Jets WR Clowney waiting for his chance-BY ERIK BOLAND | erik.boland@newsday.com November 7, 2008 FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Calling David Clowney disgruntled would be inaccurate. But "frustrated" works. "It would be frustrating for anybody, especially being what I did in training camp and preseason," the second-year receiver from Virginia Tech said. "I know I have the ability to help this team, and that's all I want to do." But to this point, despite being healthy for several weeks after returning from a shoulder injury, Clowney has not contributed. Clowney was on track to be one of the season's surprises, catching two long TD passes in the preseason opener on Aug. 7 in Cleveland, though that game is better remembered for who wasn't in the lineup - Brett Favre - than who was. The next week against the Redskins, Clowney had a team-best four catches for 59 yards before getting slammed to the turf after the fourth catch and suffering a broken collarbone. Clowney is now physically ready to return but hasn't been activated. He's the victim of a numbers game, coach Eric Mangini said. "It's tough to bring six wideouts to a game and have roles for all of them," Mangini said. "Usually the [fourth and fifth wide receiver] play certain roles on special teams because of their body type. When you add six in there, there's only so many of those spots, those body-type spots. Then you have to make a decision of, is his anticipated contribution on offense great enough to offset the uncertainty with his performance on special teams?" The fourth and fifth receivers have been Brad Smith, who fills a utility role of sorts, and Wallace Wright, who is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season on special teams. Still, a true burner seems to be one element missing from the Jets' receiving corps. Clowney, if nothing else, is fast. "He's definitely a blazer," safety Kerry Rhodes said yesterday. "He's fast, very fast, possibly our fastest guy on the team," Favre said. Favre had seen Clowney - who ran one of the fastest 40 times at the 2007 NFL Combine with a 4.36 - in action before. The Packers selected Clowney in the fifth round of the 2007 draft and he spent training camp with the Packers that year. But "I didn't think he'd make it three weeks in Green Bay last year and he didn't," Favre said this week. "Maybe he made it four." The Packers waived Clowney on Sept. 1, 2007, and though they re-signed him to their practice squad, the Jets grabbed him in October 2007. "His development from that point to now is totally different," Favre said. "I've told him that." Mangini acknowledged Clowney's speed, though he said that isn't unique to Clowney among Jets receivers. "I think he does have very good speed," Mangini said. "I think that our other receivers have the ability to stretch the field as well. I don't think he's the only one that has that ability. I do appreciate his speed. It is a real strength." And it's one that Clowney is eager to display, especially with Favre. Clowney remembered when he was drafted by the Packers and how much he wanted to catch a TD pass from the league's all-time leader in that category. He was as excited as anyone when the Jets traded for Favre last summer, and both players had an almost identical recollection of a recent conversation between the two when they walked to their cars after practice. Said Clowney: "I was like, 'Listen, we've been on two different teams together. Can I get a touchdown pass before you retire, man, please?'" "You better hurry up," Favre responded. "You got a lot of time left; I don't." Clowney said Favre encouraged him. "He just said, you're doing a heck of a job, everybody notices it, everybody sees it, your time will come," Clowney said. "I was like, 'Cool.' So when that time comes, I'm going to make sure I'm ready for it."
As long as we play dink-and-dunk and let the D and Leon win the games, it really doesn?t make sense to make clowney active instead of either Smith or Wright, who both are great special teamer.
We are missing a deep threat in the passing game. The other WRs just don't have the speed and can't create good seperation. Favre always likes to take a couple shots deep down field each game, but this year he has no Greg Jennings or Javon Walker type to throw to. Besides Cotchery and Coles, the other WRs aren't really contributing much this year. Give Clowney a chance and see what he can do.
i feel a flea flicker or play action go against the patriots . have to keep the bullets for when they count
Even if Clowney catches a ball for a 60 yard td, he probably still wouldnt be as valuable to a game as certainly wallace wright, and maybe brad smith too. But, with that being said, id still love to see him out there sometime soon
Lets see we have Coles, Cotch, Stuckey, Smith, Walker as the five active receivers. We have Smith as our trick play guy that Mangini seems to love, Wright is special teams. That leaves Coles, Cotch and Stuckey as the possible inactives. There is no way in hell that I see them sitting Coles or Cotch barring a major injury. Stuckey had a TD in each of the first three games but has been less effective since. He would be the one to sit. Another shot that Clowney would have is to step up special teams play to replace Wright. That just seems like a high bar to get over right now and he hasn't done it so far.
Unless Clowney is outplaying Stuckey at WR3 in practice or outplaying Brad Smith or Wallace Wright on special teams (which is even more difficult), there's no reason to start him.
Give him a shot That speed is dangerous..... Plus he is a good guy...I work at his old high school and takes the time to come back and talk..... REally would like to see him get a shot...looked nice in the preseason,..
Everyone clamors for a deep threat. "That's what this Offense is missing, that's what we need to open it..." etc. Now that we have a guy who's healthy and can potentially do that, he's not going to see the field. And everyone's okay with this? wtf? I know it's hard to get everyone PT, but as a Coach you need to devise a way to get him on the field and get him the ball; especially if he's one of the missing ingredients to this Offense.
I was excited about him in pre-season, it was a shame he got hurt. With Favre I'd think he would present the threat of a home run ball. Favre had good things to say about him in his press conference the other day.
You know - watching last weeks game I noticed that we are sometimes going 3 wideout with two TEs. In other words, Keller is in the slot as the 3rd WR. Honestly I love the guy already but I am not sure we shouldn't be using a WR in this formation. He isn't fast enough to open up if its not a quick throw. While this same formation has Baker lined up at TE. I beleive if Stucky were in the slot and Keller were at TE we'd be more dangerous.
Why would we want to sit Stuckey? He's been great whenever he's had the ball this season. That run after the catch in Oakland was one of the biggest reasons we even forced overtime. Clowney will get in when he gets in IMO. Hopefully soon, cause I'd like to see what he's made of, but maybe theres a reason he's not there.
I agree everytime he gets the ball he does something positive. ANd I dont think he has a drop yet this year. He needs to be more involved with the offense.
If they want to get creative they could go with no backup QB and use Brad Smith as the emergency backup.
