Former Wisconsin Badgers defensive end JJ Watt is one of the best, if not the best, players produced by the program. A native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Watt, and his brothers dominated with the Badgers before forging successful NFL careers. Earlier this off-season JJ Watt announced his retirement from the NFL, however, he has stayed active with the league ever since his retirement. Today he released a statement that put NFL critics on blast for judging players based on their first week of OTAs.
JJ Watt Blasts NFL Critics For Judging Players Off OTAs
In a video post by JJ Watt, he has this to say:
“‘Rookie has rough practice in his first week of OTAs.’ Yeah, that’s called being a rookie. It’s called first week of OTAs,” Watt said. “I had rough practices every single year in my 12 years. I’ve had rough games. I’ve had multiple rough games. S–t’s hard. It’s the National Football League.”
“This is part of the reason why it’s tough for guys to develop. Because we’re judging everybody on every single individual rep every single day,” he continued. “We’re posting videos online of practice reps and guys working on their craft and guys trying to do new things. It’s one of the reasons that guys are scared to try a new pass-rush move in one-on-ones in practice, which is when you should be working on your pass-rush moves, because they’re scared that somebody’s going to film it and put it online, and because they got blocked, now they look like an idiot. Let guys develop. Let guys grow.”
“I understand, this is a business. We’re paid millions of dollars, and you expect greatness right out of the gate out of every single guy, and you’re going to say, ‘Suck it up and deal with it.’ But let’s let guys develop. Let’s let guys get some practices under their belt. Let’s let guys get into the league. Let’s let them grow as a player. Let’s let them get some NFL coaching. We don’t need to be sh—ing all over guys on their first week of practice in the National Football League. Just let them grow.”
Watt makes a strong point. With social media more reactionary than ever, rookies are under a microscope by defenders and critics. Not everything from OTAs is noteworthy… but the NFL media has to eat. As far as the season starting, OTAs are the media’s first chance to see players in action.
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