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If you've read BRB for the past few months, you've read a word or 20,000 from Brett Kollmann and/or Matt Weston explaining that all the hand-wringing over Jadeveon Clowney's effort is misplaced. Those gentleman are not alone in their opinion. Take a gander at what Jayson Braddock, a scout, radio host, and RotoExperts contributor, had to tweet after watching a bunch of Clowney film.
I've just spent the last 2 weeks chasing ghosts. I've studied half of the games from Clowney's freshman, sophomore, & junior seasons....
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
I keep waiting to see a game in which he took plays off. The UNC game led to a myth.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Against UNC Clowney was chipped, doubled, tripled, most of the night & wasn't in his best shape. Outside of that game, I don't see the ?s.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Clowney has had his tape of him at 18 yrs of age criticized more than 5th yr seniors coming out.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
In 2011 at 18, he didn't play w/ great leverage or know how to use his arms well. The Georgia game vs Cordy Glenn & TE Orson Charles shows
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Jadeveon showed tremendous growth in this part of his game from his freshman to sophomore seasons. (Leverage / Arms)
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
In the UNC game he also played everything that USC asked him to. From the 1 tech to standing.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
If stats concern you w Clowney, watch a season of his games & pay attention to all the players that make plays as a reaction to his actions.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Offenses would set up chips, run majority of plays away from JC. Double or triple when running in the face of him, drag a WR to pull him.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
I noted during the Texans' season that Mercilus & Brooks couldn't separate from pulling OGs. Not an issue for Clowney.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
One team was running away from Clowney so often that USC asked him to "float" back to the middle to help vs the run. Hard to get sacks/ TFLs
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Clowney basically was an equivalent to a shutdown CB, closing off half the field vs the run or forcing 1/4 of the D to focus on him.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Clowney still can improve w/ his arms, but that makes him even that more scarier. He slams into the line at times, instead of using tech.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
When an elite OT starts to get the best of Clowney, he's been asked to line up wide as far as the 9. In this space, his COD is a nightmare.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Clowney has an insane Change of Direction, speed, & size combo. He doesn't have to rely just on speed rush or power.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Jadeveon's first step is deadly, inside or out. This makes it impossible for an OT to cheat one way or the other.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Much like JJ Watt, he can't be left unblocked on plays designed to go away due to their reach, size, quickness in pursuit.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
People question his heart & say that he quits. I studied the Florida game in which he was still destroying them in the 4th qtr, thou down 29
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
He's often too fast for the down block & too strong for a puller.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
I've also seen him chase a RB 20+ yds downfield & make the tackle after stunting to the opposite side of the center. Clowney
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
I haven't seen him take play offs or play down, but I have seen him take his play up another notch in key moments or when he's pissed.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Clowney needs to get rid of his swim move & his loses too often with it. Tends to get too high or running plays at times.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
The biggest improvement Clowney needs to make is on missed tackles in the backfield. He misses too often on straight line shots for TFLs.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Just my opinion & I haven't watched everyone yet, but if I were the Houston Texans, there would be only 2 choices for me with the #1 pick...
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
I would either select Jadeveon Clowney or trade it away for something massive. Like, two 1st, a 2nd, a 3rd in '14, 1st in '15 & 1st in '16
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
The trade request may be too rich, but I'd be fine if no one took me up on it as the reason to acquire picks is to acquire talent.
— Jayson Braddock (@JaysonBraddock) March 2, 2014
Does Braddock's analysis provide any grist for the mill that is your Clowney infatuation and/or cause any pause in your analysis that the Texans would be fools to burn the first pick of the draft on something other than a quarterback?