Looking Back: Tyron Smith or JJ Watt?

[Risen Star]

Watt plays a position that gets attention. Tyron doesn't. When Watt dominates, you'll hear about it practically on a per down basis. When Tyron dominates, you rarely will. Tyron has been just as dominant at his position as Watt is at his. So take your pick. For me, it all starts at QB and then you need to protect his blindside. So Tyron over Watt.

 

[Corso]

jj watt. it's ok guys to admit it.

Sorry, but x is right. Protecting Romo is number one.
You see Watt willing his team to ANY victories?

 

[Idgit]

Watt is a significantly better player. The only question I have is whether or not he'll have as long a career as Smith is younger and his best attributes aren't as likely to leave him as he ages. But just as far as their ability goes, It's Watt all day, every day for me.

But then, I don't root for laundry and decals.

 

[Roadtrip635]

Depends, would we still have gotten Collins and could he slide out to LT?

 

[TheCoolFan]

JJ Watt easily. No disrespect to Tyron, who is also great, but Watt is arguably a Top-5 player in the NFL. One man alone cannot protect Romo...we've had Tyron and Romo's still gotten hurt nearly every season. QBs will get knocked around regardless of who is at LT. After seeing our defenses the last 4 years, I just know a Watt and Ware duo would have been downright SCARY. Add Sean Lee to the mix and we really could have had an all-time defense. We've had a good LT in Flozell Adams and we did fairly well with him. However, Ware has never had another dominant player on the defense next to him...I truly think that would have made the difference all these years.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I tend to prefer Watt because he's just better. You can talk about how long he will play, but all-time great DE's tend to pay longer and the time is now anyway.

However, we got Smith to re-sign at a favorable contract compared to Watt (IIRC).







YR

 

[perrykemp]

People have grown numb to the greatness of JJ Watt because he does it year in and year out.

Beyond delivering roughly 15 sacks per season as a 3-4 end, sucking up double-team blocks on every play -- the stuff people know.... the thing people don't realize:

His run stuffing ability is beyond amazing. Did you know he had roughly as many tackles as the the Cowboy's leading tackler, Rolando McClain, last year? He had 78 tackles last season. McClain had 81.

How about pass defense? Do you know he had more passes defensed (10) than the Cowboy's best CB last year, Orlando Scandrick (8)?

He had 4 touchdowns.

It goes on and on.

He is doing things that have never been seen before and he makes it look easy.

He is a once in a generation talent.

 

[Corso]

Watt is a significantly better player. The only question I have is whether or not he'll have as long a career as Smith is younger and his best attributes aren't as likely to leave him as he ages. But just as far as their ability goes, It's Watt all day, every day for me.

But then, I don't root for laundry and decals.

I do. And it's colors are silver and blue and the decal is a Star.

 

[DallasDomination]

I love Smith but jj watt is one in a million kind of player. A guy that can anchor a championship defense. No question I'm going Watt.

 

[kevm3]

Tyron. Must have forgotten how long Romo has had time to throw compared to some of the seasons in the past and how Murray looks now that he no longer has a great O line blocking for him.

 

[PBCCowboy]

That was a good question in 2011.
It's inconsequential now.
Why trouble your mind venturing into the "what if" territory?

 

[Denim Chicken]

If Romo didn't have eyes in the back of his head last season Watt might have ended his career.....against Smith

http://gfycat.com/DeterminedSaneIberianmole

 

[slick325]

Without looking at the other responses... Tyron everyday all day. Love JJ Watt but this thought that he is that much of a difference maker is funny. I saw Lawrence Taylor play and know what a dominant defense player can do for a franchise. They transform it to their will. See Reggie White in Green Bay. Watt is very very very good but he hasn't been a reason that the Texans can be transformed or a playoff team.

Lawrence Taylor may be the 2nd best football player of all time arguably... Watt is very very very good but not that guy. I take the OLineman that will be All Pro throughout and Pro Bowl throughout everyday. Both pivitol spots but unless you are Taylor or White you seem to fall short while if you aren't Munoz but can be Ogden or Boselli you are revered.

 

[cowboys1981]

Smith..

 

[The Natural]

Something tells me JJ Watt wouldn't have been JJ Watt in Dallas

 

[RS12]

Right decision was made at the time, there should be no looking back. I think both look like HOFers in about 20 years.

 

[Zordon]

Sorry, but x is right. Protecting Romo is number one.
You see Watt willing his team to ANY victories?

adding jj in turn makes romo less valuable to the team bc the defense automatically improves.

plus just because you draft watt doesn't mean you can't address the LT position own the road.

 

[brymatt94]

It's tough to find a player that fits a need and has the talent of Tyron. At that time tackle was a big need for the Cowboys, defensive end wasn't. They would have double downed on DE and possibly go on a search the next few years for a decent OT.

 

[Noryb]

Without looking at the other responses... Tyron everyday all day. Love JJ Watt but this thought that he is that much of a difference maker is funny. I saw Lawrence Taylor play and know what a dominant defense player can do for a franchise. They transform it to their will. See Reggie White in Green Bay. Watt is very very very good but he hasn't been a reason that the Texans can be transformed or a playoff team.

Lawrence Taylor may be the 2nd best football player of all time arguably... Watt is very very very good but not that guy. I take the OLineman that will be All Pro throughout and Pro Bowl throughout everyday. Both pivitol spots but unless you are Taylor or White you seem to fall short while if you aren't Munoz but can be Ogden or Boselli you are revered.

Houston's lack of dominance on the defensive side of the ball despite the greatness of Watt has always puzzled me. It's not like they haven't invested heavily on that side of the ball during Watt's tenure either.

2009 15th overall Brian Cushing Linebacker Southern California
2010 20th overall Kareem Jackson Cornerback Alabama
2011 11th overall J.J. WattDefensive End Wisconsin
2012 26th overall Whitney MercilusOutside Linebacker Illinois
2014 1st overall Jadeveon Clowney Defensive End South Carolina
2015 16th overall Kevin Johnson Cornerback Wake Forest

Throw in second rounders such as Connor Barwin, Brooks Reed, and DJ Swearinger and it becomes even more of a head scratcher.

That's nine defensive players drafted in the 1st or 2nd round in the last 7 years.

Edit: They also drafted Brandon Harris CB in the 2nd round so make that ten players.

 

[btcutter]

jj watt. it's ok guys to admit it.

I agree! And it's not even that close.

Watts is a probably Hall of Fame bound. The guy is amazing. Produces every game despite being double or triple teamed.
One man wrecking crew!