Steelers’ T.J. Watt unconcerned with how analytics evaluate him vs. other top edge rushers
After a week in which comparisons between T.J. Watt and Myles Garrett became common among fans because some of them found the conclusions on the topic unearthed by advanced analytics to be … curious … Watt was in no mood to offer his opinions.
On his relative worth to Garrett or on the usage of analytics in general.
“I don’t have time for all that stuff, honestly,” Watt said after Pittsburgh Steelers practice Friday. “It’s a short week here. Not enough time to take a look at all that stuff.”
The Watt-vs.-Garrett comparison has endured for years, and it might yet for years to come. After all, there’s a good argument they are the two best edge defenders of their generation — and they happen to play for AFC North rivals.
The debate came to head in recent days after their teams met Monday night in Pittsburgh. Watt had four tackles (two for loss, two solo), four QB hits, a batted-down pass, a sack and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown during a game in which his Pittsburgh Steelers beat Garrett’s Cleveland Browns, 26-22.
Garrett’s stat line? One tackle, one QB hit.
Yet, Pro Football Focus graded Garrett as having the better game of the two.
Steelers fans feigned outrage. But if Watt didn’t appreciate PFF’s conclusion, he wasn’t going to let anyone know.
“I am so focused on what we are doing here,” Watt said. “I always appreciate the top guys who are doing it at a high level but can’t focus on that too much.”
ANOTHER HIGHSMITH AND WATT COMBO. TOUCHDOWN STEELERS.
????: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
????: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/3T15PdcCSI— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
This week’s Steelers opponent features another elite edge rusher in the Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby.
Watt expressed respect and admiration for Crosby. But he denied having any understanding of PFF grades or other more quantifiable “fancy stats” such as ESPN’s pass-rush win rate.
Does Watt value more basic statistics such as sacks and fumble recoveries more?
“It’s just about winning games, honestly” he said. “It’s about winning a game.”
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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