Right move: Packers LB Matthews to switch sides

[SnakeLH2006]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-right-move-packers-lb-matthews-to-switch-sides-20120523,0,4774068.story

The Sports Xchange 10:34 a.m. CDT, May 23, 2012

Outside linebacker Clay Matthews collected most of his 29.5 sacks lined up on the left side, but he's on the move to make room for rookie Nick Perry.
Matthews and Perry will be interchangeable, but the base formation calls for Matthews to move to right outside linebacker. He'll take on more elite pass blockers, but Perry's size and mass make him the ideal fit on the “power” side of the defensive formation.
“It's all about mismatches and preferable lineups,” Matthews said Tuesday. “Whenever we can take advantage of that, playing on the right side, left side, middle, wherever you want me to play, we're all about that, so I hope that's the case.”
The goal of defensive coordinator Dom Capers is to move Matthews around the formation to take advantage of his explosiveness off the snap. Capers has devised an expanded role at multiple positions for other players, including cornerback Charles Woodson. Woodson often is charged with what he called “playing the quarterback” than he is manning a single position.
Using Matthews as a pass-rush specialist and sliding him around the formation wouldn't be a new approach. Whereas past generations relied on right defensive ends and outside linebackers to be the superior pass rushers on the defense, getting pressure from all sides is becoming the norm.
“Things have changed a little bit (in that regard),” agreed Denver coach John Fox. “The rush doesn't always come from the right side, like it used to. People are getting lots of pressure anymore from the (left) side as well.”
Fox should know. His prize rookie, Von Miller, played primarily on the strong side, rushing generally from the left edge of the defense, in 2011.
The league's reigning defensive rookie of the year, Aldon Smith of San Francisco produced some of his 14 sacks in ‘11 from the left side. Philadelphia left end Jason Babin collected 18 sacks season, and he has 30.5 with the Eagles in 2011 and with Tennessee in 2010, while rushing from the left side.


-------------------

Should be cool. Clay..12 sacks. Perry..7 this year...unless he's Gholston.

[SnakeLH2006]

Perry looks jacked in the pic tho....strong side looks good.

[Gunakor]

Perry looks jacked in the pic tho....strong side looks good.

I think Perry's biggest impact as a rookie will be lighting up any backs that try to run at him. He doesn't look like an easy guy to push around. He'll get his opportunities in the pass rush, but if he and Matthews are racing to the QB I'd bet a shiny new nickel Matthews wins that race every time.

[SnakeLH2006]

Yep...thus 12 vs. 7.

[Gunakor]

Yep...thus 12 vs. 7.

I'm guessing it'll be closer to 15 vs. 4

[SnakeLH2006]

I'm guessing it'll be closer to 15 vs. 4

Still 19...

[Fritz]

Perry looks big, even next to Matthews.

Well, there's quantity now on the defensive line, so hopefully enough guys will step up so that Perry and Matthews can wreak havoc.

[Pugger]

It will be a treat watching these two terrorize offenses this coming season.

[Deputy Nutz]

For what ever reason, I have now decided that Perry is going to a bust. He is going to be stiff and won't be able to react and take advantage of his phyiscal prowess. Throw combine stats out the window with this guy, he won't recognize pass from run.

[pbmax]

For what ever reason, I have now decided that Perry is going to a bust. He is going to be stiff and won't be able to react and take advantage of his phyiscal prowess. Throw combine stats out the window with this guy, he won't recognize pass from run.

C'mon. If you are going to troll, at least go Justin's route and select the 2nd rounder to focus on. Look at the wreckage he caused by going with a first round name.

[Upnorth]

For what ever reason, I have now decided that Perry is going to a bust. He is going to be stiff and won't be able to react and take advantage of his phyiscal prowess. Throw combine stats out the window with this guy, he won't recognize pass from run.

If he is a bust it won't be for your reasons, it will be because Bretsky liked the pick. I will not feel confident with this pick until B is critical of the guy.

[George Cumby]

If he is a bust it won't be for your reasons, it will be because Bretsky liked the pick. I will not feel confident with this pick until B is critical of the guy.

C'mon Bretsky! Show Perry a little Hate!

I think he's gonna' be a player. Lunch pail, tough Detroit kid with apparently good family support and in the right situation.

I like him more and more.

[Deputy Nutz]

I was real high on Perry before the draft, and thought of it as a good pick, but something just seems wrong with this guy. I don't know if it is his appearance or what. I want to stand by my previous opinions of this guy, but something just seems off. Call it my 6th sense.

[Upnorth]

I was real high on Perry before the draft, and thought of it as a good pick, but something just seems wrong with this guy. I don't know if it is his appearance or what. I want to stand by my previous opinions of this guy, but something just seems off. Call it my 6th sense.

You see dead people?
He has said the right things, now the question is can Greene get his motor running all the time. I think that was the question on him in college, and I think Greene can get him working. I know its just one picture, but Perry is looking right where Mathews is pointing, so he looks interested in learning.

[denverYooper]

C'mon. If you are going to troll, at least go Justin's route and select the 2nd rounder to focus on. Look at the wreckage he caused by going with a first round name.

Worthy is going to kill it. He seems like the kind of fella who knows how to take advantage of a good situation.