PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – TJ Watt went through all of training camp not participating in team drills. He went through the first couple of practices of the regular season, not participating in team drills. Watt wanted a contract showing his value as one of the top few defensive players in the NFL.
He did it in a way that was different from most. When players normally want a new deal they just don’t show up. Watt found his own way to protest, yet was around his team every day. He often worked harder in individual drills than what the team did during their sessions without him.
The Wisconsin native finally got that contract days before the season opened. He would make an immediate impact with two sacks against Buffalo. When they needed him most Sunday night, Watt stepped up again.
The fifth-year outside linebacker stopped the opening overtime drive with a sack. Then on Seattle’s second possession, a strip sack of quarterback Geno Smith by Watt gave the Steelers the ball at the Seahawks 16-yard line. Chris Boswell hits the field goal, ballgame.
“I go for the ball,” Watt said Sunday.
“As you can see, I got a penalty for punching at the ball tonight, but I’m always punching at the ball. It’s just something that I’m always aware of and try to be aware of in training camp, practice and especially when the quarterback is running with the football.”
“It’s never fully secured so I don’t know if in that moment if I saw it for it was, just muscle memory, but I’m glad it happened.”
“I loved the fourth quarter and overtime by TJ,” said Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward. “All game he was like, ‘I’m just not hitting home’. I was like ‘it’s going to come. Keep staying after it, you are going to be great’.”
“When we needed it the most, he made his plays. What an emphatic play to end the game with a sack/strip fumble. We needed it. He’s a hell of a player.”
“I didn’t get to see it,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “I’m mad. I was talking to Dobbs about something. I heard the screams and the ball is out’. I didn’t know who did it. I asked if it’s TJ, because you kind of expect that. I’m just glad they paid him and kept him here.”
“I don’t think anyone is surprised by his ability to deliver in those moments,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “Yes, he’s a great player. It’s about what he’s willing to do in preparation and conditioning himself.”
Watt’s played in all three of the Steelers wins, probably not a coincidence. He has seven sacks in five games with three forced fumbles. He had three passes defended Sunday on athletic tips to go with three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
The 27-year-old believes he can change the game on any snap he is out there.
“I think every single defensive player does, if you don’t have that mindset then you shouldn’t be putting the cleats on and playing football,” Watt said. “As a defensive player, that’s why I love defense. That’s why I welcomed the switch in college because you can make a play on any given down.”
“That’s how I feel every single Sunday that we take the field. Towards the end of the game, as a pass rusher when they have to throw the ball or even in run downs. You can affect every single play. That’s what I’m trying to do every time out there.”
In 67 career games, Watt has 56.5 sacks, 66 tackles for loss, 123 quarterback hits, 20 forced fumbles, 28 passes defended and four interceptions.
“There is nothing mystical about that playmaking,” Tomlin said. “We are talking about a guy that that’s really talented. That works extremely hard. That’s hyper-focused. Prepared physically & mentally, that’s what happens.”
Heyward said the plays Watt makes remind him of some of the splash plays made by former All-Pro outside linebacker James Harrison. Like Harrison, Watt just works the offense over until they cave.
“You give him a one-on-one and you are going to pay for it,” Heyward said. “The thing I loved about TJ. He kept beating at the door, beating at the door, beating at the door. Finally he got through and the flood gates opened up and he started making big plays.”
“TJ is a great player,” said receiver Diontae Johnson. “His work ethic and how he practices. He comes to the stadium early on game days to get his warmups in. That’s why he’s the highest defensive player in the league.”
“Watch how he works and add it to your game. To see how he’s doing things and you know why he’s so good at what he does.”
“He’s one of the best defensive players in the game,” Heyward said. “He’s the best outside linebacker. He’s THE best defensive player to me. To have a guy that can change the game in one play.”
“He’s a game-wrecker, he’s a play-maker. He’s a rare breed and I’m glad we have him.”