Houston Texans back DE J.J. Watt for norms-defying MVP selection – NFL News
All Houston Texans players are backing teammate defensive end J.J. Watt to be considered for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) selection alongside quarterbacks this season, although they realise that a defensive player is already considered a competitive candidate
in the race for MVP.
Watt is star performer for the Houston Texans this season, and has pulled off for them some of difficult victories. He is leading player in sacks, tied with Aldon Smith with 19.5 sacks.
His teammate and fellow pass rusher Antonio Smith thinks:
"Frankly, I'm just tired of everybody thinking that only offensive players can be MVP. Get out of the old, step into the new. Vote J.J. Watt."
Smith’s anxiety may be seen genuine but there is no defensive player declared a MVP since 1986, since Lawrence Taylor had the honour. Quarterbacks are the luckiest lot to have been receiving the special award during the course of nearly two and a half decades.
For example, former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is the only player in the league who has been a MVP selection four consecutive times, while he was with them for more than a decade after becoming pro in 1998.
It appears that Watt has a remote chance of consideration for a MVP along with the quarterback this season. If we look at performance and stature of the defensive player it should not be a surprise if he is a MVP of this season.
He remains the main product of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Although the offensive line of the Texans has been performing well in the season, there are some victories, which could have been difficult for them without Watt. For example, he completely
blocked Indianapolis Colts star performer Andrew Luck in the 14th game of the season, which was comprehensively won by the Texans.
This is second straight year that the Texans are among top few defences in the league, and game of J.J. Watt along with his backup crop stands crucial to the success. DC Phillips has often won praise from head coach Gary Kubiak and owner Bob McNair for immense
success of the defensive end.
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