Former Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt was the most feared player to line up across from in the NFL. But there was a duo in Tom Brady and Bill Belichick that frustrated Watts even on his best days.
On this week's episode of the “Let's Go! Podcast” with legendary sportscaster Jim Gray, Watt spoke to the former New England Patriots coach about how it felt playing against one of the league's greatest dynasties. I had the opportunity to tell you exactly.
Houston Texans defensive end JJ Watt, 99, and New England Patriots shake hands after the game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Quarterback Tom Brady (12 years old). (Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“It's especially frustrating when you play against guys like Coach (Belichick) and quarterbacks like Tom, because on our side we can do whatever we want. We're going to try and fudge things all week. I'm going to do it,” Watt said.
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“We're like, 'Okay, let's throw this two-high and then rotate through to the single-high look.'” If we do that and think we're great, we're fooling our parents. It's like a little kid thinking, “No, I know exactly what you're doing.'' At the last moment, the parent says, “No, I know exactly what you're doing.'' ”
Watt said that no matter how good his pass rush was, Brady was too fast to beat.
“Tom just comes in, makes a check, knows exactly where he wants the ball to go, and fires the ball there. And everything you've done all week has been for nothing. And it's frustrating. , so annoying, and then from my perspective as a defensive end, the coach throws me a chip, so I have to beat the tackle, I have to beat the chip, luckily. , I happened to beat them both on one play, and guess what? Tom threw the ball in 1.7 seconds, so I couldn't get there anyway. They had a pass rush, but it was all for nothing, and that's the most frustrating part of it all. It worked so well, but did they always know how to counteract the best players on defense? .”
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes under pressure from Houston Texans' JJ Watt during the first quarter at Reliant Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013. (Jessica Rinaldi, The Boston Globe, via Getty Images)
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Watt went on to praise Belichick and Brady as “the two best guys ever,” but had only one complaint to add about the time they played against each other during their 12-year careers.
“I wish I could have said we beat them a little bit more.”
Watts spent most of his career with the Texans. During that time, the Patriots went 6-2 against the Texans, with Houston winning the last two games.
Tom Brady, No. 12, speaks with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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However, the dissatisfaction seemed to be mutual. Belichick said he has to game plan every play with a player like Watt.
“When you run for the Hall of Fame, you have my vote.”
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