J.J. Watt Wreaks Havoc on Jets, Rex Ryan Jokes Knicks Should Take a Look at Texans' Monster

J.J. Watt Wreaks Havoc on Jets, Rex Ryan Jokes Knicks Should Take a Look at Texans’ Monster

by Mike Cole on Tue, Oct 9, 2012 at 9:40AM

If you didn't know who J.J. Watt was before Monday night, you probably know who he is now. Assuming, of course, you actually watched Monday Night Football.

If you did such (and as an American, you probably did), you saw the Houston Texans defensive end wreak havoc on the hapless New York Jets offense. The game was probably a little bit closer than the Texans would have liked, but when the dust settled in the Meadowlands swamps, the Texans came away with their undefeated record intact for another week.

It was Watt who was arguably the most impressive player on the football field, while easily earning the distinction of most impressive specimen. The Wisconsin native is an absolute freak, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 295 pounds.

Watt filled up the stat sheet once again on Monday night, chipping in on six tackles — four solo — while also adding a sack. Perhaps most impressively, however, was Watt's ability to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage.

With the Jets trailing 14-7, Mark Sanchez and the New York offense looked to be gaining momentum on the doorstep of a game-tying touchdown before halftime. However, Watt got his hand up at the line and tipped a Sanchez pass at the Houston 12 that fell into the arms of Brice McCain. The corner then took the ball back 84 yards before being taken down. The Texans would add a field goal before the half ended, giving them at least a six-point swing.

Watt's physical prowess makes such impressive feats seem so easy. For a man who is almost 300 pounds, he flies. He ran a 4.84 40-yard dash at the combine a few years back. He's also able to sky with a vertical jump of 37 inches. Perhaps most freakish is the size of his hands. Watt boasts 11 1/8-inch paws. Think about that. His hands are almost a foot long.

Add it all up, and you have one of the most valuable defensive players in the league, and maybe even one of the most valuable players overall in the league.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who knows a thing or two about defensive stars, sang Watt's praise following the game.

"I think the Knicks should pick him up, too, with all the shot blocking he did." – Jets coach Rex Ryan on @jjwatt #TexansGameday @nyknicks

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 9, 2012

Photo of the Day

Cal Ripken Jr. is still making excuses for Mark Teixeira on this E-3.

Quote of the Day

"Everybody always says I'm from the old school, so I'd have probably hugged it first."
–Tigers manager Jim Leyland, after Detroit's Al Alburquerque kissed a ball in the middle of play against Oakland in Game 2 of the ALDS