Jets' Clowney wants to be more than special-teams guy

CORTLAND, N.Y. - It's no longer a laughing matter for The Clown.

David Clowney is facing a pivotal point in his brief NFL career, immersed in the biggest training camp in his four seasons. These next few weeks could be Clowney's final shot, the last go-round at proving he's a complete player who can get it done when called upon, not just a one-dimensional preseason all-star.

"This is the year that is really going to make or break me, depending on how well I do," said Clowney, sometimes affectionately known as The Clown.

"I have confidence in myself that I am going to do very well. But it's just if I am going to do a little bit better or take it to that next level. That's what it all boils down to."

Clowney's career has been sort of an enigma. He has the physical tools to be a solid receiver but has yet to master putting together every aspect, leading to the questions.

He started three games last season and established career highs in receptions (14) and receiving yardage (191). His best game came against Oakland, when he had 79 yards and a touchdown on four catches.

Still, he knows he has to continue proving that he's not a preseason wonder.

"That's one of the biggest things in the world to me," said Clowney, who missed the previous two days of camp to handle a personal issue and is expected back Monday.

But with the wide receiver depth chart loaded with so many weapons that it seems like a fantasy football lineup, Clowney's chance of staying on this roster hinges on being a key part of Mike Westhoff's special-teams unit.

He's a member of the punt team, but his most important task is stepping in as the gunner on kickoffs, replacing Wallace Wright, the Jets' special-teams ace the previous three seasons, who signed with the Panthers during the offseason.

"Clowney has a ton of athletic ability, and he is one of the fastest guys in the league," Rex Ryan said. "To put that kind of speed on the field - and he's physical, tough - he should be a dominant special-teams player as well. That's what I want to see him do. Yeah, I want him to improve as a receiver, but I want to see him improve in that area the most."

So does Westhoff.

"He doesn't have much choice," Westhoff said, adding that he likes Clowney's work ethic.

"He's going to work hard and do it or . . . how do you get active? We are only allowed to dress 45. How many receivers can you dress? Four, five? And we've got a freakin' all-star team out there with those guys now. So somebody's got to do it, and hopefully, he'll be the guy.

"I know we have some things that he can do weaponwise that would help us, so we are going to give him every opportunity.''

That's perfectly fine with Clowney. He's a "Beamer Ball" graduate, after all, having played for Frank Beamer in college.

"I'm not tripping about that. I love playing special teams, especially going to Virginia Tech," Clowney said. "Since I was a rookie, I've always stayed in coach Westhoff's ear about allowing me to do special teams."

He has Westhoff's attention. Now it's time to get everybody else's.

"I've got to prove that they can rely on me, just show consistency, and that they don't have to bring another receiver in in order to win," Clowney said.

"I feel that way already. I've just got to go out there and show it. I felt I showed that a little bit last year.

"But like I said, I've just got to stay consistent with my routes, and catching the ball, and everything should be all right."

Revis on holdout island

Updating the Darrelle Revis-Jets stalemate:

Day 8

The fine: $132,184