Can Watt win DPOY this year?

jordnnnn · Nov 17, 2014

The Grantland NFL guys say atleast once a week on the podcast that it's Watt and no one is even close. I doubt every writer feels the same way, but I would have to imagine he is one of only a few with a real shot.

tested911 · Nov 17, 2014

If we win it all, I believe that is 100% he wins in it

Haymitch · Nov 17, 2014

From Grantland today:

J.J. Watt (and His Quarterback)

Charles Woodson probably wouldn’t have won the Heisman without some snaps on offense and a few return touchdowns, and it almost seems like the Texans are using the same strategy for Watt’s MVP campaign. Plenty of defensive players have scored touchdowns, but Watt’s grab yesterday wasn’t Mike Vrabel or Jumbo Elliott leaking out of run-heavy formations untouched. This was Watt — inspired by watching Rand University — doing his best Randy Moss impression on a fade at the goal line. We’ve officially reached a point at which he should be draftable in standard fantasy leagues.

While scattered touchdowns might help Watt’s MVP case, an improbable wild-card run in Houston definitely would. A necessary part of that is better quarterback play, and at least through one game, the Texans found it with Ryan Mallett. As ESPN reporter Tania Ganguli pointed out yesterday, it took Mallett one start to match the number of 20-completion, 200-yard, two-plus touchdown games Fitzpatrick had in nine weeks. And it all came against a team that had been among the best in the league against the pass. Along with his production, Mallett also gives Houston’s offense another dimension. In Fitzpatrick’s starts, the Texans ranked 13th in air yards per pass attempt, at 8.26. Yesterday, Mallett’s average throw traveled 10.13 yards. That’s a nice dynamic to add to what Houston has been able to do on the ground all season.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-week-11-winners-and-losers-packers-jj-watt-eli-manning/
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Rocket River · Nov 17, 2014

Mr. Clutch said: ↑

Watt will win it easily.
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I think this too

Rocket River

ima_drummer2k · Nov 17, 2014

This is the image that came to mind while watching Watt pace the sideline after picking up that 2nd roughing the punter penalty:

Juxtaposed Jolt · Nov 17, 2014

jordnnnn said: ↑

The Grantland NFL guys say atleast once a week on the podcast that it's Watt and no one is even close. I doubt every writer feels the same way, but I would have to imagine he is one of only a few with a real shot.
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Can a defensive player be considered for the overall MVP, and not be the definitive frontrunner for DPoY, if no other defensive players are even close to being considered for overall MVP?

I don't think so. Watt is easily DPoY at this point.

Pieman2005 · Nov 30, 2014

So is he DPOY?

Pull_Up_3 · Nov 30, 2014

DPOY should be automatic by now

better question. Can he win DPOY and MVP?

Mr. Clutch · Nov 30, 2014

Pull_Up_3 said: ↑

DPOY should be automatic by now

better question. Can he win DPOY and MVP?
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Should? Yes.

Will? No.

BasketballReasons · Nov 30, 2014

Rogers will get MVP unfortunately. Really sad.

Maybe... MAYBE if we make the playoffs...

Ericstocracy · Nov 30, 2014

DPOY is already in the books for him, no one even comes close to his level of play.

MVP should be his, but we all know its an offensive award now.

conquistador#11 · Nov 30, 2014

i do agree that you have to get into the playoffs?!!??? to even be considered for an mvp but the qbs need their own award or just change the name to MVQ

tmacfor35 · Nov 30, 2014

To win MVP, I think JJ needs-

Texans to win out

Score two more touchdowns

8 more sacks.

That would be a season never repeated. He may knock out two of those.

ynelilvs99 · Nov 30, 2014

No question he will win DPOY

DonkeyMagic · Nov 30, 2014

For mvp considerations a playoff birth is a must.

BigggReddd · Nov 30, 2014

The question should be "Can Watt not win DPOY this year?"

DonnyMost · Nov 30, 2014

JJ is the most valuable player who is not a quarterback, which is deserving of an award category unto itself.

arkoe · Nov 30, 2014

DonkeyMagic said: ↑

For mvp considerations a playoff birth is a must.
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Agreed. To me this is an even bigger problem than being a defensive player... he's not on a team that matters.

J.R. · Dec 1, 2014

Watt's surging Texans just won't go away

Two years ago, as he was chasing the single-season sack record and batting away roughly a pass per game, J.J. Watt engaged in the MVP conversation.

Watt stumped for himself a bit, saying he believes a defensive player can impact a game just as much as an offensive player. He thought he had as good of a chance as any defensive player to win the award since Lawrence Taylor last did it in 1986 and told me, "If I'm not even in the discussion, I think it's going to be tough for any (defensive player) to ever get into the discussion again."

This year, Watt is building a different kind of MVP résumé, one that might make him more attractive to voters because he's doing what offensive players do: score.

In Sunday's 45-21 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Watt found the end zone for the fifth time this season, and in doing so became the first defensive lineman in NFL history with three or more offensive scrimmage touchdowns and two or more defensive touchdowns in a season. He did so by catching a 1-yard touchdown on a quick out route from Ryan Fitzpatrick, a play set up by Watt's strip sack, fumble recovery and 14-yard return after he knocked the ball out of Jake Locker's hand.

After a performance like that, it's not surprising Watt left the field to chants of "M-V-P" from the home fans.

"I'm fortunate. We have a great fan base here, and they've always been supportive, so I appreciate them," Watt told FOX Sports by phone shortly after the Texans wrapped up their sixth victory of the season. "But like I've always said about awards and things like that, I can only control what I can control -- how I play, how I prepare, how I practice and how I go out there and try to make as many plays as I can. If people feel like voting for me, feel free. I can't control your opinion, so it really doesn't matter to me. I can only control what I can control."

When I told Watt I have an MVP vote and I'd be open to hearing his pitch, just like he gave me two years ago, he took a more passive approach this time around.

It's clear he wants his play, and only his play, to do the talking this time around.

"Nah, that's all right. I appreciate it, but you make up your own mind," Watt said. "Football's a game where you turn on the film and you let me know what you think."

The modern NFL is a quarterback's league. That's how the owners want it, and the recent rule changes have allowed that to occur, so it's not surprising six of the last seven MVP awards have been given out to quarterbacks, with Adrian Peterson the lone exception. Peterson edged out Peyton Manning in 2012. Watt didn't receive a vote.

So perhaps Watt isn't stumping for himself because he's resigned to his fate as merely an annual candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Plus, he's playing for a 6-6 team and will be going up against the likes of Aaron Rodgers and the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers.

But consider Watt's credentials with one month left in the regular season:

--11.5 sacks, which is fifth-most in the league and most among players who aren't exclusively edge rushers;

--Three fumbles forced, one short of his career high;

--Five fumbles recovered, which puts him only one behind Jared Allen for the most in a season since 1990;

--Thirty-six quarterback hits, which is more than any player had all of last season;

--Two defensive touchdowns;

--And three receiving touchdowns for the former tight end, making him the first player in NFL history with three touchdown catches, a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception return for a touchdown in the same season.

The receiving touchdowns are the most impressive part of Watt's season, as each has increased in difficulty.

The first one was a corner route against an Oakland Raiders defense that obviously didn't consider him a threat because no one covered Watt. The second was a fade over Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Kirksey, which was a tough catch to make even for a career offensive player.

Then on Sunday, Watt had to do some pre-snap shifting from a running back position to a wing, a move that surely announced to the Titans' defense the ball was going to Watt. Then, he had to beat linebacker Wesley Woodyard to the edge. Finally, he had to make a catch on a dart from Fitzpatrick that was just outside Woodyard's outstretched hand.

The way Watt executed the play from start to finish, he looked like he'd practiced it dozens of times. But Watt spends so much time on his defensive craft, he said he doesn't have much time to work on his offensive execution. He said he takes a few reps in practice and catches some passes afterward when he can carve out time.

Other than that, it's just natural ability taking over.

"I really appreciate my teammates and coaches for trusting me enough and having that confidence to make those plays," Watt said. "It's a great feeling."

Watt's transitioning into a role on offense mirrors his approach to his MVP candidacy, in that he didn't campaign for a role as a receiver this year after doing so in the past.

"I had always joked about it, but this year I really hadn't said a lot about it," Watt said. "But they came to me at the end of training camp and said they wanted to start working on it. All year long, we kind of worked on it a little bit, and obviously we've had some success with it, so it's been cool."

But enough about individual honors. The Texans are, believe it or not, still alive in the AFC. They're only a game out of a playoff spot, and they have two games against the Jacksonville Jaguars wrapped around a road game against the Indianapolis Colts and a home matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

A 9-7 record is doable, especially with Fitzpatrick's franchise-record six touchdown passes giving him confidence. It's just a matter of whether that will be enough for a postseason berth or whether the Texans have to run the table.

Either way, Sunday's game was a terrific display on a team and personal level for Watt.

"Days like today when everybody is playing well, flying around and making plays, that's what it's all about," Watt said. "You love days like today because everybody's involved and that's what makes it so fun."
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About Watt--if the Texans eke out eight wins, he’s a viable MVP candidate. He won’t win (tough to bet against Aaron Rodgers) but he deserves at least salutatorian distinction. His afternoon in Reliant was masterful:

JJ Watt had 2 sacks, 6 hits on QB, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, a 14-yard fumble return, 1 tackle for loss and a 1-yard TD catch.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) November 30, 2014
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He’s the best, most consistently impactful defensive player I’ve ever seen, right there with Deion Sanders, Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor in their primes. The Texans still have somewhat viable playoff breath. They draw 2-10 Jacksonville twice, get inconsistent Baltimore at home and get a shot to close ground on the Colts in two weeks. It’s not inconceivable they win out and sneak into the playoffs with 10 wins. If they manage that feat, Watt will be the reason why and deserves the MVP over even the masterful Rodgers.

http://football.realgm.com/src_article/2560/20141201/$10_after_nfl_week_13/
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conquistador#11 · Dec 1, 2014

fun articles to read.
what watt is doing is just as impressive or even more so than what rodgers is doing.
so you can throw for 6,ooo yards, that don't impress me much. =)

I wonder how the numbers would like if they allowed the defensive line to line up on the neutral zone. oh and the 0-line can't use their hands to block if the defender makes contact first. =/

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