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Apart from promoting “Wattsburgh” T-shirts and seeing all three Watt brothers pose for actually cool photographs collectively in black and gold, there isn’t one good purpose for the Steelers to signal free-agent defensive finish J.J. Watt. It’s the speak of Twitter and radio reveals, however makes zero sense.
The Steelers have two top-caliber defensive ends: Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.
If nostril sort out Tyson Alualu leaves by way of free company, the Steelers might transfer Heyward or Tuitt to that place. However given their efficiency and years of service in Pittsburgh (Heyward 10 seasons, Tuitt seven), that might be impractical and disrespectful.
Tuitt had 11 sacks final 12 months, Watt 5 and Heyward 4. Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months, however not since 2015.
Is Watt presently higher than Heyward or Tuitt? That’s debatable.
Watt is injury-prone and has performed simply 60% of Houston’s video games over his previous 5 seasons. He’s nonetheless an excellent participant however, at 31, is previous his prime.
The Steelers can’t afford Watt given their cap restrictions. Not except you purchase that fanciful nonsense about Watt speaking so much much less so he can play along with his brothers. What a crock.
If Watt desires a giant payday, Pittsburgh isn’t the place. Why would he take much less cash than his resume dictates, or play in a rotation that offers him much less enjoying time? Why would Heyward or Tuitt settle for the latter? (In sub packages, the Steelers make use of simply two down linemen.)
If Watt desires a legit shot at a Tremendous Bowl ring, Pittsburgh isn’t the place. The Steelers haven’t received a playoff recreation since 2016 and misplaced 5 of six to finish this previous season.
Watt and the Steelers don’t add up at any degree. Cleveland is a greater match.
In the event you assume the Steelers ought to signal Watt, you’re accumulating soccer playing cards, not constructing a staff.
The Steelers have much more urgent wants than an additional defensive finish.
Bud Dupree and JuJu Smith-Schuster will depart by way of free company. Alualu, Matt Feiler, Mike Hilton, Cam Sutton and Alejandro Villanueva might do the identical. Vince Williams and one of many beginning cornerbacks determine to be cap casualties. Maurkice Pouncey and Vance McDonald retired.
The offensive line is in shambles. The protection might lose six regulars. How does finagling a job for Watt make sense? Uh, moreover the “Wattsburgh” T-shirts. Why not make mother and pop assistant coaches? They’ve as a lot NFL teaching expertise as some latest hires.
If it’s a matter of retaining T.J. Watt blissful so he indicators a long-term deal, that’s not essential. The Steelers picked up T.J.’s fifth-year choice for 2021. If essential, T.J. may be franchised for the 2 years after that. He’s caught in Pittsburgh for not less than three extra seasons. Anyway, is T.J. actually so fragile that he must be placated thusly?
The Steelers appear to assume so. They signed the “different” Watt brother, fullback Derek, to a three-year deal value $9.75 million earlier than final 12 months, then barely used him moreover particular groups. Apart from household ties, that expenditure lacked logic.
Take the cash doubtlessly spent on J.J. Watt and use it to get a middle, or inside linebacker, or sort out.
It appears like Chuks Okarafor and Zach Banner would be the beginning tackles in 2021. Banner says that “Coach (Tomlin) checked out me and mentioned, ‘You’re my reply f0r 2021.’ ”
Banner is 27 and has began solely two NFL video games. He obtained minimize by the 0-16 Cleveland Browns after the 2017 season. If he’s the reply, do we actually need to know what the query is?
Classes:
Mark Madden Columns | Penguins/NHL | Sports activities
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