LA Rams need to line up Donald and Clowney on same defense

The Donald effect

Perhaps he just might be of a mind to take a bit of a haircut on his contract, too – just for the opportunity to show the rest of the NFL he’s still relevant, can still bring it. Sure, another pricey veteran with the potential to contribute. But the upside of Clowney alongside Donald on the same defense? Total carnage.

And Tuesday’s news probably means Clowney will likely wait until after April before deciding where he’ll ink a contract for the upcoming season, just as he did last year. And the year before that. Only, this time, the clamor for his edge-rushing talents may not be quite as loud, nor the price tag for him quite as astronomical. Is this just wishful thinking?

I don’t think so. Clowney was not exactly any team’s first choice. And the 2020 NFL season proved exactly why. He sees himself as top-shelf champagne, but he has the aftertaste of aluminum can bargain beer.  Seriously. He does eight NFL starts and only has 19 tackles and zero sacks to show for it?

If the Rams were to take a flyer on Clowney, they’d surely have to lighten their salary cap load elsewhere by cutting some of their own veteran players. How deep could the Rams cut their salary cap? Well, I understand that they could clear out $80 million of salary cap expense for this year.

Oh, but what tantalizing flashes of pure athletic talent Clowney might bring to the Rams.  And oh, what a nice chess piece for new Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to deploy. And just, oh, the possibilities.