Next Year's #1?

[Wilfork#75]

I will make this prediction right now, Clowney will not be the #1 pick in the draft and he might fall out of the top 3. Physically he has all the talent in the world, but the two things I've seen questioned about him are work ethic and effort. Clowney apparently plays under a different set of rules to everybody else at South Carolina, and if he tries to make it on talent alone instead of putting in the work I think he could be in for a shock. If he does step up and improve his work ethic this becomes a very interesting question, but I will always side with an elite QB over any other position (depending on the team of course).

 

[manxman2601]

I will make this prediction right now, Clowney will not be the #1 pick in the draft and he might fall out of the top 3. Physically he has all the talent in the world, but the two things I've seen questioned about him are work ethic and effort. Clowney apparently plays under a different set of rules to everybody else at South Carolina, and if he tries to make it on talent alone instead of putting in the work I think he could be in for a shock. If he does step up and improve his work ethic this becomes a very interesting question, but I will always side with an elite QB over any other position (depending on the team of course).

This is my concern with him.

 

[Gronkandez]

Hundley is good but Bridgewater might just be Andrew Luck good.

Then I guess that means you would trade Brady? That's the only way it makes any sense. TW cap hit would be $4-6M per year in the fist three years. Far too much for a benchwarmer.

 

[manxman2601]

Then I guess that means you would trade Brady? That's the only way it makes any sense. TW cap hit would be $4-6M per year in the fist three years. Far too much for a benchwarmer.

The situations aren't directly comparable, but who would the Packers rather have on their team: Aaron Rodgers or Demarcus Ware (both from the same draft). Ware is one of the best in the league but the Cowboys are also-rans whilst the Packers are perennial contenders.

 

[ATippett56]

Since the New England Patriots will not be drafting in the top 20 draft slots:

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com

 

[Gronkandez]

I think I'll stick with this guy.




http://http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000229849/article/ask-5-is-clowney-top-defensive-prospect-in-last-decade


http://http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000219464/article/jadeveon-clowney-meaner-nastier-version-of-julius-peppers

 

[Snake Eyes]

Assuming both were available, I think it would be insane to take Bridgewater over Clowney.

You already have a magnificent QB in Brady, taking Clowney could help you win Lombardis, taking Bridgewater just means he sits on the bench while Brady plays, how does that help you win the SB?

 

[Get it shawtaay]

The problem with being Clowney right now, is that everything you do is being analyzed.

Watching the opener, for me, I was impressed by how the offense was furiously planning around him. There was a perpetual double team on his side of the field and a tangible urgency in 'accounting for his presence'. To me, that speaks volumes.

OK, the guy got winded at the end. Big deal.... he still had himself what was, by the expectations of a prospect with normal hype, a good game. No prospect is perfect - and neither is Clowney - but I don't see any reason to predict failure for him right now, outside of the obligation to scrutinize a player of his exposure.

 

[manxman2601]

The problem with being Clowney right now, is that everything you do is being analyzed.

Watching the opener, for me, I was impressed by how the offense was furiously planning around him. There was a perpetual double team on his side of the field and a tangible urgency in 'accounting for his presence'. To me, that speaks volumes.

OK, the guy got winded at the end. Big deal.... he still had himself what was, by the expectations of a prospect with normal hype, a good game. No prospect is perfect - and neither is Clowney - but I don't see any reason to predict failure for him right now, outside of the obligation to scrutinize a player of his exposure.

Not sure anyone is predicting failure for Clowney. It's more a question of just where his ceiling is.

 

[Gronkandez]

Not sure anyone is predicting failure for Clowney. It's more a question of just where his ceiling is.

There are no questions about his ceiling. Everyone knows the sky is the limit with this guy. That is not to say he'll achieve his full potential but scouts are calling him a nastier version of Julius Peppers as I linked to above. He has all the physical tools.

 

[CelticPatriot]

Would Clowney be as hyped if nobody knew about this?

Clowney Hit vs Michigan 2013 Outback Bowl - YouTube

 

[ausbacker]

Would Clowney be as hyped if nobody knew about this?

Clowney Hit vs Michigan 2013 Outback Bowl - YouTube

Yes, he would. Watch some of his games.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

If there is a missing element to Clowney's game right now, from what I've seen of him, its his run defense.

Not so much a lack of effort or a lack of physical skill, but he's kind of slow to find the ball and he bites on misdirection plays. He also is bad with traffic... he can pursue a player from the backside but he can't sort through traffic to make tackles downfield as effectively as he should.

Part of being good vs. the run is reading and diagnosing plays, awareness, etc. and that doesn't seem to an instinctual set of skills for him. Reminds me of Suh in that regard. He's physically capable of being a great run defender, but there's more to the art than just that.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Looking solely from the score, it doesn't seem like Clowney did a ton against UGA. . . .

 

[BritPat]

Looking solely from the score, it doesn't seem like Clowney did a ton against UGA. . . .

Not seen the game, but apparently the Bulldogs just ran away from him and were giving Murray a lot of 3 step drops.

I'd take that as a compliment.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Not seen the game, but apparently the Bulldogs just ran away from him and were giving Murray a lot of 3 step drops.

I'd take that as a compliment.

I didn't see it either. Looking at the box score, he got a sack.

Regardless, Clowney slipping out of #1 seems increasingly likely, and less a matter of what he can't do and more a matter of what that kid named Teddy Bridgewater can do.

 

[BritPat]

I didn't see it either. Looking at the box score, he got a sack.

Regardless, Clowney slipping out of #1 seems increasingly likely, and less a matter of what he can't do and more a matter of what that kid named Teddy Bridgewater can do.

I think Bridgewater and Boyd will rise to the top no matter what happens, but SC have Vanderbilt, UCF and Kentucky coming up in their next three games. I expect him to go King Kong on their asses and solidify his status.

It's a shame he'll end up with some joke of a Franchise and be wasted for 5 years before getting the chance to move on.

 

[Leemo]

Clowney.

Just let this thought process for a minute and think of the carnage:

Clowney-Wilfork-Kelly-Jones
Ninkovich-Hightower-Mayo​

You wouldn't need to much blitzing to get to the QB.

nasty but who drops into coverage?

 

[Leemo]

Would Clowney be as hyped if nobody knew about this?

Clowney Hit vs Michigan 2013 Outback Bowl - YouTube

he was hyped a long time before this happened

 

[Big-T]

nasty but who drops into coverage?

Who needs coverage when the QB is on the floor in < 3 seconds

But seriously, Ninkovich has shown to be decent in zone coverage and has good hands.

Alas though, it's just a fantasy because the Pats aren't getting Clowney. He's been hyped on this board since he was in HS too, that's where I first learned about him - HS highlights posted on here.