J.J. Watt is already being compared to Lawrence Taylor, but if he really wants to fill his shoes, he has to do it in a Patriots uniform.
Bill Belichick -- who coached Taylor with the Giants for the first 10 years of his career -- likened the Texans DE to his former player. Outside of Bill Parcells, who better to make such a gaudy comparison?
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"There's been very few players I would put in the same conversations with Taylor, but I would put Watt there," Belichick said, per ESPN. "It's early in his career and he's done a lot already. Taylor did it over a long period of time, but Watt's done it pretty consistently now.
"He's that same kind of player."
Complimentary, yes. Belichick, however, wasn't willing to go overboard.
"I wouldn't [rank Watt] above Taylor because of the versatility that Taylor had in terms of pass coverage," Belichick added. "He was a pass-rusher, a run player and also a pass defender.
"But I think the position he plays, he's as disruptive of a defensive lineman as I've seen in the league, in the same general category as LT."
In his first four years, Watt has twice been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year and voted to three Pro Bowls.
All that has amassed to a 39-37 record and two playoff wins. A far cry from Taylor's two-time Super Bowl resume. LT was also the last defensive player to win the NFL MVP in 1986.
Watt -- for all his greatness -- is yet to reach that tier. Who better to show him how to get there than Belichick?
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"I think he's saying 'Hi' to Drew Brees..." @JJWatt waves to Brees... And follows it up with a sack. #SoundFX https://t.co/7c0n81cApq
— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2015
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