Tag: J.J. Watt release

Opinion: Chairman and CEO Cal McNair is jackhammering Texans’ foundation, not building upon it

Chairman and CEO Cal McNair says he is building upon the Houston Texans’ foundation to generate more success, but actions indicate otherwise.

Cal McNair has been using a particular phrase, or a variant thereof, following the departures of key franchise figures last week: “We will now build upon this foundation… to bring a championship to our city.”

Take a look at what McNair said in a statement following the announcement of team president Jamey Rootes’ resignation on Feb. 12.

“We will now build upon this foundation and move forward with a bold and unwavering commitment to winning championships, creating memorable experiences for our fans, and doing great things for Houston.”

That seems well and good. After all, maybe Rootes wants to pursue being a writer, professor at the University of Houston, or is disinterested in his job. After all, he was with the organization since 2000, two years before they even played a down. The Texans do need to build upon the foundation Rootes helped lay and go out and win championships.

Then, when the club announced on Feb. 12 they were releasing defensive end J.J. Watt, McNair said this in a statement.

“For now, we will build upon the foundation that J.J. created here and forge ahead with our unwavering mission to bring a championship to our city, create memorable experiences for our fans and do great things for Houston.”

Now, it is evident McNair talking about building upon the foundation and moving forward to win championships is a thing he says, but not necessarily an action that is carried out.

Although Watt had a dismal season by his standards with 5.0 sacks and two forced fumbles through a healthy 16 games, he isn’t washed up. Pro Football Focus had him as their 49th-best player in the NFL last season — better than Seattle LB Bobby Wagner, Raiders QB Derek Carr, Saints DE Cam Jordan, and even RB Alvin Kamara.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year showed flashes of dominance, what with 14 tackles for loss, tied for seventh-most in the NFL, and seven pass breakups, tied with his brother, T.J. Watt, for the fifth-most among non-defensive backs. Among defensive linemen, Watt’s seven pass breakups were tied with Denver defensive end Shelby Harris for the most in the league. The former 2011 first-round pick also produced an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

The best defensive end on the team has to go, but the team will build upon his foundation and win a championship. How? Who else is going to generate extreme pressure off the edge? Houston’s defense was bottom-5 with Watt in run defense and pass defense.

The fact Watt is leaving renders any statements about building upon his foundation to be a travesty. The team is releasing Watt because he can’t play? Bless your heart. The team is releasing Watt because his $17.5 million is non-guaranteed and Houston was already in the hole? That makes more sense.

One of the reasons Houston is in the situation they are in is because of bad salary cap decisions and roster construction in 2020. Why trade away DeAndre Hopkins for running back David Johnson, who is going to cost you $8.8 million in 2021 and $2.1 million to cut? Why sign receiver Randall Cobb, who costs $10.4 million, when you had a great one in Hopkins? Why cut Tashaun Gipson, pay him $4.25 million not to play, and then signed Eric Murray to a free agent contract?

Watt can still play, but Houston couldn’t pay, and that is a foundation for frustration and mediocrity, not winning championships.

Fans and media tend to blame Jack Easterby for everything — he is the new Bill O’Brien. However, the buck stops with McNair. Though he may be a reason why the Texans are about to go through purgatory, Easterby isn’t responsible for all of the Texans’ sins.

McNair chose to take a move out of the Jets’ playbook and fire a general manager the Friday before mandatory minicamp in 2019.

McNair allowed O’Brien to mortgage the future for a left tackle.

McNair doubled-up his coach as general manager when history is replete with failed examples.

McNair told Deshaun Watson he would seek his input when it came to the new coach and general manager, and did neither.

It can be argued Easterby, the character coach, is too big for his britches, but somehow, not only did the New England Patriots know how to use him, but they haven’t won a playoff game since his departure. They didn’t make him the executive vice president of football operations. McNair is more to blame for anything destructive Easterby does because he allows it go transpire without repercussion.

At the start of the 2020 offseason, the Texans had three players on their roster who ended up on Pro Football Focus’ top 101 players in the NFL. All of the teams that qualified for the playoffs had at least three such players on their roster. Houston traded one away, released another at the end of the year, and are in a game of chicken with the third, who plays the most consequential position in the game.

What is surprising about the Texans’ fall is McNair has been around the team in a daily capacity since at least 2008 when he was named vice chairman. From 2012-18, he was the chief operating officer. From this exposure alone, if McNair were to spit in the Teal Lot, that spit would know more about the NFL than the average fan. Yet, even average fans know in their gut the team is deconstructing and reverting to a phase back in their expansion years.

In some ways, the Texans are kind of like the Houston Oilers if they never left in 1997. Everything the fans enjoy is being ripped from them, but the team will stay in the Bayou City. It won’t be the same Texans of Andre Johnson, Watt, Hopkins, and possibly Watson, but they will still be in town. Houston can keep the records and jerseys of this team that still abandoned them but not their stadium.

The greatest attribute of the Texans under the late Bob McNair was consistency. He gave Charley Casserly and Dom Capers a good four seasons to build a winner. He gave Gary Kubiak almost eight seasons to get the team beyond the divisional round, and maybe Kubiak could have stayed longer if not for the 2-14 finish in 2013. McNair even stood by O’Brien after getting shutout 30-0 at home in the wild-card playoffs in 2015. Even if they weren’t successful, McNair gave them time, not acted with more impatience than the late Al Davis.

The Texans have to get back to being consistent. That is how the team can build upon the foundation of franchise heroes to being championships to Houston.

[vertical-gallery id=59002]

Texans explored option to trade DE J.J. Watt

The Houston Texans tried to trade defensive end J.J. Watt, but felt it would be best to release him prior to the start of free agency.

The Houston Texans did it again. They let an All-Pro get away and didn’t get the necessary draft compensation.

The Texans released defensive end J.J. Watt on Feb. 12. Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair told the Houston Chronicle’s John McClain that the team did explore every option, but did not elaborate when asked they didn’t try to trade him.

Chairman and CEO Cal McNair was asked Friday why the Texans didn’t trade Watt for a draft choice rather than release him.

“We did evaluate all the options and thought this was the right decision for J.J. and the Texans,” he said. “It’s one that was mutually agreed on, and we felt doing the right thing by J.J. was important.

“Not every decision is easy, and they’re not always easily understood. We want to do what’s right by our players and our fans, and the focus is on bringing a championship to Houston.”

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport explained on the Pat McAfee Show that in order to trade Watt, they would have had to have found a willing partner that would give up fair compensation and also be willing to rework Watt’s contract, which will be in its last year with $17.5 million not guaranteed.

With the way the Texans let Watt go, it allows for the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to pick his destination rather than have to move the heavens in order to make a situation fit around him.

[listicle id=59013]

J.J. Watt says Houston residents have made $99 donations to his foundation

Former Texans defensive end J.J. Watt says that residents of Houston have made donations to his eponymous foundation in the amount of $99.

The city of Houston loves J.J. Watt, the greatest player in the history of the Texans franchise.

Why not? Not only did Watt provide the Texans with the best chance to win in the 2010s with impact plays on defense, earning three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in the process, but he also made an impact off the field. There is no better example than the $41.6 million Watt raised in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in August of 2017.

Watt gave his all to Houston.

In a show of respect and appreciation, Watt reported on Twitter that donations of $99 poured in to the Watt Foundation following his release from the Texans on Feb. 12.

The former 2011 first-round pick from Wisconsin may finish his NFL career in another city, but no one in Houston will be able to forget the charity and generosity he gave while with the Texans.

Texans RT Tytus Howard shares funny story about his first practice with J.J. Watt

Houston Texans right tackle Tytus Howard shared a comical story on Twitter about his first week practicing against DE J.J. Watt.

The Houston Texans released All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt on Feb. 12, and it stirred a host of appreciation posts.

For Texans right tackle Tytus Howard, the former 2019 first-round pick took to Twitter to share a funny story about his former teammate.

“Funny story about JJ lol,” Howard tweeted on Feb. 12. “It was my first week and some of the other vets were like Tytus chill out we don’t have on pads yet,” Howard punctuated with a laughing-crying emoji.

“So I chill out and go to block JJ all lazy and got billed all the way into Deshaun [Watson]. So I’m looking dumb and embarrassed and turn around and look at some of the other lineman and they were laughing.

“I quickly learned that you can’t take no plays off on JJ. So we competed everyday and he got me better.”

Watt, who earned three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in his time with Houston from 2011-20, made teammates better who wanted to be better.

[listicle id=59013]

7 Texans who should have played their entire careers in Houston

The Houston Texans have let their fair share of legends and fan favorites leave. Here are seven who should have finished up as Texans.

The Houston Texans have had some legends and fan favorites since the franchise’s 2002 inception. However, some of the biggest names in team history have rarely played their entire NFL careers in Houston.

In no particular order, here are seven players who should have spent their entire NFL careers with the Texans.

Can former Texans DE J.J. Watt still produce as an edge rusher?

DE J.J. Watt is leaving the Houston Texans after 10 seasons. Can he still be a productive pass rusher in his 11th NFL season?

The Houston Texans and defensive end J.J. Watt announced Friday that the face of the franchise will be released, a request that the former 2011 first-round pick made of the McNair family.

In general, teams don’t just release players unless there are issues with their playing ability. Furthermore, Watt was entering the final year of his contract and would cost the team $17.5 million of non-guaranteed money on the salary cap.

Can Watt still rush the passer at a high level?

According to Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year can still be a quality player on the outside.

Teams vetting Watt at this point will be just as interested in his snap counts as what he’s doing with those snaps, especially with his injury history. In 2020, Watt played 1,016 total snaps, his highest total since 2016, when  he amassed 1,026 snaps. So, no problem there.

Watt was the premier multi-gap defensive lineman of his era at his peak, and one of the best in NFL history. Over time, his role with the Texans reduced to the edge for the most part. In 2020, per Pro Football Focus, Watt played 702 snaps at LEO, 134 snaps at REO, 90 snaps at left end, and 32 snaps at right end. He played just 10 snaps at defensive left tackle, eight at right defensive tackle, 10 at any kind of nose tackle, and a handful of snaps as an off-ball linebacker.

Does he still have what it takes as a potentially dominant edge guy for the next few seasons? Per the tape, the answer is: Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. Add in the multi-gap potential, and we’ve got liftoff.

If Watt lands in a situation where he is just one of the guys getting after the quarterback, and not the sole playmaker on the defense, he could rebound with a Pro Bowl season with his new team.

[listicle id=58998]

Texans QB Deshaun Watson calls DE J.J. Watt ‘one of the greatest of all time’

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took to Twitter and expressed his appreciation for former teammate, defensive end J.J. Watt.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson knows how much defensive J.J. Watt means to the franchise.

The club and Watt agreed to part ways on Friday, and Watt will become a free agent able to sign with any team in the NFL.

Watson took to Twitter and expressed his appreciation for the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“Salute to one of the Greatest of All Time @JJWatt,” Watson tweeted on Friday. “I appreciate you for all the work you put in and more importantly the person you are. Any team in the league will be better the day you [put] on their jersey! 1OVE my brother! MORE Glory,” and then added praying hands as a punctuation.

Watson and Watt achieved two AFC South titles and a playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in the 2019 AFC wild-card.

With the face of the franchise from the 2010s now looking for a new team, Houston sports fans are hopeful the face of the franchise for the 2020s stays with the Texans.

7 NFL teams that make sense for former Texans DE J.J. Watt

DE J.J. Watt will be looking for a new team after the Houston Texans released him. Here are seven teams that make sense.

The Houston Texans and defensive end J.J. Watt will be parting ways after the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year asked for his release on Friday.

Here are seven new NFL teams that would make sense for Watt to join in 2021.

Twitter reacts to the Texans releasing of DE J.J. Watt

Twitter was full of reactions after the news broke that the Houston Texans would be releasing DE J.J. Watt.

The Houston Texans and J.J. Watt will be going in separate directions in 2021.

On Friday morning, news broke that the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year would be released from the AFC South club, which means he will be playing for a new NFL team for his 11th professional season.

“I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release, and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time,” Watt said in a video posted to his Twitter account.

Twitter was chock full of reactions upon hearing of the Texans’ intentions to release Watt.

Watt’s departure is interpreted by some as the birth pangs for the great rebuilding inside the Texans that will culminate with quarterback Deshaun Watson’s trade.

However, there is one opinion that isn’t as gloomy about Watt’s release.

Overall, fans were grateful for Watt’s tenure in Houston.

No one can forget what Watt did for the city of Houston after Hurricane Harvey, and also his humility in saving a city.

Of course, Watt’s release also sparked opportunists, such as Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

That scenario might be good for Watt’s finances as he could stay in a no-income tax state, but it would gag Texans fans.

VIDEO: J.J. Watt says he asked Texans for his release

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt says that he asked the McNair family to be released.

All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt says he asked the Houston Texans for his release.

In a video the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year tweeted on Friday morning, Watt explained that he asked for his release from the AFC South club after having a talk with the McNair family earlier in the week.

Watt made a video because he wanted to speak directly to the fans.

“I want to do this on video as opposed to putting out a statement or doing a press conference or anything like that,” Watt said in the video. “Because I want you guys to hear directly from me. I want to speak directly to you and the city of Houston so that you can hear the words straight from my mouth.

 

“I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release, and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time.”

The former 2011 first-round pick from Wisconsin explained to the city of Houston how meaningful they have been to him over the past 10 years.

“I came here 10 years ago as a kid from Wisconsin who had never really been to Texas before,” said Watt. “And, now, I can’t imagine my life without Texas in it. The way that you guys have treated me, besides draft night. You guys booed me on draft night. But every day after that, you treated me like family. And I truly feel like you’re my family. Since that day, I have tried to do everything in my power to work and earn your respect and try to make you proud on and off the field. You guys have given me everything and more, and I can only hope that you feel that I’ve given you everything I have.”

Houston has also been a place where, for Watt, he has met lifelong connections, especially that with his wife, Kealia Ohai.

Said Watt: “The city of Houston has been unbelievable to me. It’s where I met my wife. It’s where I’ve met lifelong friends and teammates. I’ve had incredible coaches and training staff and equipment staff and cafeteria workers and the weight room staff and the front office people — people in streets, people in restaurants, grocery stores, and showing up at my house. The connection is special, and I will never, ever take that for granted because I know how rare it is.”

Watt, who will be 32 on March 22, says he is now getting ready for a new opportunity in a new NFL city, but not without always having gratitude for the city of Houston and Texans fans.

“I’m excited and looking forward to a new opportunity, and I’ve been working extremely hard,” said Watt. “But at the same time, it is always tough to move on. I just want you guys to know that I love you, I appreciate you, I appreciate the McNair family for giving me — drafting me, giving me my first opportunity in the NFL.

“Thank you, Houston. I love you.”