When New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was coaching the New York Giants' defense, the headliner was intimidating pass rusher Lawrence Taylor.
Taylor won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times, including the title in 1981, 1982 and 1986. The only other player to wear that crown that many times is Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year who led the NFL last season with 17 1/2 sacks, 29 tackles for losses and 50 quarterback hits.
Belichick sees several parallels between Watt and Taylor, especially their approach to the game.