Watt makes impression with 2-sack debut
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — It was only one game. And the statistics don’t even count.
But T.J. Watt did something in his professional debut Jarvis Jones failed to do in fouryears with the Steelers.
Have multiple sacks in a game.
And he did it on the first two pass attempts by the New York Giants.
It happened Friday night in the Steelers preseason opener at MetLife Stadium, making it one of the more impressive debuts by a No. 1 draft choice in recent team history.
“I wanted to go out there and put on display what I’ve been doing for past few weeks at training camp,” Watt said after the Steelers’ 20-12 victory.
That wasn’t all. Watt also had a quarterback hit on a play when Josh Johnson hurriedly was attempting to get rid of the ball to avoid a sack. Then, in the second quarter, after lining on the left side of the defense, he ran all the way across the field to tackle Johnson on a scramble.
It’s what Watt has been doing since the first day in pads at training camp. And it continued in his first NFL action against the Giants, even though preseason stats don’t count for anything.
“Two sacks right of the bat, that’s a great way to start off your NFL career,” said outside line backer Arthur Moats, who had three of the Steelers’ seven sacks against the Giants.
It remains to be seen how the Steelers will deploy Watt once James Harrison, 39, begins practicing at training camp. Harrison participated in individual drills for the first time Sunday night in a practice at Heinz Field, but hasn’t done anything since.
At the very least, Watt will get plenty of time in the Steelers defense. After all, he is their top draft choice, and they waste little time getting those players on the field because they know eventually they will become starters. Even Jones, their No. 1 pick in 2013,started 50 games with the Steelers, splitting time with Harrison.
But, after registering just six sacks in four years, Jones was not re-signed after last season. Enter Watt, the third outside linebacker in five years to be drafted by the Steelers in the first round. He played into the fourth quarter against the Giants, more than anyother starter.
And he wasted little time making a big impression.
On the Giants’ first pass attempt on their first possession, Watt got his first sack when Johnson stepped up to avoid pressure on third down, right into the hands of the 252pound rookie.
Then, on first down of their second possession, Watt came unchecked off the edge and threw Johnson to the turf like arag doll.
“I wanted to get out there and show I can rush the passer and make impact plays,” Watt said. “As an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, you’re expected to make plays in certain moments.”
The Steelers have had problem generating sacks from the outside the past two seasons. Only 16½ of their 38 sacks in 2016 came from outside linebackers, with Harrison leading the way with five. In 2015, it was worse, with just 15 of their 47 sacks coming from the outside. Those are not desirable numbers for a 3-4 defense that typically relies on a dominant edge rusher.
Against the Giants, that changed, at least for one night. In addition to Watt’s two sacks, Moats had three and first-year free-agent Farrington Huguenin had one, giving the Steelers six sacks from their outside linebackers.
They are hoping that can continue.
“I feel like this is a good start,” Moats said. “But we got to continue it every day and carry it over.”
Wattis off to a good start.