After spending most of the Jets' Week 2 win over the Patriots on the bench, wide receiver David Clowney went straight to Twitter, tweeting just half an hour after the game that he was "disappointed about my playing time." Jets coach Rex Ryan (right) wasn't amused.So when Ryan saw Clowney's tweet, he called Clowney into his office and informed him that he wouldn't be playing at all in Week 3.
It all started with this tweet written by Clowney at 4:41 PM on September 20:
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.That doesn't sound too bad -- it's not like Clowney ripped the coaches for keeping him on the bench. And Clowney's next two tweets both acknowledged that it's his own responsibility to make sure he plays more:
Just time to work harder for next week ... My team always comes first so I'ma just keep grinding,.. And we gonna keep winningBut while Clowney's tweets were far from the most controversial things an athlete has ever written on Twitter, Ryan still considered them a flagrant violation of team rules. So, Ryan benched Clowney for the Week 3 game against the Titans. The New York Post quotes Ryan:
"I'm not a big Twitter guy, but you hear different things. To me, it's about your team. No individual is bigger than the team. So if I feel a guy is not putting the team first, then I'll make the decision to put the guy down.Ryan said Clowney will be back on the field this week. But even if he spends most of the game on the bench, you can bet he won't tweet about it.
"I put David down. That was my decision. I wanted to see how David would respond. David had two options: He could have come out and been upset and pouted or he could come out and been a Jet, worked his tail off and showed me that he wants to do it our way.
"He did exactly that. He was phenomenal in preparation. I'll probably give him scout team player of the week."
Do you think Ryan overreacted by benching Clowney? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.
New York Jets Photos
Tennessee Titans Tony Brown pressures New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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New York Jets QB quarterback Mark Sanchez fires a pass downfield against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (Joe Rogate/Newsday/MCT)
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New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cothery grabs a long pass as Tennessee Titans Jason McCourty defends in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (Joe Rogate/Newsday/MCT)
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Tennessee Titans Kerry Collins looks for an open receiver against the New York Jets in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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New York Jets Shaun Ellis pressures Tennessee Titans quarterback Kerry Collins in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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Tennessee Titans Kerry Collins looks for an open receiver against the New York Jets in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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New York Jets Ben Hartsock, right, celebrates with Tony Richardson, left, after his first quarter touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez scrambles for a first quarter touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez scores a first quarter touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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Tennessee Titans Chris Hope deflects the ball away from New York Jets Jerricho Cotchery during an NFL football game at Giants Stadium East Rutherford, New Jersey, Sunday, September 27, 2009. The Jets won 24-17. (David Pokress/Newsday/MCT)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
9-29-2009 @ 10:07AM
Trogdor said...
That's the kind of thing a coach can do when the team's winning. If someone like Mangini or Spagnuolo benched a player for that, even one who hardly played anyway, the story would be "new coach tries too hard to exert authority, oversteps bounds, in danger of losing team already". As a thought experiment, imagine the reaction if Josh McDaniels had done this now versus two months ago.
Also, this shows the potential danger of the 140-character message. A blog post with fully fleshed-out thoughts about his disappointment in not playing (not helping the team as much, need to prepare better, etc) would not come off nearly so bad.
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9-30-2009 @ 9:46AM
Mike said...
Not so much because they're winning, but because of Ryan's reputation. The man has earned the right to not be questioned by his players, especially not by someone who is less than a marquee-type player.
Being a die-hard Patriots fan, I naturally loathe the Jets. However, as a fan of football, I must admit that it's good to see quality football back in AFC New York. The fans have good reason to be optimistic and the team is definitely headed in the right direction. Sanchez is the type of QB that they can build around for many years.
In closing, don't get used to that top spot in the East just yet. The Jets were fortunate to get a Patriots team that hasn't had enough time to get all the parts synchronized. The outcome in November will be less than positive for Gang Green and the Pats will reclaim what rightfully belongs to them.... ;-)
9-30-2009 @ 10:58AM
Jason said...
Is he going to play next week or not? The last line of this article reads: "Ryan said Clowney will be back on the field this week. But even if he spends most of the game on the bench, you can bet he won't tweet about it." I'm confused. Is he benched or not?
9-30-2009 @ 12:22PM
Carolyn said...
I think there are entirely too many people who use twitter like a personal diary. And while Clowney's comments were hardly controversial, if he gets away with it, the next ones could be scandal worthy and detract from the focus of the team - to win. Media distractions are not what team playing is all about - Freedom of speech is fine - but along with it comes responsibility - and sometimes consequences -
9-29-2009 @ 4:56PM
decarties said...
i wonder what he would do with T.O. on the team. 87 spoke his opinion with good sportsmanship and he has every right to do so with twitter. he is a human being to not just your player Ryan. quit trying to be a hard ass off the field to and let your players live there life.
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9-30-2009 @ 7:25AM
grump said...
WELL SAID. IN MY OPINION CLOWNEY MADE A VALID COMMENT AND HANDLED HIMSELF WITH CLASS. UNLIKE THE COACH.
9-30-2009 @ 9:16AM
reste0123 said...
WRONG...Any Pro football player having an issue GOES DIRECTLY to the coach. You don't vent or wash your laundry in public..Least of all on twitter..How would anyone like to see one's complaint about them on twitter and not be told in person..Man up. face to face ALWAYS works best...Good teams need NO distractions....
9-29-2009 @ 5:45PM
mjfaz1 said...
grow up! The coach did the right thing. Twitters like cell phones should be left at home or in the locker room . Clowney is paid to be a professional, he should act like one
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9-30-2009 @ 9:20AM
Hey said...
You are exactly right, these people are paid big money act like it not like some dumb corner hanging out non job having drug dealer, either that or just quit your over paid job
9-30-2009 @ 6:15AM
millriver72 said...
It's called freedom of speech..........
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9-30-2009 @ 6:44AM
jpc1108 said...
It's called STUPID.
9-30-2009 @ 8:26AM
iamtooth said...
Freedom of speech does not imply that you can say whatever you want and not face consequences and repercussions. Freedom of speech means you cannot be jailed. It clearly does not mean that you are free to say what you want to say. There are consequences for what you say in the private sector (in things such as business).
9-30-2009 @ 9:55AM
reste0123 said...
Its also called, conduct unbecoming. When employed by any organization, one FOLLOWS rules in a professional way...In other words, lead by example. Can you even imagine a bunch of over priced over rated players running around doing as they see fit? Most do follow rules. If most do, why can't it be the same for all...
9-30-2009 @ 6:24AM
King Orgasmic said...
"you shut the eff up and do what the eff i say toby"!!!!!- buddys son.
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9-30-2009 @ 6:28AM
joeadad said...
he should not be voicing his opinion on his playing time outside the locker room
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9-30-2009 @ 6:49AM
Eaglesnes784 said...
What complaint, the player just said he was disappointed that he didn't have more playing time. He didn't rant and rave about the lack of playing time he just said he was disappointed. If that bothered the Coach, then the Coach has a much deeper problem and needs to figure out what that is and stop taking it out on the players.
9-30-2009 @ 6:51AM
millriver72 said...
why not?
9-30-2009 @ 6:47AM
quietmanrm said...
Ryan wants a team first attitude and approach. Clowney's first reaction was "me" first. He didn't say good win, I'll work harder to get more plays. He said I didn't get enough plays, his first priority. Ryan wants a team mentality, so everybody works for for the win. You all have each others back. His new approach has made a difference with the Jets. It sounds like Ryan made his point and Clowney showed he has the right attitude. A win win for THE TEAM.
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9-30-2009 @ 7:29AM
grump said...
did you read the article?
9-30-2009 @ 7:35AM
tms36 said...
Like Father, like Son, sounds like Mr. Ryan is like his old man, a tyrant.
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