Packers' Clay Matthews moves to inside linebacker

MintBaconDrivel
Senior Member Topic Starter

10 years ago

This was only a success because of Aaron Rodgers.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy was so excited about his bye-week adjustment on defense that he had to give everyone a hint during the week of preparation for the Chicago Bears.

McCarthy said there would be a change that people would notice, but he never said it would involve his best player on defense playing a completely different position.

But there it was at the start of the Packers' home matchup with the Bears on national television Sunday night: Clay Matthews was at inside linebacker.

Clearly a concession to the 32nd place the Packers ranked in run defense coming into the game and the reality that there was no one else on the roster who could make a difference at inside linebacker, McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers came up with the idea of moving Matthews.

JSOnline wrote:

Delivering the latest and most important updates on the Green Bay Packers for your convenience.

Wanna join the discussion?! Login to your PACKERSHOME forum account or Register a new forum account

wpr
Preferred Member

10 years ago

While CM3 didn't play every down inside it was a good move. Clay seemed to be reinvigorated as well as the rest of the D.

Mucky Tundra
Veteran Member

10 years ago

On 670 the Score they just described this as move that Belicheck would make. I'm not sure what to make of this: nice to be compared to Belicheck but coming from Bears sports radio? 🤔

“Nah. I like having the island. It’s pretty cool...not too many visitors”

"I’ve got it." -Aaron Rodgers

yooperfan
Veteran Member

10 years ago

I didn't get to see the game but I listened to McCarthy's post game interview on the radio and he was absolutely gushing over the defensive adjustment and Clay Matthews stellar play.
Not having seen the game I was in the dark as to what he was talking about.
Now I know.
Nice piece of work Mike and co.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

10 years ago

Aaron Rodgers made the Bears one dimensional and it didn't matter much who played where on the Packers defense. The Jay Cutler house of horrors thing came to a top. They could have played Sean Richardson at ILB and he'd be the one being gushed over.

I'm not saying Clay Matthews III can't be a good ILB, I'm saying his performance was more about being able to tee off a team and quarterback that were playing catch up. Every defense wants that because they can pin their ears back and attack.

PackFanWithTwins
Veteran Member

10 years ago

This really comes down to the defense being better with Neal/Perry on the field, rather than Jones/Lattimore/whoever else.

I suggested this move during the offseason as the way to have the best 11 on the field. I looks to put him in position where he can use his motor to attack plays and is a great complement to Hawk more cautious approach.

The world needs ditch diggers too Danny!!!

hardrocker950
Member

10 years ago

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

This is true - when you take control of a game like we saw last night, your defense is in a good position to be aggressive. Clay played quite well in his new role, he looked fast and (very) aggressive as we typically expect him to be. I think this was a good coaching decision - you put your best guys in the best situation to make plays and I feel they did that. The ILB position has been mediocre to bad for a while now, so there was no reason to NOT make a change.

This is the type of decision making that you want to see from your coaches. If something isn't working, make a change.

texaspackerbacker
Veteran Member

10 years ago

Of course, you KNOW where McCarthy (or more precisely, CAPERS) got the idea for this move ......... PACKERSHOME!

An October 13 thread started by MBD and strongly embraced by me and several other posters called for this highly intelligent move. As I recall, only one poster opposed it - somebody who said Clay wasn't strong enough to play ILB and that ILB was a more "cerebral" position - apparently hinting that Clay wasn't smart enough. Well, he sure look plenty strong last night, in addition to very fast, and if his brain wasn't good enough, it sure didn't keep him from doing the job sideline to sideline.

Expressing the Good Normal Views of Good Normal Americans.
If Anything I Say Smacks of Extremism, Please Tell Me EXACTLY What.

hardrocker950
Member

10 years ago

Well, he sure look plenty strong last night, in addition to very fast, and if his brain wasn't good enough, it sure didn't keep him from doing the job sideline to sideline.

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker

Well said Texas.

I really don't know where the lack of intelligence argument was born, but I really don't think he is lacking in the brains department - seems to be a stereotype that pass rushers often get labeled with. It was fun and refreshing to see someone play inside that can get to the edges and make plays.

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

10 years ago

#10

Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker

It was quite evident that Clay Matthews III isn't strong enough. He was manhandled by the Guards when they got their hands on him. As for being smart enough, I don't remember anyone saying that. As long as he can squeeze by the Guards without them touching him, he's going to continue being a menace. I like him in coverage more than any other LB the Packers have tried on the inside.

And my goodness does A.J. Hawk look thin as heck. I think Tim Masthay has more bulk than he does.

Important Information:

The PACKERSHOME uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. More Details Close

Fan Shout

Zero2Cool (1h) : Frigging host issues for site again

beast (1h) : For the first time in their long history, the Bears fire their head coach mid-season. Which comes after three very close in-division losses.

Zero2Cool (19h) : At the game now. Kampman and Cullen Jenkins are here.

buckeyepackfan (19h) : Happy Thanksgiving Packer Fans! Gonna celebrate with some grilled Dolphin later!

buckeyepackfan (19h) : Inactive 23 CB Jaire Alexander 56 LB Edgerrin Cooper 62 OL Jacob Monk 87 WR Romeo Doubs

dhazer (19h) : Just a talking point, do we try and trade Jaire next year to get out from the contract as he can't stay healthy

Zero2Cool (20h) : Happy Thanksgiving! About to head to game.

wpr (21h) : Happy Thanksgiving

Martha Careful (28-Nov) : Happy Thanksgiving Everybody...Go Packers!!!

Zero2Cool (28-Nov) : That is what a lot of people seem to think. Even though when he was on Giants, he was trash.

Martha Careful (27-Nov) : Brilliant move by Vikings!!! The signing provide great leverage in Darnold negotiations

Mucky Tundra (27-Nov) : Boo!

Zero2Cool (27-Nov) : Packers have ruled out Jaire Alexander, Edgerrin Cooper, and Romeo Doubs for Thursday's game against the Dolphins.

Zero2Cool (27-Nov) : Daniel Jones joins Vikings

Zero2Cool (27-Nov) : Tomorrow high 32° and low 19°

beast (27-Nov) : Thanks Mucky!

Mucky Tundra (27-Nov) : beast, forecast is looking like 27-28 degrees at kickoff, slight chance of snow flurries

Zero2Cool (27-Nov) : Oh? It wasn't on the injury report. That sucks, but it's what is best.

packerfanoutwest (26-Nov) : Doubs is out due to concussion

beast (26-Nov) : What does the weather look like?

Martha Careful (26-Nov) : You can wear long-johns mittens and a hat. We want Hill and their other skill guys FROZEN

Zero2Cool (26-Nov) : I'm not sure I hope for that. I'll be at the game.

Martha Careful (25-Nov) : I hope it is colder than a well-diggers ass on Thanksgiving night.

Zero2Cool (25-Nov) : doubt he wants to face the speedsters

beast (25-Nov) : Dolphins offense can be explosive... I wonder if we'll have Alexander back

Zero2Cool (25-Nov) : No Doubs could be issue Thursday

Mucky Tundra (25-Nov) : Bears. Santos. Blocked FG

Zero2Cool (24-Nov) : Bears. Vikings. OT

Mucky Tundra (24-Nov) : Thems the breaks I guess

Mucky Tundra (24-Nov) : Two players out and Williams had an injury designation this week but Oladapo is a healthy scratch

Zero2Cool (24-Nov) : Packers inactives vs 49ers: • CB Jaire Alexander • S Kitan Oladapo • LB Edgerrin Cooper • OL Jacob Monk

TheKanataThrilla (24-Nov) : Aaron Jones with a costly red zone fumble

Zero2Cool (24-Nov) : When we trade Malik for a 1st rounder, we'll need a new QB2.

packerfanoutwest (23-Nov) : Report: Aaron Rodgers wants to play in 2025, but not for the Jets

beast (23-Nov) : That's what I told the Police officer about my speed when he pulled me over

packerfanoutwest (23-Nov) : NFL told Bears that Packers’ blocked field goal was legal

packerfanoutwest (22-Nov) : 49ers are underdogs at Packers, ending streak of 36 straight games as favorites

Zero2Cool (22-Nov) : 49ers might be down their QB, DL, TE and LT?

packerfanoutwest (22-Nov) : Jaire Alexander says he has a torn PCL

Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : Even with the context it's ... what?

Mucky Tundra (20-Nov) : Matt LaFleur without context: “I don’t wanna pat you on the butt and you poop in my hand.”

beast (20-Nov) : We brought in a former Packers OL coach to help evaluate OL as a scout

beast (20-Nov) : Jets have been pretty good at picking DL

Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He landed good players thanks to high draft slot. He isn't good.

Zero2Cool (20-Nov) : He can shove his knowledge up his ass. He knows nothing.

beast (20-Nov) : More knowledge, just like bring in the Jets head coach

Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : What? Why? Huh?

beast (19-Nov) : I wonder if the Packers might to try to bring Douglas in through Milt Hendrickson/Ravens connections

Zero2Cool (19-Nov) : The Jets fired Joe Douglas, per sources

packerfanoutwest (19-Nov) : Jets are a mess......

Please sign in to use Fan Shout

2024 Packers Schedule

Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM

Eagles

29 - 34

Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM

COLTS

16 - 10

Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM

Titans

30 - 14

Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM

VIKINGS

29 - 31

Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM

Rams

24 - 19

Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM

CARDINALS

34 - 13

Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM

TEXANS

24 - 22

Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM

Jaguars

30 - 27

Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM

LIONS

14 - 24

Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM

Bears

20 - 19

Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM

49ERS

38 - 10

Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM

DOLPHINS

30 - 17

Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM

Lions

Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM

Seahawks

Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM

SAINTS

Sunday, Dec 29 @ 12:00 PM

Vikings

Saturday, Jan 4 @ 11:00 PM

BEARS