NFL: 5 records that could fall during the 2014 season

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Aug 16, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) celebrates after making a sack during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Most sacks by a rookie

Current record: 14.5 (Jevon Kearse)

I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but Jadeveon Clowney isn’t normal. Go ahead and ask Falcons running back Antone Smith, who was crunched by Clowney nanoseconds after taking a handoff last week. Actually, don’t ask him, because apparently the impact of a Clowney hit lasts for a few days.

That play was a botched one, and it’s now a case study showing why pulling a guard and asking him to get to Clowney on the edge will always end poorly. Still, it was also an early illustration of Clowney’s ridiculous speed. We knew about his freakish status, of course, but now we’re already seeing that he’s not overmatched at the next level.

Jevon Kearse had similar burst off the edge when he set the rookie sack mark. The record has now stood for 15 years, and it seems well within reach for Clowney.

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