BROCK AND SALK

Person of Interest: Texans’ J.J. Watt

Sep 26, 2013, 9:24 AM | Updated: 9:33 am

By Danny O’Neil

“Person of Interest” is a weekly feature in which we put the microscope on one player from the Seahawks’ upcoming opponent. This week, it’s Houston’s J.J. Watt.

Vitals

• Position: Defensive end, de facto skyscraper, NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year
• Height: 6-5
• Weight: 289
• Age: 24
• Experience: Third season

3f3687fd-1f4a-4018-a930-20ab51c4ead3
J.J. Watt, the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, has three sacks through three games this season. (AP)

The storyline

A year ago, he was an impressive defensive lineman with an almost unbelievable story. After 20.5 sacks as an NFL sophomore, he’s now an unbelievable player with an impressive story considering he was a 220-pound high-school senior who went to Central Michigan as a tight end before leaving the program, enrolling at a junior college, and then walking on at Wisconsin to play defensive line.

He blossomed first with the Badgers, becoming the 11th player chosen in the 2011 draft, and then under Wade Phillips in the Texans’ defense.

Watt had 20.5 sacks last season, his second in the NFL. It was the second-highest single-season sack total for any NFL player in the past 10 seasons. Watt has three sacks in three games this season.

“He’s only going to get better,” said Gary Kubiak, Watt’s coach in Houston. “You never know if you’re going to have the number of sacks or those types of things, but I know he’s getting better as a player.”

The statement

Watt is a big enough challenge under any circumstance, but Seattle’s situation along the offensive line will make it even more daunting. Left tackle Russell Okung is out and will miss the next seven games, right tackle Breno Giacomini is a question mark because of a sore knee and center Max Unger – who’s in charge of calling Seattle’s protection adjustments – missed practice Wednesday with an arm injury.

That could spell trouble against a Texans team that totaled 44 sacks last season, tied for fifth-most in the league. While Houston’s defense is known for the variety of its blitzes, Watt is clearly Seattle’s top concern this week.

“He’s a star player,” said Darrell Bevell, the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. “He really does a great job. He’s tenacious. He works hard. He’s long. He creates a lot of issues so he’s definitely someone that we have to account for and make sure that he doesn’t wreck the whole day for us.”

Brock and Salk podcast

Brock and Salk

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

10 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Nelson Cruz reflects on his time with the Seattle Mariners on Brock & Salk

‘The Boomstick’ Nelson Cruz joined the Brock & Salk Show on Seattle Sports before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners 2024 season opener at T-Mobile Park. Cruz discussed his time with the Mariners, what retirement is like, and whether or not he would bring out the boomstick one more time before […]

13 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

2 days ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

2 days ago

Person of Interest: Texans’ J.J. Watt