Jadeveon Clowney Makes Big Play in Houston Texans Debut

Aug 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) and Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) battle for position during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Jadeveon Clowney is known for making big hits in the backfield, so why should we have expected anything different in his Houston Texans debut?

Clowney made Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells look ridiculous (as he would most any tight end trying to block him) on a run attempt by Stepfan Taylor, blowing through to the backfield and taking Taylor down for a huge loss.

This guy is just going to be crazy if he continues to dedicate himself to being great. He’s so big, fast, strong, and athletic that offensive tackles simply won’t be able to keep up with him for an extended period of time. Not to mention, playing with J.J. Watt will provide Clowney with a lot more one-on-one situations.

There was a specific instance where this was abundantly clear against the Cardinals on Saturday night, as Clowney drove the left tackle back into the quarterback, and right as he was about to whip him aside and sack Carson Palmer, Watt planted him into the ground.

This is a very impressive duo of pass rushers. The Texans really have something here, and something they can unleash early and often as Clowney and Watt are each as capable against the run as they are against the pass and getting after the QB.

This is only the beginning for Clowney. I see him as a double-digit sack player from the start of his career, and I think he’ll also quickly establish himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL.

They key is going to be whether or not Clowney wants to work hard at it and work every practice and every play as though he’s still a rookie. Watt is a great guy to have around in that regard, as he’s one of the hardest working and most disciplined players in the league when it comes to honing his craft off the field.

With Watt as a mentor, the sky is the limit for Clowney, who gave us a glimpse of the star he can become on Saturday night.