Jadeveon Clowney -- WOW - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

s3antana5757 · 08-05-2011, 12:11 PM

Have really become a huge USouth Carolina since Lattimore went there. LOVE that kid. Clowney might struggle a little bit this year because he's going to be playing DE at 245 pounds. Really good team, they're my sleeper for the national title.

AzPatsFan · 08-05-2011, 01:13 PM

If he is a Top Five or even a Top Ten, why are you wasting time, with him? He will be long gone before the Pats draft.

Husse · 08-05-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzPatsFan

If he is a Top Five or even a Top Ten, why are you wasting time, with him? He will be long gone before the Pats draft.

Hey, never underestimate BB's futere draft-pick trading, it might just land us in the top 10 all of a sudden.

BillBelichickFan79 · 08-05-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Eyes

Regarding Tebow, that's a whole different discussion but I think the "love for football" is looked at as a means of trying to project their dedication at the next level. College simply doesn't prepare most players for the NFL, a stud in college can suddenly find himself struggling just to make the practice squad in the NFL, it's simply a different game with players that are on another level.

That said, will the guy be willing to basically make football his life? The NFL isn't a 9-5 job, and the guys who truely rise to the elite level have incredible work ethic and dedication. A little while back Michael Strahan said that "the most talented football players he'd ever seen never became elite players", they had incredible talent but simply didnt have the desire to take on the additional work and frustration of becoming truely elite.

I don't doubt that guys have to have an a great worth ethic and a tremendous amount of dedication, but I do believe some of this "he has to truly love the game" is a bit overplayed. Obviously, you'd prefer to have a guy that plays the game because he loves it. But that's just not realistic. Some guys play because they're good, some guys play because they like the fame, some guys play because they like making a lot of money.

Guys like Julius Peppers, Albert Haynesworth, Randy Moss don't seem like they play the game because they love it, but rather because they're good at it. Would you pass on these talents because of that?

Regardless, I saw a feature on TV of Clowney, which is how I heard about him, and he was talking about how he loved the game ever since he was a little kid and how he used to play RB but outgrew the position and was upset but eventually took a liking to DE. Guess we will see how much he loves the game in years to come.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzPatsFan

If he is a Top Five or even a Top Ten, why are you wasting time, with him? He will be long gone before the Pats draft.

Maybe with the new rookie wage scale BB will be more willing to trade up? Hope so.

Snake Eyes · 08-05-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillBelichickFan79

Guys like Julius Peppers, Albert Haynesworth, Randy Moss don't seem like they play the game because they love it, but rather because they're good at it. Would you pass on these talents because of that?

All of these guys have been known for taking plays off and being lazy, which I think is due to not really loving the game. I wouldnt necessarily pass on them because of it but I would certainly consider that when assessing their value relative to other players.

BillBelichickFan79 · 08-05-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake Eyes

All of these guys have been known for taking plays off and being lazy, which I think is due to not really loving the game. I wouldnt necessarily pass on them because of it but I would certainly consider that when assessing their value relative to other players.

I agree with that. You factor it into your assessment, but it's not a determining factor for me. Julius Peppers takes some plays off and may not love the game, but he's still an elite talent and I'd take him any day. His talent trumps his moments of laziness for me.

Regardless, if you watch Clowney, he doesn't seem to be like that type of guy, which is why I love him even more. He's flying around the field in his high school tape. Not only is he a freak athletically and physically, but he's all over the place, never giving up on plays, and chasing WR's down from 40 yards behind. There was also a report that Spurrier had to tell Clowney to tone it down in practice this past week because the guy was getting after it so hard and destroying people.

You combine that raw talent, freakish frame, and that type of drive/motor, and you've got an absolutely perfect player. The interesting thing to evaluate will be how he responds to adversity. He's always walked onto the field in high school and been the most talented/most blessed athlete. He's never really gone up against anyone that he can't beat. College will be a step up from that. The NFL is many steps up from that.

Will he continue to get after it recklessly and give it his all when college teams are double teaming him, chipping him, chop blocking him? Guess we will have to wait and see.

IllegalContact · 08-05-2011, 11:22 PM

He'll be a JAG by the time he gets to the NFL

***sbpatfan*** · 08-07-2011, 05:38 AM

He's an 18 year old kid, relax.

Off The Grid · 08-08-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbpatfan

He's an 18 year old kid, relax.

I'll never fathom the thinking of people who take time out of their day...to make a snide-@$$ remark directed at people talking about an interesting FootBall subject.

...Nor do I ever wish to fathom such people.

Clearly, you've got your hands full monitoring your self.

So perhaps your snide advice would be better directed thither?

I guess you need somebody to explain to you that a DRAFT talk SubForum is about PROSPECTS.

Hope that helped you with your problem.

Off The Grid · 08-08-2011, 03:09 PM

Looks like your kid is catching fire ALREADY, Bro!!

Jadeveon Clowney is making an instant impact at South Carolina | National Football Post

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As for those who're sure we could never land this kid, if he shows up in the Top 10 in 2014 or 2015...

Jerod Mayo, baby. We traded BACK from #7 to get'm.

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Also: The Raiders' Pick could EASILY have been Top 10...

And Coach Bill The Mad has only just BEGUN his recent Rampage!!