Sports

Will Jadeveon Clowney Play?

We’ve already weighed in on the whole Jadeveon Clowney saga once this week … but there’s a critical component of it that bears repeating. The junior All-American needs to be “in” or “out.” And he needs to let his coaches, teammates and fans know which it is … ASAP. If…

We’ve already weighed in on the whole Jadeveon Clowney saga once this week … but there’s a critical component of it that bears repeating.

The junior All-American needs to be “in” or “out.” And he needs to let his coaches, teammates and fans know which it is … ASAP.

If Clowney is not going to play for the University of South Carolina again this year … he needs to say so. Similarly if the 6-foot-6, 274-pound Rock Hill, S.C. native is planning on suiting up for Steve Spurrier’s No. 13/14 Gamecocks (4-1, 2-1 SEC) at some point in the future, he needs to make that clear, too.

No one will … well, let’s rephrase that … no one should begrudge Clowney for sitting out the remainder of the 2013 season if that’s what he decides to do. In fact it’s absolutely ridiculous that Clowney isn’t playing right defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs this season (further evidence that the NFL should eliminate its age restriction for incoming draftees).

As it stands now though the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Clowney – and by extension the entire Gamecock program – serves no one’s interests.

Here’s the basic math: Clowney will be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Nothing has happened over the course of the last six weeks to change that. And therein lies the real danger for Gamecock fans – that there is literally nothing Clowney can do over the next two months to raise his draft stock any higher than it already is.

There is, however, plenty he can do to lower his draft stock – whether we’re talking about an injury or his continued failure to live up to the totally unrealistic expectations that accompanied him into the 2013 season.

By that logic, Clowney should have probably never played a down this season – as many advised.

Again … the key here is communication. If Clowney wants to focus on his NFL future, that is his prerogative. He has the potential to be one of the best defensive players in football history – as well as one of the richest athletes in the history of sports (assuming mogul agent Jay-Z plays Clowney’s cards right).

Why risk all of that – especially when there’s literally nothing to be gained?

All we ask is that Clowney make up his mind and communicate his intentions sooner rather than later.

What do you think of the Clowney saga? Vote in our poll and post your thoughts in our comments section below.

UPDATE: Clowney Speaks.

Pic: Travis Bell Photography

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37 comments

Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 11:19 am

Dude, he’s injured. He will play when he’s healed, which I hope is this weekend. He has a pulled rib muscle, which has been confirmed by the medical staff, and it’s making it painful for him to breathe. I think USC fans should lay off of him. We need him a lot more than he needs us.
As for Clemson fans. Keep talking like you have the past few years.

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A Casual Observer October 8, 2013 at 1:13 pm

I think its basically “painful” for Doo-Doo to think…
Loan him some of your Midol, maybe that will help him get rid of those menstrual cramps that will probably be the reason he sits out the game in Fayetteville this weekend.

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David October 8, 2013 at 11:22 am

You are dead wrong that no one should begrudge him if he sits out the remainder of the year. If he didn’t want to play all out for the Gamecocks, he should have sat his ass at home all season. By not doing that but quitting on the team now, he will have let his coaches, his teammates, the fans, the University down. If he had just not come back, no one could begrudge him for that, but to show up and quit….you are dead wrong.

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CL October 8, 2013 at 11:30 am

Do you really think the talking heads that wanted to gin up controversy by saying he should sit would not turn on him in a heartbeat if he decided not to play? Look at what they are saying now when he is claiming an injury, and multiply it by a factor of 10 if he actually quit the team. He would be called a selfish mercenary, a cancer, etc. That would certainly hurt his draft stock.

I think it is safe to say he will be the first non-QB taken, but I imagine the Jaguars are taking a QB no matter what. Now, maybe they trade down to get one and Clowney is drafted by another team, but I think Bridgewater is the odds on favorite to be the top pick at this point unless the Giants (or another bad team) somehow win the battle of futility with Jacksonville to get the top pick.

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edr October 8, 2013 at 11:34 am

no practice on thursday, no play on saturday, thats what coach
has always said for last 8 years

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jimlewisowb October 8, 2013 at 11:42 am

An unrestricted free agent in the 2009 offseason, Haynesworth signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins on the first day of free agency, February 27, 2009. The deal was expected to pay Haynesworth $32 million in the first 13 months, included $41 million guaranteed.

From the beginning of his time with the Redskins, Haynesworth presented problems for the coaching staff. He refused to participate in off-season workouts, and arrived at camp in poor physical condition, unable to pass a basic fitness test. He also made it clear that he did not like his place in the team’s defensive scheme. After a 45–12 loss to the New York Giants on Monday Night in 2009, Haynesworth questioned the scheme of defensive coordinator Greg Blache, and stated that he could not “survive another season in this system if it stays the way it is.”

On December 7, 2010, it was announced that Haynesworth would spend the rest of the season on the restricted list. There had been conflicts throughout the 2010 preseason with Haynesworth and the coaching staff. After a dispute over his absence at a practice in which Haynesworth claimed to be ill, the team suspended him for “conduct detrimental to the club.” Coach Mike Shanahan said the suspension followed a refusal by Haynesworth to cooperate in a variety of ways and not only because of the practice absence.

During the 2010 season, Haynesworth had a career-low 13 tackles and just 2.5 sacks in 8 games, leading the NFL Network to name the signing of Haynesworth as the “worst free-agency move of last decade” Many other NFL writers have gone further, calling Haynesworth the #1 worst free agent bust in NFL history

Haynesworth was born in Hartsville, South Carolina

Go ahead NFL, make it 2 for 2 and draft The Clown

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 12:06 pm

Clowney must have banged your daughter, because I’m having a hard time understanding the hate you have for him.

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jimlewisowb October 8, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Don’t have a daughter
Don’t hate him
Don’t give a rat’s ass what he does or doesn’t do
Don’t give a rat’s ass what you do or don’t do
Just making an observation
Now, go fuck yourself, twice

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 1:03 pm

For someone you don’t give a rat’s ass about, you sure spend a lot of time trying to tear him down. Maybe it’s envy or you are just an ass.
In any event, go fuck yourself, too.

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jimlewisowb October 8, 2013 at 1:06 pm

No can do
If the Government ain’t got their dick up my ass , you’ve got your tongue up it

Smirks October 8, 2013 at 11:57 am

Shaw played despite fucking up his arm in the previous game. Get on the field Clowney.

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Yeah, well Connor has missed plenty of games — much more than Clowney — so I”m not sure he’s the best example to use. In any event, I wish USC fans would give Clowney the benefit of the doubt. If he truly has the injury he claims (and which apparently the USC staff has confirmed) it makes it hard and painful to breathe and the injury is located at a vulnerable spot.

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Guest October 8, 2013 at 12:16 pm

Wanna buy some beachfront property in Kansas?

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 12:21 pm

Spurrier just confirmed the injury in his press conference. What part are you still in disbelief about?

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Guest October 8, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Gee, shucks, Wally. Well if Ole Stevie says so, it must be true, huh? He wouldn’t have any reason to save face after-the-fact…

Norma Scok October 8, 2013 at 2:11 pm

Steve should just go have another drink.

Scooter October 8, 2013 at 6:57 pm

Yes and it took him 3 days to come up with a spin

Nölff October 8, 2013 at 12:04 pm

He was dissing the Tigers during the preseason; calling Boyd “scared” of him. I hope he can recover and play that game so Boyd can show him how to win without being “cocky”.

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 12:23 pm

You mean the same Boyd that struck the Heisman pose last year after throwing the TD to Hopkins to make the game 14-7? Yeah, what a great example you gave there.

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A Casual Observer October 8, 2013 at 1:10 pm

Taj Boyd has more class (and guts) in his little finger than Clowney does in his entire 6’6″ body. Seems like between the two “potential” Heisman candidates that the State of SC had this year….ummm….the Tiger is heads and shoulders above Doo-Doo.

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 1:20 pm

Boyd also has more head-to-head losses, too.

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CNSYD October 8, 2013 at 4:36 pm

So that is the criteria the Heisman voters use. I always wondered.

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Norma Scok October 8, 2013 at 2:10 pm

Clowney also said every QB they play is scared of him. I wonder if they are afraid he’ll bump into them on the sidelines?

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Nölff October 8, 2013 at 3:17 pm

Yeah. He said that to Aaron Murray as well. We see how that turned out..

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idcydm October 8, 2013 at 12:22 pm

I would venture to say not only are the fans wondering about Clowney’s commitment but so are the Pros.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 8, 2013 at 5:07 pm

JaMarcus Russell
Jadeveon Clowney

Jast sayin’….

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A Casual Observer October 8, 2013 at 1:05 pm

I hear Clowney won’t play this Saturday against Arkansas. Nasty yeast infection…

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 8, 2013 at 4:00 pm

COOTer Itch.

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Same ol' Same ol' October 8, 2013 at 1:59 pm

I’m sure it’s just a run of bad luck, with the injuries and all that, week after week, surely that’s all it is. Couldn’t be anything like he doesn’t give a rat’s ass about the team he plays for. I mean, one of the best defensive players of all time for SC and he doesn’t play?

If it truly is a rib injury, I hope he heals fast, it’s just at the point now where credibility has been stretched to the limit.

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Stinkbait October 8, 2013 at 2:11 pm

It looks to me like Clowney made the common mistake of buying into the pre-season hype. Spurrier, Inc. has done absolute magic on the field in recent years, but it doesn’t appear anyone is coaching these, yes, kids on how to deal with the real world. Clowney is, indeed, mucho hombre, but why didn’t someone teach him it’s not okay to show up at the State House in sweats & flip-flops? — not a big deal, but still a lost opportunity to demonstrate some class & refinement that could’ve served him well. And now it appears we’re watching him self-destruct. What a shame.

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Original Good Old Boy October 8, 2013 at 4:19 pm

Self-destruct? Seriously? He missed one game. We have some true melodrama surrounding Clowney and almost all of it has to do with intepreting his actions, and not the action itself.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein October 8, 2013 at 3:36 pm

Coach told Clowney, “Son, there is no ‘I‘ in ‘Team‘.”

Clowney thought to himself, “Yeah, but there is an ‘ME‘.”

…and y’all say he can’t spell….

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SC FAN October 8, 2013 at 4:47 pm

It kills me when football players say they don’t want to play football because they may get hurt. Uhmm yes you might. IT’S FOOTBALL. Clowney can cry all he wants about the possibilty of getting hurt, but I can assure him that he will be playing with the best of the best in the NFL. If you think you will get hurt in college your are in for a thrill wrecking heads with NFL lines. The Hype killed Clowney this year. Is he good? yes he is but not as good as he thinks in his own mind. Some advice Claowney Just go out and play football as you committed to doing and then move on with head held high. Because guess what, you are looking like an dumbass right now.

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CharlesDikkens October 8, 2013 at 6:12 pm

CJ Spiller played his entire senior season with turf toe. He finished 6th in the Heisman voting and was ACC player of the year. Compare his heart to Mr. Clowney’s. Just sayin’.

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BillC123 October 8, 2013 at 7:02 pm

The comments to the media were sad, this guy doesn’t give a shit about anything but himself. He calls him a student-athlete, I’d love to see that student transcript. Word around is that he’s taking two credits this semester. He’s a Junior, I wonder how close he is to graduating with a degree? He’s probably one of those players who’s set the record for the most 101 courses taken.

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Cleveland Steamer October 9, 2013 at 2:20 am

I remember a comment this website made about a helmet being launched into orbit by Clowney (fitting name btw). At the time it was like he was the best thing to ever be from SC, and he is a negro… not a civil war general.

If he is such a badass with his size/position I think injury is not likely. Reminds me of Julius Peppers on the days and plays he rested on his reputation. JP had more to rest on and he still played to half his potential. Beware pro scouts.

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Jake October 9, 2013 at 9:03 am

If he is not going to play give up the scholarship and pay
for his education. Interesting, I always thought the coaches ran the team and made decisions.

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