More Banjo: @ Seahawks NFC Championship ***k Up

[denverYooper]

That reporting was a little deceiving. I watched the video of Matthews' comments after the game. The "mentally, emotionally, physically drained" comment was in response to a question about how he felt after losing the game. It wasn't a reason why he missed playing time in the 4th quarter.

Nice catch on the quote mining. I didn't see the postgame interviews. You often see a handful of quotes re-purposed ad nauseamand re-contextualized with different angles. The article I linked sure looks like a bit of a hit piece on CM3, leading with the Sherman/Thomas praise. There could be nothing to it at all and he thought his knee really went out. He was back in on the next series, so it could be much ado.

Prior to this, I did find it interesting that he wasn't made a captain for the playoffs, especially since he took a position change without any apparent public sniping (if he was at all upset by it). That could also be nothing more than Burnett and Peppers really stepping up their motivational speaking, though.

At any rate, I expect a more fully developed McGinn special to come out sometime in March questioning Clay's ability to truly be a leader of the defense as the Packers had likely envisioned when they paid him.

[Patler]

At any rate, I expect a more fully developed McGinn special to come out sometime in March questioning Clay's ability to truly be a leader of the defense as the Packers had likely envisioned when they paid him.

...and I for one will wonder if it isn't at least somewhat true?

We blasted Cutler unmercifully for not fighting to stay in the playoff game against the Packers a few years back. Is it any different for Matthews?

More specifically, I wonder if there is a little prima dona in old Clay? We have seen him pull himself out lots of times. Certainly not the old school fight to stay on the field attitude we think of for linebackers.

Is he a thoroughbred who won't run if he is not at his best?

Is this just what should be expected from today's multi-milionaire athletes?

[Pugger]

...and I for one will wonder if it isn't at least somewhat true?

We blasted Cutler unmercifully for not fighting to stay in the playoff game against the Packers a few years back. Is it any different for Matthews?

More specifically, I wonder if there is a little prima dona in old Clay? We have seen him pull himself out lots of times. Certainly not the old school fight to stay on the field attitude we think of for linebackers.

Is he a thoroughbred who won't run if he is not at his best?

Is this just what should be expected from today's multi-milionaire athletes?

I saw something online recently that shows how many snaps each player is in games and Clay is in practically every defensive snap and I've seen him on ST plays too. He did return in OT. I'm not going to question CM3's desire to play.