Looking Back: Tyron Smith or JJ Watt?

[KJJ]

Free was terrible other then his first season at LT.Free was so bad he almost got cut by he took a pay cut instead

If Free was so terrible back in 2011 how come the Cowboys didn't allow him to test free agency and signed him to a 32M contact with 17M guaranteed? You're thinking about the Free who regressed after signing that contract he played very well prior to it which is why he got paid.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Hmmm... in 2014 Watt had:

• 20.5 sacks
• 78 tackles (just 3 less than Ro McClain who plays middle LB)
• 10 passes defensed (more than Scandrick, the Cowboy's best DB)
• 4 forced fumbles
• 5 fumble recoveries
• 5 TDs (3 Receiving, 1 on a INT, 1 on a fumble recovery)

The guy is a absolute monster. Take away all 20 of those sacks and he still had a monster (if not odd) season as a DL.

and they went 9-7 and still missed the playoffs. again, if you don't have a QB, you got nothing. LT is second most important position on offense.

 

[perrykemp]

That game against Philly we lost because Orton threw 2 interceptions and Clutts lost a fumble. Defense held decent. We also lost the Commanders game cause of offense turnovers.

Stay with your agenda though

Really?

So you don't think the fact that the Redkins ran for 274 yards in that 2012 season-ending game and the Cowboys only sacked RG3 once (while allowing him to throw for 1 TD, 0 interception) had anything to do with the loss?

You don't think the fact the Cowboys collecting a grand total of 0 sacks against the Eagles in 2013 and the fact the Eagles went for over 400 yards had any bearing on the game?

That is just crazy.

 

[foofighters]

Romo could have been done on the block Tyron missed on Watt. He had a clean shot at Romo but Romo made a nice move to elude him. Had he not seen Watt it could have been over for Romo at least in that game. Tyron got beat like a dead horse on that play and it's not the first time I've seen him beat like that. I think Tyron is a very good player but I don't think he's as great as some try and make him out to be. He gets penalized a lot and does get beat on occasion. I don't see him as irreplaceable. Although Zach Martin had a bad game vs Philly I've been more impressed with him than Tyron he made All Pro as a rookie. Free was a pretty good LT prior to Tyron's arrival it got him resigned to a nice contract several years ago. Our LT position hasn't cost Romo any games since he took over in 06. What Watt brings to the table is a lot harder to find than what Tyron brings. Watt is a game changer and if I had the opportunity to grab a player like Watt over a guy who blocks I'm doing it without hesitation.

Then why aren't you coaching? I admit I don't pay much attention to Watt but I bet he's also made costly mistakes. But I suppose you're right with the Texans winning the last for Super Bowls because of him. The grass is always greener on the other side.

 

[KJJ]

I didn't even read your novel by the first sentence you tried to say the player Watt is.

I ask you again. ....where has he taken Houston? I will tel you. ...top 10 picks in the draft including the number 1 overall pick

If you didn't read my entire post why bother responding? What do you mean ask me again? This is the first time you asked me anything on this topic. How far can a DE take a team that has QB issues? Can you point to a great DE who's ever taken a team anywhere that didn't have a stable QB situation? I know Watt does a lot but he doesn't throw passes maybe the Texans should try him at QB. lol Watt has been a apart of 2 playoffs wins back when Matt Schaub looked like a viable NFL QB.

 

[KJJ]

Then why aren't you coaching? I admit I don't pay much attention to Watt but I bet he's also made costly mistakes. But I suppose you're right with the Texans winning the last for Super Bowls because of him. The grass is always greener on the other side.

Coaching would be the last thing I would want to do I have a much better gig and don't have to worry about getting fired. lol I never got past high school football as a player and am not qualified to be a coach at any level. All players make some mistakes Watt made one against Romo that helped cost his team but that happens to every player. It certainly didn't affect how anyone felt about him because he was still voted the best player in the league on NFL Networks top 100 players. There's only so much a DE can do on a team that has QB issues. When the Texans had a QB (Schaub) who played at a high level they made the playoffs 2 straight seasons and won 2 playoff games.

 

[KJJ]

That game against Philly we lost because Orton threw 2 interceptions and Clutts lost a fumble. Defense held decent. We also lost the Commanders game cause of offense turnovers.

The turnovers were costly but the game was lost because the Cowboys couldn't run the ball they had only 56 rushing yards putting the game on Kyle Orton who didn't play that bad. The Cowboys defense couldn't stop McCoy who had 131 yards rushing and a TD. Orton had a Romo type game with 358 yards 2 TD's and a couple of picks one of which came at the worst possible time because the game was put on him.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

If Free was so terrible back in 2011 how come the Cowboys didn't allow him to test free agency and signed him to a 32M contact with 17M guaranteed? You're thinking about the Free who regressed after signing that contract he played very well prior to it which is why he got paid.

Read my first statement again

 

[Irvin88_4life]

Really?

So you don't think the fact that the Redkins ran for 274 yards in that 2012 season-ending game and the Cowboys only sacked RG3 once (while allowing him to throw for 1 TD, 0 interception) had anything to do with the loss?

You don't think the fact the Cowboys collecting a grand total of 0 sacks against the Eagles in 2013 and the fact the Eagles went for over 400 yards had any bearing on the game?

That is just crazy.

To think offense turnovers helped contribute to the lost is a false statement then that's crazy

 

[robjay04]

It's not even close when you consider the bargain contract we have Smith on.

We have Smith locked up for more years and less guaranteed money than Watt's contract and both have similar production for their respective positions.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

If you didn't read my entire post why bother responding? What do you mean ask me again? This is the first time you asked me anything on this topic. How far can a DE take a team that has QB issues? Can you point to a great DE who's ever taken a team anywhere that didn't have a stable QB situation? I know Watt does a lot but he doesn't throw passes maybe the Texans should try him at QB. lol Watt has been a apart of 2 playoffs wins back when Matt Schaub looked like a viable NFL QB.

Without Smith, Romo would never make it back from back injury. Without Romo we don't make playoffs

 

[Noryb]

The dude couldn't help his team win more than 2 games in 2013, that's with decent players surrounding him. You're here telling me he would have dominated so much on defense that he would have covered up the failings of nearly every other aspect on defense?

Some of you are taking a great player and making him a damn legend. Same as most of you did with Peterson in the offseason. No, Watt wouldn't have changed the outcome of the 2013 season.

I haven't seen one of the Watt lovers explain this. It's mind boggling.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

The turnovers were costly but the game was lost because the Cowboys couldn't run the ball they had only 56 rushing yards putting the game on Kyle Orton who didn't play that bad. The Cowboys defense couldn't stop McCoy who had 131 yards rushing and a TD. Orton had a Romo type game with 358 yards 2 TD's and a couple of picks one of which came at the worst possible time because the game was put on him.

When you go 3 and outs and turn the ball over and leave the defense on the field you can't expect them to not give up scores. To think otherwise is inane

 

[burmafrd]

We had a HOF player from 2005 to 2013. One of the absolute best to ever wear the Star. which is saying a lot considering our history. But he had very little help virtually all the time he was here. Only Ellis for his first few years was any real threat to sack the QB. Spencer a couple of limited times showed something. Outside of that we had JAGS and guys a step up from that all too much.

And as I pointed out we got very little accomplished as regards championships.

So big deal that Watt is lighting it up. I do not see that getting a Lombardi for Houston. They ain't got a QB and in this day and age where the D is more and more handicapped by rule changes (and 'interpretations') I do not see a team like the Ravens and the Bucs winning it with minimal help from the offense. So who cares what he does if he cannot make that much of a difference?

 

[JIGGYFLY]

Watt made Tyron look like a bum on this play could have easily got Romo killed. Click on Youtube.

And Leary handled Watt most of the day should he be in this discussion?

 

[TwentyOne]

Smith. Romo would likely be done if not for Tyron.

Isnt Romo hurt and out for 8 weeks ?

My point is. It takes more then 1 LT to protect your QB. This discussions seems to tmake it look the way "We only need Smith and Tony will be safe".

But you need 5 good OL player (and TEs and RBs) who all have to play together to protect your QB. IMPOV you can achieve this goal by having 5 good OL player. You dont necessesarily need one Hall of Fame LT. But you only need one talented DL player like Watts to destroy an offensive line.

 

[burmafrd]

Isnt Romo hurt and out for 8 weeks ?

My point is. It takes more then 1 LT to protect your QB. This discussions seems to tmake it look the way "We only need Smith and Tony will be safe".

But you need 5 good OL player (and TEs and RBs) who all have to play together to protect your QB. IMPOV you can achieve this goal by having 5 good OL player. You dont necessesarily need one Hall of Fame LT. But you only need one talented DL player like Watts to destroy an offensive line.

and that is ridiculous. Please identify the O lines destroyed by Watt. And by the way what games can you point to that he WON? I will be waiting with interest.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Buffalo. Last season I believe. Bills driving. JJ picked off a pass & ran it back 80 yards for a td & the Texans were never behind after that.

He's absolutely a game changer.

so to answer the OP'S question JJ all day long.

 

[KJJ]

Read my first statement again

You said "Free was terrible other than his first season at LT" and you're wrong. He was very good at RT in 2009 stepping in for Marc Colombo who suffered a season ending injury. In 7 games that season Free only gave up one sack. It was his play at RT from 09 to 2010 that got the Cowboys to switch him to LT where he played great for one season. It was his solid play for over 2 seasons that earned him that 32M contract with 17M guaranteed. It was after signing that contract that his play at LT regressed causing the Cowboys to switch him back to RT and move Tyron to LT. Free was still a liability and that resulted in him almost getting cut and having to take a pay cut.

 

[KJJ]

And Leary handled Watt most of the day should he be in this discussion?

Leary should only be in the discussion if you would rather have him over Watt. No player has their way every week but Watt is arguably the best, most disruptive defensive player the league has seen since Lawrence Taylor.