Ravens Clowney 'Plays the Game the Right Way' Says Macdonald
The Baltimore Ravens are taking this weekend's matchup against the Houston Texans like they do every contest.
Play-by-play, down-by-down, day-by-day; however you put it the Ravens are taking it as it comes and not a minute sooner according to defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
An approach Baltimore hopes will help the team stay focused, prepare fully, and when it comes time to execute do so at the highest level.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (24) celebrates with his teammates after recovering a fumble against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Something three-time Pro Bowler and first-year Ravens edge defender Jadeveon Clowney has been able to do on his way to 9.5 sacks in the regular season.
“Well, it would have been great to get him to 10," coach Macdonald said when asked about what's made Clowney so successful in Baltimore. "It’s an interesting question because I only know ‘JD’ [Jadeveon Clowney] from our experience from this year. So, I can’t speak to how he’s operated in the past and things like that. I’ve talked to [assistant head coach/defensive line Anthony Weaver] and his relationship with him over the course of the year, so that’s obviously a plus.
“But the guy that I see is a guy that loves playing football. He loves being around his teammates. He's a gregarious guy who has a lot of thoughts on a lot of things, which is cool to hear, and he plays the game the right way. So, those are the type of guys we love having here, and you find, not just at that position, but all across the team. Those guys play great football for us when we’re able to find them.”
In the past, Clowney has hit nine or more sacks three other times. Twice he did it with the Texans after they drafted him with the first pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, and once in his first season with the Cleveland Browns in 2021.
Unfortunately, only two of those seasons produced Pro Bowl selections for him.
But if you ask him he'd rather get a Lombardi Trophy than a Pro Bowl trip we're sure.
While he didn't get 10 sacks in the regular season any he gets this weekend will help inch his team, and himself, one step closer to the ultimate goal.
Not that they're looking at that right now, because the first step is a date with Houston inside M&T Bank Stadium this Saturday afternoon.
