Watt has been one of the few bright spots of the Texans this season and is, once again, putting together a great season (despite the lack of talent around him on defense). Does he have a real chance to win DPOY again? Who else is in contention right now? Can a player win DPOY despite the team ranking badly in defense and a below .500 record? I'm genuinely curious. I've only been watching the NFL religiously for the last 4-5 years so I don't know the typical requirements for a DPOY.
He's probably competing with the usual who's who of defensive players, I don't think anyone is running away with it statistically yet. Justin Houston is on pace to break the sack record, so maybe he's in the lead. At the very least the other top young guys (kuechly and david) are part of defenses who are also lapsing just as the Texans are. Since overall defense and record is probably evaluated as part of the evaluation process, guys like Deandre Levy and Bobby Wagner should be mentioned as well.
Collingsworth couldn't stop praising James Harrison yesterday either, like Dierdorf on Suggs. But Harrison has strung together a little streak of good play and the Steelers just had a huge showing on the national stage.
Justin Houston, Von Miller...and a couple others. Honestly, it's really not even close, but the problem is that voters like numbers...and that's the only thing that might hurt Watt's case. If any of the voters are competent though, Watt will win it.
Should be Watt in a landslide Von Miller would be a distant 2nd and honestly a giant gap after that imo
Warren Sapp picked Von Millet as his midseason DPOY Sunday morning. Not sure what he based it on though.
They are talking about Watt actually winning the league MVP this year. I think him winning DPOY is pretty much an afterthought if he keeps up his current pace.
He should be the unanimous choice for the DPOY...the MVP should be out of the question(his team blows...and as terrific as his play has been, the Texans are 4-5)
Read that too. Swore her off as a nonceedible writer two years ago. That article may have changed my mind. Not sure yet.
3rd among DL in tackles 4th Overall in sacks 1st in fumble recoveries 3rd in tackles for loss 1st in batted balls among non DB's This all from a 3-4 that is supposed to clog, not make plays. There really is no argument against him, but awards are notoriously chosen poorly. He should be getting his 3rd in a row this year.
Link? They were talking about Watt being MVP when we were 3-1. Now we're 4-5. His stats are great this year. But Luke Kuechly did deserve it last year.
Probably all of the sacks he has and the fact he's on a winning team... How the Texans finish out the year as a team may have a lot to do with J.J. winning DPOY...
They were talking about it on MNF before the steeler game when we were 3-3. I'm not suggesting he should win it, just saying that it's a testament to his greatness that anyone is even talking about him being in the running. I mean, a 3-4 DE (who plays for the Houston Texans.....) in the running for league MVP? That's just sick. Watt has single handedly made people re-evaluate what it means to be a great defensive player. Before he came along, it was only about sacks and INTs. Now, you hear more people talking about batted balls and QB hits. People are finally starting to figure out that it's not all about how many sacks you have.