Crennel is waiting for ‘total Clowney’

As dangerous and disruptive as Jadeveon Clowney has become as a run-stopping and passrushing presence, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel is convinced that the Texans defensive end is capable of doing even more.

Clowney is tied for fourth in the NFL with a dozen tackles for losses and has a career-high 41 tackles and 11 quarterback hits, along with three sacks.

“Well, I don’t think that we’ve totally seen the total guy, you know?” Crennel said. “We’ve seen his ability. He’s got explosion, got quickness, got length, he can run. But he’s been playing the defensive line a lot, and that kind of takes its toll on you because you’re in there with the big guys, so you get banged up a little bit.

“Eventually we’re going to see the total Clowney, and then I think that we’ll see what he brings to the table. I think it’s a good thing of what he brings.”

The emergence of Clowney in his third NFL season has provided a major boost for the Texans’ fifth-ranked defense.

Playing defensive end despite only being 6-5, 270 pounds after shifting from outside linebacker due to a season-ending back injury suffered by three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, Clowney has given the Texans a reliable threat capable of defeating blocks and penetrating the backfield. He knows he can improve.

“I’m just trying to get better,” Clowney said. “I appreciate that but I got a lot more. There’s a lot of areas in my game that I can improve in, especially in the passing game.”

Clowney will be chasing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Sunday at Lambeau Field. It reminds him a lot of competing against Raiders quarterback Derek Carr during a recent loss in Mexico City.

“Carr and Rodgers are kind of the same; you have to keep them in the pocket,” Clowney said. “Rodgers doesn’t take his eyes from downfield. He makes a lot of plays moving out of the pocket.”