News: Ryan Explains Deactivation of David Clowney
Rex Ryan explained David Clowney’s inactivity over the weekend for the Titans game. Turns out it had nothing to do with how effective he would be for the game.
The New York Jets’ speedy wide receiver was benched by an angry coach Rex Ryan for the team’s game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday after Clowney complained on Twitter about a lack of playing time.
“I was upset with him, yep,” Ryan said Monday. “For a couple of reasons. One of them is you’ll hear things if a guy’s unhappy or whatever. I’m not a big Twitter guy, but you hear different things. To me, this is about our team and understanding this is about our team. No individual is bigger than the team.”
A few hours after the Jets beat New England 16-9 last Sunday, Clowney tweeted: “1 play in the 1st Half, 4 plays in the 2nd half … A bit disappointed about my playing time but very happy and satisfied about the win.”
Clowney added in a subsequent tweet that, “My team always comes first so I’ma just keep grinding.”
Ryan got wind of Clowney’s gripe and called him into his office early last week and told him he would be inactive against the Titans.
Ryan did go on to say that he was in the running for practice player of the week and that he hoped it was just a misunderstanding of how to deal with situations like that, and it sounds like they’ve moved on. I know that a lot of Jets fans want to see Clowney take on a bigger role for this team, I hope he gets the chance to do that.
Hat tip to Cip for sending this on.
24 Responses to News: Ryan Explains Deactivation of David Clowney
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James in TN says:
I agree that seemed like he pulled a Mangini on that one. Hope he makes him a captain for a game. That tweet was not negative.
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Scouse Jet says:
I guess it was come down hard on something that Rex isn’t a fan of early so that other players don’t let their tweeting get out of hand. Especially as Clowney isn’t an integral part of the team.
Rex’s man management skills don’t worry me like Mangini’s did.
If Clowney steps up and takes the punishment well, and it sounds like he has, I’m sure that he’ll get his chance.
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You guys seen Jerome Betts’ take on Mark and Rex?
Quite positive, even the part about Rex getting opponents angy is only a small problem. Uncontrolled anger is no fiend to any sportsman.Anyway, I’d take us having the same success over the next 5 years as the Steelers have had over the last 5 (plus whatever they’ve got to come in the future)
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jerome_bettis/09/28/week.3/index.html
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JetOrange says:
Clowney has done nothing , doesn’t do special teams, yet is showing diva tendencies. If you look at Wallace Wright , Brad Smith, Stuckey or Cotchery you see guys that block and give everything they have without complaint. I don’t think you can preach team and allow Clowneys diva garbage. So IMHO Rex did the right thing sitting him down, the next stop is out the door, I’m okay with that.
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supercooljetfan says:
since rex is so lax with his players i dont think its only the tweet that got clowney in the doghouse who knows he might have an attitude during practices or on the sidelines and the tweet just was rex’s boiling point with him …like i said if clowney is gonna do anything this year its gonna be this week…between the saints not having a shutdown d and clowney being hungry from being benched i think things are lining up for him to do something
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PS…..please dont compare rex to mangini either…mangini would of sat clowney fined him and gave clowneys computer a virus
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greg sec 130 says:
The Mangini comparison would make more sense if this was a one-time event from Derrelle Revis, and he made him do laps or benched him to embarrass him, but I have a very strong feeling based on Ryan’s short history that this is not the only time or thing that Clowney has done to earn him the benefit of a doubt. I think it was the last straw — he said it was a couple of things and one was related to the Twitter thing… he may have complained more behind closed doors, and there was another issue too.
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dknyj says:
I’m not surprised Rex did this, and I’m sure the twitter thing was just the icing on the cake for clown. If you follow his somewhat obnoxious tweets and the idiotic td celebration in the preseason this guy is a sure bet for a diva if he ever gets the chance to be good. Rex needed to “vernon davis” him ala mike singletary. Oh, btw look at vernon now – two TD’s this week and team captain in san fran.
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the Iron Marshal says:
supercool & greg sec130 – I think you both have it right – this has to be looked at in it’s totality – the fact that Clowney reacted as he did, putting extra effort into practices is indicative of someone who has been righteously reprimanded, is remorseful, and is resolved to do things the right way.
Like Greg says, the tweet thing looks like a “straw that broke the camel’s back” event.
Another way to look at it is to shine the light on it and see what the light doesn’t – peek at the “shadows” as it were… when I do this, I ask and get the following:
1) Is there any evidence (however superficial) that Clowney was wronged in any way by this? No (Ryan has shown no indication of being a KGB-type)
2) Did he go rogue, grow defiant? No. (Clowney has demonstrated himself to be extremely competitive, chatty even, and emotional – in other words, a typical athlete with occasional maturity issues – but an honest, hard worker. When guys like him are wronged, they get bitter – Clowney isn’t bitter)
3) Just as importantly, were there any accompanying grumblings from fellow teammates at how one of their own was being treated? No. (One word: Trust… if Ryan ever breaks the trust, our players – having been trained to a high degree of cynicism by the previous HC – would sniff it out in a heartbeat. Team reaction to this tweet indicates Trust is still strong).
Just my $0.02 worth, but imho, nothing for the news-whores to latch their ever-hungry-for-anything-to-make-copy-with here.
Here’s to Clowney – and Greene! – hopefully making an appearance next week at the Superdome.
The Iron Marshal
PS: Is it just me, or does anyone else here think this game merits primetime coverage like SNF?
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GANGGREEN says:
Rex is just setting the law that their will be no divas on his team.If Clowney had a gripe why didn’t he take it to Rex directly…This team doesn’t need any side bar distractions and Rex is nippin this crap in the but before it ever gets a chance to start and spread across this team…I agree no one is bigger than the team and if anyone has a problem with that Rex wants them to go directly to him not to make it a public debatical…Rex made the right move here…This team will have no OCHO CINCHO or T.O. to deal with on a weekly basis…Good job Rex keeping the players in CHECK..
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vinnywasthebest says:
I think that making an example of a guy that has DONE NOTHING is a great move. We dont need any divas tweeting their innermost feelings while the season is in progress.
Clowney needs to take this in ADDITION to his lack of good play (he has been invisible a-la Vernon Gholston) and realize that his preseason fireworks are worth squat in the REAL season. Play well, behave and you will see the field. Get open and block and you will see the ball.
Good move Rex!
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And on another note why the hell is the NFL allowing players to tweet during game time…All players should check their cell phones and PDA’s at the door before the game…They get paid hundreds of thousands and millions to play football not to TWEET and FACE BOOK.The NFL has some of the strictest rules for any professional sport and I foresee another rule coming down concerning this issue in the near future…
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Bent says: GG – The tweet wasn’t during game time. It was when they got back after the game. He also said he was still excited they won and going to continue working hard.
Great news if the reports of him giving a terrific effort on Monday are accurate.
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My misunderstanding Bent.I thought i read he was tweeting during each quarter of the actually game…Clowney is a player with a great deal of upside and could turn into a game changing type receiver…Just hope he can keep his behaviors in check..We have a team that is building some good continuity and don’t want to see that affected by someone running their mouth and making distractions is all…JET FAN FOR LIFE….
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Bent says:
GG – I don’t think any player has done that yet. The NFL specifically banned it. If someone tweeted during the game, it would be a huge story, I reckon.
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Just Some Guy says:
I don’t think this was necessarily a message to the players. I think this was a message to Tanny. Specifically: “Do not go and get me some diva wide receiver.”
If Rex benched Clowney over this, what would he do with a Braylon Edwards or Brandon Marshall on his hands?
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jcjets says:
I read the tweet after the pats game and was pretty surprised. After a win like that, you don’t want to see a player saying they were dissapointed in their playing time. And who knows, maybe it was a player that mentioned the tweet to Rex! Or if Rex noticed an attitude, etc.
Clowney has a lot of ability, so I hope they do work him into the game plan!
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Dennis says:
It sounded like there was more to it than just the tweets. Regardless of what the benching was actually for, with the fire the team has been playing with, Rex has earned the benefit of the doubt on handling players. And to Clowney’s credit, he responded the way Rex hoped he would.
We all want to see Clowney produce in the regular season the same as he produced in the preseason, and hopefully this gave him a push he needed.
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brian311 says:
i think that with the 2 corners inactive for the game – clowney was more of just the odd man out. someone was going to have to sit because we needed more DBs. a speed receiver who doesnt play specials is going to be at the top of that list, especially considering the weather
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JetInDallas says:
It has to be more than for TWEETING. I think it’s more about BUSTING.
You are the fastest guy on the team. You are their only real deep threat. You only get in for five plays during a whole game? Then you bust your tail during the week in practice. Seems to me you haven’t been busting it all the time. Hopefully, you got the message.
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Ryan says:
i hate twitter but that was a bit harsh
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Eddie DiGio says:
No way man, I trust Rex’s judgement, there had to be more than just the Twitter post. The good thing about Rex is that I bet it’s over and done with. He probably wiped Clowney’s slate clean, not banish him to the sideline’s like Mangina
Very poor job by Rex taking something that innocent and blowing it out of proportion.