If the Miami Dolphins made a turn to Jadeveon Clowney, it was not the first time. Heck, this would not have been the second time either. But instead of Miami kicking the tires and once again hoping they can help the former overall number 1 in the picture help the team’s pass-rush unit, it seems the Dolphins are out of season this season expands as it relates to Clowney. And now that the former Houston Texan has signed with the Cleveland Browns, we’ve got our first taste of why it might be.
Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald touched on where the Dolphins are going from after Clowney’s signing, but not before dropping this interesting and surprising hug over the dynamics between Miami and Clowney.
A source tells the Miami Herald that Clowney was also afraid to go from one Bill Belichick assistant to another. Bill O’Brien has been the coach of Clowney all his time in Houston, and the former no. 1 choice had enough of the Patriot (South) Way. ”- Adam Beasley, Miami Herald
Of all the reasons one can have for not wanting to play for the Dolphins? Clowney is entitled to his opinion, but Brian Flores is often applauded for being nothing if not his own man – his style of coaching is not directly related to those who helped shape him during his time at the Patriots organization . In fact, Flores is often praised as a player’s coach. The kind that would storm across the field in the middle of the field to defend its players against foul play.
So if Clowney feels worried about coaching style, it’s a shame. It certainly would not have been a similar experience as Bill O’Brien presented in Houston. But even if it was; perhaps returning to a Patriots-based defense system could help Clowney find the illusory long-term extension he was looking for. This will be Clowney’s fourth team in four years and the third consecutive one-year contract for the defense: he played on the franchise label in Seattle, signed a one-year deal with Tennessee shortly before the season began and now has a one – year agreement in Cleveland.
Playing for O’Brien or any Patriots coach may not be the best thing in the world, but for a player of Clowney’s talents, it can certainly be effective. Clowney has scored 29.0 sacks in five years in Houston – including 18.5 over his last two seasons with the Texans led by O’Brien. He has scored three over the past two seasons and his 19 combined QB hits of 2019 and 2020 are less than he scored in his final year with Houston (21).
Although Clowney is free to make decisions for his own career that he wants, it is unfortunate that common sense and facts did not prevail if there was a chance of mutual interest between the parties. Because Brian Flores feels the best of both worlds for a player of Clowney’s caliber. But with another year that has passed and there has been no agreement between the two sides, it feels appropriate to put any discussions around Clowney in bed forever.