T.J. Watt

Van_Slyke_CF

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I was very surprised to see the Steelers take Watt with their #1 pick.

Tomlin probably wanted Reuben Foster, just like he took Jason Worilds over Sean Lee several years ago.

I bet Watt ends up being better than Foster.

Anyway, let's hope for the best for Watt.

And I hope Chickillo and Matakevich are both on the roster next season.
 

Extra Point

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I was very surprised to see the Steelers take Watt with their #1 pick.

Tomlin probably wanted Reuben Foster, just like he took Jason Worilds over Sean Lee several years ago.

I bet Watt ends up being better than Foster.

Anyway, let's hope for the best for Watt.

And I hope Chickillo and Matakevich are both on the roster next season.

I think Watt was an excellent pick for the Steelers. The Steelers have struck out with black linebackers in the past but Watt looks like a safe bet to be a quality starter.

Matakevich is a good player and expecially suited for a 3-4. It wouldn't surprise me if he ends up being a starter.

It's possible the Steelers end up with 3 white starters at linebacker, Chickillo, Matakevich and Watt.
 
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celticdb15

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Awesome to see all the hard work for TJ pay off him being a 1st round pick to a team with great History!!
 

Rocky B

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Of course when there is a chance to grab Cooper Kupp, they pass for JSS......Van Slyke, don't forget the Steelers also passed on local hero Puz and got Timmons instead....Timmons was a pretty solid pick, but.........
 

Don Wassall

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It Took T.J. Watt Only One Day to Impress His Teammates at Steelers Training Camp

It didn’t take long for Steelers players to see what they have with No. 1 pick T.J. Watt.

On his first day of practice in pads, Watt showed why the Steelers used the 30th overall pick in the April draft on him, flashing his trademark intensity and flattening a couple of players in one-on-one pass-rushing drills.

Even Watt, who has been working with the first-team defense at right outside linebacker, said it “went really well” Sunday.

And it continued Monday on another sunny day at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. At one point, he even bull-rushed left tackle Alejandro Villanueva and pushed him into the backfield, causing a collision.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ivers-coach-Richard-Mann/stories/201707310150
“I was really eager because it’s been four of five months since Jan. 2 and I wanted to finally get out there and show people what I can do,” Watt said, referring to his final bowl-game appearance with Wisconsin. “Talk is talk, and going through shorts and t-shirt practice is good for learning the system, but once you get the system under your belt you truly want to get out there and play football again and make plays.”

And his teammates took immediate notice.

full article: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...ning-camp-james-harrison/stories/201707310141
 

Jack Lambert

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Some good news out of Pittsburgh! It looks like T.J. Watt will be one of the Steelers' starting OLBs this season! Even the Steelers OLB's coach, Joey Porter wants him "to play until he's tired." From the Post Gazette article I saw, the vast majority of Steeler fans want Watt to start over James Harrison as well. Now Harrison's very old for the league (38), but it's still a great sign that it looks like Watt will be starting as a rookie.

James Harrison's new role: 'Safety net,' not starter

edbouchette.png

ED BOUCHETTE
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
ebouchette@post-gazette.com

1:50 PM

AUG 14, 2017

It has not been that way recently, including the first half of last season when Jarvis Jones and Harrison traded series at right outside linebacker. Porter explained that in recent years they have not had the kind of players at those positions “who it was just theirs and you knew it was theirs” so they were forced to “rotate them just to try to get something out of everybody.”

Not anymore, Porter said.

“Now it’ll be 48 [Dupree] and 90 [Watt], and they’ll just play until they’re tired. And when they get tired, somebody will come and relieve them. But it won’t be ‘This is your series and this is the next one’s series.’ We don’t have to do that.”

Porter noted that in previous eras, the Steelers rode with just two players primarily on the outside.

“It’s like when [LaMarr] Woodley and Harrison were in their heyday, there was no reason to pull them off. When me and [Jason] Gildon were out here, there was no reason to pull us off.

“Now we finally have that. I mean, so, we’re not going to stunt their growth and pull them out when they’re not doing anything wrong. We’re going to let them play.”

Harrison, the franchise leader with 79.5 career sacks, succeeded Porter as the starting right outside linebacker when Mike Tomlin arrived in 2007. He knows the situation, Porter said, although he may not be happy about it.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...-dog-stanley-cup-tracker/stories/201708140127
“That’s why he’s here; he’s going to fight it,” Porter said of the expected lesser playing time for him. “But his role is his role. He’s a relief pitcher. Until we need you, the young guys are going to play. You’re a good safety net to have; if somebody’s not getting the job done, we happen to know we have a wily veteran that we can put into the game. But to be honest going in, we have two young first-rounders who shouldn’t be tired. And when they do get tired, we’ll make the adjustments we need to.

“I know the old guy wants to play but at the same time it’s hard to get in there if those guys are doing the job. If they’re doing their job and they’re playing at a high level, the understanding is understood. You don’t have to explain anything that you can see right there on tape.”

Watt made a grand preseason debut Friday night against the New York Giants with two early sacks, a pass breakup and more. He played nearly the entire game and added special teams to his duties. He went unblocked for his second sack but Porter said that one was particularly impressive.

“That sack was just a good, instinctive, open-field play,” Porter said. “A lot of people can miss that. His change of direction is better than what people think. They don’t know he’s a great athlete in space. They say ‘Oh, nobody blocked him.’ I’ve seen a lot of people miss that tackle. It’s not that nobody blocked him, it’s that he’s changing direction, he put his foot on the ground, got right back on to make that.”

Dupree was supposed to open his second season in 2016 as their starter on the left outside but had hernia surgery during training camp. That prevented him from playing until Nov. 20, but he came on strong with 4.5 sacks in the final seven games. A minor injury kept him out of the first preseason game. Porter believes he will play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

“We definitely expect big things. He gave us a good tease at the end and made some splash plays for us but I would love to have that from week one through the playoffs.”

Porter likes the depth too at outside linebacker with veterans Harrison and Arthur Moats behind the two young starters along with possibly Anthony Chickillo. On paper, it’s the best group they’ve had since Woodley and Harrison teamed up.

“But going into this season with having all these good guys, these healthy guys, it’s time to play our young guys. That’s what we drafted them for.

“I think we can really be effective and help the defense,’’ Porter said, “and bring those sacks we’ve been missing.”

Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com.
 

Heretic

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Some good news out of Pittsburgh! It looks like T.J. Watt will be one of the Steelers' starting OLBs this season! Even the Steelers OLB's coach, Joey Porter wants him "to play until he's tired." From the Post Gazette article I saw, the vast majority of Steeler fans want Watt to start over James Harrison as well. Now Harrison's very old for the league (38), but it's still a great sign that it looks like Watt will be starting as a rookie.

James Harrison's new role: 'Safety net,' not starter

edbouchette.png

ED BOUCHETTE
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
ebouchette@post-gazette.com

1:50 PM

AUG 14, 2017

It has not been that way recently, including the first half of last season when Jarvis Jones and Harrison traded series at right outside linebacker. Porter explained that in recent years they have not had the kind of players at those positions “who it was just theirs and you knew it was theirs” so they were forced to “rotate them just to try to get something out of everybody.”

Not anymore, Porter said.

“Now it’ll be 48 [Dupree] and 90 [Watt], and they’ll just play until they’re tired. And when they get tired, somebody will come and relieve them. But it won’t be ‘This is your series and this is the next one’s series.’ We don’t have to do that.”

Porter noted that in previous eras, the Steelers rode with just two players primarily on the outside.

“It’s like when [LaMarr] Woodley and Harrison were in their heyday, there was no reason to pull them off. When me and [Jason] Gildon were out here, there was no reason to pull us off.

“Now we finally have that. I mean, so, we’re not going to stunt their growth and pull them out when they’re not doing anything wrong. We’re going to let them play.”

Harrison, the franchise leader with 79.5 career sacks, succeeded Porter as the starting right outside linebacker when Mike Tomlin arrived in 2007. He knows the situation, Porter said, although he may not be happy about it.

“That’s why he’s here; he’s going to fight it,” Porter said of the expected lesser playing time for him. “But his role is his role. He’s a relief pitcher. Until we need you, the young guys are going to play. You’re a good safety net to have; if somebody’s not getting the job done, we happen to know we have a wily veteran that we can put into the game. But to be honest going in, we have two young first-rounders who shouldn’t be tired. And when they do get tired, we’ll make the adjustments we need to.

“I know the old guy wants to play but at the same time it’s hard to get in there if those guys are doing the job. If they’re doing their job and they’re playing at a high level, the understanding is understood. You don’t have to explain anything that you can see right there on tape.”

Watt made a grand preseason debut Friday night against the New York Giants with two early sacks, a pass breakup and more. He played nearly the entire game and added special teams to his duties. He went unblocked for his second sack but Porter said that one was particularly impressive.

“That sack was just a good, instinctive, open-field play,” Porter said. “A lot of people can miss that. His change of direction is better than what people think. They don’t know he’s a great athlete in space. They say ‘Oh, nobody blocked him.’ I’ve seen a lot of people miss that tackle. It’s not that nobody blocked him, it’s that he’s changing direction, he put his foot on the ground, got right back on to make that.”

Dupree was supposed to open his second season in 2016 as their starter on the left outside but had hernia surgery during training camp. That prevented him from playing until Nov. 20, but he came on strong with 4.5 sacks in the final seven games. A minor injury kept him out of the first preseason game. Porter believes he will play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

“We definitely expect big things. He gave us a good tease at the end and made some splash plays for us but I would love to have that from week one through the playoffs.”

Porter likes the depth too at outside linebacker with veterans Harrison and Arthur Moats behind the two young starters along with possibly Anthony Chickillo. On paper, it’s the best group they’ve had since Woodley and Harrison teamed up.

“But going into this season with having all these good guys, these healthy guys, it’s time to play our young guys. That’s what we drafted them for.

“I think we can really be effective and help the defense,’’ Porter said, “and bring those sacks we’ve been missing.”

Ed Bouchette: ebouchette@post-gazette.com.
I particularly like this comment from Joey Porter:

“That sack was just a good, instinctive, open-field play,” Porter said. “A lot of people can miss that. His change of direction is better than what people think. They don’t know he’s a great athlete in space. They say ‘Oh, nobody blocked him.’ I’ve seen a lot of people miss that tackle. It’s not that nobody blocked him, it’s that he’s changing direction, he put his foot on the ground, got right back on to make that.”
 

RTTAS

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“Edge defender T.J. Watt has dropped into coverage on 154 of his defensive snaps this year, which is the second-most among all edge-defenders. When in coverage, he’s been targeted 17 times and he’s logged four pass breakups, one interception and allowed a passer rating of 34.7, all of which are the best marks among edge defenders this year.”

His versatility as a pass rusher, run defender and coverage defender (plus a blocked kick on special teams) sure have made him a valuable player this season for the Steelers
 

Don Wassall

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Don Wassall

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T. J. Watt needs 7 sacks in the Steelers' five remaining games to break the NFL record for sacks in a season. He's become as dominant at his position as his big brother was at his.
 

Truthteller

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Watt needs at least one 3 sack game to get there. Hope he does. Modern record still belongs to Strahan, who was, unfortunately, gifted the record -- Brett Favre.
 

white lightning

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Watt needs at least one 3 sack game to get there. Hope he does. Modern record still belongs to Strahan, who was, unfortunately, gifted the record -- Brett Favre.

Yeah as great as Brett Favre was that game made me lose some respect for him. He still had a great career but not a good look for him to take a dive like that. It would
be fitting to see TJ Watt break the record! Let's hope he does it as there isn't too much to root for in Pittsburgh these days with their horrible season they have had.
Maybe the Steelers will be open to drafting more of our guys in the future with the success of Watt and other white defenders they have. It would be nice to see the team
demographics change to be more racially fair. Especially on both sides of the ball.
 

Truthteller

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Good points WL; Thanks, Leo....

Another thing to point out: Would be great if Watt could actually get to 23 or 23.5 sacks. Earlier this year, Pro Football Reference, with help from some real NFL "Historian's", went back and tabulated/recorded all the NFL sacks from 1960 to 1981 and found the actual record belongs to for Detroit Lion Al Baker, 23 sacks in 1978.

Obviously, his 23 sack season was no big secret, just check out this 1979 Topps card -- click on photo's to enlarge.

In the last couple years I researched the record and read repeatedly that there was a long standing rumor (almost presented as fact by some -- Topps, ect) that McCoy Bacon had recorded 26 sacks in a season (mid-1970's) for the Bengals. Per the PFR historian's, he "only" had 22 that season, tying him with Jared Allen, and others. I believe the reason for the change, was Bacon was mistakenly given full credit for several half-sacks.
 
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white is right

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Watt needs at least one 3 sack game to get there. Hope he does. Modern record still belongs to Strahan, who was, unfortunately, gifted the record -- Brett Favre.
He's baccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!...

Welcome back sir!
 

Extra Point

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Yeah as great as Brett Favre was that game made me lose some respect for him. He still had a great career but not a good look for him to take a dive like that.

I was expecting one of Green Bay's offensive linemen to punch him in the mouth or something but nothing ever happened.

They should put an asterisk next to Strachan's sack total in the record book.
 

Bucky

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Yessir passes up James Harrison! TJ Watt is single handedly re writing Steelers Single Season sack records! He's already had 4 Top 10 Sack Season's for Pittsburgh!
 

Don Wassall

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T. J. Watt won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in a landslide after tying the single season sack record with 22.5. He joins his brother J. J., who won it three times. He's the seventh Steeler to win the award and only the second White one (Jack Lambert, 1976).

Some other fun facts: T. J. is just the third player to win the sacks title in back to back years (Reggie White, Mark Gastineau, who both did it in the 1980s). The Steelers went 8-2-1 in games in which Watt had at least 1 sack, 1-5 when he didn't have any. His 72 sacks and 150 quarterback hits are both the most in the league since his rookie season in 2017 and his 81 1/2 tackles for loss are second over that five-year span. Over the past three seasons he leads the NFL with 19 forced fumbles.

T. J. Watt is simply a great player, almost as dominant as his big brother, who may have been the best defensive lineman ever for several seasons until injuries hit. Congratulations to T. J. Watt and may he have a bunch more dominating seasons like this past one.
 

icsept

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Thank god it’s a “copycat league.” That’s why 4/48 defensive lineman invitees are White. Trying to find that next TJ Watt.
 

white lightning

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Congrats to TJ Watt. He may be tied for the record but he missed 4 games. He is the sack record holder by himself in my opinion for what he did in so few games!
 

icsept

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Congrats to TJ Watt. He may be tied for the record but he missed 4 games. He is the sack record holder by himself in my opinion for what he did in so few games!
I predict he will obliterate the record next year and get close to 30. (I’ve been reading all your optimistic track predictions, White Lightning. I thought I’d join in for football.)
 
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