Clay Matthews

[KYPack]

We all know about his pass rushing ability. One thing that gets overlooked is how much the Packers run defense improved once Matthews was inserted in the starting lineup. In the first 3 games the Packers gave up 130 YPG. Since then, it's been 69 YPG. Of course, not all of that is Matthews. Certainly Nick Barnett has gotten better as the season has progressed. However, Matthews was a big upgrade over Poppinga, who tended to get caught inside too much.

There was an early game this season where Brady got washed inside by 5 or 6 yards. I groaned when I saw it. In a game or two, they started playing Clay. The feeling had to be, Popp will never get it, let's give the kid a shot. It worked

[ThunderDan]

We all know about his pass rushing ability. One thing that gets overlooked is how much the Packers run defense improved once Matthews was inserted in the starting lineup. In the first 3 games the Packers gave up 130 YPG. Since then, it's been 69 YPG. Of course, not all of that is Matthews. Certainly Nick Barnett has gotten better as the season has progressed. However, Matthews was a big upgrade over Poppinga, who tended to get caught inside too much.

There was an early game this season where Brady got washed inside by 5 or 6 yards. I groaned when I saw it. In a game or two, they started playing Clay. The feeling had to be, Popp will never get it, let's give the kid a shot. It worked

He didn't get washed inside. He simple went inside of his own choice. No one laid a glove on him. The RB took the ball and bounced it right where Popp was supposed to be.

[RashanGary]

Packers.com has a video about the Packers defense. They show several of Matthews sacks.



What I found interesting, something I never noticed, he is a very clever pass rusher. I'm shocked a rookie is able to do some of hte things he does.


One rush, in particular, against Dallas, he started way outside but as the QB went through his snap count, Matthews started to creep inside. Just as the ball is snapped he fires hard outside, getting the corner on Flozell. He did the same thing on a rush against Pittsburgh.

He really set up that outside move by making the OL think he was going to rush inside before the snap. He never let on that he was going outside. The very first clue that Matthews might blitz the corner is when he's already in the OL's grill. Then he's fast and has a great dip so it's too late.


His pass rush, for being so young, is shockingly sophisticated. He's blowing past these guys, but he's setting it up too. He's been a complete shock to me. I never expected much out of Matthews, was even disappointed in the pick.

I've had a few disagreements with Ted over the years and every time I disagree with him, I get proven wrong.