Zero2Cool
15 years ago
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The Green Bay Packers generally have tempered their excitement about rookies in the four years General Manager Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy have been running the football side of the organization.

Receiver Greg Jennings stood out too much to be ignored as a second-round pick in 2006. But aside from him, the only other draft picks who started regularly as rookies in that time, let alone became key players, were offensive linemen Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz.

But ask McCarthy what he thinks of Thompsons selection of outside linebacker Clay Matthews at No. 26 overall in this years draft, and theres not much tempering.

What do I think of the pick of Clay Matthews? McCarthy said. Cant you just say thats a heck of a pick in Clay Matthews?

Yes, as the 2009 season goes on, its looking more like Thompson hit it big when he selected Matthews, the former USC standout who is the son, nephew and grandson of former NFL players and a likely candidate for defensive rookie of the year.

Matthews, a starter since Week 4, has been one of the Packers better defensive players for a good chunk of the season. This week, he was named NFC defensive player of the week not defensive rookie, but defensive player. Against Baltimore on Monday night, he had six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in the Packers 27-14 win.

It's more than one game, though. Matthews is one of several reasons the Packers are a much improved defense from 2008.

Much of the credit for their No. 8 ranking in fewest points allowed after 12 games goes to defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who weathered some ups and downs in the first half of the season with his new 3-4 and has put together two strong games without outside linebacker Aaron Kampman and cornerback Al Harris, who were lost to season-ending injuries.

But to make an appreciable jump such as the Packers have last season they were No. 22 in the league in points allowed a team also needs ascending play from a couple of new faces, or up-and-comers already on the roster. Matthews has been one of those players as the right outside linebacker.

The speed he brings to the field, especially the pass rush, he plays like a veteran, defensive end Cullen Jenkins said. Thats huge.

When Thompson traded two third-round picks to move up from early in the second round (No. 41 overall) and draft Matthews late in the first round (No. 26), he surprised even members of his organization. Not that he liked Matthews, who was a late riser in the spring after being only a one-year starter at USC, but for trading two valuable picks to move up for only the second time in his five drafts for the Packers.

I thought at the time it was an unusual move for Ted, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said, but I realized they must have seen something special in him. The thing that struck me first about Clay, he had the right demeanor for a rookie. He came in, kept his mouth shut. He just wanted to play and play hard and wait for his opportunity. Now, it didnt come right away, he wasnt starting Day 1, and he continued to work hard and has shown himself to be a very solid player, a good professional. He competes week in and week out, and hes really helped out our team a bunch.

The Packers projected Matthews to be a starter at some point as a rookie, though a recurring hamstring injury and veteran Brady Poppinga held him back from that role until Week 4.

Either way, Thompsons investment was huge, because he chose Matthews specifically for a critical role in Capers 3-4 defense. The outside linebackers in Capers scheme are the most important playmakers. For the defense to thrive, they have to be excellent outside rushers while holding up in pass coverage and against the run.

Though Matthews isnt a lights-out speed rusher, hes shown a good combination of quickness and instincts in attaining seven sacks, which ties him with Washingtons Brian Orakpo for tops among rookies this season and for No. 13 in the league.

Matthews also has shown a complete set of skills. NFL scouts who have watched the Packers say that what stands out is the most basic of observations: He always seems to be around the ball, which is what Thompson said jumped out at him when he watched tape of USC last season.

You cant argue with the athletic ability, the versatility he gives you at that position, McCarthy said. Thats what youre looking for. The ability to put his hand down and rush the passer. Also to play all the different combinations, the pressure packages and the cover packages. I think hes off to an excellent start. When you have a rookie win the defensive player of the week, I think that speaks for itself.

Though Matthews has been a late bloomer, in one way he probably was as well prepared to play immediately as anyone in this years draft. He grew up watching what his father, Clay Matthews Jr., and to a lesser degree his uncle, Bruce Matthews, did on and off the field to forge their 19-year NFL careers.

McCarthy, Jenkins and Rodgers all brought up Matthews professionalism without being asked. Matthews appears to have learned it as much by osmosis as anything. He said football is in our DNA and that he and his father never talked much about what its like to be a rookie, which seems to have fostered a professional mindset.

I dont buy into that if youre a rookie youre not expected to produce as much or youre expected to make mistakes, Matthews said.

So (my father) talks to me, and so does everybody else, as if Im a veteran. Im doing the same thing everybody else is, and theres no excuse for not understanding a game plan or not being able to make a certain play. They brought me in for a reason, and that was to contribute right off the bat.


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porky88
15 years ago
I wasn't crazy about what the Packers gave up to get Matthews, but looking back, it was so worth it. This guy is playing his best football here in the second half and really he just spells out Green Bay Packer football to me. He looks and acts the part of a Packer.
Zero2Cool
15 years ago
I don't know a whole lot about drafts, but I was reading and hearing often that it was a weak draft, so I didn't much mind it.
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Jacob
15 years ago
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millertime
15 years ago
Great pick up. If Jones can put on some weight and not lose his speed, we might have our 3-4 OLBers of the future. Nice to see that GB looks to have gotten 2 great players in round 1 last year, and two solid guys (Lang and Brad Jones) in later rounds. There's your props Ted.

(I still don't forgive you for F-ing up the oline. Yeah, I hold grudges!)
porky88
15 years ago
The Lambeau Locks is what we should call him.
WhiskeySam
15 years ago
Nice write-up on the kid. He deserves the accolades.
Nemo me impune lacessit
Rockmolder
15 years ago
Great pick.

It's not only the plays that he makes, though, it's also the ones that he lets others make.

He's such a smart player, especially for a rookie. He doesn't try to rack up tackles or anything. He'd rather hold his gap, not giving the RB any cutback lanes, letting another players make the tackle.

He should be a great player for years to come.
Fan Shout
Zero2Cool (14-Feb) : Packers are hiring Luke Getsy as senior offensive assistant.
Martha Careful (12-Feb) : I would love to have them both, esp. Crosby, but either might be too expensive.
Zero2Cool (12-Feb) : Keisean Nixon is trying to get Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams lol
Mucky Tundra (11-Feb) : Yeah where did it go?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : or did you resctrict access to that topic?
packerfanoutwest (11-Feb) : why did you remove the Playoff topic?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Tua’s old DC won a Super Bowl Year 1 with Tua’s former backup
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : *winning MVP
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Funny observation I've heard: Carson Wentz was on the sideline for both Eagles Super Bowl wins w/guys supposed to be his back up winning
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : NFL thought it would get more attention week preceding Super Bowl.
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Yes, the Pro Bowl. It was played Sunday before Super Bowl from 2010-2022
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : pro bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : From 2010 to 2022, it was played on the Sunday before the Super Bowl
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : They moved it to the BYE week before Super Bowl several years ago.
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : it was always after the SB.....
beast (10-Feb) : Though I stop following pro bowl years ago
beast (10-Feb) : I thought the pro game was before the Super Bowl?
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : ok now for the Pro Bowl Game in Hawaii
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : If I was Philly I would try to end it instead of punting it
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : VICTORY! We have (moral) victory!
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Hey they mentioned that we 3-peted
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : seems to me the 49ers should have traded Aiyuk when they had the chance
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : if the Eagles get it down to the 1, do they Tush Push or give it to Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : 49ers have a money problem if they want to sign their QB
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Wait for real? Didn't he just get an extension two years ago?
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : 49ers gonna trade Deebo. Interesting
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Replays always never seem to show the holdings
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Great throw by Hurts
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Where Carter falls prey to bad off the field influences (to be clear, not saying he'd clip someone though)
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Had Carter not gone to Philly were they already had a lot of old college friends, he ends up in a similar spot to Aaron Hernandez
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : I think some of his coaches told scouts to stay away
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : the street racing incident+conditioning and motivation problems
beast (10-Feb) : Then Carter was street racing, where the other car crashed and people died... and other teams were scared to pick Carter for some reason
beast (10-Feb) : I think the Saints traded up, giving their next year 1st to the Eagles, and then they sucked and Eagles got the 10th overall pick
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : wtf Barkley?
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : Getting Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round in 2023 was pretty darn good
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : for some reason i'm thinking of a draft where the Eagles where in the mid 20s and a top player fell all the way to them
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think so. I would need to look it up. Think it may have been Carolina's pick.
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : i'm not sure who i'm thinking of now
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : oh fuck me i messed that up
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Jordan Davis was 13th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Carter was 9th overall
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles had 15th and 10th selections, moved to 13 and 9 to get Davis and Carter back to back
Zero2Cool (10-Feb) : Eagles traded up for Carter, didn't they?
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Obviously he was a huge risk but getting a top 5 talent on the dline in the mid 20s is fortuitous
Mucky Tundra (10-Feb) : Jalen Carter falling into their lap certainly helps
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : And we could only wish to have this type of D
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : It's not like Philly has had low draft picks, but has managed to get themselves a top notch pass rush. We spend so much draft capital of D
packerfanoutwest (10-Feb) : another crap halftime show
TheKanataThrilla (10-Feb) : I think it is over, but then I think of Atlanta and want Philly to go in with the same intensity in the second half
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