Romeo Crennel says Texans’ J.J. Watt is ‘pretty good’

Dec 1, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) waves his arms before a play during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said on Tuesday he believes defensive end J.J. Watt is “pretty good.”

In transcripts provided by the Texans, Crennel was asked about Watt, the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2012.

Crennel was quoted as saying:

"“He’s pretty good, I believe. That is one of the things that I’ve noticed about him. He’s a pleasure to work with because he gives you everything he’s got all of the time. From a coaching standpoint, that is what you want from a player. You want the player to give you everything he has. We tell the guys to do your best and then you let the chips fall where they may. His best is pretty good.”"

I believe Watt is more than pretty good, but I’m not a defensive coordinator in the NFL either. Though I would guess Crennel is more than “pretty good,” but maybe that is just how he describes he best players. Either way, having Crennel run the defense this season is great, and should be an improvement from last year.

May 17, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel smiles during rookie mini-camp at Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Watt didn’t live up to his big numbers of 2012, but they were still very and more than respectable.

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Watt finished with 80 total tackles in 2013, with 10.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. For his three-year career, Watt has 36.5 tackles with 217 total tackles and eight forced fumbles.

The defensive end has not missed a game in his three years in the NFL, playing in all 48 regular season, plus he’s played in four postseason games.

I think Watt will have a better year this season than he did in ’13, but will he repeat his POY season of ’12? That would be hard for any player to do, because of how good those numbers were.

The Texans defense will be improved, there is no doubt about that, and the first person that will make this defense better will be Watt.

What are your thoughts on how Watt will play this upcoming season? Do you see him repeating his stats of ’12 (81 total tackles, 20.5 sacks) or closer to the sack total of ’13?

Let us know what you are thinking.