Looking at Clowney

May 31, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney during the 2014 NFLPA Rookie Premiere at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Keeping with what’s trendy here at the Torotimes, we’re going to take another look at our newest outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. The number one pick in the draft certainly had it’s fans and critics, but now that we’re past all that drama how are things shaping up for Mr. Clowney and the Texans?

What to get excited about:

Last year, we picked up Whitney Merciless and hoped he’d bring some heat from the outside. While he flashed potential it was obvious the tandem of Brooks Reed and Mericless wasn’t the answer.  The duo combined for a whopping 10 sacks between them. Now that Reed is moving inside more and Clowney is here to take a spot on the outside, the potential for seriously wreckage becomes apparent.

More from Houston Texans News

• Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
• Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
• Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
• Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
• Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith

Linebacker coach Mike Vrabel is the most uniquely suited coach to take this task on.  As he once went from 4-3 defense end to outside linebacker who better to coach Clowney as he learns a new aspect to playing football. In 2012 playing for South Carolina Clowney like J.J. Watt was a beast.  And like Mr. Watt 2013 saw a drop in production as teams schemed around him.  What will they do with J.J. On one side and Clowney on the other? This will leave doors open. Doors for Mericless to shine, doors for Watt to bash down and most of all opportunities for Clowney to quite the critics and win over fans of his own.

What to be worried about:

Once upon a time, the Texans had another number 90. This man was a physical beast. He could put on a show when he applied himself. We called him “Super” Mario Williams.   He never really lived up to the hype and left for a massive payout in Buffalo. There were claims he took plays off.  Just as Clowney has been accused of.  He was often injured. Clowney will be missing out on minicamp due to a sports hernia surgery. Both men are physically gifted, they can do more without real effort then most men can do going 110%.  Something I’ve observed is that the easier it is for someone to do something, sometimes they lack the inner fire to be great. J.J. Watt is gifted, but he’s driven to succeed. Can Clowney prove his critics wrong and harness his gifts to be that special player he has the potential to become? We’re about to find out.

Keep your browsers here to the Torotimes for all your news and insight and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!