T.J. Watt says he will take the DPOY snub as motivation and doubles down on it.
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T.J. Watt, the outstanding edge rusher for the Pittsburgh Steelers, came in second in the Defensive Player of the Year vote. Before the NFL Honors began, the 2021 winner posted on X, expressing his emotions: “Nothing I’m not used to.”
JP Acosta of SB Nation questioned Watt over his post and his thoughts in general about losing out on the prize.
It was just one of those occasions where I felt compelled to explain my absence to individuals who noticed that I wasn’t there, even though I was in a scenario that I was by now quite accustomed to. Thus, it serves as inspiration moving ahead.
Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, an edge rusher, edged over Watt in a number of stats, including sacks, pressures, hits on the quarterback, hurries, tackles for loss, and pass deflections. Watt also finished the season with an interception and a score.
Mike Tomlin, the coach of the Steelers, has a talent for drawing out more from his players than their respective skill sets would indicate. We asked linebacker T.J. Watt to explain how Tomlin pulls it off earlier this week on PFT Live.
“I think it’s a holding everybody accountable-type thing as far as in the film room,” Watt stated. You never know what he will show you when we enter the team meeting room. Everyone is feeling a little anxious. Everybody is staring at one another, wondering, “What play?” Before he even presses “play,” you can tell when that play appears because you’re thinking, “Ahhh, it’s my play.”
“You might be casually chatting with him outside the meeting room, asking him how his family is doing. How are things doing overall? Very pleasant, and then all of a sudden you enter and the play begins, with the theme, “We were just chilling outside, and now you’re going to bash me in front of the entire team?” It’s the accountability part when the offense briefly goes over their game plan in team meetings so the defense is aware of what the offensive expects from them and vice versa. On the football field, it kind of helps us hold each other accountable.”
The team’s practice of playing Renegade late in the game, when it matters most, also motivates the players to do well on the football field. Watt clarified
“It’s tangible, you feel the energy in the place and it makes you want to give these people exactly what they’re looking for, anytime you get over 75,000 people standing there waving Terrible Towels, the camera goes out, the screen goes black, and they start showing highlights.” Additionally, that is a turnover, a huge splash play, and it always occurs [during] the game’s most crucial series.”
The Steelers are winning at whatever they’re doing. Despite not having the best team on either side of the ball, Tomlin and their Pittsburgh home-field advantage allow them to compete against anyone and everyone.
