass Kendrell Bell's record for most sacks by a rookie

If not this year, then definitely next year!:tongue1:

[43Hitman]

If not this year, then definitely next year!:tongue1:

:bananadoggywow: :bananalama:

[teegre]

Bold prediction: Watt will surpass Kendrell Bell's record for most sacks by a rookie

Watt needs 5 more (to pass Bell).

I hope that he gets all of them on Dec. 17th.

[Born2Steel]

This entire front 7 is scary good.