Jadeveon Clowney..We might have a chance...

[hawaiiansteel]

2014 NFL Draft: Scout compares Jadeveon Clowney to Randy Moss

By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 1, 2014



Jadeveon Clowney's effort and overall passion have been questioned by pro scouts.

A move that shouldn't shock anyone, South Carolina junior pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney will skip his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL Draft. He made the declaration moments after the Gamecocks' bowl victory over Wisconsin on Wednesday.

Clowney is rated as the No. 1 defensive end prospect for the 2014 NFL Draft and the No. 2 overall player in this year's class. Only Texas A&M senior offensive tackle Jake Matthews is currently rated above him. It would be considered a shock if Clowney fell out of the top-five picks on draft day.

Arguably the most talented NFL prospect in this class or in recent years, Clowney is a freak athlete for his size (6-5, 275) with above average first step quickness and the ability to convert speed to power. His burst, flexibility and overall strength are outstanding and allow him to make an impact as both a run blocker and pass rusher. Although his production was down in 2013 (only 3 sacks compared to 13 last year), Clowney's impact cannot be fully appreciated in the stat sheet as he often was double-teamed and received special treatment from opposing offenses who left a tight end or running back on his side of the field.

But despite the immense natural talent, Clowney is not a flawless prospect and there will be several questions that he'll need to answer during the pre-draft process. His effort and overall passion have been questioned by scouts and it's something that has shown on tape.

“He's a modern day Randy Moss,” said an AFC East scout on Clowney. “J.C. doesn't have the same type of criminal background as Randy did when he was his age, but the dependence on natural talent and problematic effort concerns are very similar. Difference is, Clowney won't fall out of the top-seven like Randy did.”

The “effort” concerns don't exist because his statistics dipped in 2013 compared to last season, but rather because he appeared tentative and fatigued too often during his junior year. Was he playing not to get hurt or are there legitimate effort concerns?

“In high school, he was the best player on the field. Same in the SEC,” the scout added. “But he needs to realize that won't be the case in the league. If he wants to have a career longer than a few seasons, the kid needs to wake up, add some glass to his diet and understand that it'll take a lot more work during the week.”

Clowney also battled a foot injury throughout the season and despite saying on Wednesday that he had “no plans” for surgery, it's something to monitor.

A native of Rock Hill, S.C. where he attended South Pointe High School, Clowney was the crown jewel recruit when he arrived at South Carolina and his legend seemed to grow more and more, eventually getting to the point where it was impossible for him to live up to the hype. His “football character” will likely be a hot topic over the next few months, but it should also be noted that he plays a position where concerns in that area aren't as magnified for NFL teams like they would be if he played quarterback.

[URL]http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24394842/nfl-draft-scout-compares-jadeveon-clowney-to-randy-moss[/URL]

[SS Laser]

I always worry about the real STAR players who had it easy all there life. They do not understand the hard work it will take to be that good in the NFL. Does he have the make up to become great in the NFL?

[papillon]

I always worry about the real STAR players who had it easy all there life. They do not understand the hard work it will take to be that good in the NFL. Does he have the make up to become great in the NFL?

Not sure if Clowney will be great, good or mediocre, but I did tune in to watch him play against Wisconsin, since I have never seen him play. He had an okay game, knocked down a few passes, but you could also tell that Wisconsin put a gamer plan in place to take advantage of Clowney as well. They must have watched his tendencies in specific down and distances, because, there were many times he was blocked by one person because he had basically taken himself out of the play either by taking a hard inside rush or a hard upfield rush and Wisconsin simply ran where he wasn't. The announcers were talking him up big time even though I was watching him get blocked out of many plays.

That doesn't mean he won't be an awesome pro, but it did show that he has work to do the same as all other draftees.

The Alabama vs Oklahoma game was more of the same thing, Ha-Ha, Mosely and Kounandjio were exposed by the Oklahoma game plan and, in particular, Kouandjio who was beaten routinely by a smaller, quicker and faster pass rusher. Oklahoma's Striker easily beat him with a speed rush that never allowed McCarron to get comfortable in the pocket and on Alabama's last offensive play of the game McCarron trusted Kouandijo to block Striker and he was unable to do so.

Clinton-Dix and Mosely were barely mentioned during the game except by the announcers to say that they were two of the best in the country at their positions, Oklahoma neutralized them easily.

These guys all may be great NFL football players, but it just shows that even top picks can be exposed with a game plan and that they have work to do to be great NFL players.

Pappy

[Oviedo]

Not sure if Clowney will be great, good or mediocre, but I did tune in to watch him play against Wisconsin, since I have never seen him play. He had an okay game, knocked down a few passes, but you could also tell that Wisconsin put a gamer plan in place to take advantage of Clowney as well. They must have watched his tendencies in specific down and distances, because, there were many times he was blocked by one person because he had basically taken himself out of the play either by taking a hard inside rush or a hard upfield rush and Wisconsin simply ran where he wasn't. The announcers were talking him up big time even though I was watching him get blocked out of many plays.

That doesn't mean he won't be an awesome pro, but it did show that he has work to do the same as all other draftees.

The Alabama vs Oklahoma game was more of the same thing, Ha-Ha, Mosely and Kounandjio were exposed by the Oklahoma game plan and, in particular, Kouandjio who was beaten routinely by a smaller, quicker and faster pass rusher. Oklahoma's Striker easily beat him with a speed rush that never allowed McCarron to get comfortable in the pocket and on Alabama's last offensive play of the game McCarron trusted Kouandijo to block Striker and he was unable to do so.

Clinton-Dix and Mosely were barely mentioned during the game except by the announcers to say that they were two of the best in the country at their positions, Oklahoma neutralized them easily.

These guys all may be great NFL football players, but it just shows that even top picks can be exposed with a game plan and that they have work to do to be great NFL players.

Pappy

Last night, Ha Ha, Mosley and Cyrus K. may have played themselves to the very bottom of Round 1 if not out of it all together in a couple of cases. Of course their total body of work will be looked at, but I kinda look at Alabama like USC a few years ago...when you have that much talent on one team is it really the individual player that is making the difference or are the opponents just overwhelmed by the overwhelming number of great players.

I think all three of the players mentioned will be solid Pros but not sure they are stars at the next level.

[Dee Dub]

I've seen Clowney quite a bit over the past couple of years. I think the "takes plays off" reputation is totally unfounded. Teams totally avoid his side of the field, double and triple team him, etc. I saw in person when South Carolina played UCF. UCF did everything but tackle Clowney to the ground and tie him up.

The reality is he is the best defensive lineman in this draft and will be the BPA if he was still there when we drafted. The sad reality is that even though we can't get to the QB we would likely pass on him because he is a 4-3 DE who would be yet another "coversion project" as long as we continue to play the 3-4. This is an example with why I like the 4-3, not that it matters, because for a 4-3 team he likely comes in and contributes from Day 1.

Guys like SKL and Ruthless probably have a more informed assessment on evaluating talent, but I would jump for joy if we could get Clowney as long as we used him right and put him in position to play to his strengths.

A better fit, and the one I think is the best defensive player in this draft, is OLB Khalil Mack. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network and former NFL scout said he thinks he is the one for sure bet in this entire draft. He is complete in all aspects of and OLB for a 3-4.

But he too will not be there at 15.

[Rod Polamalu]

Clowney has talent. Though i agree with those that say he may be a bit overrated. I thought the same of Jarvis coming out.
However,...Clowney's achilles heel to me is that,...he's a country boy.

If he is drafted by a team in a Major American City,...it's a wrap. However he has at least a shot of maximizing his potential in a place like Green Bay or Buffalo. And Pittsburgh though somewhat close,..... is'nt exactly that kind of "town".

[tiproast]

Clowney has talent. Though i agree with those that say he may be a bit overrated. I thought the same of Jarvis coming out.
However,...Clowney's achilles heel to me is that,...he's a country boy.

If he is drafted by a team in a Major American City,...it's a wrap. However he has at least a shot of maximizing his potential in a place like Green Bay or Buffalo. And Pittsburgh though somewhat close,..... is'nt exactly that kind of "town".

Interesting theory. Probably only New York, Chicago and Miami would be cities that provide the kind of off-the-field atmosphere you're thinking about. And none of those four franchises are picking in the top ten, so unless one of them trades up to get him, speeding tickets may be all he has to worry about.

[Rod Polamalu]

Interesting theory. Probably only New York, Chicago and Miami would be cities that provide the kind of off-the-field atmosphere you're thinking about. And none of those four franchises are picking in the top ten, so unless one of them trades up to get him, speeding tickets may be all he has to worry about.

Are you actually from the UK ? lol New York, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, New Orleans, Detroit, San Francisco and even Saint Louis. These are Major urban areas as opposed to being "Large small towns".

Give Clowney an NFL contract with the ego stroke and protection of an organization considering him "The man" in a City where there is anything to do other than focus on his craft,....and again,..it's a wrap.

[tiproast]

Are you actually from the UK ? lol New York, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, New Orleans Detroit, San Francisco and even Saint Louis. These are Major urban areas as opposed to being "Large small towns".

Give Clowney an NFL contract with the ego stroke and protection of an organization considering him "The man" in a City where there is anything to do other than focus on his craft,....and again,..it's a wrap.

Please point out all the NFL players getting in trouble in all of those cities you mentioned that weren't on my list- and it has to be specifically because of the night-life. You know, PacMan Jones kinds of issues - not your garden variety DUI.

Lots of country boys come into the league every year - you should be able to name quite few.

[feltdizz]

Are you actually from the UK ? lol New York, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly, Houston, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, New Orleans Detroit, San Francisco and even Saint Louis. These are Major urban areas as opposed to being "Large small towns".

Give Clowney an NFL contract with the ego stroke and protection of an organization considering him "The man" in a City where there is anything to do other than focus on his craft,....and again,..it's a wrap.

Besides speeding what trouble has he been in??? Taking a few plays off? That's it and it damn sure isnt going to scare off most teams since the new CBA protects teams from insane rookie contracts.

You sound like those analyst who said the same thing about Cam Newton... anytime a vlack player is a star in college or a top 5 pick people start talking about the red flags and character issues.... will he play hard, is it all about the money, etc.

Clowney told his mom she had 10 more months tp work before he could take care of her and Sports Illustrated used it against him. "He just wants a payday"... you're damn right he wants a payday.

[Rod Polamalu]

Please point out all the NFL players getting in trouble in all of those cities you mentioned that weren't on my list- and it has to be specifically because of the night-life. You know, PacMan Jones kinds of issues - not your garden variety DUI.

Lots of country boys come into the league every year - you should be able to name quite few.

Passive aggressive much Tip ? I am a born and bred Los Angeleno. Much can and has been said of a as much,...however i do not think "Country" could ever even be considered to be mentioned as one. lol

[feltdizz]

Please point out all the NFL players getting in trouble in all of those cities you mentioned that weren't on my list- and it has to be specifically because of the night-life. You know, PacMan Jones kinds of issues - not your garden variety DUI.

Lots of country boys come into the league every year - you should be able to name quite few.

Its the typical "you cant give them money" stereotype.. some people WANT, hell...they NEED these black players to screw up because its all they have. Why get Clowney whenyou can get the nice white kid?

Sorry to play that card but this prediciton sounds like Nolan Nawrocki.

[feltdizz]

Passive aggressive much Tip ? I am a born and bred Los Angeleno. Much can and has been said of a as much,...however i do not think "Country" could ever even be considered to mentioned as one. lol

He is calling Clowney a country boy...not you.

[tiproast]

Passive aggressive much Tip ? I am a born and bred Los Angeleno. Much can and has been said of a as much,...however i do not think "Country" could ever even be considered to mentioned as one. lol

I don't really understand your post - I think you may have left out some words.

And I am willing to admit that I'm wrong when there's evidence that shows it - supply me with some and I'll be happy to acknowledge that you know what you're talking about.

[Rod Polamalu]

Besides speeding what trouble has he been in??? Taking a few plays off? That's it and it damn sure isnt going to scare off most teams since the new CBA protects teams from insane rookie contracts.

You sound like those analyst who said the same thing about Cam Newton... anytime a vlack player is a star in college or a top 5 pick people start talking about the red flags and character issues.... will he play hard, is it all about the money, etc.

Clowney told his mom she had 10 more months tp work before he could take care of her and Sports Illustrated used it against him. "He just wants a payday"... you're damn right he wants a payday.

I understand your perspective Dizz. However, Cam's on field work ethic and competitive drive was never in question at any point throughout his Collegiate career if memory serves me correctly.

I am not saying Clowney is a Villan or Pac Man esque in terms of wanting to live his life as though it's based upon his favorite album. What i am saying is that imo the potential for this kid to become absolutely complacent makes that of Woodley like childs play.