Other Sports Jadeveon Clowney - Page 3

thabear04 · 10-08-2013, 11:59 AM

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."

Halfcan · 10-08-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

He got all the exposure he needed last year. That was it.

All the coaching, facilities, room and board... All of that will come with millions of dollars in the NFL.

What he's getting this year, just in terms of $$$, is a shit sandwich compared to what he should be getting if the NFL were allowed to have taken him in this year's draft.

I don't know what he's thinking either, but $$$ talks. I'm willing to bet he's tired of putting himself out there for no ****ing reason. If I knew I had to basically sit on my balls for a year instead of earning millions that my skill clearly warrants in the NFL, I'd be pissed off too.

How about a College Degree? Yep he is getting a free ride and does not care about education- not too bright huh?

vailpass · 10-08-2013, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

He got all the exposure he needed last year. That was it.

All the coaching, facilities, room and board... All of that will come with millions of dollars in the NFL.

What he's getting this year, just in terms of $$$, is a shit sandwich compared to what he should be getting if the NFL were allowed to have taken him in this year's draft.

I don't know what he's thinking either, but $$$ talks. I'm willing to bet he's tired of putting himself out there for no ****ing reason. If I knew I had to basically sit on my balls for a year instead of earning millions that my skill clearly warrants in the NFL, I'd be pissed off too.

All I know is that if my buddy was falling out of a tree I'd try to catch him even if I knew it would break both my arms. Quitting on your teammates is like standing by and letting your buddy hit the ground.
The biggest part of football is the team aspect, it will not work otherwise.
And nobody is above the team.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-08-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

Yeah quitting on your boys is just...You don't do it.

If a talented player had quit on my high school football team (and many guys went on to play at D-1 schools, D-II and NAIA schools), he would have had his ass kicked by his team mates.

That is absolutely unacceptable and everyone in the locker room knows it.

Direckshun · 10-08-2013, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Its an NFL rule.

Same diff.

Direckshun · 10-08-2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

How about a College Degree? Yep he is getting a free ride and does not care about education- not too bright huh?

I don't personally agree with the decision Clowney is making.

But you can't deny its logic.

KCUnited · 10-08-2013, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Same diff.

I agree with you, I was just clarifying. In a perfect world, Marcus Lattimore would've been selected in the 1st on heart, instead he got a $300,000 signing bonus (I'm going off memory on that number).

Direckshun · 10-08-2013, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

All I know is that if my buddy was falling out of a tree I'd try to catch him even if I knew it would break both my arms. Quitting on your teammates is like standing by and letting your buddy hit the ground.
The biggest part of football is the team aspect, it will not work otherwise.
And nobody is above the team.

I would disagree that not playing football as hard as you can is similar to letting a friend get mortally wounded.

But as far as the bottom line is concerned ($$$): yes, Clowney's own financial interests are so considerable, that preserving them is more important to him than showing up every down for a season that makes no difference to him either way.

I don't agree with that decision personally, but you can't deny that logic.

Halfcan · 10-08-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vailpass

All I know is that if my buddy was falling out of a tree I'd try to catch him even if I knew it would break both my arms. Quitting on your teammates is like standing by and letting your buddy hit the ground.
The biggest part of football is the team aspect, it will not work otherwise.
And nobody is above the team.

This. If all he cares about is money-that smells trouble. Once a quitter always one.

vailpass · 10-08-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If a talented player had quit on my high school football team (and many guys went on to play at D-1 schools, D-II and NAIA schools), he would have had his ass kicked by his team mates.

That is absolutely unacceptable and everyone in the locker room knows it.

Yep. And I've never seen it even considered.

vailpass · 10-08-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I would disagree that not playing football as hard as you can is similar to letting a friend get mortally wounded.

But as far as the bottom line is concerned ($$$): yes, Clowney's own financial interests are so considerable, that preserving them is more important to him than showing up every down for a season that makes no difference to him either way.

I don't agree with that decision personally, but you can't deny that logic.

I can certainly deny the character and ability to be part of a team.

mr. tegu · 10-08-2013, 01:05 PM

Other players will pass him and it will cost him money. What happens in the interview when he is asked these questions.

"Why did nobody know you weren't going to play against Kentucky until right before the game?"

"Wouldn't it have been better to let the coach know so that he could prepare and your backup could be better prepared as well?"

"Your coach was seemingly questioning your committment to the team. What is your response to that?"

If his response is that is was logical because he doesn't need any improvement and is too skilled to be playing college ball then he will not be looked at favorably at all. He better have a better answer than "it just made sense."

**RealSNR** · 10-08-2013, 01:07 PM

The NBA has a one and done rule. Talented basketball players who years ago would have been allowed to enter the draft out of high school now have to "serve" one season in the NCAA.

You don't see those guys quitting on their teams, do you? Do you see Andrew Wiggins say, "I shouldn't even be here right now. I should be making real money. This one year of college thing is bullshit, so I'm just going to take care of my body and look out for #1 here."

The NFL is no different, only it's 2 years of mandatory play. And players like Clowney who could potentially be drafted after their freshman seasons are very very rare. Does that excuse Clowney, though? No, it should not.

Spurrier I think should be making a bigger deal out of this that it's not okay to flake out on your teammates.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-08-2013, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

The NFL is no different, only it's 2 years of mandatory play. And players like Clowney who could potentially be drafted after their freshman seasons are very very rare. Does that excuse Clowney, though? No, it should not

Abami Okoye was the youngest player ever drafted in the NFL at the age of 19. To say that his career has been a disappointment would be an understatement and he's currently out of the NFL at age 26.

There are no excuses for Clowney's behavior.

**Saul Good** · 10-08-2013, 01:11 PM

I'm kind of with D on this one. He just watched his teammate in a similar situation get his leg ripped off while losing eight figures in the process.

I can't really blame him for not wanting to risk his winning lottery ticket in order to win the good graces of a bunch of middle aged white dudes posting on the internet.

Direckshun · 10-08-2013, 01:12 PM

I do think it's a dick thing to do to not be the best you can be when you don't have to be.

But it's not a moral failing. He's just being a dick. And, financially, it's even arguable that he's costing himself any money.

10-08-2013, 11:59 AM
thabear04 MTFU Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Valley Heat Casino cash: $5670450	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."
Posts: 7,230

10-08-2013, 01:05 PM	#41
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $1951300	Other players will pass him and it will cost him money. What happens in the interview when he is asked these questions. "Why did nobody know you weren't going to play against Kentucky until right before the game?" "Wouldn't it have been better to let the coach know so that he could prepare and your backup could be better prepared as well?" "Your coach was seemingly questioning your committment to the team. What is your response to that?" If his response is that is was logical because he doesn't need any improvement and is too skilled to be playing college ball then he will not be looked at favorably at all. He better have a better answer than "it just made sense."
Posts: 24,061

10-08-2013, 01:07 PM	#42
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $2340208	The NBA has a one and done rule. Talented basketball players who years ago would have been allowed to enter the draft out of high school now have to "serve" one season in the NCAA. You don't see those guys quitting on their teams, do you? Do you see Andrew Wiggins say, "I shouldn't even be here right now. I should be making real money. This one year of college thing is bullshit, so I'm just going to take care of my body and look out for #1 here." The NFL is no different, only it's 2 years of mandatory play. And players like Clowney who could potentially be drafted after their freshman seasons are very very rare. Does that excuse Clowney, though? No, it should not. Spurrier I think should be making a bigger deal out of this that it's not okay to flake out on your teammates.
Posts: 90,453

10-08-2013, 01:11 PM	#44
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	I'm kind of with D on this one. He just watched his teammate in a similar situation get his leg ripped off while losing eight figures in the process. I can't really blame him for not wanting to risk his winning lottery ticket in order to win the good graces of a bunch of middle aged white dudes posting on the internet. __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870

10-08-2013, 01:12 PM	#45
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4353447	I do think it's a dick thing to do to not be the best you can be when you don't have to be. But it's not a moral failing. He's just being a dick. And, financially, it's even arguable that he's costing himself any money.
Posts: 59,270