Steelers' T.J. Watt named to the PWFA All-NFL Team
T.J. Watt is coming off what looks to be the second-best season of what is already a Hall of Fame career. Many have already acknowledged that, with Watt earning Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and now All-NFL honors. Yet, if one of the league's most esteemed journalists is proven right, he may lose the award that matters […]
T.J. Watt is coming off what looks to be the second-best season of what is already a Hall of Fame career.
Many have already acknowledged that, with Watt earning Pro Bowl, All-Pro, and now All-NFL honors.
Yet, if one of the league's most esteemed journalists is proven right, he may lose the award that matters most:
With Watt now hitting a triple after earning honors in the aforementioned awards, the only acknowledgment left for Watt to hit for the cycle is the biggest one:
NFL Defensive Player of The Year.
Yet, per Peter King of NBC Sports, Watt wasn't even close to earning the honor on his ballot:
I picked Garrett," said King on Pro Football Talk. "In order, my top five were Garrett, Parsons, Watt, Crosby and Mack. Garrett was high in both PFF grade and Next Gen pass-rush metrics, and his team was the number one defense in football."
In my opinion there are multiple things wrong with King's rationale.
For one, while he references two advanced metrics (which is a whole other discussion) what King didn't mention was the obvious and objective group of stats that Watt dominates in:
Oh and not listed in the picture that displays Watt's lead in interceptions, sacks, tackles and fumble recoveries is Watt's leads in hurries, pressures, QB knockdowns, and batted passes.
I guess those stats don't carry much weight according to King, yet apparently the ranking of team defense is more important, as if that doesn't have an opposite effect on how good an individual is, but I digress.
Now Watt could likely care less about what he did and didn't win individually, as the end of another season without a Lombardi while he watched from the sidelines with injury is likely still in the front of his mind.
But in 10-15 years when Watt is out of the league and on his way to the Hall of Fame, people will use these numbers and accolades both for and against him when placing him on the pantheon of pass rushers.
And if you think that King's vote doesn't matter, think again. He knew what he was doing in disclosing the information, especially when you consider the DPOY odds.
So in the spirt of election season, let's just say that as goes King, so goes the award.
Steelers to kickoff interviews for vacant OC job with a McVay minion
See who is first up to interview for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator position.
