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Houston Texans: 2015 team awards

By Randy Gurzi

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts on the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) reacts on the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after a sack during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after a sack during the third quarter against the New England Patriots at NRG Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Texans 27-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Comeback Texan of the Year: Jadeveon Clowney, Outside Linebacker

Stats: 40 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 6 pass deflections

Sure, the numbers aren’t eye-popping when you call Jadeveon Clowney the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, but when compared against his performance from his rookie season, it’s night and day.

Clowney was taken first overall last season out of South Carolina with the hopes of being a dominant force opposite J.J. Watt. Instead, injuries derailed his rookie season as Clowney was only able to suit up for four games and recorded just seven tackles and zero sacks.

After microfracture knee surgery in December of 2014, many wondered if he would return and be of any use at all. Not only did he return, early at that, but he wound up getting into a good groove and finally started to make an impact on the field.

It wasn’t until October 27th, against Miami, when Clowney got his first career quarterback sack, but even before then he was playing sound football against the run. The linebacker recorded two sacks in a game against New England as he showcased some of his potential against the defending Super Bowl Champs.

With the emergence of Mercilus, and the continued excellence of Watt, seeing Clowney start to get into better shape on the field has to be enticing to Houston fans. It also has to be kinda scary to teams who have to try and figure out how to move the ball on this team.

Next: Best Free Agent Acquisition

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