Who is the best defensive player in this picture?

[ThePiombino]

dude this kid is already a monster, I mean look what he did to Nebraska in the bowl game last year and Georgia this year, however with that being said I think he could use another year., but if he's projected to go in the 1st round then he should bail.....why stay around.

He should stock around because he's not draft eligible for starters.

 

[irishroo]

I'm sure this will be extremely unpopular... but I'll take Clowney over Manti all day. There's a reason DEs and OLBs get drafted way ahead of ILBs every year in the NFL - elite pass rushers are the most valuable commodity a defense can have. No disrespect to Manti, but if you ask any coach whether they'd rather have an elite pass rusher or an elite ILB, 9 out of 10 take the pass rusher. Clowney will be the #1 overall pick next year (barring major injury) and has been compared to Andrew Luck as a defensive prospect - a sure-fire, can't miss guy who may be the best at his position to come out of the college ranks in a decade or more.

 

[IrishLion]

I have two final thoughts about this; the way the helmet pops of, it was a helmet to helmet hit; and I am getting kind of fed up with Jon Gruden, he was getting all masturabatory over JC and all and called him a Heisman-winner. I kind of took that as a Manti dig.

But with any reference to Te'o and his awards, including being the most deserving defensive candidate ever; did anyone see Clowney have the kind of positive effect on the ***** defense that Manti has on the Irish? Did anyone see any particular leadership from the teen in general?

I gotta disagree here Bogs, it was a perfect form tackle in my opinion. I saw it live and only saw a couple replays, so I haven't studied it, but it looked to me like he squared up, wrapped up, and put his helmet (face first) right under the ball carrier's chin. It was form tackling 101 in my opinion, and it was a thing of beauty.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I can't tell if it was helmet to helmet. it is almost impossible for it NOT to be, however. I have seen Vincent Smith many times on campus, and he is no more than 5'8''. He is as jacked as you can be for a guy that small, but he is kind of tiny in the scheme of things.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Umm. Manti is my favorite ND player of all time. But he will not get a hit like that. That hit was inhuman.

However, a pick 6 could be in order...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MTWs1A20PLI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[blackirish]

I know that we all love Manti here, but in terms of pure skill and ability, no one in college football comes close to Clowney at this point. He's got game changing ability, but doesn't have the same level of intangibles that Manti has.

Ok
but if both are in the draft this year, do you think Manti get's picked ahead of JAD C , I mean I love our guy,but what concerns me is how well Mant can shed blocks because in the USC game he's was having a tough time shedding the block of thier FB, however obviously he made other great plays in that game

 

[irishroo]

Ok
but if both are in the draft this year, do you think Manti get's picked ahead of JAD C , I mean I love our guy,but what concerns me is how well Mant can shed blocks because in the USC game he's was having a tough time shedding the block of thier FB, however obviously he made other great plays in that game

No. Clowney would be the #1 overall pick this year if he were eligible, and will be next year.

 

[Chamellion]

No. Clowney would be the #1 overall pick this year if he were eligible, and will be next year.

Clowney is the next Reggie White. He'll be the next great NFL defensive lineman, barring injury. Too big, too fast off the ball to not be.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Clowney is the next Reggie White. He'll be the next great NFL defensive lineman, barring injury. Too big, too fast off the ball to not be.

He is seriously inhuman. And he is smart I hear.

 

[Riddickulous]

Ok
but if both are in the draft this year, do you think Manti get's picked ahead of JAD C , I mean I love our guy,but what concerns me is how well Mant can shed blocks because in the USC game he's was having a tough time shedding the block of thier FB, however obviously he made other great plays in that game

Not a chance.

Clowney is the most physically gifted player in college football and has the potential to be the best DE in the NFL.

 

[phork]

One thing I am still wondering is how the stupid officiating screwed up that NonFirst Down - First Down? Like, it wasn't even close...

 

[Riddickulous]

One thing I am still wondering is how the stupid officiating screwed up that NonFirst Down - First Down? Like, it wasn't even close...

That was terrible. It was so obvious.

 

[Irish#1]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lEkm6ufkE54" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've been watching Freeney and Mathis do that for a long time.

Kid is a freak athletically. The key will be how well he learns to adapt when teams scheme for him or he goes against elite talent every play in the NFL.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I mean he was sick yesterday. But IMO, Lewan is overrated. I don't get how he is a top 10...

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Not a chance.

Clowney is the most physically gifted player in college football and has the potential to be the best DE in the NFL.

Wonder if he'd consider playing NT/DT???

 

[NDhoosier]

Jarvis Jones, Manti Te’o, Jadeveon Clowney

I have sat at that exact table... no lie, I know exactly where that is.

 

[STLDomer]

It was a 10.

It was 100% clean, not helmet to helmet

You can't fault him for not being blocked, was he supposed to slow down so he could be?

I would still take Manti any day of the week, Clowney can't effect as many plays as Manti can, just look at the 2010 SC State Championship Game. Clowney was apparently in the backfield a lot but a QB named Everett Golson was able to put up the points on them anyways.

In regards to the pic:

Te'o
Clowney





Jones

 

[Irish8248]

JC needs to work on his effort. He was pretty much handled in the game because he takes plays off. Without a doubt the kid is a freak. If he played every down at 100% he would be untouchable... literally only criticism on the kid -- takes plays off

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Who cares!? It was a great hit. Just say that. Clowney is a sick defensive end and I'd want him on my team.

Probably, no one. And I don't care that you don't care. So with all this apathy, why try to control my statements?

Here I fixed your quote:

It was a great hit. Clowney is a sick defensive end and I'd want him on my team.

See? No problem.

 

[STLDomer]

This now results in an ejection according to ACC and PAC12 officials

 

[IrishLax]

This now results in an ejection according to ACC and PAC12 officials

What? That can't be right... right? Targeting should only apply to defenseless players which a ball carrier has never been.

 

[arrowryan]

why?

 

[STLDomer]

That's what ESPN is reporting, I disagree obviously

“@SportsCenter: Jadeveon Clowney's ESPY-winning Best Play hit would probably lead to his ejection this season, ACC and Pac-12 officials say.”

 

[woolybug25]

I would love to hear their reasoning. "Targeting a player with the ball".

Jeebus Chrimety.

 

[IrishLax]

Jadeveon Clowney would've been ejected for 'The Hit,' Mike Pereira explains - SBNation.com

This is pure garbage. And there will be OUTRAGE at some point this year.

 

[Rack Em]

That's what ESPN is reporting, I disagree obviously

“@SportsCenter: Jadeveon Clowney's ESPY-winning Best Play hit would probably lead to his ejection this season, ACC and Pac-12 officials say.”

Ejected for what? I thought this was America?!?

 

[NDohio]

Just heard this discussion on Dan Patrick. I can't even imagine what would happen if Clowney did this exact same hit at home and was then ejected. The South would burn again!!

I get that concussion issues are very serious, but this is tackle football. Great hits are gonna happen.

 

[ulukinatme]

Wow...to me this always looked like a clean tackle. Clowney was just under Smith's helmet when he wrapped him up, which is what caused the helmet to launch as he tackled him. I'm probably totally wrong....but I still think the pussification of America continues.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

This now results in an ejection according to ACC and PAC12 officials

And Mike Pereira, so you know it's true

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Clowney would've been ejected for The Hit, Mike Pereira tells <a href="https://twitter.com/38Godfrey">@38Godfrey</a>: <a href="http://t.co/YQL9ht1NXd">http://t.co/YQL9ht1NXd</a></p>— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonKirkSBN/statuses/359343330439593987">July 22, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[woolybug25]

Ejected for what? I thought this was America?!?