Clowney gives fans a sampling of his potential
Former No. 1 draftee shows what he can do when healthy
Not all sacks are created equal. Somesacks,eveninthepreseason, can be called huge.
But the mighty shot Jadeveon Clowney put on Drew Brees early in the second quarter of the Texans’ 16-9 beatdown of the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night was maybe even bigger than huge because it happened at the expense of the future Hall of Fame quarterback and it happened for Clowney exactly when he needed to make a statement to show fans something special.
And, to be sure, show himself something special, too.
“It felt really good to be back out there after missing last week,” said the third-year linebacker, whomthe Texans made the NFL’s first overall draft choice in 2014. “We had some fun tonight. It’s been a long time. I’m trying to do what I can for the team … get off the ball hard, rush hard, try to get to the quarterback.”
Brees, whose super-fast release frequently saves him from such naked indignities, never knew what hit him. Saints tackle Andrus Peat, the man Clowney beat, got knocked backward almost before he could attempt to set up his intended block. Brees, in Clowney’s words, “tried to pop out the back end,” but instead he wound up sprawled back at the Saints’ 6-yard line. A subsequent third-down pass gained nothing, and a punt followed.
In fact, the only points NewOrleans scored this night came in the second half — on three field goals — after Brees had long since departed. To his relief probably.
“I think (Clowney) stepped in today and did a tremendous job,” said cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who himself victimized Brees with a pick at the end of the first quarter. “He’s a tremendous talent. I think he came in and made some plays. A player like him needs to come in and have that type of success, because he has all the ability in the world, and any time he comes in and makes those plays, it’s going to help his confidence.”
Clowney, whose easy-going nature sometimes makes outsiders wonder about his passion for football, wasn’t in a gloating mood afterward. But his satisfaction with his evening’s work, which included a few second-half snaps, could be read in his smile.
“To get a sack on a man I watched growing up,” Clowney said, “yeah, that was great. But I’m looking forward to next week now. I needed (the playing time). Just trying to keep going forward, getting better. I’ve got to keep improving. I’ve got a lot learn. I messed up on some things. Gotta get better.”
Fellow former first-round pick Whitney Mercilus, the outside linebacker the Texans took No. 1 in 2012, admitted it was easy to share in Clowney’s joy, knowing what his teammate has been through, starting with career-threatening microfracture knee surgery after his rookie season and followed by a laundry list of lesser ailments last fall.
“Good for him,” Mercilus said. “He got some work in tonight and showed the coaches what he can do. For Clown to go out there and get some sacks, make some disruptions in the backfield, I’m happy for him. I really am.”