Texans’ J. J. Watt is doing it all on both sides of the ball
HOUSTON — J. J. Watt has long been feared for his sacks and swats.
This year teams have to worry about his receiving skills, too.
The 6- foot- 5, 289- pound defensive end had another touchdown catch in Houston’s win on Sunday to give him three this season. He has one more touchdown reception than star receiver Andre Johnson and more than all of the Texans tight ends combined.
Defensive co- ordinator Romeo Crennel has enjoyed watching the big guy, who began his college career as a tight end, have some fun on offence.
“He goes after the ball like he goes after the quarterback and both of those are good,” Crennel said.
Watt’s work on offence hasn’t slowed down his production on defence.
He leads the team with 11 ½ sacks and is first in the NFL with a franchise- record five fumble recoveries and 36 quarterback hits. He also has a fumble return for a touchdown and another score on an interception return. He’s found someone to talk to about playing on the opposite side of the ball in assistant coach Mike Vrabel, a former linebacker who had scored a touchdown on each of his 12 career receptions.
Watt’s following in his footsteps in that way with each of his grabs going for scores as well.
“He has definitely helped,” Watt said. “I think that he might have helped in getting the package in the first place. He has given me some tips.”
Watt wouldn’t divulge any of the insider information he’s received from Vrabel, but he did share one thing the threetime Super Bowl champion told him.
“Spike the ball when you score. That’s the one he is adamant about, so I try,” he said. “I was so excited this week I couldn’t even hold on to the thing when I stood up.”
Vrabel declined an interview request for this story but Houston’s top receivers had plenty to say about Watt’s receiving skills. DeAndre Hopkins, who leads the Texans with 1,041 yards receiving and six touchdown receptions, laughed when asked if Watt was a good receiver.
“No. But he makes plays so that’s all that matters,” Hopkins said. “The in- between stuff really isn’t a big deal if you go out and make plays. But as far as being receiver, nah.”
Watt’s first receiving touchdown was an easy one. He was wide open in the end zone and simply waited for the ball to get to him for the one- yard score. The second two have been a little more difficult. Watt had to dive in the end zone to grab both of those.