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JJ Watt - no bull rush?

silvrhand

silvrhand

All Pro
So in watching the game yesterday there were multiple times I watched JJ watt try the swim move only to get completely washed inside as the lost leverage and got crushed. I started watching and I don't think I ever saw him try to use a power bull rush?

Is his only game jumping the gap I could of sworn historically he had a bit of a bull rush move that he seems to have gone away from?
 
He was sick coming into the game. He almost didn't play at all.
 
He hasn't been himself this year. Being sick isn't an excuse. You can either go or you can't. The double standard around here is ridiculous.
 
Women weaken legs Rock .

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PapaL said:
He hasn't been himself this year. Being sick isn't an excuse. You can either go or you can't. The double standard around here is ridiculous.
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How do you know he is pulling a double standard? It sounds more like he was answering why no bull rush. When you are sick you generally feel weaker in the body than usual hence he wouldn't attempt the bull rush but instead use other tactics like the swim move. It's not an excuse. It's reasoning for using a different tactic. It wasn't about the results but about utilization.

As for his season, it's well documented that he is being blocked heavier than usual with the amount of double teams and sometimes triple teams he is receiving. He still is among leaders in QB hurries, sacks and leads in tackles for loss. We may want more sacks or hope for it but guys don't usually go around with 20+ sacks. He built the expectations rather high with that but it will be hard for him to produce it again if teams are capable of doing the double/triple team with no one else stepping up to draw it away by taking advantage of their one on one blocks or Romeo dialing something up that actually has some creative blitz packages. Not going to hold my breath on that one though.
 
JJhas put up ridiculous numbers as a 3-4 DE year in and year out. Can't legitimately expect those kinds of results year in and year out. Who knows, maybe in RACs scheme he doesn't have the freedom he had with Wade.
 
I think JJ would even admit his first half yesterday was abysmal, at best. There was even a play where the olineman put him to the ground and was pinning his face to the grass. That said, I thought he kicked butt in the 2nd half. He didn't have the sacks, but was very disruptive. Hurries, TFL's and batted balls
 
Problem with setting the bar so damn high is that when you have a 'human' year it becomes not good enough. It would be nice if the other DLinemen would do something ... ANYTHING, to help out. Its 1 v 5 alot of the time.
 
we don't have a NT that requires double teams to keep him from collapsing the pocket. That allows for always a double or triple team on JJ not to mention the running back
 
He had alot of single blocks yesterday. Its JJ and he's been almost reggie white like these 1st few seasons. He's the last guy I'm gonna criticize.
 
ghostlight said:
we don't have a NT that requires double teams to keep him from collapsing the pocket. That allows for always a double or triple team on JJ not to mention the running back
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The opponents offense is going to triple team its RB? LOL
 
SAMURAITEXAN said:
To me, it was obvious that JJ was sick by just looking at how he tries to catch his breath.
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He looks that way in most games. He always leaves everything he has on the field. There are just times like Sunday when he has less to leave.
 
It's not just about this game, and I simply asked has the bull rush been taken out of his game? I see him swim/jump gaps and that's great but setting up the bull rush would be nice once in a while since they are so concerned with his first step.

I'm not saying JJ being a bust, as he's far from that but he's not above improving his game.
 
Brisco_County said:
I'm having trouble following the logic here. Are you saying that the right thing for him to do would've been to sit out the game? What do we then say to people who criticize him for sitting out because of the flu?
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I'm saying if he's on the field and playing, there are no excuses. The question was about his bull rush over all and instantly he's defended with he was sick. I'm saying you are either fit for battle or not. There is no caveat. He wouldn't say yeah I got my ass handed to me in the first half but I was sick so it's ok.

But like silvrhand asked/alluded to, the bull rush has really been MIA from JJ's game this year. It's either swim in to a double/triple team or speed rush out whereas before the bull rush was used to keep the OL off balance.
 
PapaL said:
I'm saying if he's on the field and playing, there are no excuses. The question was about his bull rush over all and instantly he's defended with he was sick. I'm saying you are either fit for battle or not.
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But that's not quite how it works. Health affects performance, period.

And a 50% JJ is still better than no JJ. He had 6 QB hurries, so I don't understand the complaint. Especially after a win and four years of never missing a game.
 
Wow, let's keep this thread on topic and cease the personal attacks.

Watt is not having his best season. But, based on his past production, I expect that to turn around soon. Like this Sunday in Miami.
 
Double Barrel said:
It's pathetic that none of the other players can beat their one-on-one blocks.
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Nailed it. I'm getting a little JJ Watt fatigued but how is it that no one else on this team can generate a consistent pass rush? People on the radio going gaga over Whitney Mercilus getting 2 sacks and have a good game. Great where was that before your previous seasons and what about everyone else? the new HC for Miami went with 10 defensive plays and basically said just get the QB and the whipped TN. Maybe our scheme is too complicated or just ineffective or our players suck or all the above.
 
Marshall said:
He looks that way in most games. He always leaves everything he has on the field. There are just times like Sunday when he has less to leave.
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He looks that way when he is on the field for long time but not from early on of the game. Like some other games that we lost where our D were there for a long time. Anyway, I have been very busy recently and did not have time to read this site so, I didn't know JJ was sick for the game day but I noticed something were off while watching the game.
 
SAMURAITEXAN said:
He looks that way when he is on the field for long time but not from early on of the game. Like some other games that we lost where our D were there for a long time. Anyway, I have been very busy recently and did not have time to read this site so, I didn't know JJ was sick for the game day but I noticed something were off while watching the game.
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Last week, I mentioned to Playoffs that before the end of the 1st half in every game so far, he was showing definite signs of being winded......we agreed that he showed the classic compensation with hands on hips. This position allows your chest to more easily expand and draw in deeper breaths more easily. Even more compensation is gained with hands on knees, a position that requires even less muscle use/strength and allows greater circulation/oxygen to the lungs, heart and head. And you will see athletes that are on the brink of passing out, like runner after a marathon, fall to the ground on their hands and knees to gain the ultimate compensation.

There is no doubt that this year, for whatever reason, Watt has become winded sooner in games. I was and am still concerned that in the very midst of the worst period of his flu, he was allowed to play. Hasselbeck was on the tail end of his flu. When you have a simple "cold," exercise is not advised against as its effects will have little impact on overall health. But in the midst of a major flu episode, any doctor will tell you that your health can be very negatively effected due to the severe immune depression that is going on. The impact effects may occur acutely, but could very well have long-term implications. Let's hope that his appearance in last Sunday's game does not result in problems in his play over the next few games.
 
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CloakNNNdagger said:
Last week, I mentioned to Playoffs that before the end of the 1st half in every game so far, he was showing definite signs of being winded......we agreed that he showed the classic compensation with hands on hips. This position allows your chest to more easily expand and draw in deeper breaths more easily. Even more compensation is gained with hands on knees, a position that requires even less muscle use/strength and allows greater circulation/oxygen to the lungs, heart and head. And you will see athletes that are on the brink of passing out, like runner after a marathon, fall to the ground on their hands and knees to gain the ultimate compensation.

There is no doubt that this year, for whatever reason, Watt has become winded sooner in games. I was and am still concerned that in the very midst of the worst period of his flu, he was allowed to play. Hasselbeck was on the tail end of his flu. When you have a simple "cold," exercise is not advised against as its effects will have little impact on overall health. But in the midst of a major flu episode, any doctor will tell you that your health can be very negatively effected due to the severe immune depression that is going on. The impact effects may occur acutely, but could very well have long-term implications. Let's hope that his appearance in last Sunday's game does not result in problems in his play over the next few games.
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Did JJ pack more weight this year? Sometimes extra weight do things such as this. I hope, it isn't about pushing too hard to play through sickness. You can damage the lungs as well right? Anyway, I am hoping nothing serious.
 
SAMURAITEXAN said:
To me, it was obvious that JJ was sick by just looking at how he tries to catch his breath.
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I've never seen him on the football field when he wasn't sucking air. I attribute that to balls-out play.

My only gripe is he's a commercial whore.........
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JJ Watt wants Nationdwide..
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After some of the spokespersons for some companies (subway for ex), they just want some good old fashioned nice guy with no hint of any misdeeds.

JJ is wise to take advantage of it now.
 
Showtime100 said:
I've never seen him on the football field when he wasn't sucking air. I attribute that to balls-out play.

My only gripe is he's a commercial whore.........
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JJ Watt wants Nationdwide..
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And there's very few here that wouldn't do the same. Watt is just taking advantage of the opportunities available to him. If HEB, Gatorade, Nationwide, all came to your door with bags full of money, you'd be doing those commercials too. I don't see how that makes one a whore.

It doesn't interfere with his football so why the hell does anybody care what he does off the field? I've just never been able to understand that aspect of the fan/player relationship. Why anyone cares what these players do outside the lines.
 
Speedy said:
And there's very few here that wouldn't do the same. Watt is just taking advantage of the opportunities available to him. If HEB, Gatorade, Nationwide, all came to your door with bags full of money, you'd be doing those commercials too. I don't see how that makes one a whore.

It doesn't interfere with his football so why the hell does anybody care what he does off the field? I've just never been able to understand that aspect of the fan/player relationship. Why anyone cares what these players do outside the lines.
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Yep. Get it while the gettin' is good. He has a finite shelf life as a pro player, so it is wise to capitalize on it while he can.

Making lots of money probably compensates for being on perpetually mediocre-to-bad teams.
 
Speedy said:
It doesn't interfere with his football so why the hell does anybody care what he does off the field? I've just never been able to understand that aspect of the fan/player relationship. Why anyone cares what these players do outside the lines.
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Right. Unless a player is beating his wife or getting DWI's, who cares? It's clear to me that JJ is setting up a post-NFL career in Hollywood. And why not? He's personable and appears to have some talent. I can see Watt as an action hero.
 
As I've said before, if being a commercial whore is his worst fault, I can't complain too much. JJ's a great person a one hell of a football player. I would say one hell of a DE, but that doesn't do him justice.
 
Call me crazy, but I don't like Watt lined up outside - especially at LDE/LOLB. It's just too easy for teams to isolate him. At right end, teams are apt to let their left tackle handle more 1v1 situations, but he's still going to see a ton of chips and tightend double teams. IMO Watt's best inside at a 5 technique, with someone outside of him like Mercilus as an edge rusher (not a stunt combo). That's where Watt's swim and arm over/under rush moves have the most impact, and he's able to quick shot to the quarterback as we used to see. I also think we're working too hard to free up Watt when we blitz - scheming stunts and pulls to get him free. If Watt's taking up multiple blockers, scheme EVERYONE ELSE a shot at the quarterback.
 
There have been discussions both here and in the national media that Watt's free-lancing has tended to leave holes in the D and left them exposed. Reviewing some of the games, I've found definite examples of that happening. With that said, last week, I heard an extremely interesting and telling interview by Jim Trotter of ESPN. He was relating stories about Junior in relation to a book chronicling Junior's life that recently came out (Oct 27, 2015).............Junior Seau: The life and Death of a Football Icon, written by Jim Trotter, a well-respected veteran NFL writer. He talked about Junior being so good that coach allowed him to free-lance at will. He compared this with JJ's newly given freedom.............pointing out, though, that this would have had some very real negative effects on the Junior's team had he not had one particular player to "cover up" (that's the words he used.....and I can't remember which teammate) by "spying" him, virtually reading his mind (because they played together for so long and knowing exactly where the hole was that Junior was going to leave.........and plug it immediately. This was the very important distinction pointed out between the success of Junior's free-lancing and the potential disruption of D play in the case of JJ.........he has had no one to compensate for his free-lancing in the form of an assigned capable "spy" to plug that hole.

EDIT: I found the INTERVIEW
 
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I would rather see our defensive unit shutdown the running game than see JJ and Clowney trying so hard to get a sack every play. Forget about the sacks. Shutdown the run first, if its a pass then get after the QB but don't go after the qb ever single play. This type of tunnel vision can work against you and can be exploited by their offense.
 
CloakNNNdagger said:
There have been discussions both here and in the national media that Watt's free-lancing has tended to leave holes in the D and left them exposed. Reviewing some of the games, I've found definite examples of that happening. With that said, last week, I heard an extremely interesting and telling interview by Jim Trotter of ESPN. He was relating stories about Junior in relation to a book chronicling Junior's life that recently came out (Oct 27, 2015).............Junior Seau: The life and Death of a Football Icon, written by Jim Trotter, a well-respected veteran NFL writer. He talked about Junior being so good that coach allowed him to free-lance at will. He compared this with JJ's newly given freedom.............pointing out, though, that this would have had some very real negative effects on the Junior's team had he not had one particular player to "cover up" (that's the words he used.....and I can't remember which teammate) by "spying" him, virtually reading his mind (because they played together for so long and knowing exactly where the hole was that Junior was going to leave.........and plug it immediately. This was the very important distinction pointed out between the success of Junior's free-lancing and the potential disruption of D play in the case of JJ.........he has had no one to compensate for his free-lancing in the form of an assigned capable "spy" to plug that hole.

EDIT: I found the INTERVIEW
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This is a great description of the essential, if unheralded player. Tim Smith was such a player leading Earl as his fullback. Campbell appreciated the work his team mates did, particularly Smith and the OL, and recognized them frequently.

It doesn't happen often in this ALL ABOUT ME generation of athletes.
 
It's not so much someone spying JJ to plug up the hole he hits, it's the players who have to be devoted to doing the things JJ would be doing if he were not "freelancing".
 
Lambert said:
It's not so much someone spying JJ to plug up the hole he hits, it's the players who have to be devoted to doing the things JJ would be doing if he were not "freelancing".
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Ted Johnson has talked about this extensively on his show. He's got experience with RAC's defense in NE, and he said it is crucial that every player does their job. It is how the defense is designed. So when a player like J.J. gets outside and beyond his assignment, it often leaves gaping holes that can be exploited if he's not making the play.

Reggie White was a player that often free-lanced, but they said he knew when to dial it back and had an instinct for where the ball would be. J.J. has yet to develop that consistent instinct. As good as he is now, everyone has room for improvement.
 
This isn't about his free lancing, but more about his technique. Listening in this morning it's apparently that more TE's are being put on him that are just as athletic as JJ being able to chip him getting him off balance/leverage which is why he needs to develop a power move. Stop swimming and setup the bull rush with his other moves making him less predictable.
 
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