Steelers select TJ Watt

[steelhurt]

Steelers select TJ Watt per Post Gazette


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[slashsteel]

ban?

 

[steelhurt]

Select. ******* I Phone.


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[steelhurt]

Sorry about that. I was typing to fast while on way home from Houston airport via UBER. Bumpy ride.


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[slashsteel]

yinz can edit it it's not too late.

 

[Litos]

Bam!

 

[Ghost of Frenchy Fuqua]

I'd still like the Steelers to take Houston OLB Tyus Bowser in Rd. 2. As Coolie has noted, he has a major mean streak.

But they'll likely have to trade up to get him.

 

[steelhurt]

yinz can edit it it's not too late.

Slash

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[slashsteel]

Slash

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edit


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[Atlsteelers]

Watt must have been at least someone they were willing to stay in the first round. Teams before and after traded back and Steelers only one that stayed put.

 

[Stryker]

Oh yea Muthafuckass!!

 

[SteelerSask2]

I'm happy with the pick. Health is the only issue and it could be like that with anyone. You will never have a problem and effort will never be an issue either. Solid pick.
Heyward, Grave Digger, Tuitt, Shazier, Dupree, Vince Williams, Harrison/Watt. You got to be able to get home with that. Who are you going to double? That is a **** load of match ups.

 

[Coach]

Watt must have been at least someone they were willing to stay in the first round. Teams before and after traded back and Steelers only one that stayed put.

My thoughts too. We could have had the Seattle deal


I like our pick

 

[fogdoctor]

I'd still like the Steelers to take Houston OLB Tyus Bowser in Rd. 2. As Coolie has noted, he has a major mean streak.

But they'll likely have to trade up to get him.

Like the idea but only without trading up.

 

[Stewey]

Nice little video analysis of Watt from Green Bay...

http://www.onenewspage.com/video/20170425/7350039/Packer-Draft-prospect-Watt.htm

 

[Spike]

STRENGTHS

Produced at high-end level with just one season of full-time football. Has desired length for the edge with room to accommodate more size. Attacks blockers with early arm extension and utilizes push-pull technique to upset their balance as his pet move against run and pass. Outstanding hand play in his game. Disruptive as first man in on twists. Always ready to leap into passing lane and deflect the throw. Strikes fast and early to create leverage points. Rarely has helmet involved in play and is constantly searching for the ball. Understands art of quick disengagements and can flatten out against outside run. Has good agility to clear trash near his feet and pursue the ball. Functional in space when asked to cover. Can get skinny when shooting gaps and has decisiveness and pursuit quickness to crash down the line and close-out cutback lanes. Consistent, wrap-up finisher as tackler.

WEAKNESSES

Not overly twitched-up as an athlete. Short strider who lacks explosion out of stance and up the field to bend the edge as a pass rusher. Foot quickness is average and needs to win with technique and great hand play. Won't generate enough acceleration to crank up speed-to-power rush with consistency. Plays with a narrow base. Needs to play with more consistent bend to play through redirection by offensive line. Will have to add power in his base to hold point of attack against tackles. Pass rush menu will need more options against NFL tackles.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 2

SOURCES TELL US "He looked a lot stronger and a lot more confident on tape this year. He needs to get bigger, but he's already a strong guy. I can see him standing or playing base end for a 4-3 team. He's going to keep getting better." -- Midwest area scout for AFC team

NFL COMPARISON Paul Kruger

BOTTOM LINE A long-limbed effort rusher who posted impressive numbers against the run and pass in just one year as a starter. He is a tireless worker who pursues from snap to whistle and his brother, J.J., will be a tremendous resource for technique and pass-rush plan. While he is unlikely to win a race to the edge, he's a plus run defender who can get to the quarterback with plus hand work and relentless effort.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/t.j.watt/profile?id=2558064

 

[SteelChip]

I'd still like the Steelers to take Houston OLB Tyus Bowser in Rd. 2. As Coolie has noted, he has a major mean streak.

But they'll likely have to trade up to get him.

According to my draft tracker sheets, there are three different scenarios that would work well for us.

It is possible to get a player rated just as high as Watt in the second round, slim but still possible.

OLB- there are 4 ( inc Bowser) left.....

I can envision us taking another OLBer, maybe silverback could spend some time with his grand kids

S- there are 5 ( inc Dels #1 pick Williams )
CB- there are 4 ( inc TMC's #1 pick Awuzie )

Either one of these would also work for me. If one of them could fall into our lap, then come into camp and light it on fire, I could strut around my neighborhood with my thumbs hooked under my armpits and brag about knowing the guy that had "that guy" pegged and circled from the get go.

 

[MTC]

I was happy with pick. Solidified a need. What is he 6'3 or 6'4? 252 lbs. the Watts are work horses. I think TJ puts in the physical/mental prep at camp

 

[LeXX75]

My thoughts too. We could have had the Seattle deal


I like our pick

How do you know we could have had the Seattle deal? I think the more likely case is ATL figured they had to jump us for McKinley ...just as I think the Browns thought they had to jump us for Njoku...if they did or they didn't I don't know but neither do you and saying we could have had the Seattle deal is purely a guess on your part

 

[ianv2012]

How do you know we could have had the Seattle deal? I think the more likely case is ATL figured they had to jump us for McKinley ...just as I think the Browns thought they had to jump us for Njoku...if they did or they didn't I don't know but neither do you and saying we could have had the Seattle deal is purely a guess on your part

Just like last year's guarantee from alot of fans that we could've traded back and still drafted Burns

 

[Giggity]

Does anyone know anything about a long-term prognosis for his knees? According to this interview he's had multiple (3) patella subluxations in each of them... I'm not a doctor but it has me a little concerned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aCppYZO838

 

[topseed]

Decent pick, but wouldn't Reuben Foster have been ridiculously high value here instead?

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

Low ceiling, high floor pick.

My concern is, of the film I watched I havent really seen him beating any OT's. And while his numbers are pretty strong, they are far from explosive. For example, Bud Dupree ran much faster and jumped much higher @ 20lbs heavier.

In any case, while I don't think he will be 'special', I certainly believe he can be a solid 8+ sack guy which is better than what we've had.

Welcome to the burgh T.J.

 

[SteelerFan448]

My concern is, of the film I watched I havent really seen him beating any OT's. And while his numbers are pretty strong, they are far from explosive. For example, Bud Dupree ran much faster and jumped much higher @ 20lbs heavier.

How has that high jump worked out for Dupree in terms of beating tackles for sacks so far?

Watt doesn't need to be elite. He was the 30th pick in the first round. If the Steelers got a productive starter who can put up 8-10 sacks per year and take on a leadership role for the defense and team, that's a great pick. A few months ago there was a lot of complaining about the "me first" divas on this team. No issue for Watt in this area and I hope our next few picks will reflect the same work ethic and love for football.

 

[TMC]

I'm going to take a minute and cover some of the things Watt does well. I linked this video again, not because I like highlights, I really, really don't, but it gives a variety of plays quickly and I can talk about the good things I see without a glut of other plays where the pass is out quickly or the run goes away, etc.

So, I'll go play by play.
First snap, the OG pulls out to pick up Watt. Watt gives up the shoulder, inside shoulder and that is big. A lot of times, guys don't see that guard coming, Watt does, gets good position, outside arm free, so if it is a reverse, he can push off with the inside hand and keep containment. But, when he sees no one is coming, he slips and closes. Great body position and slip at the point. Nice finish. He will develop that ball rake.

Second play, coming hard off the snap, downhill, kind of squeezes inside and then makes a big stride to the edge. The RB was coming down and now he has to slide back outside. Watt gets his hands on the shoulders and whether the RB knows it or not, by then he is beaten. Hands stop the movement, rip to the outside, beats him easy, nasty finish. I thought he broke him. On the slow motion replay, watch his free hand and how he is getting it up to stop the arm movement of the QB. Really good stuff.

Third play is the INT against Purdue. What I really like is how he recognizes the roll out and bumps the RB. He hugs the RB for about 3-4 yards and that allows time for the ILB to get out. Was watching an interview with him about a similar type play where he rubs and releases and the guy said, wasn't that your guy you released and Watt said: "Yes". He said, "Why did you release him?" Answer: "Because I knew (forget his name) would be there. We watch enough film, I KNEW he would be there to cover that play. So, Watt not only understands how to approach a guy and slow him, he also understands his teammates tendencies and where they will be on plays to help, so he holds his ground when he needs to hold it and will release and freelance when he knows his team has him covered. That type of preparation and instincts cannot really be taught. It is a feel/trust thing. Have to know the offense, defense, and the guys around you. Oh, helps when you are almost 6'5" with a 37" vertical and can jump, bat the ball, secure it and score.

Steps up the field quickly off the snap, pulling guard coming but he gives that little dip he has and the guard has no shot. If you don't get him before he is a yard up the field, you are beaten. Nice stuff of the RB. And, in other film, when he is on backside runs, he comes down and crushes guys like Harrison.

This next play, he gets his hands up and bats the ball. Not a big deal as far as highlights, but Watt, in a lot of instances, when he cannot get there, will take a step back from the OL (so they cannot push him), watch the QB, and time his leap to bat the ball down. Surprisingly good at it.

This next play shows his feel again. The FB is coming, gives the inside shoulder, keeps the outside hand free, bumps, sheds, makes the play. Very good technique on taking on that block and keeping the outside hand clean.

This next play is one of my favorites and Watt does this type of stuff a lot. You see him engage the OT with both hands, gets those long arms to the shoulder pads. He has control within a heartbeat. Extends, rips him back to his body, I've always called it a push-pull, but he snatches the OL off balance and actually throws him to the ground. Easy win. That is a big time move.

Watt is dropping in coverage which he does well. Looking at the outside WR, likely to see where he is going. Underneath throw, click and close (see the COD), RB dodges but he slows him, rips at the ball.

This play is tough to locate Watt. He is at LDE. Presses up the field off the snap. You can see he has the OT on tilt when they engage, kind of off balance heading backwards. If you press deep, might sit him down, but he might recover and take you around the arc. Watt uses his inside hand to continue to push as he transitions back inside. OL is done, swimming. Watt bounces back outside to finish. Nice blend of speed, power, back to speed.

On this play, coming from the MLB spot. Engaged by the RB, little slip and it is off to the races. No way that QB beats him around the edge. Forget about it.

Another play that Watt is often asked to do, coming from the ILB spot, working inside out. His job is to come across the face of the guard and engage the inside shoulder of the OT. If the guard follows, it opens the lane for the outside guy looping. If the guard opens, you slip the inside gap. He is so far ahead of other guys doing this, just a great feel for when to press and when to release. That OT is dead to rights on this one, and so is the QB. As soon as the OG opened the door, he was gone.

Same concept against MSU. Watt is down. Works the same game with the OLB. Guard follows initially, then comes off. When he does, Watt is in that gap. QB works back up but Watt has inside position, just peels and finishes. The OLB should have gotten it done, but Watt continued to work.

Against Purdue, you see him press deep, that little push pull, gets his arms extended and just pulls himself past the OT. This OT doesn't really play it poorly, still gets beaten. His QB did not help him though. Ran right into a sack.

Against Iowa, another one of my favorite plays. He is so quick to the corner that you are expecting him to burn the edge. So, what does he do? Takes a quick step or two and turns in on you, uses those long arms to get into the pads and goes speed to power and just walks that OT back to the QB. Iowa always seems to have some stout/powerful OTs too. That isn't some soft baby he is driving back. That OT is working his *** off to reset and stop the bull rush, he just cannot.

Another play where he steps back off the line, gets up and bats it down.

This is one of those plays where he is unblocked and the run goes away. He actually does this a lot and doesn't often get burned on reverses because he sees things so well.

He just does so many little things so well, so technically sound with his hands and movements. Saw video of him at EXOS Performance Specialist where he was benching 315 for reps. So, working on that power. One trainer at EXOS said he works like he isnt't going to get drafted, just puts his nose on the ground and goes, like he hasn't accomplished anything. The other guy at EXOS said he is a really really good student of the game, picks up things well, instinctive, some team will have themselves a great player.

Colbert and Tomlin said he works like an NFL veteran, not like most college guys. Mature in his approach.