Zero2Cool
15 years ago
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Green Bay The Green Bay Packers have generated plenty of pass rush through the preseason and season opener even though little has come from the outside-linebacker position.

Part of the reason is that rookie Clay Matthews was able to play in just the exhibition finale and the opener against Chicago due to a recurring hamstring injury.

What happens if Matthews quickly blossoms into the pass rusher that the Packers expected him to become when they traded up to draft him in the first round?

"He's just going to continue to progress," said Kevin Greene, who coaches the outside linebackers. "He's got great upside. He has something special."

In the opener, Matthews replaced Brady Poppinga at right outside linebacker in sub-packages. At times in the second half, Poppinga replaced him in sub before the rookie came back to finish the game.

"We threw him in the fire a little bit, pulled him out and threw him back in," Greene said. "He missed so much time in training camp. We just basically got him back. He did some good things."

Essentially playing a standup defensive end, the 250-pound Matthews was asked to power rush the Bears' once-great but now declining Orlando Pace. The left tackle might have outweighed Matthews by 100 pounds.

"He did exactly what he was coached to do," said Greene. "Collapse the pocket. Physical, physical. I didn't want nothing finesse. I wanted (Jay) Cutler to feel it. So he did that."

Many young players find that they have a shortage of strength compared to veterans. Matthews, however, doesn't seem to be one of them.

"His strength is very good," Greene said. "He has a feel for getting his hands inside and head butting, the things we're coaching."

On the spot: [ul]The Packers didn't prepare anyone other than Allen Barbre at right tackle during the practice week. According to offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, Breno Giacomini and T.J. Lang received no more than a snap or two here and there at the position.

Barbre was dominated by defensive end Adewale Ogunleye on opening night. If Barbre isn't any better in the first half against Cincinnati end Robert Geathers than he was against Ogunleye, would the Packers have to make a change at halftime?

"I don't know about that," said Philbin. "We've got to look at the big picture. We're going to be watching things closely . . . and how the kid's performing. I don't know that we're mandated to do anything."

Clearly, Barbre will be under pressure on Sunday. Philbin was asked if there also can be pressure on a position coach, which in this case would be James Campen.

"There's pressure on everybody," said Philbin. "Every position coach is the head coach of their position.

"These guys take a lot of pride in their job. They take it very seriously. These guys are working their butt off and helping these guys play up to their potential."[/ul]

Injury list:[ul]Daryn Colledge observed but didn't participate in practice Friday, one day after suffering a sprained right foot. Coach Mike McCarthy said Colledge had a "good chance" of playing.

"I'm ready to go," said Colledge. "I expect to be out there. I haven't missed a start yet and I don't plan on missing one this week."

Colledge said someone stepped on his foot in practice Thursday.

"We get stepped on every day," he said. "It was just a tweak. I want to be 100% for the weekend. We've got a great defense coming in here and it will take more than 90% of me."

McCarthy has said several times recently that center Scott Wells would be the next player in if a starter couldn't play. Center Jason Spitz also has said he is more than prepared to start at either guard.

Meanwhile, McCarthy indicated that cornerback Will Blackmon (thigh) would be back as the return specialist and that Mason Crosby (abdominal strain), who booted Friday at Lambeau Field, would be available to kick.

Nose tackle B.J. Raji (ankle), who practiced all week, said he wasn't limited in the least. Still, he was listed as questionable.

Tackle Chad Clifton was given Friday off by McCarthy to rest.[/ul]

Odd and ends: [ul]Wide receiver Greg Jennings said he chews gum during games and plays without a mouthpiece. He has been doing that since his days at Western Michigan.

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher wasn't fined by the league for his hard-charging frontal hit on Aaron Rodgers.

The injury settlement between tight end Evan Moore and the Packers was for $50,588. Moore damaged a finger the second day of camp but never stopped playing until being placed on injured reserve Sept. 5. The injury settlement was announced Sept. 7 and he was waived.

The concussion that Jennings suffered on a reception in Arizona Aug. 28 was his first in any sport. He said there have been no repercussions.[/ul]


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Tezzy
15 years ago


"His strength is very good," Greene said. "He has a feel for getting his hands inside and head butting, the things we're coaching."

"Zero2Cool wrote:



I've seen the same thing from Hawk on his middle pressure, getting right up into the face of the lineman and pushing through. This is a big difference from last year I think where LBs were playing more with their arms and hands trying to get around people. This new aggressive attitude is going to pay huge dividends as confidence continue to blossom. I enjoyed what I saw of Matthews on Sunday. In regards to his strength, I agree, he didn't look like a college player, really looked like a pro.
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Greg C.
15 years ago
I was surprised but also very pleased by how much Matthews played in the opener. He should give us a much more serious pass-rushing threat than Poppinga will on that side, and hopefully he will be better in coverage too.

I wonder if the Packers now lead the league in long-haired defenders: Harris, Bigby, Hawk, and now Matthews. If my grandma was still alive, she would be wielding her imaginary scissors.
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nerdmann
15 years ago
I love Mathews. Glad they're already working him in.
“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.”
go.pack.go.
15 years ago
I love that they are playing him, and they are confident in him....he is truly a monster, as you can see below.....

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No steroids, either....
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RashaanSalaami
15 years ago
If he can stay injury-free, this kid is gonna be good. He's athletically gifted, has great pedigree, a tremendous work ethic, and Kevin Greene on his side. Matthews will be perfectly fine as our ROLB in the long term. Loved the pick at the time and love it even more right now. Bet there's not much questioning the decision to trade up anymore. :icon_smile:
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Patlee22
15 years ago

I love that they are playing him, and they are confident in him....he is truly a monster, as you can see below.....

UserPostedImage

No steroids, either....

"go.pack.go." wrote:


Wow, look at the size of those triceps!...I loved the pick and even the idea of even drafting CM3 was very very appealing to me. Before we got him, he was just one of those guys who even though you knew you probably wouldn't get, you still loved the idea of it happening, but we got lucky and Ted Thompson did some of his magic once again and we ended up getting him. I was so happy that we did.
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Porforis
15 years ago
"Wide receiver Greg Jennings said he chews gum during games and plays without a mouthpiece. He has been doing that since his days at Western Michigan."

Eh, so long as he doesn't choke on it. That would suck...
jdog2
15 years ago
I didn't realize how big he was till I saw him playing on Sunday. I thought he played pretty well seeing as it was his first game. Now just time to see what Raji can do
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evad04
15 years ago

"Wide receiver Greg Jennings said he chews gum during games and plays without a mouthpiece. He has been doing that since his days at Western Michigan."

Eh, so long as he doesn't choke on it. That would suck...

"DKF295" wrote:


Gregorious doesn't choke on gum. It is, however, not uncommon for gum to choke on him.
William Henderson didn't have to run people over. His preferred method was levitation.
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Zero2Cool (1h) : new site, text editor gooder even on phone
beast (2h) : Oh yes, sometimes they make using a cellphone tough. I just wanted to make sure it was the correct article, & thank you for pointing it out.
jdlax (3h) : I can't believe one of my teams went out and wablammo just up and acquired one of the best players in the world overnight
dfosterf (8h) : I do very much appreciate when Beast and others pick up my slack 😊
dfosterf (8h) : I accept Beast's admonishment regarding my failure to link stuff I reference. I simply never learned to link from my cell phone.
beast (8h) : That's not what your she said 😌, she said keep going 😏
Mucky Tundra (12h) : Anything over 4 hours means he needs to get to the hospital
Mucky Tundra (12h) : Someone might want to check on Hafley and make sure his erection has gone down
Zero2Cool (13h) : LaFleur texts "bleep me I cannot sit down"
Zero2Cool (13h) : YouTube has had me last hour or two lol
Mucky Tundra (14h) : Ugh this trade happened right as my shift started and it's killing me
Zero2Cool (14h) : Parsons wore 23 in high school.
Zero2Cool (14h) : Packers just cost Lions more money with Hutchinson too huh
Zero2Cool (15h) : That is fair by me.
buckeyepackfan (15h) : Kenny Clark is the player, 2 1st rnd picks
Zero2Cool (15h) : umm... what?
wpr (16h) : I am stunned
Mucky Tundra (16h) : RICKEY SCOOPS WAS RIGHT AGAIN!!!
Mucky Tundra (16h) : ITS HAPPENING
buckeyepackfan (16h) : DEAL IS DONE
buckeyepackfan (16h) : MICAH IS COMING TO GREEN BAY!!!!!!!!!
wpr (22h) : Me do-ed it gooderly,
Zero2Cool (28-Aug) : Bahah, I was like WTF why isn't anyone posting on PP.com ... oops no one has permissions
dfosterf (27-Aug) : tell her I reckon
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Micah Robinson cut. Probable PS player tomorrow. Has to call mom back and t
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : New site so much better. Might make switch and deal with it.
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Mecole Hardman to our practice squad
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Nick Nieman from Texans our 5th linebacker. Special teams signing
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Looks like we signed Clayton Tune as QB3
wpr (27-Aug) : TKT people lose their minds over QB3. Point is almost none of them are ready that's why they are on the PS and other teams don't take them.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Unfortunately he doesn't seem ready to be an emergency QB.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : As a Canadian and a follower of Canadian University football. I am rooting for him
dfosterf (27-Aug) : I bet a lot of us will follow the Taylor Elgersma journey with interest. Personally, got a Kurt Warner vibe goin' on. I like him
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Not sure if either will be claimed though.
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Tune or Hooker would make sense
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Clayton Tune cut by the Cards? Don't know if that's the guy, we shall see
TheKanataThrilla (27-Aug) : Per Bill Huber, the Packers will not be bringing back Taylor Elgersma or Sean Clifford on the practice squad, so a new third quarterback
Mucky Tundra (27-Aug) : Schefter must have deleted his tweet
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Hopefully Jerry reaches under the seat cushions and ashtrays of his jet and scrapes up the 45 million apr and spares us further nonsense
dfosterf (27-Aug) : Have to admit the PO'd Cowboy fan videos would be fun to watch. Problem with draft picks is half their fanbase barely knows what that is
beast (27-Aug) : I think Cowboys fans are ready to get their pitch forks and burning sticks if Jerry were to trade Micah
dfosterf (27-Aug) : If Jerry traded Micah to GB, here in northern Va. they would have to quick build yet another data center to handle the internet hate traffic
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : its signing and trades that you don't hear about, other then announced
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : If you hear rumors about Packers sign or trade, won't happen. Not how they work
dfosterf (27-Aug) : 19 players in a contract year. Jones called loss to us worst loss in Cowboy history. Forget Parsons trade. Not happenin' Cap'n
packerfanoutwest (27-Aug) : The Packers, meanwhile, are the youngest team in the league for the third consecutive year.
dfosterf (27-Aug) : That it was darkest before the dawn in Bengals and Commanders before they got deals done
Zero2Cool (27-Aug) : what is Schefter saying?
dfosterf (27-Aug) : He was getting Dorito infusion therapy
dfosterf (27-Aug) : He's outta shape. Why, just the other day I saw him splayed out on the trainers table
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