I think those 3 take 5 blockers to stop them, but they should be able to occasionally still pressure the QB with just the 3 of them. What is important is that if it takes 5 blockers to stop those 3, if you send a 4th guy, he should be all but untouched leading to tons of pressure on normal plays. With Clowney and Watt healthy, guys like Simon, Mercilus, and McKinney should be able to get to the QB a lot.
Sort of, in the sense that they were both physically present on the field at the same time, but neither was really 100% healthy. Clowney was still trying to get all the way back from microfracture surgery and JJ was all kinds of jacked up last season in about 3 different ways.
Clowney's confidence on the field is visually noticable, like he knows no one can stop him. In the game last week there were some plays he was walking up and down the line of scrimmage pre-snap like a caged lion. He has reached a level like Watt where it's all instinctual now. You can also see the way Crennell/Vrabel develop, similar to Mercilus. First they learn to be run stoppers, then pass rushers in year three.
It'll also force the offense to keep an extra TE/RB or 2 in protection which makes it that much easier in coverage.
So damn happy for JD. Not about the pro bowl really, just that he's finally healthy and proving he is the dominant force that everyone projected but many had started to doubt. If by the grace of the football gods we get a healthy JD and Watt next year, I'll probably piss my pants with excitement on opening game day.
I Wanted Mack over him since I felt like he'd be a better fit but beyond excite about the progress of Clowney. Can't wait for when he's better able to read the count. The guy will be an absolute beast.
If you guys had to choose all over Again, Would you guys still choose Clowney over Khalil Mack? Who's the better player overall?
Its still got to be Clowney. Dude got microfracture surger, you can't predict injuries. Hindsight is 20\20, but he's rounding back into form. From what I read, he will likely never get back to pre injury athleticism, but he's still pretty damb good! Did you see him chasing the Bengals lone TD reception, he was keeping up, and never gave up on the play. DE arent supposed to run that fast!!!! But can't go wrong with either pick. Both are elite talents.
