Clay Matthews Still Key to Packers Pass Rush
Winning in the NFL is about having impact players and if the Green Bay Packers want to win big in 2016, they are going to need an impact season from Clay Matthews.
Basically, since his arrival, Matthews has been considered one of, it not the best player on the Packers defense. And while it’s clear Green Bay has invested plenty of time and resources to overhauling that defense in 2017, at the end of the day, Clay still holds the key.
Due to injury, Matthews obviously wasn’t himself last season. His pass-rush ability was limited and getting to the quarterback has always been his greatest asset. Certainly, he possesses many other skills, but if the Green Bay defense is going to dominate or heck, even be average, Matthews needs to become a sack master once again.
At the start of the offseason, I have to admit, I believed Matthews should play more snaps inside, if not make the move permanent. But after the drafting of Josh Jones, it’s clear the Packers have other ideas at the position and to me, that’s a good thing.
Jones, Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas and Morgan Burnett, are likely to man inside linebacker this year and that’s how it should be. Matthews has been an All-Pro there before and he is a tremendous blitzer, but with the thin state of the outside linebacker depth chart, that’s where his focus should be.
Much of the attention this offseason has been on the potential improvements to the secondary. All those moves have been well documented, but what many others have been asking, is what about the pass rush?
Since the Packers let Julius Peppers and Datone Jones walk in free agency, it seems like a fair question to ask. But truthfully, Green Bay doesn’t seem overly concerned with its pass rush and if Matthews can return to form, it shouldn’t be.
Obviously, others like Nick Perry and Kyler Fackrell are going to have to play an important role. Even Jayrone Elliott will need to find a way to contribute. But the best way for the Packers pass rush to improve, is simply by Matthews getting back to being his old self.
Matthews had five sacks last season and 6.5 the year before that. Those numbers aren’t terrible by any means, especially with the snaps he played inside in 2015, but it’s nothing compared to the 11 he got in 2014.
Certainly, Matthews ability to stunt is still one of his strong suits. So the Packers should continue to move him around and let him attack the quarterback from different spots. There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as he is going the passer.
An elite pass rush is one of the essential ingredients for a championship team and unless Matthews gets back to producing the way he used to, it’s hard to see Green Bay’s pass rush being good enough to get where it wants to be, the Super Bowl.
__________________________
Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru
Comments (28)
RCPackerFan
June 29, 2017 at 02:28 pm
Great article!
One thing to note about his numbers in 2014 vs 2015 was the way he was used in each year. When he was moved to ILB in 2014, he didn't play the normal ILB role that Capers has had most ILB's play. He was playing a role specialized to still use Mathews strengths and that is rushing the QB. In 2015 he was playing the more traditional role at ILB. He dropped into coverage much more in 2015 then 2014.
I think the best thing would be for Mathews to be moved around again. The more he moves around the more pressure it puts on the offense. Plus it saves him from battling against OT's all game long.
With Josh Jones likely to play some ILB I don't expect Mathews to play a lot from there, but I could still see him moved there more then he was in 2016.
Mathews maybe our most important player on defense this year. If not he is one of them. If he has a dominant year, our defense could really take off.
cuervo
June 29, 2017 at 02:37 pm
He's pretty much proven that he cannot beat or create pressure against O tackles anymore. That means he has to moved around and/or used in stunts/twists, etc. He can be effective in that role.
Lining him up against a tackle and expecting him to create pressure 1 on 1 is a losing proposition 99% of the time, healthy or not.
It would be nice if he could even get back to 75-80% of the player he was just a few years ago...father time is not a friendly soul.
Bearmeat
June 29, 2017 at 03:00 pm
Yes, he is key to the pass rush. And that's not a good thing. Having him and Perry and a couple of "we hope they make the jump" young guys at OLB makes me as nervous as a bag of cats in a dog kennel.
This is the teams only weakness on paper. Yes, injuries can change things. But this team is a super bowl favorite with a dominant pass rush, and still in the super bowl conversation with a mediocre pass rush.
I'm not sure we have either when either Perry or CM3 are continually hurt. And let's face it, the odds of both of them being on the field after game 4 at 80% or more full go is pretty low.
Packer_Fan
June 29, 2017 at 03:11 pm
I agree that Matthews is still important to the defense. And I hope that between Biegel, Fackrell and Elliot, one or two of them make a big jump and provide good backup reps. It they do, the defense can make a strong rebound this year. Something that is needed if the Pack want a deep run into the playoffs. Let's hope for the best!
TKWorldWide
June 29, 2017 at 04:19 pm
I think the $ tells us that GB EXPECTS 52 and 53 to produce. I agree that among Fackrell, Biegel, and Elliott, that at least ONE of them can be expected to contribute meaningfully.
Without drinking the dreaded GB homer kool-aid.
PatrickGB
June 29, 2017 at 03:20 pm
Right now he is best on stunts and pressures. He plays like his hair is on fire. Its no wonder he is always douses it down with water. He is a joy to watch, but doesn't get home with his rushes much anymore. Still, the threat of him on a rush or run tackle makes him well worth it. I expect a better year from him this year. We have better talent in the middle and in the secondary so he just may have good sack numbers.
jeremyjjbrown
June 29, 2017 at 03:24 pm
I think the plan for this season is to contain as much as possible on defense and outscore the other team.
TarynsEyes
June 29, 2017 at 03:57 pm
Relying on Matthews to be what he was years ago at outside linebacker is akin to thinking inside the mound of iron sulfide is real gold.
Bedrock
June 29, 2017 at 04:34 pm
Akin? No. Matthews is still a version of himself. Iron sulfide is not a version of gold. I understand you're going for the fool's gold analogy here, but you missed. Me in a #52 would match the iron sulfide kinship.
TarynsEyes
June 29, 2017 at 05:34 pm
You know I was speaking of those who believe Matthews is what he was once. Of coarse Matthews is a version of himself, just not the version some think. You wearing a 52 jersey and thinking you are Matthews is not fools gold analogy....but utter tragedy.
I also accept my mistake. ..iron pyrite.
LASVEGAS-TOM
June 29, 2017 at 08:06 pm
Hey Taryn, You're 100% Correct. Personally I think he should have been traded 2 years ago, but Unfortunately GB will throw 30 Mill at him yet, before they cut him loose.
11 to 1. What do you think? Last year I bet it too early. Do you see that number going up??
LVT
dobber
June 29, 2017 at 04:18 pm
"Winning in the NFL is about having impact players and if the Green Bay Packers want to win big in 2016, they are going to need an impact season from Clay Matthews."
...AND a time machine.
Handsback
June 29, 2017 at 04:42 pm
Yes CiM3 is key to the defense. The same for Mike Daniels, but in a different way. For this year's defense to be good, they will have to play intergral parts of a puzzle and keep their positions. Personally, I think Elliott is going to have a break-out year and Fackrell won't be shoved around like a rag doll this year. All of what I just wrote, if it comes to pass, the defense and in particular the pass rush will be more than enough to get the job done. I would rather see 3-4 guys that can put a lot of pressure on the QB than 1-guy who's a superstar. Neutralize that one guy and the QB is pretty safe. Trying to stop 2-waves of pass rushers that can get home will make those Oline guys very tired.
I have to admit that I envy the Texans with Watt and Clowney...I see problems when Green Bay plays them!
holmesmd
June 29, 2017 at 04:51 pm
Watt & Clowney have been out for most of the last 2-3 seasons. I'm not that worried with our O-line. Fear no man & no team!;)
ChrisPeterson
June 29, 2017 at 04:46 pm
I am not willing to say Matthews can't beat tackles anymore. I think he can. He was limited last year. Let's see what he does when healthy. He might also have to reinvent himself a little. Also he is great at stunts. He does need to be moved around but obviously the Packers have faith in him. Hopefully they are right.
TKWorldWide
June 29, 2017 at 06:40 pm
He may be great at stunts, but he's no Rod Kimball.
porupack
June 29, 2017 at 09:05 pm
Well, the whole article reiterates ifs, and 'going to have to....' that Clay will revert to a better performer. But there is not stated rationale that the ifs and hopes are likely to happen. Chris, you could have strengthened the optimism by including discussion of GB's draft strategy to invest in the CBs and Safeties this year. We pretty much get the connection between good pass coverage allows pass rushers more chance to close the sack. So, with improved DB play, we should expect CM's pressures and sacks to increase statistically, and conversely, CM able to improve DB's interceptions.
ChrisPeterson
June 29, 2017 at 09:20 pm
The point I was making is that since the Packers didn't make any moves, they believe a healthy Clay can still be a difference maker. He will need to be. I don't really see a big correlation is guys covering better and more pressure. Maybe more sacks and better stats. But the pressure needs to be better. Otherwise the secondary may struggle. My thought was that since the Packers didn't make any dramatic additions, they feel Clay can still he a difference maker. And if the Packers are going to have a good defense they will need to be right to some extent.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 30, 2017 at 09:55 am
This is a good point. If the DBs are better, the STATS for sacks and pressures will improve, since the two are related, but the pressure needs to be better regardless of how the DBs perform. The one caveat is that with better coverage affording our rushers an extra half second to rush the passer, it is possible that it starts to get into the QB's head more, especially if the QB starts to think his protection is going to break down on a play where in fact the protection is solid.
Real nice point, Chris.
GBPDAN1
June 30, 2017 at 02:01 am
What's Clay making this year? 14-15M? Perry? 12-13M? That's a lot of money for 2 players. They better produce at that price! However, the reality: TT is over paying
croatpackfan
June 30, 2017 at 04:04 am
And you are another sofa GM who thinks he can do better than TT.... Bravo!
GBPDAN1
June 30, 2017 at 03:49 pm
My comment about over paying was mostly directed towards Clay. Always injured, age, ...... not as much steroids now that hes been investigated? What ever the reason, he's no where near the game changer he was on the outside! 15M a year? No way is he worth it. I hope he proves me wrong this year. Not trying to be a GM, just an observation. And TT is rolling the dice a bit on Perry, but I understand this major signing as there weren't options available
TKWorldWide
June 30, 2017 at 07:11 am
(To GBPDan)
That's what I meant in my post above: "the $ tells us"... I think it's one way to gauge the expectations. If/when a player gets "paid" (after his rookie deal), the mgt is saying what they expect from a player.
When 53 got paid, I had my doubts. Still do. But TT wouldn't have offered that contract if he wasn't reasonably sure Perry could produce (again). I think "reasonably sure" is about as well as a mgt team can do. Do they make mistakes? Certainly. Does anybody know for sure? Nope. And to me that's what makes this whole thing interesting.
croatpackfan
June 30, 2017 at 04:07 am
Well, I see that most of you forgot Vince Biegel! I bet he will have at least 5 sacks in the season...
Biegel posses work ethic, strenght, high running motor and he is humble and brand new to the NFL. I expect him to be surprise players for opponent offenses.
But, what I know...
TKWorldWide
June 30, 2017 at 07:12 am
If you check out my earlier posts, I think you and I are on the same page.
RCPackerFan
June 30, 2017 at 08:20 am
I haven't forgotten about Biegel. I also haven't forgotten about Fackrell and Elliott either.
I think all these players will play a big role for the team this year.
Jeff Smith
June 30, 2017 at 09:01 am
I agree,let's see what Vince Biegal can do first!!
Jeff Smith
June 30, 2017 at 09:01 am
I agree,let's see what Vince Biegal can do first!!