Green Bay Before returning to practice Monday, it had been 29 days since Clay Matthews stood at his left outside linebacker position for the Green Bay Packers.
And five practices before that, Matthews was playing right outside linebacker.
So here it is, less than a week before the Green Bay Packers open the regular season at the Philadelphia Eagles and Matthews wasn't fretting at all about making his game debut at a position he has played for less than a week.
"I don't think it's going to be much of an issue," Matthews said after his first full practice since the intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 6.
During that scrimmage, Matthews suffered a pulled hamstring in the same area in which he experienced one last summer and the Packers were extremely cautious in bringing him back. Matthew started taking part in walk-throughs last week and he has been attending regular linebacker meetings, but he didn't play in a single exhibition game and wore pads for only nine practices this camp.
Joining Matthews back on the practice field was fellow outside linebacker Brad Jones, who has been out since Aug. 20 with a shoulder injury. He was sidelined four days at the start of camp because of a back injury and has taken part in 13 practices and one exhibition game at his new position on the right side.
Having all of his linebackers together in their proper place was of great relief to coach Mike McCarthy even though the workout was not conducted in pads. The goal all along was to bring both Matthews and Jones along slowly enough so that they would be physically strong for the opener and the plan seems to have worked.
"We're going to go full tilt with those guys unless I am given information to think otherwise," McCarthy said. "They were cleared today, and with Tuesday being their day off and treatments this afternoon and treatments tomorrow, I think we're going to be OK. I want to see them go through the padded work (Wednesday). So I feel good about it."
Both players said they got through the workout without any problems. There wasn't any hitting going on, but at this point it is as much about synchronizing movements with the other players as it is breaking down and making a tackle.
After playing the left side last year, Jones has to get used to coordinating his movements with right end Cullen Jenkins and vice versa. Matthews is now playing behind left end Ryan Pickett and dealing more often with a tight end in his face.
"We've all played the game," said Jenkins, who took part only in the walk-through because of a pulled calf muscle. "Everyone knows what's expected of them. We'd like to have more time to feel each other out. But it's still football. We all know how to play."
Matthews' return is critical because in his rookie season he led the team in sacks with 10 and by the end of the season demanded more attention from the opponent. On the right side, he and Jenkins were often doubled together when the offensive line slid its protection their way, but now the two are split apart.
If the Packers are going to protect their rookie starting strong safety and most likely rookie nickel back, they're going to have to put consistent heat on the quarterback. Matthews is a big part of that and scoffs at the notion it will be harder to match those numbers in his second year.
"No way," Matthews said. "Nope, uh-uh. Why would it be tougher? I've gotten a year better. I'm more confident. Why would it be tougher?"
The logical answer is that moving over to the left side puts Matthews on the same side as the tight end in most "right-handed" offenses. The tight end can double him or chip him on the way out to running a pass route, meaning he'll have fewer one-on-one matchups with the tackle than he had on the right side.
Matthews responded by saying it's assumed he'll be static in the left outside position when the truth is that Capers plans to move him around to find the best matchup when the defense is facing a passing down.
"(The) scheme is designed to put the player in a one-on-one situation, and the player's responsibility is to win the one-on-one situation," McCarthy said. "Whether it is right side or left side, we'll continue to give him the work. I think (assistant coach) Kevin Greene does an excellent job, particularly in the fundamentals and the technique of the position.
"Clay is a gifted young man. He brings a lot to the table in terms of his physical gifts and the way he plays the game, so I am fully confident he'll be very productive over there."
How well acclimated he'll be to playing on the left side won't be determined until Sunday. Even McCarthy admits there's nothing simple about changing positions and the lost practice time due to injury doesn't help matters. His hope is that Matthews' football IQ and athletic ability will take over where repetition doesn't.
Jones, meanwhile, will play for awhile with a shoulder harness that restricts him a little. But he tested the harness last week and practiced without any problems Monday. He still has to pass the full-pads exam Wednesday, but said he was off on the right foot.
"It was great to be out there," Jones said. "It felt like I never left. Nothing really changed."
What needs to change this year compared to a year ago is the defense applying more pressure on the quarterback. Visions of Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre standing in the pocket for 5 seconds are vivid among players and coaches alike.
Though the Packers ranked tied for 11th with 35 sacks, 15 came against lowly Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and Cleveland. When they really needed to get to the quarterback - against Minnesota, Pittsburgh Arizona (playoffs) - the Packers had a mere six sacks.
Something has to change this year, starting with the Eagles.
"I think you'll see throughout the season I'll be moving around and coming from every possible gap they allow us," Matthews said. "It's important I show that I'm not a one-track guy or one-side guy. Hopefully, we can mix it up and create some mismatches and throw a wrinkle into our game plans."