Clowney knows when to hold ’em, fold ’em
Gambling linebacker uses smarts, instinct in making his move
For such a big man, Jadeveon Clowney has a knack for squeezing through tight spaces in opponents’ backfields.
The Texans’ 6-5, 270-pound Pro Bowl pass rusher contorts and bends his body at extreme angles, shooting past blockers to disrupt passing and running plays.
As much as Clowney relies on his power and athleticism, it’s his instincts and intellect that set him apart.
The linebacker has developed a knack for knowing when to gamble and when not to.
“I do it on certain defensive calls,” Clowney said. “I’m not going to break it all down to you, but it depends on what personnel, what defense we’re in. I gamble. Other than that, I try to play sound football, just do my job.”
Heading into Sunday’s game at Washington, Clowney has recorded 5½ sacks and 10 tackles for losses. He’s tied for eighth in the NFL in tackles for losses and ranks second on the team in both categories behind J.J. Watt.
The Texans have grown increasingly comfortable granting Clowney the freedom to allow his reactions to guide him from play to play. It’s a trust factor Clowney has earned.
“He’s done a good job of that,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “J.D.’s always had great instincts, so he’s always understood. He’s a very smart player. He understands when to take chances, when to take risks, and I think in the past, maybe he did that a little bit too much every now and then.
“But lately, I think he’s done a really good job of knowing like, ‘Hey, this is a good time for me to basically play good fundamental football.’ When he does that, he’s very good. Just as good as he is when he loops inside and makes a big play. I think he’s really done a good job of improving in that area.”
Clowney isn’t far off last season’s career highs of 9½ sacks, 21 tackles for losses and 21 quarterback hits.
“He makes plays,” defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel said. “He’s a guy that has to be dealt with. He’s a productive player, and it helps our defense.”
Since 2015, Clowney has 47 tackles for losses. Only the Arizona Cardinals’ Chandler Jones (51) and Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald (48) have more.
Clowney plays the game with a ton of energy and is relentless in pursuit.
“My energy and effort, I feel like I’ve got to keep bringing it in the run game a little better than I’ve been doing lately, setting a wall,” Clowney said. “Passing, just keeping after the quarterback. I’ve been having a lot of pressures but not a lot of sacks. Just keep it up.”
Clowney ranks second to Watt on the Texans with 13 quarterback hits. He sacked Denver Broncos quarterback Case Keenum with a crushing blow, but a lot of other sacks have eluded his grasp.
“Some people really do care about just getting a sack, but I don’t care,” Clowney said. “I really just try to dominate the game. Even if I’m not making the play, just trying to really be disruptive and do what I can do to help other players around me.”
Crennel devises intricate strategies intended to free up Clowney, who alternates between twopoint and three-point stances. He is deployed all over the line of scrimmage.
“I like it,” Clowney said. “They move me around, get me good matchups.”
Clowney and Watt are worrisome blocking assignments for Washington’s injury-riddled offensive line.
“They move Clowney around quite a bit, and they move J.J. around a little bit,” Washington coach Jay Gruden said. “You never really can get a bead on them and say, ‘OK, he’s over the right tackle every time,’ or, ‘He’s over the left tackle every time.’ Sometimes they’re over a guard, sometimes they stand up and get over centers and stunt them, pick them, and Crennel does a great job moving those guys around.”
Washington quarterback Alex Smith presents a challenge for the Texans’ pass rushers. He’s mobile and has a quick release.
“He can run. He can pretty much do it all,” Clowney said. “You have to bottle him up, keep him in the pocket, because the guy can make a lot of plays outside the pocket with his legs. Always been our problem playing against Alex Smith.”