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.

 

[Rat]

^ This.

I respect your opinion, but I just don't think the evidence points to that. What are you basing your thoughts on that he just coasts on talent? Those guys tend to fizzle out quickly. He put in a lot to become great at aspects of the game that don't get the glory.

 

[Trackhawk]

If he is willing to come to camp to duke it out for a spot with Lawrence, I'm all for it. I doubt he will come back for the kind of money we would be offering. He might be better off sitting at home, waiting for a season on a contending team.

 

[GemCity]

If Lawrence is fully healed, I’d take him over Clowney.

We’ll see soon!

If we somehow pick up Clowney as well, I’m down!

 

[Sperrydogg]

I like clowney

 

[Appyhawk]

I have always been a fan and supported Clowney, and would be again except I am really stoked by what we have in our recent draft class. It will likely take them a while to acclimate and build up to it but it looks to me like we have tons of talent to work with. Hate to say it but I would pass on Clowney this year. But when he is on his game he is a marvel to see in action.
I do believe his agent has steered him wrong on occasion...

 

[Hawkinaz]

If both Lawrence and Clowney were available as free agents i am taking Lawrence.

 

[chris98251]

I just remember when he was here before he disappeared until a major game on National TV.

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

Clowney is not better than Lawrence, if anything they basically have similar quality. Lawrence is an elite run defender that wins pass-rush production with 2nd effort combined with great awareness and instincts. Clowney imo is not quite as good vs the run but still can flash dominance rather easily and has much more superior pass-rush tools in his bag but doesn’t always put it together all at once. Doesn’t always play with the incredible gumption that’s made Lawrence one of the most respected DEs in the last 10 years. Lawrence is also a capable team-first leader, and Clowney more or less just follows the money.

But I’m not understanding why this became an either or conversation at all.

I’m salivating at the thought of both players on the same team together with MacDonald platooning them in a similar capacity but maximizing them to their strengths and solidifying a strong edge rotation.

It’s cool to feel either player are long in the tooth and no longer elite or just washed but what happens if you put the two of them together, like two halves of one whole?

Just imagine being the dude that has to fend off Lawrence and Clowney all game and they are rotating with each other, keeping each other fresh, while you are just getting worked over and over and over again, physically, mentally, metaphorically, trying to keep pace with these two BAMFers. They will eventually break you, and eat your soul.

 

[uncle fester]

I’m ok with adding him as an extra body in the rotation.

If Macdonald doesn’t pick him up, I’ll be happy with his assessment of Clowney and what talent is already in the roster

 

[Trackhawk]

Clowney is not better than Lawrence, if anything they basically have similar quality. Lawrence is an elite run defender that wins pass-rush production with 2nd effort combined with great awareness and instincts. Clowney imo is not quite as good vs the run but still can flash dominance rather easily and has much more superior pass-rush tools in his bag but doesn’t always put it together all at once. Doesn’t always play with the incredible gumption that’s made Lawrence one of the most respected DEs in the last 10 years. Lawrence is also a capable team-first leader, and Clowney more or less just follows the money.

But I’m not understanding why this became an either or conversation at all.

I’m salivating at the thought of both players on the same team together with MacDonald platooning them in a similar capacity but maximizing them to their strengths and solidifying a strong edge rotation.

It’s cool to feel either player are long in the tooth and no longer elite or just washed but what happens if you put the two of them together, like two halves of one whole?

Just imagine being the dude that has to fend off Lawrence and Clowney all game and they are rotating with each other, keeping each other fresh, while you are just getting worked over and over and over again, physically, mentally, metaphorically, trying to keep pace with these two BAMFers. They will eventually break you, and eat your soul.

This is where I'm at. Imagine a Avril-Bennet like duo, rotating in on passing downs. They can't play the number of snaps that Avril and Bennet did, but they could be quite complementary, and effective, if kept fresh.