Jadeveon Clowney
 

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:9786240

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney did not play against Kentucky on Saturday, and coach Steve Spurrier was not entirely pleased about it.

Clowney came to the coaches before the game and said that bruised ribs that kept him from practice Thursday were too sore for him to play.

So the 6-foot-6, 274-pound All-American watched the Gamecocks' 35-28 win against Kentucky from the sidelines, chatting with teammates as South Carolina lost a large lead for the third straight game.

If Clowney "wants to play, we will welcome him to come play for the team if he wants," Spurrier said after the game. "But if he doesn't want to play, he doesn't have to play. Simple as that."

On Sunday, Spurrier reclassified Clowney's injury as a muscle strain. Spurrier said the frustration he expressed a day earlier was a result of how late Clowney waited to tell his coaches he wouldn't play.

"It was just we didn't know he wasn't playing until right before the game," Spurrier said. "That is always a little frustrating. Usually the trainer or doctor comes and tells you this guy is out, and that did not happen last night. But on the other side if a player is in pain and can't play, I don't want him to play. None of us do."

Asked about Clowney's commitment to the Gamecocks, Spurrier said, "You'll have to ask him that."

Spurrier's kept Clowney on a short leash with the media since early August, letting him speak only after games. Spurrier said that would change this week to give Clowney a chance to explain his injury.

Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said Saturday he thought Clowney would play during the team's walk-through and was surprised when he learned he wouldn't be playing.

"He said he was hurting, but I thought he was going to play," Ward said. "Love to have JD out there, but we've got to put 11 guys on the field."

Spurrier said Clowney remains questionable for the No. 14 Gamecocks' game at Arkansas on Saturday.

"We will have to wait through the week to see if he will be able to play," Spurrier said. "Obviously he doesn't have a broken leg or anything that would keep him out two to three weeks but if he has a muscle strain around the rib area, we will have to see how long it keeps him out."

Clowney missed practice Thursday with the injury, but Ward said then it was likely he would be in the lineup Saturday night. Clowney was announced with the starters but came out without his pads when the game began.

He has been bothered by injuries and ailments throughout the season. He was ill before games with North Carolina and UCF, and has also been dealing with bone spurs in his right foot, a problem he's had since high school.

Clowney has yet to break out this season as opponents have largely played away from his side. The reigning Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year has just 12 tackles and two sacks.

"He may not be able to play next week. I don't know," Spurrier said Saturday after the game. "But we're not going to worry about it, I can assure you of that."

Clowns

I still can't believe people thought he deserved to be #1 overall.

He's black, what do you expect?

Oops, wrong thread.:)

He best be careful, he might cost himself some $

He's already dropping on several teams minds. People are beginning to question his commitment to football and his ability to play through pain.

Now, that doesn't mean that he won't be a good to great NFL player or won't be drafted high.

But, he may be costing himself money with this behavior.

He's not costing himself anything.

He's still going to be a Top 5 pick. He's just fed up with college ball.

If he doesn't play another game at this point, he gets drafted roughly in the same spot.

He will be.

You watch. As soon as I realized who the Jags coach was, I knew who the first pick in the draft will be.

They need a name. Being that he plays for South Carolina will have Jacksonville drooling at the prospect of this guy. He will sell jerseys, and put buts in the seats.

This draft is deep enough at qb, and they have acquired extra picks by trading Monroe, that they can move up a little bit into the bottom of the first to grab a qb.

Clowney first is a lock.

OV-ER RATE-ED CLAP CLAP CLAPCLAPCLAP

Could be.
But if coaches get the idea he won't play through adversity it could cause some to pass, especially if he doesn't come back and perform like last year.
Guy is a dominant beast...when he's on the field.

This isn't adversity, though.

It's pretty clear he just doesn't want to play for free.

You can hardly blame him.

Word on the street is that his father is Albert Haynesworth, he's screwed big time.

But he hit someone unblocked.

That shows tremendous character, endearing him to South Carolina fans, scouts and GM's across the United States.

If that's the case I can't think of much that is less blameworthy than quitting on your team.
I'm not saying I know that to be the case at all, but if it is...