Alex Highsmith: ‘It is Irritating’ For T.J. Watt To Face So Many Chips, Hurting Manufacturing

By just about any metric, Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt is falling wanting his requirements, not less than on the subject of dashing the passer. The truth that “solely” having 7.5 sacks in 11 video games is a matter for him merely speaks to his greatness. However the Steelers want Watt to be nice, as a result of they lose when he isn’t.

And he definitely wasn’t nice final Thursday on a day that Myles Garrett was. Watt had his worst recreation in opposition to the Browns of his profession, and the on-field outcomes mirror that. Whereas Nick Herbig made a play that helped, the Steelers wanted extra performs that Watt couldn’t make.

Even when he isn’t enjoying at his finest this season, defenses are nonetheless enjoying T.J. Watt as laborious as ever. And Alex Highsmith acknowledged that it’s one thing that’s going to get to you as a go rusher. He blamed “continuous chips” as an enormous season Watt doesn’t have his normal numbers. He does face extra chips than anyone else this season, which even Professional Soccer Focus admits.

“When you’ve got a man like that, groups are recreation planning them”, Highsmith stated of Watt, through the Steelers’ web site. “However I do know he’s gonna beat these and he’s gonna get again there and make a bunch of performs. As a result of that’s who he’s. His entire profession he’s been chipped, he’s gotten his double blocks. However he’s setting file numbers each single yr, so we all know what sort of participant he’s”.

Although he solely ranks thirteenth in sacks within the NFL, T.J. Watt is tied for probably the most pressured fumbles. He additionally has the fourth-most tackles for loss, tied with Garrett and two off the league lead. And the chief, Danielle Hunter, has already performed 12 video games. Actually, Watt has made an impression on loads of video games this yr. However everybody is aware of he hasn’t had his normal success on a play-to-play foundation.

“Yeah, I believe [he is frustrated] in a means, as a result of [of] the competitor that he’s”, Highsmith stated of Watt. “Realizing how laborious he works and the way a lot he needs to get to the quarterback, I do know it’s irritating for him”.

In fact, we are able to’t ignore the truth that defenses can’t ignore T.J. The truth that groups pay a lot consideration to him has loads to do with why others could make performs. Nick Herbig is somewhat sparkplug who’s making a reputation for himself, and rightly so. However he definitely advantages from enjoying with Watt and Alex Highsmith.

One other impediment for Watt this yr too is the truth that the Steelers haven’t had Herbig and Highsmith constantly. The truth is, the Steelers haven’t had them each in the identical recreation since Week 3. When one comes again from damage, the opposite goes down.

However with Highsmith on the mend, they may have their full platoon of go rushers for the primary time in months. And coming off a mini-bye, and ticked off, T.J. Watt could possibly be primed for an enormous recreation Sunday in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.