Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (Rick Scuteri, AP)
SANTA CLARA — It was a steamy morning in Houston on Aug. 15, 2018, when Mike McGlinchey got his self-described “Welcome to the NFL” moment.
The rookie first-round pick lined up opposite J.J. Watt, and “he flat-backed me,” McGlinchey recalled of that one-on-one drill at a 49ers-Texans scrimmage.
Now come Watt’s “Goodbye to the NFL” moment, respectfully.
Watt, 33, will retire from his 12-year career after this game. He was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Texans (2012, ’14, ’15), a seven-time All-Pro, and a five-time Pro Bowler.
“Definitely hard not to watch him when he’s dominant through all those years,” defensive end Nick Bosa said.
What made Watt so dominant?
“Physical superiority,” Bosa concisely said.
Added McGlinchey: “He’s a sure-fire Hall of Fame player. He’s everything as advertised.”
Early action between #49ers #Texans:
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins fights Jimmie Ward, Hopkins kicked off field but shakes Ward’s hand on way out
Mike McGlichey MET Texans J.J. Watt. “Welcome to the NFL” pic.twitter.com/3DK8CfTK3p— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 15, 2018
What does Brock Purdy think about being Watt’s final target and how does Purdy make sure he’s not the final quarterback Watt sacks?
“I definitely respect him and everything he’s done in his career,” Purdy said. “My mentality is I’ve got to do my job and what the coaches ask of me. He’s definitely a factor in the game, and we have to do our part to put up points, get first downs and not worry about J.J.”
Aside from keeping Watt away from Purdy, the 49ers are keenly aware of Watt’s ability to pursue from the back side in the run game or in pass rush. As McGlinchey added, the 49ers sure won’t him as much in future seasons as the Cardinals will.
Watt spent his first 10 seasons with the Texans (No. 11 overall pick in 2011), and he’s finishing up a two-year term with the Cardinals.
As he exits the stage, Bosa is stepping more to the NFL forefront, so much so that he should win his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year award when it’s announced Feb. 9 at the NFL Honors in Glendale, Arizona, site of the Super Bowl three days later.
Bosa said he couldn’t take too much from Watt’s style because he is “a one-of-one” type of player. Watt has 10 1/2 sacks this season, including three in last month’s loss at Denver.
Bosa leads the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks, and even though he did not add to that total in Sunday’s 37-34 overtime win at Las Vegas, his pressure on the 49ers’ final defensive snap led to Tashaun Gipson’s interception, which set up Robbie Gould’s winning field goal.
Bosa was credited with his NFL-high 47th quarterback hit, for having pushed left tackle Kolton Miller into quarterback Jarrett Stidham as he threw. Was that pressure more satisfying than any of his sacks?
“That was very satisfying, yeah, just to see the ball go up in the air like that, in a game we kind of never stopped the bleeding,” Bosa said. “To stop it there was a good time.”
Watt’s career will stop at Levi’s Stadium. He announced last week he would be retiring. The Cardinals (4-12) have lost six in a row, juxtaposed to the NFC West-champion 49ers (12-4) having won nine straight.
“J.J.’s just a great, impactful player. He makes big plays at critical times of the game and has his whole career,” offensive line coach Chris Foerster said. “It’s hard to believe he’s not going to be playing anymore.”
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans praised his former Texans teammate’s impact on the field with sack records and off the field with charity and community endeavors. “If he lifts them to help what they need, that’s cool,” Ryans said. “But it’s being about us. Whatever they need to motivate them, bring it on.”
I have received a lot of wild fan mail over the years.
This package that arrived today is certainly being added to the list. pic.twitter.com/dxBi0rTwHE
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 5, 2023
Coach Kyle Shanahan praised Watt’s strength and smarts, similar to what the coach has said about Bosa, who’s earned his third Pro Bowl honor.
“One of the best players I’ve ever gone against,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “When you talk about MVP-type players, he was definitely one of the guys. We talked about that with Nick Bosa a couple weeks ago.”
DEFENSIVE DISCIPLINE
What went wrong for the NFL’s No. 1 defense in allowing 34 points to the Raiders on Sunday? In a word: discipline.
“We have to playt better on the back end with eye discipline. It’s cost us some really big plays,” Ryans said, before elaborating on safety Talanoa Hufanga’s play: “He has to clean up his eyes. Too many big plays are being given up, and Huf knows that. Protecting us in the back end as ‘The Eraser, he can’t be dirty. He has to be better.”
For example, Ryans said defenders must lock their eyes onto “a progression of keys” and not get distracted by watching the quarterback or running back. “Guys in this league are too fast, too good for you to not look at the proper thing, and for you to look too late.” Ryans also critiqued the pass rush’s discipline for allowing wide lanes for quarterback Jarrett Stidham to escape.
McCAFFREY SIGHTING
Running back Christian McCaffrey not only officially practiced for a second straight day, but he did individual conditioning during Thursday’s warmups before heading to the locker room. He was not noticeably favoring a mild ankle sprain, nor the knee issue he’s had since Nov. 27. McCaffrey produced a season-high 193 yards (121 rushing, 72 receiving) while playing 85 percent of the offensive snaps Sunday.
PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS
Running back Elijah Mitchell and wide receiver Deebo Samuel practiced for a second straight day.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, in his recovery from a Dec. 4 foot fracture, remains off the practice field and continues to use a knee scooter between the training room and locker room.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw was out ill Thursday, after sitting out Wednesday’s session as a routine, maintenance day as he rebounds from a knee issue that sidelined him for three months. He played 22 snaps against the Raiders after 16 in his return against the Commanders.
Defensive tackle Kevin Givens participated in practice for the first time since his knee sprain Dec. 4.
Guard Aaron Banks (knee and ankle sprains) did some light rehabilitation off to the side as practice began. He is expected to miss Sunday’s game.
Originally published at Cam Inman