JJ Watt just wants the media to give young guys a chance.
Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt was not thrilled to see the media bashing so many young guys while they go through OTAs.
Watt posted a video of himself on Twitter and Instagram as he ranted about overreactions after a player or players had a bad practice.
Via FOX News:
“‘Rookie has rough practice in his first week of OTAs.’ Yeah, that’s called being a rookie. It’s called first week of OTAs,” Watt said. “I had rough practices every single year in my 12 years. I’ve had rough games. I’ve had multiple rough games. S–t’s hard. It’s the National Football League.”
“This is part of the reason why it’s tough for guys to develop. Because we’re judging everybody on every single individual rep every single day,” he continued. “We’re posting videos online of practice reps and guys working on their craft and guys trying to do new things. It’s one of the reasons that guys are scared to try a new pass-rush move in one-on-ones in practice, which is when you should be working on your pass-rush moves, because they’re scared that somebody’s going to film it and put it online, and because they got blocked, now they look like an idiot. Let guys develop. Let guys grow.”
“I understand, this is a business. We’re paid millions of dollars, and you expect greatness right out of the gate out of every single guy, and you’re going to say, ‘Suck it up and deal with it.’ But let’s let guys develop. Let’s let guys get some practice under their belt. Let’s let guys get into the league. Let’s let them grow as a player. Let’s let them get some NFL coaching. We don’t need to be sh—ing all over guys on their first week of practice in the National Football League. Just let them grow.”
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Many may not remember, but Watt was once disliked in Houston after being selected 11th overall by the Houston Texans. He was booed tremendously until he took the field and became a future hall-of-fame defensive player.
Watt’s career ended in January following 10 years with the Houston Texans, two more with the Arizona Cardinals, and easily enough accolades to land the defensive end in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first run.
Watt walked away as a 33-year-old and new father.
He made five First Team All-Pro squads, won NFL Defensive Player of the year three times, and led the NFL in sacks in 2012 and 2015.
His final year in the league saw him play 16 games while racking up 12.5 sacks and seven passes defensed.
We think Watt knows what he is talking about.
