It’s good to be back
Watt enjoys team time, but he really wants to hit
Defensive end J.J. Watt has a problem.
Watt is back on the Texans’ practice field participating in the offseason program, including the first two organized team activities this week, and he wants to hit somebody.
But he can’t. It’s against the rules. And he’s going against his teammates, anyway.
“You’re a football player; you live to hit people,” Watt said after Tuesday’s OTA at Houston Methodist Training Center. “I can’t wait to get back in real situations.
“I also understand how valuable this time is with my teammates and with my coaches to learn and to grow, especially to get back into the groove of things. It’s been very good so far.”
Watt, a three-time winner of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, was cleared to resume workouts in early February. He’s been smart about his rehabilitation from a second back surgery in late September. He lined up at his usual spot on the left side Tuesday.
“I have no restrictions from anybody,” Watt said. “I’m practicing full-go. This is my natural habitat (and) I feel great.
“I’m sure we’ll have some sort of program where I take a day off here and there, but as far as when I’m allowed to be on the field, I feel awesome.”
Watt can do anything on the field allowed under
the collective bargaining agreement, but there are restrictions about what players can and can’t do.
For instance, there’s no hitting. He’ll have to wait until training camp and preseason games.
Watt has been careful during his rehabilitation. He came back too soon from his first back surgery last year, and it gradually deteriorated to a point where he was done after the Texans’ 2-0 start.
“I think the slow pace applies a little more to the weight room than it does to the field,” Watt said. “I don’t like to play slow.
“The best part is just being back out here with my teammates. It’s so much fun to be in the meetings, to be on the field and be back with the guys.”
Nobody is more excited about Watt’s return than coach Bill O’Brien. He knows the Texans could have one of the league’s premier defenses again.
“J.J. is doing great,” O’Brien said. “He’s been here all offseason. He’s working hard. It’s tough enough to block him in pads, let alone out of pads. Like we all know, he’ll be ready to go.”
With Watt returning, the Texans could have the best front seven in the NFL. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney sandwiched around second-year nose tackle D.J. Reader.
Linebackers Whitney Mercilus and Benardrick McKinney, who combined for 12½ sacks last season and are capable of more, also will help the pass rush.
Everyone, including Watt, is eager to see how he’ll play when the Texans host Jacksonville in the season-opener Sept. 10.
Watt has goals, starting with winning.
“I think every athlete, no matter who they are, has extremely high expectations for themselves, whether they admit it or not,” he said. “I think if you didn’t have high expectations, you’re in the wrong business.
“That’s why this is so fun. Every day, I get to work to meet those expectations. If I didn’t set them high, it would be a little too easy to reach, and it would be no fun, so I love it.”
Watt isn’t exactly Clark Kent, but he can’t put on the cape and become Superman right now. He’ll have to wait until the season.
“I’m just a regular guy on the team now,” he said. “All I do is whatever the team does. As soon as they let me put pads on and hit people, I will, but right now, it’s just getting my technique down.
“I really don’t know how to describe it, but when you’re away from something for so long and you step back into it, it’s like putting on a new pair of shoes. It just feels so damn good.”