Humble beginnings for Steelers’ Brown, Texans’ Watt
Houston’s J.J. Watt scored his third touchdown of the season on a 45-yard fumble return last week against Indianapolis.
Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, leads the AFC with 41 receptions.
PITTSBURGH – In 2007, Central Michigan University was coming off a Mid-American Conference championship under then-head coach Brian Kelly.
Kelly, however, left for greener pastures following a solid campaign, taking a job at the University of Cincinnati. He eventually became the head coach at Notre Dame, a position he currently holds.
Two freshmen recruits who stuck with Central Michigan despite Kelly’s departure were a scrawny cornerback from Norland High School in Miami, and a lanky tight end from Pewaukee High School in Wisconsin.
Neither was highly recruited. The cornerback wasn’t rated by Scout.com, while the tight end was a two-star recruit.
That, however, didn’t stop Antonio Brown and J.J. Watt from going on to bigger things.
The two will be on opposite sides when the Steelers (3-3) host the Texans (3-3) Monday night at Heinz Field, Brown as a Pro Bowl receiver for Pittsburgh, Watt as a Pro Bowl defensive end for Houston.
Both have come a long way since their days as freshmen at Central Michigan in 2007.
“J.J. was an immediate leader,” said Brown, who leads the AFC with 41 receptions for 629 yards and five touchdowns. “Your freshman year, everybody is nervous, doesn’t know what to do. But J.J. would gather all the freshmen together and say, ‘Hey, we’re all going to run the steps at the stadium.'”
If the Steelers’ offensive linemen want any tips on how to limit Watt’s production, they might want to speak to Brown.
Both Brown and Watt saw extensive playing time as freshmen at Central Michgan, when they combined to catch 110 passes for 1,080 yards.
Trouble was, Brown accounted for 102 of those receptions and 1,003 of the yards.
It became apparent to Watt he needed to go elsewhere if he wanted the football. He transferred to Wisconsin, where he was converted into a defensive end.
“He took all the balls,” said Watt of Brown with a laugh. “He deserved them, so yeah, he took them all.”
Brown would continue to catch all the passes, earning All-America status in each of his final two seasons for the Chippewas, while Watt would become a nearly unblockable force for the Badgers.
In four NFL seasons, Watt has recorded 40.5 sacks, including four this season. He’s also scored three touchdowns this season, one on a fumble return, one on an interception, and yes, one as a tight end.
“We’re going to have to be aware of where he’s at,” said Steelers guard David DeCastro. “They’ll move him around on the line. We’re all going to see him at some point. But at the same time, we can’t allow him to change what we’re doing. We just have to block him.”
That hasn’t always been easy for opponents since Watt entered the league as the 11th pick in the 2011 draft. Watt recorded 20.5 sacks in his second season in 2012, also knocking down 16 passes at the line of scrimmage.
He’s continued to play at that level since.
“He’s probably the No. 1 candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and probably (in the) top-three for league MVP,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “I think that speaks enough for what he is.”
The Texans have the same kind of respect for Brown, who has twice been named the Steelers’ MVP.
It’s no stretch to say the game could be decided by which former Chippewa makes a bigger impact.
“We came in together and so obviously you kind of form a bond with your fellow freshmen and you all come in together,” Watt said of Brown. “I just remember he was one of the best I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Safety Shamarko Thomas (hamstring) and linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee) are questionable to play for the Steelers Monday night. … Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel (knee) is probable. … Rookie linebacker Jadaveon Clowney, the top pick in this year’s draft, was limited in practice Saturday for the Texans and is questionable to play. Clowney has been out since Week 1 with a knee injury.