Jadeveon Clowney Released by the Panthers

[Rat]

Per Schefter and ESPN.

I wish the Panthers had done this two months ago. He's better than DeMarcus Lawrence. Heck, I'd probably still consider it. We have the cap space and it's not like he'd be getting a long-term deal.

 

[Maulbert]

Clowney is talented, but not committed. He has always let his talent carry him. Lawrence isn't as talented, but he works harder. Pass.

 

[SPOHAWK]

If MM thinks he can be useful...then I defer!

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Is he better than Lawrence? Hmmmm

 

[Rat]

I dont agree with that at all that he's not a hard worker. Clowney has jumped around a bit maximizing his earnings with short deals, which is hardly uncommon for a player late in their career, but he's an extremely hard worker. He hurt his knee in his very first pro game and had to have a kind of microfracture surgery that is traditionally difficult to come back from and carved out a very respectable career where he's still a fine player going into his 12th season. He developed into an elite run defender, which he has been able to maintain much longer than his contemporaries. You don't do all that if you're just coasting on talent.

Obviously, Lawrence is inked and we can't just swap out the contracts, but had they both been available at the start of free agency, I definitely would have preferred Clowney, especially with Lawrence coming off a season-ending injury. His contract would be a win if he plays as well as Clowney did in Carolina last year.

 

[hawkfan68]

I think they have enough bodies for edge/olb. At a certain point when you add too many vets, it can stunt the growth of the younger guys like Mafe, Hall, and others. I'd rather see the young guys play more and develop.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

As if Clowney isn't always hurt

If he came on the cheap, sure.

 

[Rat]

Clowney does get dinged up a bit, and has quite a few 12-14 game seasons as a result, but I'd be more concerned about Lawrence because he hasn't played since week 5 of last year and we don't know how he's going to respond to it. At least Clowney was still playing well at the end of last season, and he hasn't had an IR type of injury in five years. I wouldn't bet any substantial amount of money on either playing every game of an 18-plus week season regardless.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

He has a ton of talent, I don't deny that. Just not sure I think he's better than Lawrence. Seems odd that he's seemingly on a different team every season. On a low $ deal? Hell yeah, bring him in.

Career stats are pretty close actually. Both entered the league in 2014:

Lawrence: 141 games played, 61.5 sacks, 450 total tackles, 285 Solo, 21 forced fumbles, 7 fumble recoveries
Clowney: 140 games played, 58 sacks, 409 total tackles, 272 Solo, 15 forced fumbles, 9 fumble recoveries

 

[AROS]

Clowney is talented, but not committed. He has always let his talent carry him. Lawrence isn't as talented, but he works harder. Pass.

^ This.