I was listening to the post game show on 610 and they were saying (well one guy) that Clowney looks surprisingly out of shape for someone who has been to all the workouts. JJ after back surgery looks more conditioned than Clowney They also said he doesn't use his hands correctly. They found it surprising that he has been in the system so long with Vrabel and still has no Idea how to use proper technique. They went on to say they don't count his sacks as great because the QB ran out of bounds. They also pointed out there isn't enough love for the players around him that are contributing more Is this extreme hating or do they have a point? somewhere in the middle?
Sounds like someone who doesn't know football very well. Clowney has been playing as an interior lineman and is still getting TFL's and getting hits on the QB through double teams. That's not even mentioning that the attention that he's drawing is leading to really easy opportunities for others. The McKinney sack was almost entirely due to the O line fearing Clowney. They were so worried about Clowney beating them that they opened a massive hole in the middle of the line for McKinney to run unabated to the QB. I'm not sure who said all of that, but it's probably a good idea to tune them out from now on.
Yeah, Clowney is basically putting up stats that JJ would put up through two games, minus a ton of sacks. He consistently is close on sacks, though, so those are coming. He is an absolute freak in the run game. One could venture to say that by season's end, he may be better in the run game than JJ. Basically, this is the start of what we all envisioned when we drafted Clowney. He's the main reason this defense is becoming so dominant. His great play is a big reason in the emergence of Simon and Mercilus. And having them all in together only magnifies that. We're starting to get some press for our dominant D. In a couple weeks, the narrative on that draft will start to change. You're going to hear some chatter starting about whether the Texans may have actually made the right move in drafting Clowney. With that being said, if it weren't for the idiot front office grass lovers at NRG, we would have had this debate last year.
It is definitely more on the hating side. Clowney got chipped and/or doubled on 80% of the pass plays yesterday and more than 50% of the pass plays against Chicago... and is still producing disruption. And in the run game, he is one of the best edge defenders in the league.
No doubt Clowney needs to incorporate some additional pass rush moves into this game. He uses his strength well (excellent bull rush), but it'd be good if he could get a spin or swim move. An up and under move would be good too (but I think I've seen him do that one before).
I have ripped Clowney before for his focus and work ethic. My understanding is that he doesn't have the work ethic of Watt or White or Smith; but he does what he is expected to do on the practice field. So he may not be an all time great but he isn't a slob either. Honestly, Clowney and Watt deserve the most credit. The other guys on the field are capitalizing on the abilities and attention Clowney and Watt draw. Clowney the first two games has played at an All Pro level, he has been better than his stats. He has caused havoc for the QB and running back. His technique isn't great, and he has room to improve, but his production has been excellent. His motor has also improved.
The problem is he doesn't have the natural bend or fluid hips that the truly great pass rushers have so it dwindles down the number of effective moves he can use. Watch Watt or Mercilus get low and bend past the tackle and then see Clowney try to do it and you will realize. Fortunately, Clowney is so gifted with his speed to power ability that he can win by pretty much running through the lineman.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jadeveon Clowney (<a href="https://twitter.com/clownejd">@clownejd</a>) told his mom recently: "I'm having fun. It feels so good to be feeling good. It's a great thing." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Texans?src=hash">#Texans</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Mm3b00Po6">pic.twitter.com/6Mm3b00Po6</a></p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/778405825207427072">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clowney just missed blocking a punt <a href="https://t.co/U3PEYzR5ti">pic.twitter.com/U3PEYzR5ti</a></p>— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) <a href="https://twitter.com/JaysonBraddock/status/778486779540373504">September 21, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I It Was Sean Jones former Oiler DE saying that oR at leat he said the exact same thing. It was not hate but frustration because he know he is so gifted and doesn't understand how he doesn't know how to use his hands yet.
Suggesting that he looks out of shape or that people around him are contributing more than he is sounds like someone who either doesn't know what he's talking about or someone who is just hating. Also, someone who would ignore all of the amazing things Clowney has done to nitpick minor hand technique issues is very likely just hating. On top of that, overall Clowney has been the most disruptive player in the front 7 (if Watt has another game like week 2 he'll take over, but as of now this stands), so NO ONE is contributing more to the defense than Clowney right now. Anyone that would suggest otherwise is either hating or doesn't know any better. I don't know anything about Sean Jones, but he's coming off a lot like Joe Morgan with this BS.
People that talk **** about Clowney's technique sound like dudes on here eliminating Kate Upton from their hit list because she has no ass. Just plain stupid.
I honestly think the Texans should trade Clowney to a team running a 4-3 next year. He's a good 3-4 OLB, and a good 3-4 DE. However he does have glaring weaknesses at both those positions. He gets thrown around way too much at 3-4 DE because he lacks the size to play inside, and at 3-4 OLB he is not his best standing up rushing the QB. He does have the potential to be a great NFL 4-3 DE though and should be traded to a team that runs that type of defense. He's on pace for ~8 sacks this year, but I think the he should be able to net the Texans a late 1st to a team running a 4-3 next year. They should jump on it since he'll be going into his 4th year on his contract.
Since he is the only one run-stopping, no one cares. And as awesome as he has been doing, no one will give him credit until he is performing like Watt apparently and that is going to require some more pass rush. But I wish people see how good he is even without Watt commanding double teams.
