CLEVELAND — T.J. Watt sat in front of a bunch of discarded black-and-gold shoulder pads as reporters continued to crowd his spot in the visitor's locker room at First Energy Stadium.
Watt, the Steelers' first-round pick last April, was Mr. Popular after an impressive debut that included two sacks and an interception. The Steelers defeated the Browns 21-18 on Sunday, and the defense flashed with seven sacks of Cleveland rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer.
So "Blitzburgh" is back, right? Not if you ask Watt. He sat with a cut-off Steelers shirt, arms crossed, fluctuating between a playful and serious tone. If the reporters eat this up, then how do you think the diehard Steelers fans feel about now?
GAME CENTER: Steelers-Browns complete stats
"We played well and it felt like we were in the backfield all the time, but we have to finish plays," Watt said. "There were a few sacks left on the table, at least from my point of view. We have get in the film room and get some things corrected, but I'm never going to complain about (the defense) having seven sacks in a game."
Watt spent the rest of the interview session trying to downplay everything about that impressive debut. The sack dance? That was just something he toyed with in practice. The interception? That was a well-timed play after he "blacked out mentally" on a late hit on Kizer the previous play.
That pick was a game-changing play considering the final score. Kizer underthrew a corner route, and Watt — airborne and arms fully extended — made the catch before hauling off in the other direction. He laughed while recounting the play.
"I kept sinking back in coverage, and the ball just kind of came right to me," Watt said. "I caught it. I tried not to fumble the ball or anything. I was tired."
WHAT A PLAY!@_TJWatt with the INT!! #HereWeGo #PITvsCLE pic.twitter.com/XE6JyXswcK
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2017
Watt's other highlight was his first career sack; a spin move on Browns tackle Joe Thomas that helped collapse the pocket on a second-and-9. Watt nearly had a third sack on a third-and-11 play in the second quarter. He just missed Kizer, who sidestepped the rush.
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"I went out there and just tried to work as many moves as possible to see what was working," Watt said. "I felt like the outside rush was definitely working."
It's one game, but Watt provided a glimpse of why the Steelers were willing to grab the former Wisconsin standout 30th overall in this year's draft. Call it energy, motor, don't-quit attitude: Watt possesses all the qualities at linebacker Pittsburgh has coveted since the 1970s. It's understood, expected and not talked about much. That would explain Steelers coach Mike Tomlin's succinct view of Watt's performance.
"I thought T.J. got off to a good start in terms of a regular-season game," Tomlin said.
Tomlin was later asked a follow-up.
"Like I said earlier, it was a good start for him," he said.
How much of an impact could Watt make if this continues? James Harrison led the Steelers with 5.0 sacks last season. Pittsburgh hasn't had a player reach double-digit sacks since 2010 when Harrison finished with 10.5 and LaMarr Woodley added 10. It's no coincidence that's the last time Pittsburgh reached the Super Bowl. Watt even beat out older brother J.J's NFL debut, a five-tackle performance against the Colts on Sept. 11, 2011.
T.J. obviously isn't the same kind of megastar as his older brother, but he is the prototype edge rusher for defensive coordinator Keith Butler's scheme. The debut will only enhance Watt's celebrity in Pittsburgh, and the seven sacks have set the bar for the defense.
Yet there's Watt, with the spotlight shining, already looking for more. He's bound to attract more attention along the way.
"I'm not complaining at all," he said. "I feel like there were a lot of plays left on the table today that I should have made. I'm never satisfied with my performance."
