Even with Clowney, Panthers on edge with injuries to pass-rushers

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Jadeveon Clowney, who played high school football in Rock Hill, S.C., is acclimating to the Carolina Panthers as the team prepares for training camp next month. Clowney, who signed a two-year free agent deal in the offseason, tallied 9.5 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens last year.

Unable to boast strength in numbers, the Carolina Panthers’ new cast of outside linebackers are looking to build offseason chemistry.  

Jadeveon Clowney, the local hero-turned-positional-headliner, stood in the corner of the end zone at last week’s minicamp reviewing scheme details and refining technique with position coach Tem Lukabu and injured teammate D.J. Wonnum. As Lukabu addressed the basics of run responsibilities and pass coverage, other newcomers like K’Lavon Chaisson, Kenny Dyson, Derrick McLendon, and Cam Gill executed individual and team drills in an attempt to make an impression on coaches.

Luiji Vilain appeared to benefit from last season’s system experience and the glut of positional injuries, coach Dave Canales indicated. Vilain and Gill worked often on the edge with the first-team defense.

Also sidelined were Amaré Barno (ACL), Eku Leota (calf) and D.J. Johnson, who was carted off the field last week with his right knee wrapped. Questions on edge depth will likely follow the Panthers into the team’s first training camp in Charlotte next month.

At least Clowney is in town.

A Rock Hill, S.C., native, Clowney inked a two-year contract, bringing playmaking abilities to a franchise in need of it. The 2014 No. 1 overall draft pick also provides the locker room with experience and entertainment.

Showing off before an NFL photographer, Clowney folded his arms across his chest and squatted down for a playful pose. A moment later he joined the outside linebackers to attack a tackling dummy. Clowney also likes to dance between plays.

Clowney, who compiling at least nine sacks four times during his 10-year career, described what he and Wonnum discussed with Lukabu during their private session.  

“I was just telling him some of the stuff I did that worked in previous years and what I look for when I’m rushing,” Clowney said. “Pass rush is technique. Like hands, you can work that a lot without actually doing it and going through the running, so I think hands is the biggest key and one of the biggest key (to) getting (opponents’) hands off you and keeping them off.”

Clowney matched a career-best 9.5 sacks with the Baltimore Ravens last season, and Wonnum registered a career-high eight sacks for the Minnesota Vikings before suffering a torn quadricep. The two free-agent signees are expected to be bookends in the 3-4 defense.  

Wonnum may not be ready for the start of training camp, Canales said, adding the fifth-year veteran has “a ways to go.”

The others?

Canales said of Johnson’s knee: “It was good. It was not anything that was really serious,” and Leota, whose mobility will be aided by a scooter for at least three weeks, is expected to be ready for training camp.

Those who accompanied Clowney through minicamp earned reps in a defensive scheme like the one he thrived in with the Houston Texans.  

“I like it because I played well in that scheme when I was in Houston for four or five years,” said Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Texans (2016-18). “I’m just looking forward to see what [Evero’s] got when it comes down to us matching up against certain teams and scheming teams.”

While he has yet to experience the Panthers’ full arsenal of edge defenders, Clowney adds a proven asset to a position group in flux. As a group, Clowney is confident with the mix.

“We are coming from all over,” he said. “Different team and individuals, but I think when you put us together, we got the guys that can stop the run and rush the passer and we got some matchups guys who can match up on the inside with guards and everything.  

“We just got to figure out where the pieces fit and who is going to be out on the field at the same time and who is doing it at the same time. It’s good to know the guys besides you and who you’re rushing with, make sure y’all are on the same page.”

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