MintBaconDrivel
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.
UserPostedImage
wpr
  • 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.
UserPostedImage
Mucky Tundra
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? 🤔
Under Construction!
+1
yooperfan
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
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.
UserPostedImage
PackFanWithTwins
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!!!
+2
hardrocker950
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.

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.
+1
texaspackerbacker
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.
+3
hardrocker950
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
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.

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.
UserPostedImage
Similar Topics
Users browsing this topic
    Fan Shout
    Zero2Cool (15h) : Benton unsigned no more
    Zero2Cool (17-Jul) : That's good analysis, yes you are getting old. It'd a blessing!
    dfosterf (14-Jul) : *analysis* gettin' old
    dfosterf (14-Jul) : One of the best analyisis I"ve ever watched at this time of an offseason
    dfosterf (14-Jul) : Andy Herman interviewed Warren Sharp on his Pack a day podcast
    packerfanoutwest (10-Jul) : Us Padres fans love it....But it'll be a Dodgers/Yankees World Series
    Zero2Cool (9-Jul) : Brewers sweep Dodgers. Awesome
    Mucky Tundra (6-Jul) : And James Flanigan is the grandson of Packers Super Bowl winner Jim Flanigan Sr.
    Mucky Tundra (6-Jul) : Jerome Bettis and Jim Flanigans sons as well!
    Zero2Cool (6-Jul) : Thomas Davis Jr is OLB, not WR. Oops.
    Zero2Cool (6-Jul) : Larry Fitzgeral and Thomas Davis sons too. WR's as well.
    Mucky Tundra (5-Jul) : Kaydon Finley, son of Jermichael Finley, commits to Notre Dame
    dfosterf (3-Jul) : Make sure to send my props to him! A plus move!
    Zero2Cool (3-Jul) : My cousin, yes.
    dfosterf (3-Jul) : That was your brother the GB press gazette referenced with the red cross draft props thing, yes?
    Zero2Cool (2-Jul) : Packers gonna unveil new throwback helmet in few weeks.
    Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : I know it's Kleiman but this stuff writes itself
    Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : "Make sure she signs the NDA before asking for a Happy Ending!"
    Mucky Tundra (2-Jul) : @NFL_DovKleiman Powerful: Deshaun Watson is taking Shedeur Sanders 'under his wing' as a mentor to the Browns QBs
    Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Dolphins get (back) Minkah Fitzpatrick in trade
    Zero2Cool (30-Jun) : Steelers land Jalen Ramsey via Trade
    dfosterf (26-Jun) : I think it would be great to have someone like Tom Grossi or Andy Herman on the Board of Directors so he/they could inform us
    dfosterf (26-Jun) : Fair enough, WPR. Thing is, I have been a long time advocate to at least have some inkling of the dynamics within the board.
    wpr (26-Jun) : 1st world owners/stockholders problems dfosterf.
    Martha Careful (25-Jun) : I would have otherwise admirably served
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : Also, no more provision for a write-in candidate, so Martha is off the table at least for this year
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : You do have to interpret the boring fine print, but all stockholders all see he is on the ballot
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : It also says he is subject to another ballot in 2028. I recall nothing of this nature with Murphy
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy is on my ballot subject to me penciling him in as a no.
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : I thought it used to be we voted for the whatever they called the 45, and then they voted for the seven, and then they voted for Mark Murphy
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : Because I was too lazy to change my address, I haven't voted fot years until this year
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : of the folks that run this team. I do not recall Mark Murphy being subject to our vote.
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : Ed Policy yay or nay is on the pre-approved ballot that we always approve because we are uninformed and lazy, along with all the rest
    dfosterf (25-Jun) : Weird question. Very esoteric. For stockholders. Also lengthy. Sorry. Offseason.
    Zero2Cool (25-Jun) : Maybe wicked wind chill made it worse?
    Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : And then he signs with Cleveland in the offseason
    Mucky Tundra (25-Jun) : @SharpFootball WR Diontae Johnson just admitted he refused to enter a game in 41° weather last year in Baltimore because he felt “ice cold”
    Zero2Cool (24-Jun) : Yawn. Rodgers says he is "pretty sure" this be final season.
    Zero2Cool (23-Jun) : PFT claims Packers are having extension talks with Zach Tom, Quay Walker.
    Mucky Tundra (20-Jun) : GB-Minnesota 2004 Wild Card game popped up on my YouTube page....UGH
    beast (20-Jun) : Hmm 🤔 re-signing Walker before Tom? Sounds highly questionable to me.
    Mucky Tundra (19-Jun) : One person on Twitter=cannon law
    Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter
    Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : According to Tweeter
    Zero2Cool (19-Jun) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp
    dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night
    dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60
    dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO
    Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m
    dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions
    Please sign in to use Fan Shout
    2025 Packers Schedule
    Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
    LIONS
    Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
    COMMANDERS
    Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
    Browns
    Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
    Cowboys
    Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
    BENGALS
    Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
    Cardinals
    Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
    Steelers
    Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
    PANTHERS
    Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
    EAGLES
    Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
    Giants
    Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
    VIKINGS
    Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
    Lions
    Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
    BEARS
    Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
    Broncos
    Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
    Bears
    Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
    RAVENS
    Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
    Vikings
    Recent Topics
    38m / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

    8h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

    16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    18-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    15-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    14-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    10-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    10-Jul / Around The NFL / Zero2Cool

    6-Jul / Random Babble / Martha Careful

    4-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

    2-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

    2-Jul / Fantasy Sports Talk / dfosterf

    1-Jul / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

    29-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    25-Jun / Around The NFL / Martha Careful

    Headlines
    Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.