If You Had Your Pick: Matthews or Finley?

[Brandon494]

I think people just like Clay Matthews better because hes more of a class act but lets get real here...Finley is the more talented player.

Kind of hard to make that judgment when Mathews has played just one season. If you compare their rookie years, Mathews wins by a landslide. Truth be told, I think Mathews performance last year as a LB was better than Finley's as a TE. Now I will agree that Finley gives the impression that he should be all-world, but he hasn't done it yet.

You also have to take in the fact that Finley left college as a redshirt sophmore and Matthews left as a redshirt senior. Matthews did have a better rookie season but Finley is still a year younger. As far as Matthews having a better season last year I think they were pretty similiar. Both started out slow and finished the season very strong. I believe both player were not even starters to start the season.

2009 stats
Clay Matthews 51 tackles 10 sacks 1 FF 1 TD

Finley 55 receptions 676 yards 5 TDs in 13 games

Look for Clay to have a similiar season as 2009 but I believe Finley will put up Antonio Gates numbers.

Well, if Finley can put up Gates-like Numbers, what's to say Matthews can't put up Lawrence Taylor-like numbers? or Bryce Paup-like play, and he was good enough to be DPOY. Until either one does it, its just conjecture.

Mathews' play was good enough for the Pro-Bowl last year, Finley's was not. I give the edge last year to Matthews.

Unfortunately, both have to prove that they can stay healthy. Finley missed a few games last year, and Mathews has yet to do much in a training camp. Both have a lot yet to prove before we sing their praises too loudly. Either could be a flash in the pan, or a perennial all-pro.

He was good enough to be rookie DPOY. You can give Matthews the edge for having a better season, I agree with that, but hes not a better player then J-Mike and the upcoming season will prove that. I mean who do you seriously think will have a better chance at making the pro bowl this season?

You have to take in the fact that the coaching staff didn't fully use Finley last season but you can bet your ass thats not going to happen this season. He is clearly Aaron Rodgers new favorite target and you can take back my earlier statement about him having Gate like numbers, I guarntee he will put up better numbers this Gates this season.

[Patler]

Well, if Finley can put up Gates-like Numbers, what's to say Matthews can't put up Lawrence Taylor-like numbers? or Bryce Paup-like play, and he was good enough to be DPOY. Until either one does it, its just conjecture.

Mathews' play was good enough for the Pro-Bowl last year, Finley's was not. I give the edge last year to Matthews.

Unfortunately, both have to prove that they can stay healthy. Finley missed a few games last year, and Mathews has yet to do much in a training camp. Both have a lot yet to prove before we sing their praises too loudly. Either could be a flash in the pan, or a perennial all-pro.

He was good enough to be rookie DPOY. You can give Matthews the edge for having a better season, I agree with that, but hes not a better player then J-Mike and the upcoming season will prove that. I mean who do you seriously think will have a better chance at making the pro bowl this season?

You have to take in the fact that the coaching staff didn't fully use Finley last season but you can bet your ass thats not going to happen this season. He is clearly Aaron Rodgers new favorite target and you can take back my earlier statement about him having Gate like numbers, I guarntee he will put up better numbers this Gates this season.

I was talking about Bryce Paup being DPOY. He got that after going to Buffalo, not as a rookie. If Mathews becomes Paup-like, he will be pretty darn good.

I expect the coaches will find better ways to use Mathews as well. He was just a rookie. I expect him to improve, too.

Not meaning this as a knock on either player, but once teams start knowing they are there, and what they can do, SOME players have a hard time compensating.

Nothing is certain until they do it. I've see too many "great" young players fade very early in their careers to get too excited at this point about either Finley or Mathews. Do I expect either one to disappoint? No. But greatness is not assured, either.

[RashanGary]

I'm very sure that Finley is a great player. Injury aside, I'd bet on it.

[Patler]

Ah, the naivete of the younger fan!

He very well could be. It will not surprise me one bit if he does. On the other hand, a lot of things can happen between here and his induction at Canton.

You can't discount injuries. That's part of the game, and Finley showed a little vulnerability last year when hit low; and hit low he will be.

[Brandon494]

I don't really think he showed vulnerability with the knee injury last year. Any player can get hit in the knee and miss time, Im not concerned at all about Finley's durability. Matthews on the other hand seems to have a occuring hamstring issue that has bother him even at USC.

I'll even go on the record he'll go down as the best TE in GB history when its all said and done. This guy is about to having a monster season and I guarntee he'll be a top 3 TE based on statistics this year.

[Patler]

I don't really think he showed vulnerability with the knee injury last year. Any player can get hit in the knee and miss time, Im not concerned at all about Finley's durability. Matthews on the other hand seems to have a occuring hamstring issue that has bother him even at USC.

I'll even go on the record he'll go down as the best TE in GB history when its all said and done. This guy is about to having a monster season and I guarntee he'll be a top 3 TE based on statistics this year.

I agree there is a real concern about Mathews. They need to get a handle on his hamstring issues because it sure isn't going to get better with age.