Marino - Gabe Rivera Edmunds - Lamar Jackson

Minkah disagrees.

 

Fitzpatrick isn't even the best player on his own team. That is T.J. Watt.

The Steelers did a nice job on Jackson, but that was a while ago. He's playing a hell of a lot better now.

 

Respectfully disagree on the debate between T.J Watt vs. Minkah Fitzpatrick. T.J. is the "supercharger" of this defense. However, Minkah is the "engine" that not just starts this defense up but allows this defense to go where needed. Keep in mind that last season, T.J. Watt was tearing it up as well. In terms of turnovers, what did that amount to for the team?! Not much overall.



Both the pass rush and coverage do compliment each other for certain. That said, you need to have "that guy" in the back end to make big plays; our system requiring a elite caliber safety. Since his arrival, only Philip Rivers has gone over 300 yards. No one else.



Regarding Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield and Andy Dalton/Ryan Finley?! None of them cracked 200 yards through the air; Lamar having the lowest output at 161 yards total.



Regarding T.J., again, he is more likely to win the DPOY award than Minkah is at this point. However, let us not heap all the praise of the pass rush soley on T.J. Watt here. Bud Durpee, Javon Hargrave and Cameron Heyward, in addition to Watt, all collectively make and take that pass rush to levels that many of us have not seen since the days of Blitzburgh.



In short?! While I do agree T.J. Watt is a phenomenal pass rusher, to say he is the driving force as to why this pass rush is having so much success is disingenuous. Minkah on the other hand, makes EVERYONE around him better due to his plakmaking and game changing capabilities; not including his communciation and Football Acumen.


There is a reason why the organization traded a first round pick to get Minkah. There is a reason why Pittsburgh ranks number one overall as of today in turnovers. Most importantly, there is a reason why Minkah was so highly thought of by Tomlin himself.



Minkah is a true prodigy; an availability of such a talent being next to impossible. Pittsburgh saw an opportunity and went after it. He is paying off handsomely.



Final aspect as to why Minkah has been the Team MVP. Let us play devils advocate here. Assume Sean Davis does not get hurt and Pittsburgh does not trade for Minkah.



Does this team sit at 7-5 as of December 2nd of 2019?!?!

 

It seems we are respectfully disagreeing on this on multiple threads. You mention that Watt isn't the only reason for the pass rush, though he is the best pass rusher. Fitzpatrick isn't the only defensive back playing well, either. Nelson has been a significant upgrade opposite Haden. The inside linebackers are more athletic and more able to help in coverage than in the past.

Look at the list of quarterbacks you mentioned. As a passer, is any of them on the level of Brady or Wilson, the two quarterbacks the Steelers faced without Fitzpatrick?

 

Does not matter. For that matter, this is irrelevant overall as this still pertains to my question about the season. Not just any season but a Steelers season with multiple twists and turns along the way;


If Sean Davis is still the FS, are the Steelers 7-5?!

 

If Chickillo is the starter at outside linebacker, are they 7-5?

You really don't think it matters if they are facing Russell Wilson or Ryan Finley?

 

That question cannot be posed as Chickillo is not a starter. Sean Davis was one at FS. Moreover to Chickillo though, that is irrelevant. T.J. was already a part of the Steelers and was not injured at the time in addition to starting. Minkah's situation to get to Pittsburgh supercedes that.


Again, does this team sit at 7-5 with Sean Davis at FS?!

 

It absolutely can be posed because without Watt, Chickillo is the starter. Feel free to insert Adeniyi there if you prefer.

You're just avoiding the question. The answer is that both players are indispensable parts of the 2019 defense, but as you said, Watt is the one who has an actual shot at DPOY. There is a good reason for that.

 

That question has already been answered thanks in large part to Dupree, Hargrave and Hewyard. An elite pass rush is needed in today's NFL more than an elite pass rusher. For example, with J.J. Watt, the Texans can generate a pass rush more efficiently than without him. Does this mean they are incapable of not doing so when he is out?! Nope.



Again, does this team sit at 7-5 with Sean Davis as the FS?!

 

If the question has been answered why are you avoiding addressing it?

Actually, the Texans' pass rush has declined significantly without J.J. Watt. It's great to have other pass rushers, but take the lead dog out of it and that has a significant impact. Watt is also a key part of the run defense and still capable of dropping into coverage, as he did yesterday, though they seem to be doing that less this season.

They are not 7-5 without Watt or Fitzpatrick.

 

Do they reach 7-5 with Sean Davis starting at FS?!

 

I'll post the response here, too. I reject the premise of the question. It is designed to bolster your argument rather than represent the reality of this team and the proper measure of Watt and Fitzpatrick.

I will also point out that you dodged my question about where the team would be without Watt.

 

Team would still be 7-5. Bud has shown he is more than capable of getting after the QB. Bud would not be alone either. Heyward and Hargrave are also there.


This is not including the fact that Keith has been blitz happy since Tuitt went down. Plenty of ways to cover up for a player like T.J. Watt. Very few to do so to cover up an All Pro Free Safety like Minkah.



Again, is this team 7-5 with Sean Davis at FS?!

 

Yes please.

 

Fair enough!!

 

I only skimmed the post, but that stood out and made me laugh.

I really didn't read any of the back and forth between you and formerscribe. If I want to get involved in an argument, I'll start a conversation with my wife.

 

It is a lot easier for Dupree to get after the quarterback with Watt dominating on the other side. Watt opens things up for those other guys. I'm sure you know that. Given that and the way you avoided answering it, I have to wonder if you are answering my question honestly.

I answered the relevant question. The team would not be 7-5 if it was missing either Watt or Fitzpatrick. That answers your question, too, by the way.