Is Clay Matthews an "elite" player?

uffda udfa
Veteran Member Topic Starter

9 years ago

He seems to be taking a beating on some lists here lately. I just read a piece (soon to be a topic here, I'm sure) where he is listed as a "High Quality Starter" instead of "Elite" by PFF who ranked the rosters of the NFCN.

In your opinion is Clay an elite player, or was he ever?

I think he was an elite player but due to injury and his move inside is viewed differently now around the league.

My thinking is he is a high quality player and no longer elite.

Ted Thompson sits on his hands per former GM: "because they’ve had 25 fricking years of great quarterbacks. Of course it works. Try it without a special quarterback."

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

Zero2Cool
Elite Member

9 years ago

Originally Posted by: uffda udfa

I don't think he was ever truly elite and that could be due to my high standards of being elite. Some say that Clay at ILB was a major success, no, it wasn't. He didn't get more sacks because of great ILB play. He got those sacks because offenses had no damn clue where he was at. Nearly all of his sacks were from the OLB position.

He's a one trick pony and a liability off the edge.

68md
Member

9 years ago

Originally Posted by: uffda udfa

Very open ended question. It would depend upon your definition of " Elite" and or "Quality Starter".

So I'll just go with my gut on that part. Right now he's not playing the MLB full time. They still plan to use him as a situational player based on down/distance .. how the defense is lined up etc. With that said he's still a big piece of the proverbial packer pie on defense.

Without him we certainly lack a key threat with him much harder to defend. Elite might be a bit much so put yours truly down for 4 1/2 star starter that would be 5 if he wasn't wearing so many hats now.

texaspackerbacker
Veteran Member

9 years ago

Of course, you need to define your terms - "elite player".

In my book, the move to the inside solidified Matthews' status as let's say, a star. I reject the notion that he is a "one trick pony". I came to that conclusion when as a reaction to teams double teaming him, he dropped into pass coverage and did a damn good job of it. Why was his move to the inside such a success? Because he played better there than anybody had played in the last 5-10 years - including Hawk at his best, Bishop before the injury, anybody. I don't know if he faded a little bit as an OLB or if it was injuries or what. I had thought that having Peppers, Matthews would get less attention from offenses and be more effective as a pass rusher. I was a little disappointed at how that turned out, but by the end of the season, I had higher regard for Matthews as an all around player than I ever had before.

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

uffda udfa
Veteran Member Topic Starter

9 years ago

One thing I can't resist mentioning from the PFF piece...the Packers had ZERO "Poor Players" per PFF.

However, AJ Hawk was ranked "Poor Player" for the Cincy Bengals. He was that FOR YEARS in Green Bay and he stayed. Matthews looks like Ray Lewis, Nitschke, Ted Hendricks and Jack Ham combined after living through the atrocity of AJ Hawk.

BTW, the 4 "Elites" per PFF were... Rodgers, Sitton, Nelson and Cobb. Shields was a "GOOD" and Hayward "High Quality".

Interesting that Shields was listed below Hayward.

Sadly, NONE of our ELITES are on D. NONE. Very very sad.

Ted Thompson sits on his hands per former GM: "because they’ve had 25 fricking years of great quarterbacks. Of course it works. Try it without a special quarterback."

earthquake
Member

9 years ago

Mathew's issue has always been health and consistency. Even when he's not missing games he seems to frequently have nagging injuries (hamstring) that limit his effectiveness. If he can stay healthy and play up to his potential for a full season, he's certainly an elite player. I think he's played like an elite player in various stretches but not his entire career. Overall, he's a very good player but not quite elite.

blank

sschind
Senior Member

9 years ago

Part of Clay's effectiveness was not simply the pressure he put on the QB but the fact hat he was a player they absolutely had to account for every time. The Packers have not had many of those players in recent years. Reggie White was the last one I can think of with any certainty. Maybe Charles Woodson or even Leroy Butler but that may be it.

People look for stats to tell the whole story but they don't. For a few years if you asked any offensive player for the best defensive players in the league Matthews would have been on that list and pretty close to the top. Ask any sports reporter or commentator (not that they are all experts by any stretch) and Matthews would have been on that list.

Is he an elite player now? Probably not. I don't know if he can ever get back what he had but I would say at one time, albeit for a short time, he was one of the elites.

buckeyepackfan
Veteran Member

9 years ago

I. Would say elite as OLB/pass rusher.

Clay hasn't played enough ILB to judge.

I hope he doesn't have to, ILB's take much more if a pounding than OLB's, Clay has already dealt with several injuries, playing him on the inside hopefully is temporary.

Moving him around to confuse the offense seems to work well.

I was addicted to The Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around!

nerdmann
Premier Member

9 years ago

Originally Posted by: buckeyepackfan

I'd like to see him paired with another elite OLB who can get it done consistently. I bet he'd look way better then.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

DarkaneRules
Veteran Member

9 years ago

#10

Yes. He leaves the game, we hemorrhage points. He's elite.

Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance

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

Mucky Tundra (8h) : Will there be a tracker on the ball or something?

Zero2Cool (12h) : uh oh

Martha Careful (12h) : Too bad camera's can't spot the ball as well.

Mucky Tundra (14h) : So will the chain gang be gone completely or will they still be around as a backup or whatever?

Zero2Cool (14h) : The method for measuring first downs in the NFL will switch from chain gangs to camera-based technology in 2025, the league announced.

Martha Careful (17h) : A big step in the right direction. Just put in the college system is very very good.

Zero2Cool (20h) : NFL has passed a rule that allows both teams to possess the ball in OT during the regular season

Zero2Cool (20h) : Touchbacks on kickoffs will now bring the ball to the 35-yard line.

beast (31-Mar) : It might of gotten more popular recently, but braiding hair (even men) in certain cultures goes back for centuries.

Martha Careful (30-Mar) : Is men braiding their hair a new style thing? Watching the NCAA men's tournament many players have done

Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Ha. Well, it'd be nice for folks to reset their own password. Via validated email 😏

beast (29-Mar) : Monopoly was supposed to be an educational game, that show how evil capitalism was and how we should avoid it

beast (29-Mar) : Lol, I was thinking username would be better, as then I wouldn't have to keep an email up to date lol 😂

beast (29-Mar) : Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol

wpr (29-Mar) : sure is

Zero2Cool (29-Mar) : Monopoly is a rip off of The Landlord's Game

wpr (27-Mar) : 28 days until the draft

earthquake (27-Mar) : Which seemed strange to my 9 year old self, that you could be a fan for a team other than the one you play for

earthquake (27-Mar) : Nothing eventful happened, other than it being clear that he was a bengals fan

earthquake (27-Mar) : And we went and hung out with him one afternoon, I must have been 9 or so

earthquake (27-Mar) : That’s wild, when I was a kid my friend lived in the same apartment complex in De Pere

Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : Only career highspot was a 200 yard rushing game while playing for the Cardinals

Mucky Tundra (27-Mar) : He is a former Packer. Drafted out of Northern Illinois. Didn't do much in GB.

dfosterf (26-Mar) : Despicable

Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Former NFL. I think Packers too

Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : NFL RB Leshon Johnson has been charged in a massive dog fighting operation, with the FBI seizing over 190 Pit Bulls

Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Some real irony of a QB as short as Wilson playing for the Giants

Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Giants country, let's be the tall beings of lore!

Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : Russell Wilson signs with the Giants.

Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : I was thinking email because I think it'll make folks keep it up todate lol

wpr (25-Mar) : I don't think there is a significant difference. I use a user name for many. Others email.

Martha Careful (25-Mar) : email

Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : would it be better to use EMAIL or USERNAME to log into a site?

wpr (25-Mar) : Thanks Zero

Zero2Cool (24-Mar) : New forum has the ability to Thank a post now.

beast (24-Mar) : And the only time they have won the Championship in an even year, was the first time they did, in 2006.

beast (24-Mar) : Since 2007, there have been 10 odd numbered years, Wisconsin Women have won the Championship in 7 of those 10 odd numbered years.

buckeyepackfan (24-Mar) : Congratulations Lady Badger Hockey Team. NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!

Zero2Cool (23-Mar) : I don't think it's completed yet. it was just announced last month, right?

dhazer (23-Mar) : did netflix ever release the Packers documentary

Zero2Cool (21-Mar) : And it is glorious!

beast (21-Mar) : Unsigned FA QB Rodgers is supposedly in the Steelers building

Martha Careful (19-Mar) : But I don't own a car! So can I still use it in my apartment?

Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : btw, new site auto updates

Zero2Cool (19-Mar) : Woohoo!

TheKanataThrilla (19-Mar) : Oops I guess I should have updated the site before posting

TheKanataThrilla (19-Mar) : Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN · Follow Source: Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the #Packers on a one-year deal.

Zero2Cool (18-Mar) : Former Packers wide receiver Bob Long, who stayed in Wisconsin after playing days, dies at age 83

Martha Careful (17-Mar) : PFOW, Pati O'Furniture

wpr (17-Mar) : Thanks dfosterf. Been a while since I heard the song.

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

31 - 34

Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM

Seahawks

30 - 13

Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM

SAINTS

34 - 0

Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM

Vikings

25 - 27

Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM

BEARS

22 - 24

Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM

Eagles

10 - 22