Jadeveon Clowney

[thabear04]

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."

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Were people not having this EXACT SAME discussion with Julius Peppers in 2002?

He was a DE phenom who had motivation concerns and quit on his teammates?

Potential cancer, he was.

Then the Panthers drafted him #2 overall.

No one has stated he won't be a Top Ten guy.

People have questioned this strategy and there is no question that teams will be turned off by this behavior.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No one has stated he won't be a Top Ten guy.

People have questioned this strategy and there is no question that teams will be turned off by this behavior.

They've also been arguing that he's costing himself tons of money.

You've been arguing that, am I wrong?

He's almost certainly going Top 5.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

They've also been arguing that he's costing himself tons of money.

You've been arguing that, am I wrong?

He's almost certainly going Top 5.

Many a slip twixt the cup and the lip...

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Were people not having this EXACT SAME discussion with Julius Peppers in 2002?

He was a DE phenom who had motivation concerns and quit on his teammates?

Potential cancer, he was.

Then the Panthers drafted him #2 overall.

Completely different as the QBs that year were not very good and the league was not putting so much emphasis on the offense at that point as it is right now.

He will still go high but if the logic is that he doesn't want to cost himself millions then that logic doesn't hold up because falling in the draft position will cost him millions.

[Bump]

He could sit himself out for the rest of the season and be blatant about saving his body or whatever. Someone is still going to select him in the top 5, he's that talented and pass rushers are highly coveted.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Bump

He could sit himself out for the rest of the season and be blatant about saving his body or whatever. Someone is still going to select him in the top 5, he's that talented and pass rushers are highly coveted.

Totally possible, all depends on the teams.
It's still a Shit move.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

They've also been arguing that he's costing himself tons of money.

You've been arguing that, am I wrong?

You're wrong.

I've been arguing that it shows a lack of character. I once stated that his behavior *may* cost him some money but that hasn't been the focus of my responses nor have I stated that he IS costing himself "tons of money".

It's a bad strategy, period.

[BlackHelicopters]

That is a clown story, Bro.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

You're wrong.

I've been arguing that it shows a lack of character. I once stated that his behavior *may* cost him some money but that hasn't been the focus of my responses nor have I stated that he IS costing himself "tons of money".

It's a bad strategy, period.

The only thing I can think of is that he is getting advice from someone in the know about how to handle this. I think if he thought there was anyway this was going to cost him, or hurt him, he would be not be this difficult. While I agree that it isn't the correct way to handle things.

Regardless of what he does, when he gets to the combine, and goes through the process, they get his measureables and he goes either there, or at his pro day and blows it completely out of the water, no one will remember that back in the fall that Clowney didn't want to endanger his health and a chance at MILLIONS.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

Regardless of what he does, when he gets to the combine, and goes through the process, they get his measureables and he goes either there, or at his pro day and blows it completely out of the water, no one will remember that back in the fall that Clowney didn't want to endanger his health and a chance at MILLIONS.

What makes him different than any other college player?

Is Bridgewater pulling this stunt? Manziel? Matthews? Boyd? Watkins? Barr? Nix?

The answer is a firm and resounding "NO".

[GloryDayz]

I was going to caption this with, "Can he do this." Then I realized that she'd prolly jump on his dick in a heartbeat. **** the clown...

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

Too fat/

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Too fat/

You Sir, are evidently a man of exceedingly high standards. That being said, I'd work a few pounds off of her before I bothered you by gifting her to you.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

You Sir, are evidently a man of exceedingly high standards. That being said, I'd work a few pounds off of her before I bothered you by gifting her to you.

It was the Too fat/Omaha joke.

I just figured that Omaha was no longer necessary.

Oops.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by GloryDayz

You Sir, are evidently a man of exceedingly high standards. That being said, I'd work a few pounds off of her before I bothered you by gifting her to you.

check your meter

Edit: Dane beat me to it