Patriots: Rumors surrounding Jadeveon Clowney are laughable
A Patriots writer suggested a deal with Jadeveon Clowney “could work” under the most obvious circumstances.
Weeks ago after signing Cam Newton, the New England Patriots didn’t have enough cap space to fix a flat tire. Then, after getting some money via contract settlements and players opting out, Bill Belichick has a little over $25 million to work with.
That’s prompted just about everyone to link Jadeveon Clowney to the Pats, considering they just lost fellow linebacker Dont’a Hightower and could use some pass rush experience given how young they are at the position.
It seems some level of Patriots-fan delusion has reached the team’s beat, because to suggest this is simply out of this world.
Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (why a big free-agent signing is less likely; unique title for Troy Brown as returners coach; perspective on NFL-high 7 opt-outs; Scar on Cam’s big edge at QB; media interest in Bill Belichick etc.) https://t.co/0CF5RLfmYG
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 2, 2020
“As for Clowney, some question whether he would be a scheme fit in New England, with Michael Lombardi — the former assistant to the Patriots’ coaching staff — a respected voice in that area, wrote ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“If Clowney would consider a Newton-type deal to come to New England, maybe that changes things a bit. But there’s no indication he would do that, and at this point, no sense the Patriots are in any hurry to aggressively use some of their newfound cap space.”
Yeah, I can purchase a Lamborghini if the dealership would consider the price of a used 2010 Honda.
Even biased Patriots fans can’t sit here and think 1) there’s a concern with one of the league’s top defensive players “fitting in” the Patriots system (classic Lombardi) and 2) that a guy in his prime is going to take a one-year prove-it deal after still dominating in 2019 while fighting through injuries.
If these are the kind of rumors and buzz we’re going to get surrounding Clowney, just crumble them up and hook shot them into the garbage.
It’s certainly feasible to think the Pats could coax Clowney into a team-friendly deal, but they aren’t going to commit highway robbery with one of the league’s best defenders.
And if we’re going to sit here and pretend like there’s a level of worry regarding his ability to adjust in New England, then the conversation’s over. Move on and let’s talk about other potential additions.
