First Call: Praise for Steelers T.J. Watt, criticism of James Conner, odds on Washington’s nickname, NFL face shields
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Tuesday’s “First Call” finds praise for Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, but criticism for running back James Conner.
Also a peek at the new design for NFL faceguards in the covid-19 era. And betting odds for Washington’s new NFL nickname.
My idea won’t win. But it is the best of the bunch.
By far.
Where’s Watt?
At the end of March, Pro Football Focus rated T.J. Watt as the best edge defender in the NFL.
Now the stats-based NFL website is making a delineation between “edge defender” and “pass rusher,” by asking who the best pass rusher in the league is.
Who is the best pass-rusher in the NFL? pic.twitter.com/QNXyPzRbZ8
— PFF (@PFF) July 13, 2020
Maybe that’s a compliment to Watt, suggesting his game is more well-rounded than anyone else who plays a 3-4 outside linebacker role or a 4-3 defensive end. Particularly when it comes to any duties dropping into coverage and/or stopping the run.
But for as good as Watt is at rushing the passer — 14.5 sacks to lead the AFC — PFF is opening the door to others for that specific skill.
As you can see, Pitt alum Aaron Donald and Arizona Cardinals Pro Bowler Chandler Jones are pictured. Donald had 12.5 sacks against occasional triple teams from an inside position. Jones had 19 sacks, second best in the NFL behind Shaquil Barrett — who isn’t even on the list.
Also, notable by their absence, both Bosa brothers — Nick (San Francisco 49ers) and Joey (Los Angeles Chargers). Cameron Jordan of the New Orleans Saints isn’t there either. He’s had between 12-15.5 sacks each of the last three years.
Oh, and T.J.’s brother J.J.? Tough to say. The Houston Texans superstar had 16 sacks in 2018. But in 2016, 2017 and 2019 injuries got in the way as he managed only 5.5 total sacks in a 16-game span over three years. Prior to that, J.J. had 68.5 between 2012-15.
We’ll see what the guys at Pro Football Focus come up with.
At the other end of the spectrum
Meanwhile, for you fantasy football fans, NFL.com came up with its list of top RB1’s per team.
Former NFL running back-tuned-analyst Maurice Jones-Drew ranked the top options for each team at the position. That’ll be a key thing to watch for fantasy football players this year.
And he has James Conner of the Steelers at No. 25 out of 32 clubs.
“Conner has to stay healthy. Period,” Jones-Drew said. “He’ll have two or three really good weeks, then be on the sideline for two or three more. It’s hard for the back and the offense to get in a rhythm when the starting RB can’t stay on the field. Conner has been a top-10 back in this league, and he could be again with a bounce-back performance.”
Hard to argue with any of that.
Give Jones-Drew credit. For as much water as he carried for Le’Veon Bell and his agent Adisa Bakari during Bell’s contract dispute with the Steelers, Jones-Drew dropped Bell — now with the New York Jets — down to No. 20 in his rankings.
But he also gives Bell an excuse. Click that link in this section to find out what it is.
Also, surprisingly, Jones-Drew only has Penn State alum Saquon Barkley sixth on his list. Find out which five are in front of him.
I’ve got an issue with numbers 3, 4, and 5. How about you?
Let’s try this
So much for the proposed StreetHawk-meets-paintball look.
NFL players might sport #COVID19 helmets this fall … What do you think? pic.twitter.com/XXqvNDPU7N
— Stadium (@Stadium) June 17, 2020
The NFL and Oakley appear to have come up with something more subtle when it comes to a faceguard to be put in helmets so as to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
A first look at the Oakley Mouth Shield, which is being shipped out to NFL teams this week in hopes of protecting players from COVID-19. https://t.co/ubrwi6iOfr
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) July 13, 2020
Via ESPN, the Oakley Mouth Shield “is expected to be distributed to all 32 teams over the next week, when it will receive a test drive on a much larger scale than it has gotten to date.”
That change certainly appears to be less drastic for the players to digest than previous ideas. As of now, there is no mandate to wear a face shield. The NFL’s medical experts would like to see them widely used, though.
But players such as J.J. Watt have said of full face shields, “You can keep that. If that comes into play, I don’t think you’re gonna see me on the field.”
Place your bets
After years of debate, the NFL team in Washington is dropping the nickname “Redskins.”
So now you can bet on what the new name will be. Here are the top six from BetOnline.ag.
Redtails 3/1
Generals 4/1
Warriors 4/1
Presidents 5/1
Redwolves 6/1
Lincolns 7/1
Monuments 8/1
Where is my favorite? “The Hogs”!
’The Hogs’ are Our #NFL Legends of the Week #TheHogs even had their own cheerleaders, dressed in party hats, dresses & pig snouts, The #Hogettes cheered on the #Redskins and raised money for charity! Check out this 1988 WP article -> https://t.co/GdqmPRDuTf#HTTR #MemoryLane pic.twitter.com/6g4SU1LfGw
— Gary Clark (@GaryClarkInc) December 6, 2018
C’mon. For all the Washington traditionalists, it’s right up their alley. It connects to the glory days of their old offensive line from the Super Bowl years of the 1980s.
This is the #hogs. There are no others. No 2.0, etc. #HTTR #Redskins pic.twitter.com/S1I3B11AAl
— WKC (@WashingtonFanKC) October 22, 2017
The marketing possibilities are endless. The nostalgia is deep. The double entendres are …
… oh, well, now I see the problem.
Eh, do it anyway.
Washington Hogs, it is. Hey, former Washington offensive lineman Jon Jansen likes it.
So I’m not entirely alone.