Texans’ J.J. Watt a constant source of disruption for opponents
J.J. Watt’s Texans reached the playoffs in his first two seasons, losing in the divisional playoffs both times. But in the past two-plus seasons, Houston has struggled to an 11-23 record, including 0-2 this season. ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By Ira Kaufman | Tribune Staff Published: September 26, 2015HOUSTON — Lovie Smith misspoke the other day while talking about J.J. Watt.Quite understandable.When you’re referring to a phenomenon, it’s easy to get carried away.In describing today’s challenge of facing Watt in Houston, the coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers said the 26-year-old defensive end was “the MVP of the league.”Not quite, but he’s getting there.In becoming the first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year in NFL history last season, Watt finished second to Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers in voting for league MVP. Watt was named on 13 of 50 ballots from a 50-member panel chosen by The Associated Press.The last defensive player to win league MVP honors was Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor in 1986. It might be another three decades before someone matches Watt’s penchant for single-handedly wrecking a game plan.“He’s done something that you haven’t seen in this league,” said Bucs defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, a two-time Pro Bowl player. “The first person to have 20 sacks twice, four years in the league and been the Defensive Player of the Year twice. You can’t help but have respect for a guy like that. You just respect him and let him be him. He’s a great player.”Off the field, Watt is a walking cash machine.His 6-foot-5 frame is everywhere in Houston, splashed across billboards, airport walls and mall storefronts. Watt signed a six-year, $100 million extension last year with the Texans that guarantees him $51.9 million.Watt has emerged as one of the league’s most marketable players, raking in an estimated $7 million per season in endorsements. Watt’s major sponsorship partners include Verizon, Reebok and Gatorade.He has 1.1 million followers on Twitter, including Kevin Durant, a former Texas Longhorn standout and current star for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Watt and Durant star in a commercial for American Family Insurance entitled “Everyone’s Dream Needs a Champion.” In the feel-good ad, they surprise a mother by holding up a sign that reads: “Tiana. Mom. Nurse. Student. Hero.”The J.J. Watt Foundation has raised more than $1 million to support middle-school athletics in Texas and Wisconsin, where Watt played college football for two seasons.Watt’s been living large since 10 teams passed him by in the 2011 draft. The Bucs, selecting at No. 20, selected defensive end Adrian Clayborn.In a city that also boasts James Harden and Dwight Howard of the Rockets as major sports figures, No. 99 stands alone as a mega-watt personality. An NFL Network poll of players ranked Watt No. 1 as the league’s dominant performer, ahead of Rodgers, marking the first time a non-quarterback finished on top.The Houston Chronicle published a special section on Watt this summer, but decided not to run a special section on the Texans as a whole.A Tampa Bay offensive line featuring two rookie starters knows the first assignment when facing Watt is finding him. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel gives his star lineman the latitiude to line up all over the field, seeking mismatches. In acknowledging the talents of McCoy, a two-time Pro Bowler, and former interior lineman Warren Sapp, a Hall of Famer, Smith marveled at Watt’s versatility.“We have of course a great player now at the three-technique position,” Smith said, referring to McCoy. “We have a Hall of Famer that’s played at the position. But they were primarily inside. I think it is rare to see a player as comfortable inside as he is outside.”Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston said it would be an honor to play against Watt.“That’s a smart rookie,” Watt said. “Saying the right thing.”During Houston’s 0-2 start, the Chiefs and Panthers threw a parade of blockers at Watt. On occasion, a running back chipped in to take a piece of him.“That doesn’t surprise me,” Watt said. “That’s what I’d do, too.”Winston will be the third consecutive former No. 1 overall pick to face Houston this season, joining Alex Smith of the Chiefs and Carolina’s Cam Newton.“You want to rattle him,” Watt said of Winston. “You want to lay some hits on him. You want to get him off the spot and you want to get him feeling your presence early in the game. There’s a reason they were picked highly. It’s not like they’re just bums back there. They were drafted high for a reason. But you have to go out there and do your best to make them uncomfortable.”[email protected]Twitter: @IKaufmanTBO
