Dan Morgan on Jadeveon Clowney: “we’re still working through the roster”

[bythenbrs]

I’m usually more risk adverse but, I’m wondering if it doesn’t make sense to rip the band aid off, trade or cut Clowney and start Scourton.  Unless he just seems lost in camp, let’s throw him in the fire and get him real three down starter experience.

We are still in the rebuilding phase, not the ‘win now’ phase.

Edited April 26, 2025 by bythenbrs

[Mr Mojo Risin]

I'd consider cutting DJ Johnson before Clowney. He hasn't shown anything in the 2 seasons he's been here. In 27 games he's appeared in he has a half a sack. He will also be turning 27 in October.

Clowney at least fills a role of having a veteran with some success in the NFL with high draft pedigree. If I had to choose between the 2 I'd choose Clowney. I don't see Johnson developing into a solid starter.

[Jon Snow]

1 minute ago, bythenbrs said:

I’m usually more risk adverse but, I’m wondering if it doesn’t make sense to rip the band aid off, cut Clowney and start Scourton.  Unless he just seems lost in camp, let’s throw him in the fire and get him real three down starter experience.

All 3 of the rookies will not start until they can execute their assignments. Nalo has to learn the playbook which is now a year thicker and he's a year behind. The new edge guys have a system to learn and prove they will not be a liability on an already historically bed defense. That would theoretically be impossible to do but we are a team of firsts and not in a good way. 

[TD alt]

If we can keep aging veteran Clowney on a commensurate deal, I'd prefer that. It's not like he's some scrub. He can be of good value to the room.

[bythenbrs]

4 minutes ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

I'd consider cutting DJ Johnson before Clowney. He hasn't shown anything in the 2 seasons he's been here. In 27 games he's appeared in he has a half a sack. He will also be turning 27 in October.

Clowney at least fills a role of having a veteran with some success in the NFL with high draft pedigree. If I had to choose between the 2 I'd choose Clowney. I don't see Johnson developing into a solid starter.

No disagreement with cutting DJ Johnson.  That was a terrible ‘need’ pick and should be the poster child for why you should draft BPA, not need.

[Waldo]

You hang onto Clowney as insurance and part time work. With as much dead weight as they have in that room there are easier cuts.

They look to be feeling overconfident IMO.

[jfra78]

If Clowney stays scourton will start and Clowney will rotate like he did in Baltimore

[bythenbrs]

2 minutes ago, Waldo said:

You hang onto Clowney as insurance and part time work. With as much dead weight as they have in that room there are easier cuts.

They look to be feeling overconfident IMO.

True, but that insurance has a cost that can be avoided (in part).

[Jon Snow]

1 minute ago, bythenbrs said:

True, but that insurance has a cost that can be avoided (in part).

Maybe, maybe not. You cannot assume these rookies will be able to start right out of the gate. The run defense could actually get worse for a while before these rookies get up to speed. But given how bad it's been I can see the benefit in just ripping the bandaid off and letting them earn their strips under live bullets all season.

[TD alt]

1 minute ago, bythenbrs said:

True, but that insurance has a cost that can be avoided (in part).

Sometimes it just makes you feel better to pay, at least until you don't have to. Peace of mind in lean times until you're rich. Sure it's a mindset, but you gotta actually have to prove to yourself that you're rich first.

[Davidson Deac II]

19 minutes ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

I'd consider cutting DJ Johnson before Clowney. He hasn't shown anything in the 2 seasons he's been here. In 27 games he's appeared in he has a half a sack. He will also be turning 27 in October.

Clowney at least fills a role of having a veteran with some success in the NFL with high draft pedigree. If I had to choose between the 2 I'd choose Clowney. I don't see Johnson developing into a solid starter.

He might be, and likely will be cut during preseason.  

But if we are talking about cap space, cutting him saves very little.  

[Waldo]

18 minutes ago, bythenbrs said:

True, but that insurance has a cost that can be avoided (in part).

Insurance policies exist for a reason. People have liked drafts in the past that have imploded.

He isn't a starter but your paying for known pressure. Again, there are easy cuts sitting there that the team is much better off without.

[MHS831]

11 hours ago, Hoenheim said:

 

All I will say is Wonnum was solid when he was healthy. Otherwise, that is a room full of JAGs not counting our two drafted guys. One of them could push to start immediately if theyre good enough. 

We had such a poo defense they should let the best man win in training camp for the starting OLB positions. 

I think Clowney would only be a 20-25 snap guy if here--not sure he is even worth the $7m we could save by cutting him.  Wonnum is 27 and is probably entering his prime and he is good on the strong side.  Pat Jones II is a 26-year old, 265 lb run stuffer, even though he had a career-high 7 sacks in 2024. Wonnum is 6'5" 258 and he has had 2 8-sack seasons and was on an 8-sack pace last year (4 sacks in 8 games).

Scourton should start across from Wonnum, with Jones and Princely rotating in situationally. I just don't see how Clowney, at 32, does much more than blocks the developmental opportunities of the younger players if he stays.

 

[Jackie Lee]

We've got enough to sign the draft class and have around $10m left over, I think the mentorship and impact of Clowney/Wonnum being able to rotate well rested is worth more than saving some money we're not desperate for. Can't have these rookies learning from Patrick Jones and Barno or whoever. Have to keep at least one of Clowney/Wonnum