It’s common knowledge in the NFL to not talk trash through the media ahead of a matchup, as everyone is a pro and has a high level of play to be in the NFL.
New York Giants right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor didn’t heed that heading into the Week 8 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Eluemunor, a journeyman offensive lineman on his sixth team in eight seasons, stated that he wanted to be left on an island against star pass rusher T.J. Watt, making the bold proclamation that he could handle the All-Pro and future Hall of Famer.
By now, you all know how that went. Watt finished with two sacks and had a key strip-sack/fumble recovery in the fourth quarter with Eluemunor on that island.
“That island sank. There is no island anymore. It was washed up in Hurricane Watt,” Steelers captain and star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said of Eluemunor against Watt on his Not Just Football with Cameron Heyward podcast. “And then Alex [Highsmith] got a sack over there, too. It is not a good feeling when you poke the bear. I’m petty. I send him stuff in the group chat. I make sure he knows, make sure he is circling it. But it’s nice to see T.J. just destroy that and make sure the kid know, ‘Don’t be calling me out if you don’t want the smoke.’
“Last time they played each other, I think T.J. had two sacks there. So, he could be all for the competition. But shoot, you better be ready to perform in those moments.”
There’s a reason teams have been doubling and chipping Watt all season, giving right tackles as much help as possible. It’s because Watt is a game-wrecker. He can’t be blocked one-on-one, and he’s consistently shown that time and time again throughout the season.
While he wasn’t left on an island much against the Giants due to a coaching decision from New York head coach Brian Daboll, when he ultimately was left on an island, Watt delivered.
Late in the game, just a few plays after a Russell Wilson fumble gave the Giants the football deep in Pittsburgh territory, Watt saved the day. He beat Eluemunor around the corner and stripped QB Daniel Jones of the football, recovering the ball in the process to help the Steelers ultimately hold on to win the game.
What makes it even more ironic is that the Giants weren’t supposed to leave Watt on an island against Eluemunor on the play, either.
Yet, despite the plays Watt made, Eluemunor, during an appearance on WFAN in New York, stated that Watt didn’t do a thing against him all game long. One day later, Watt was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Whoops.
Hopefully Eluemunor didn’t invest in that island. It’s a sunk cost now.
