T.J. Watt's first impression with Steelers the rare preseason thrill

By Chris Mueller

http://www.timesonline.com/sports

August 15, 2017

T.J. Watt sacks Josh Johnson in last week's preseason opener. (Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports)

You may recall that our time together in this space last week discussed the plight of the Steelers’ defense, one racked yet again by injuries to multiple members of the secondary, players ranging from the promising (Artie Burns) to the battle-hardened (Mike Mitchell) to the unknown (Cameron Sutton and sadly, Senquez Golson).

Last Friday’s preseason opener, a win over the New York Giants, offered flashes of hope that even if the secondary isn’t vastly improved this year, it may appear to be anyway. The reason? A rookie that, at first blush, made an eye-opening impression.

You would be forgiven, this close to the end of the Jarvis Jones Era, for forgetting what it is like to see a first-round defender make a major impact right off the bat. Sure, the usual disclaimers about preseason football apply, but T.J. Watt was present and accounted for, and if someone had told you before the game that the Steelers’ first-round pick was playing defense, but didn’t identify who it was, you wouldn’t have had to wait long to reach an answer.

Watt made plays when he was blocked. He made plays when he was unblocked. He flew all over the field and was noticeable in a good way. He displayed the combination of athletic ability, tenacity, explosiveness and finishing ability you’d expect from a first-rounder. His unblocked sack, one that required him to plant his foot and change direction quickly, drew raves from Joey Porter.

So eye-opening was Watt’s work that Porter more or less anointed Watt and Bud Dupree the Steelers’ primary pass-rushers for every snap, save ones where they need a breather or are injured. Yes, that means that the ageless James Harrison has been relegated to, as Porter put it, the role of “relief pitcher.”

This is a good thing, of course. Harrison’s workouts and longevity have earned him status as a cult favorite in the waning years of his career, but the fact of the matter is that the Steelers stand to be much, much better if Watt and Dupree are logging the bulk of the snaps. Harrison might not be happy about this, but his stubborn hold on the lion’s share of snaps for one outside linebacker spot was nothing less than a condemnation of Jones.

Youth is served at just about every position in the NFL. The list of players pushing 40 and playing at a Pro Bowl level is one: Tom Brady. Harrison’s ability to fight off Father Time has been a fun story in a sense, but also has served as a stark reminder of the Steelers’ defensive shortfalls.

T.J. Watt may not win Defensive Rookie of the Year. He might not log 15 sacks. He might not instantly become the best player on the Steelers’ defense. He might not be the singular difference that puts the Steelers over the top against Tom Brady. But he certainly appears to be off to a better start than Jarvis Jones. He certainly appears to be the kind of potential high impact player the Steelers desperately needed at outside linebacker. He appears to be the kind of guy that may be a big boost to a team trying to maximize the last few seasons of Ben Roethlisberger’s career.

One exhibition game does not a career make, but for a fan base accustomed to a few recent high-profile flops at what was once the most glamorous defensive post in the franchise, it was welcome proof that the world hasn’t turned completely upside down, that a guy can step in at outside linebacker with pedigree and expectations, and at the very least deliver the kind of performance that gets fans thinking about his ceiling, not wondering if they’re looking at his floor.

Chris Mueller is the co-host of "The Starkey & Mueller Show" from 2-6 p.m. weekdays on 93.7 The Fan.