Clowney wants full-game effort by defense
Jadeveon Clowney was in no mood for a pat on the back, or any reminders about his eyepopping statistics.
One year removed from a breakthrough Pro Bowl season, Clowney is arguably delivering an even superior encore.
Despite the season-ending injuries to J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilius and becoming a marked man by blocking schemes, Clowney has tied his career high with six sacks. He already has a dozen tackles for losses, four less than his total from last season with seven games to play.
Although Clowney has been ultra successful, he isn’t satisfied with anything right now. Especially not the state of the Texans. They’ve dropped to 3-6 and are mired in a threegame losing streak.
“We’re losing,” Clowney said. “I’m not playing good enough to get no win yet. I got to keep going. I think I’m having an OK season. Six sacks, some tackles for loss, I got to continue to get better in that category.
“Keep getting better and better each week, improving my tackles and sacks for loss and doing what I can do to lead this team, get a win.”
The Texans haven’t been consistent lately in any category. Over the past three games, the Texans’ defense has allowed a total of 94 points.
“We have to finish the game,” Clowney said. “Either we’re starting fast or we’re starting slow and finishing strong, starting fast and not finishing. It’s like one or the other.
“We just got to be consistent the whole game, starting fast and finishing strong instead of starting slow and finishing strong. I think we’re going to come out fired up this week.”
If the Texans started winning, perhaps they could salvage a season that appears lost since star rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson tore his anterior cruciate ligament.
“It would mean a lot,” Clowney said. “We’ve been in a lot of tough, close games this season. We still came up short a few times, but we’ll get back on the right track this week, hopefully, and get a win. It’s rough getting a win in this league, but we need one.”
Savage says message received
Tom Savage acknowledged that coach Bill O’Brien saying publicly the quarterback’s performance needs to improve resonates with him.
“It’s motivating,” Savage said Friday. “Obviously, you want to be ready to go. You’ve only played five games, but really it doesn’t matter, you have to go out there and perform.”
Savage has lost all three of his starts this season, including the past two since replacing injured rookie Deshaun Watson. Savage is in his fourth season, but he has started just five career games.
“Yeah, he doesn’t have a ton of experience, but it’s time,” O’Brien said. “It’s time to get going.”
Savage has completed 47.3 percent of his throws for 502 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with six fumbles, losing five of them.
When asked if O’Brien’s comments bother him, Savage replied: “No, not at all. If something a coach says puts pressure on you, then you’re in the wrong business.”
Cardinals to start Gabbert at QB
The Cardinals will start Blaine Gabbert at quarterback against the Texans on Sunday because of a knee injury to Drew Stanton.
Gabbert is a former Jacksonville Jaguars firstround draft pick from Missouri who has gone 9-31 as a starter. He hasn’t started a game since last season for the San Francisco 49ers. For his career, Gabbert has completed 56 percent of his throws for 7,351 yards, 38 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.
“He’s a quick decisionmaker,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think he throws an accurate ball. I think he can move. I think he’s fairly athletic. I think he’s a smart guy. We practiced against him when we scrimmaged against San Francisco last year, saw some good things from Blaine. ”
Thompson’s status in doubt
The Texans could be short-handed on special teams Sunday.
Rookie wide receiver and kick returner Chris Thompson is questionable with a knee injury. He’s trending toward playing Sunday, according to coach Bill O’Brien.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Will Fuller is out with cracked ribs.
The Texans have options in the return game, including running backs Jordan Todman and D’Onta Foreman and receivers Bruce Ellington and Braxton Miller.
The Texans ruled out linebacker Dylan Cole (hamstring) and offensive tackle Julie’n Davenport (shoulder).