Packers Need to Unleash Clay Matthews Again

The Packers have to unleash Clay Matthews once again in 2017. 

In terms of team sack rankings, the Green Bay Packers fared quite well in 2016. But ultimately, the pass rush wasn’t where it needed to be. Not good enough to win a Super Bowl anyways.

No, if the Packers are going to play for the Lombardi Trophy anytime soon, the pass rush will need to be better, and more importantly, Clay Matthews will need to be better.

Green Bay needs a dominant pass rusher, an unstoppable force that other teams simply must account for and while Nick Perry is good, he doesn’t seem to be that guy.

Perry has proven he is capable of double-digit sack seasons, just like Matthews has. But Perry hasn’t shown that All-Pro kind of ability, the ability Matthews has and needs to reproduce.

However, if Matthews is going to do that, a couple things need to happen. First, he has to stay healthy. Secondly, the Packers need to unleash him and let him attack opposing quarterbacks from all over the field.

As I talked about on Railbird Central last week, Matthews isn’t just a good pass rusher, he’s a tremendous blitzer. I have always felt that Matthews was among the best in the NFL at executing stunts and designed pressure packages.

It’s why he fits so well in Green Bay.

But last season, with him playing more at outside linebacker and then being hampered with injury, it seemed Matthews was used less than creatively.

He was limited to outside linebacker and was also kept mostly on one side of the field. This was for his protection of course, but it got away from some of the things he did best. For one, it didn’t allow the Packers to take advantage of any potential mismatches. And beyond that, it limited his ability to be used in stunts or inside blitzes.

The Packers had 40 sacks last season, ranking sixth in the NFL. Yet, Matthews had just five, which shows just how far the Green Bay pass rush was from reaching its full potential.

Certainly, Green Bay did a good job of manufacturing a rush. Perry, Mike Daniels and Julius Peppers were all essential in that effort. But with Peppers gone, the burden falls to Perry, Daniels and Clay to get to the quarterback.

Obviously, the Packers are hoping guys like Kyler Fackrell, Jayrone Elliot or Vince Biegel can help situationally.

That’s because, in order to get the best out of Matthews, he has to move to different spots. He can’t stay on one side of the field, or be lined up at one particular position.

Dom Capers needs to keep offenses guessing and moving Matthews around and deploying him in a variety of positions, seems the best way how.

Even Mike McCarthy said Matthews will not be stagnant in 2017.

Solely as a pass rusher, Matthews is good, not great. But as a blitzer, he’s one of the best. That’s why he needs to be unleashed in a creative fashion.

When he is, he tends to wreak havoc so that’s what Capers and McCarthy need to do: unleash him. Move him all over and blitz him, as often as possible.

That’s the best chance they have of seeing Matthews at this best this season and seeing him return to his old ways, is probably the easiest way for the Green Bay defense to be a whole lot better.

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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

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Comments (57)

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

June 04, 2017 at 05:37 am

I'd love for Matthews to return to his former elite pass-rusher status, but I'm predicting that other players will pick up more of the slack. I think Josh Jones is going to get a lot of blitz opportunities, and the growth of Clark and Lowry and Ryan/Martinez, as well as the improvement of the coverage, will create more sacks and hurries for everybody.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 04, 2017 at 10:44 am

As most recognize, the most important thing for Matthews is to stay healthy. If he can do that, then we'll see if those who believe he's a shadow of his former self are correct. If he's healthy I think he can still be very effective but the likelihood he'll be healthy for all 16 games - or more important for the post season - isn't good.

I don't understand why Capers continued to line Matthews up against a LT that was consistently besting him in pass protection. The obvious advantage of the defense is it can match its best pass rusher with the offense's weakest blocker - perhaps forcing a double team that frees up someone else. That's the reason disguising where a healthy Matthews is blitzing from is key.

Regarding the depth at OLB, I thought it was curious for McCarthy to say, "… the outside linebacker position this is probably as good of depth as we’ve had there in some time." I understand him wanting to be optimistic but I wish he'd refrain from saying things that are obviously not true. Peppers was second in pressures last season and Datone Jones was tied for third. Together they accounted for 64 pressures. The depth is obviously not as good as last season since Elliott and Fackrell were available last season (although it was of course Fackrell's rookie season). The only newcomer, Biegel, is recovering from surgery. Capers took a more realistic view, "I think we’ve got pretty good depth at that position, to tell you the truth. We’ve been thinner than what we are now." They have been thinner but they're certainly not as deep as they were last season.

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dobber's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:25 pm

"I don't understand why Capers continued to line Matthews up against a LT that was consistently besting him in pass protection."

When he couldn't raise one arm up over his head or exert much of any force with it, it rendered him one-sided. That's the frustration for me: I'm sure he wanted to play and that he lobbied the coaching staff to play. He's a guy who has missed significant snaps due to injury over his time in GB, but he's also played hurt a lot, as well. It's not like he's a soft touch when it comes to injury. But the coaching staff had to recognize just how limited he was after Barbre blew him up. What does it say that they didn't have any better options than what essentially amounted to a one-armed speed rusher?

"Peppers was second in pressures last season and Datone Jones was tied for third"

I'd like to know just how often Peppers and Jones were playing with their hand on the ground and how often they were standing up. I could be very wrong, but Peppers was playing with his hand on the ground a lot...in which case he was an elephant/DE or even DT, and not so much a true OLB. It could be more semantics regarding how these guys and their roles will shake out in 2017 (Peppers wasn't really an OLB, but the three headed monster of Biegrelliott will be) with Lowry, RJF and others bolstering the DL. They might have more depth, but as we saw a year ago at CB, depth bodies aren't necessarily the same as capable replacement-level players.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 04, 2017 at 02:14 pm

dobber: "I could be very wrong, but Peppers was playing with his hand on the ground a lot..."

I'm not sure what you mean by "a lot" but if you mean more than half of his snaps you are wrong. Peppers played OLB 65% of the time (so did Datone according to McGinn). In addition to finishing second in pressures (32.5), he got three turnovers, led the team in batted balls with 5, and finished second on the team in sacks with 8.5. All that while playing 58% of defensive snaps. I understand why they didn't want to re-up a 37-year old - and I understand why they wanted to move beyond Davante but why pretend the depth at OLB is better this season than last? It isn't.

I thought this would go without saying:
Last season OLBs: Matthews, Perry, Peppers, Jones, Fackrell, Elliott.

This season: Matthews, Perry, Fackrell, Elliott, Biegel.

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dobber's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:58 pm

Thanks, DThomas. I stand corrected! :)

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croatpackfan's picture

June 05, 2017 at 03:22 am

PLease add to the OLB mix Reggie Gilbert (labeloed by coaches very high!) and Josh Letuligasenoa and Johnathan Calvin...
Thank you!

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MarkLee22's picture

June 05, 2017 at 02:01 pm

I hope I'm just overreacting, but the last few years, I can't help but compare Clay Matthews to injury prone Ryan Braun of our home state Brewers. Lately it's been a "well look at that.... he's hurt again. Let me guess, another tweaked muscle or a cramp." And I'm not a Clay basher by any means. Hell, I've got his jersey to wear on gamedays. But I can't really wear it if he ain't playing.

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MarkLee22's picture

June 05, 2017 at 02:01 pm

I hope I'm just overreacting, but the last few years, I can't help but compare Clay Matthews to injury prone Ryan Braun of our home state Brewers. Lately it's been a "well look at that.... he's hurt again. Let me guess, another tweaked muscle or a cramp." And I'm not a Clay basher by any means. Hell, I've got his jersey to wear on gamedays. But I can't really wear it if he ain't playing.

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MarkLee22's picture

June 05, 2017 at 02:01 pm

I hope I'm just overreacting, but the last few years, I can't help but compare Clay Matthews to injury prone Ryan Braun of our home state Brewers. Lately it's been a "well look at that.... he's hurt again. Let me guess, another tweaked muscle or a cramp." And I'm not a Clay basher by any means. Hell, I've got his jersey to wear on gamedays. But I can't really wear it if he ain't playing.

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MarkLee22's picture

June 05, 2017 at 02:03 pm

My bad! Didn't mean to send it in triplicate. Sorry.

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Spock's picture

June 04, 2017 at 06:41 am

Finally some love for CM3! :) ...and on my birthday besides (hit the 63 mark on this June 4th; I'd put another notch on the gun belt, but that would probably drop it to the ground. LOL). I have been pretty "vocal" on here about not dissing an injured player's play. I believe the defense this year will be much improved with healthier players: Randall, Rollins, Mathews. That's my birthday wish anyways!

edit: Just saw the video on Russ Ball as the contract guy for the Packers on packersnews.com . For all those (you know who you are) who have referred to TT as "cheap" or "tight fisted" Michael Cohen tells how Ted has, "absolutely nothing to do" with the contract money amounts offered!! Pretty interesting read/watch. I tried to supply the url but CHTV wouldn't allow it (sigh).

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NickPerry's picture

June 04, 2017 at 06:19 am

Happy Birthday Spock! I'm with you on Matthews, I think he can still be a very effective piece to this defense if healthy, he just needs to stay healthy. I hope your birthday wish comes true!

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Spock's picture

June 04, 2017 at 06:47 am

Thanks Nick. I think every Packer fan wants my birthday wish! If you haven't seen it yet the Packers.com official site has an interesting video from Larry M. on the "Rock Report" in which he says from his sideline pass viewing the CB's seem to be already ready to play a game and are playing every down like it's the Super Bowl coming up. Encouraging news (crosses fingers).

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NickPerry's picture

June 04, 2017 at 07:04 am

Thanks Spock, I'll be sure to check it out. That's good to hear about our CB's. Can't wait for King to join them!!

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 04, 2017 at 10:14 am

Ted Thompson is Executive Vice President, General Manager & Director of Football Operations. To think he doesn't have the final word on who gets signed and who doesn't makes no sense. For example, if Thompson told Ball 'make sure we keep Lang', when Lang came back to the Packers with the Lions' deal, the Packers would have matched or bettered it. Whether or not you think he's cheap, Thompson is ultimately responsible and in control of the roster.

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NickPerry's picture

June 04, 2017 at 11:13 am

@DThomas...I think the biggest issue as far as Lang was concerned was mostly centered around the money he was offered, or lack thereof. All I know is what I've read and the reality is probably only 3 or 4 people REALLY know what Lang was offered and for how long. I'm certain none of the 4 were sports writers or fans.

What I had read IIRC was something like one year for like $6.4 million guaranteed. It may have been longer but the guaranteed money was low. Ted wasn't giving TJ Lang $19 million guaranteed the first 2 years like the Lions did. If the Lions don't extend Lang after 2018 he'll walk in 2019 a FA again. If he stays the whole 3 years he'll make $28.5 million. I love TJ Lang but in NO WAY is a 30 year old Guard coming off hip surgery worth $28.5 million. The Packers could us that money in other places which will help the team better in the long run. Like on Lindsey, Taylor, Adams, or even towards Rodgers contract extension to name a few.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:36 pm

Nick Perry,

Lang was only an example. My point is no player gets away or is signed without Thompson's input. Of course Thompson sets out the parameters, but Ball isn't autonomous regarding which players make up the roster.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 05, 2017 at 02:48 am

I read the Cohen article, though I have not seen the video. Other than the 2 or 3 principles Cohen noted, I just didn't believe the gist of the article. My reaction was MBIKFDI. I also thought two of the three principles were simply silly.

1. Packers do not give out the up to $80K guaranteed money on vet min. qualifying contracts, but they do give out up to $80K in workout bonuses. First, a workout bonus on a one year contract is essentially guaranteed anyway, that is why workout bonuses are included in cap numbers right away. This is a distinction without much difference. 2nd: Why the hell not? No reason is given, and little benefit accrues to the team.

2. Packers do not give out a lot of bonus money to UDFAs, instead relying on their reputation for giving UDFAs a fair shot and a history of such players making the roster. In the grand scheme of things, the difference between giving out $60K in bonuses versus the $89K maximum is absolutely minuscule. Get the guys you want, unless you don't think there is any difference between doofus 1 who demands some bonus $ and doofus #2 who doesn't. Still, our results with UDFAs, but of course we have no way of knowing how many guys we actually wanted went elsewhere.

3. Packers don't guarantee base salary in out years but do give guaranteed roster bonuses. Again, what's the difference? It seems to me though that guaranteeing roster bonuses in out years is a rarity. The real principle in GB is that guaranteed money comes from signing bonus and guaranteeing first year salary.

The biggest question I have went unasked, or unanswered. I wonder how often an agent for a FA bluffs and claims the player had an offer for more money when in fact the Packers find out that no such offer existed?

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Spock's picture

June 05, 2017 at 05:04 am

TGR, Actually the video is where Cohen says how shocked he was by TT's hands off approach to the negotiating. He interviewed over 30 people in the Packers' organization for his story and they verified his facts. I agree that it's weird that the Packers (Russ Ball) ALWAYS start with a lowball offer and are the only team to not do the UDFA bonus thing. Apparently that's just the way Ball likes to do his contracts and the agents who work with him understand that.
If you get a chance you might want to spend a couple minutes watching the video (it's short). Your choice of course.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

June 05, 2017 at 09:33 am

Sorry to jump in but one question as to why the Packers pay roster bonuses instead of signing bonus, is basically the difference between paying cash or using credit. A roster bonus is paid and counts against the cap immediately. So a $10 million roster bonus adds that amount to the cap. However, a signing bonus is spread out over the life of the contract. So a $10 million signing bonus for a five year deal counts $2 million per year. It spreads out costs.

It's like when teams restructure contracts, they often convert base salary to signing bonus. Dallas did this with Romo, New Orleans with Brees. If their salary is $20 million for that season. If you convert $16 million to signing bonus and you four years left, then you just saved $12 million in space that season. But it catches up to you and isn't a good way to do business. Green Bay is much more sensible.

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dobber's picture

June 05, 2017 at 09:44 am

I'll admit that I'm naive when it comes to many aspects of caponomics, but a roster bonus only gets paid out on a particular date if the player is on the roster, correct? Meaning: you can get out from under roster bonuses in case of injury or ineffective play by cutting a player. You're married to signing bonuses and the impact on your cap for the duration of the contract.

That's mostly moot because the Packers rarely cut players before their contracts are up...and this might be why. Maybe you're not giving players their money up front, but you're also not cheating them by cutting them before contracts run their course. It's pay as you go.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

June 05, 2017 at 11:12 am

Yes. They usually sign an extension and have the roster bonus a few days later. So for the player it's the same as signing bonus. But you are right pay as you go. Then you can cut a guy loose and pay no cap penalties. Now with bigger contracts like Clay and Aaron and others in recent years, they have done more signing bonus cause it would be hard to give that much money in an up front roster bonus.

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croatpackfan's picture

June 05, 2017 at 03:35 am

I think there is 2 very important facts you have to know.
1. When you are running the business (as TT do) you can not doing everything. You just do not have time for everything. So, how you do that. Very simple, you find a man who will do it for you. You'll judge his work day in day out and when you find he is working almost perfectly, you just let him do his job with minimum meddling. That is how every good (excellent?) organization does. That is something called responsability of the staff.
2. Every imortant deal made by your team, as leader, you'll check and approve. If there is nothing strange with the deal, you'll approve it quickly and without much discussion. If you do see something uncommon, or strange, you'll ask for explanation. Also, for tough decission you expect that your subordinat will check and discuss with you all open issues. That is how you save time to yourself and to your team.
So, I believe Russ Ball is pretty independent in his job...

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

June 05, 2017 at 11:12 am

Hi Chris. I am a Caponomics nut. I understand the pros and cons of giving roster bonuses versus signing bonuses. But my point was restricted solely to my view that there is little difference between guaranteeing part or all of a base salary in year 2 or 3 and guaranteeing a roster bonus in year two or three. Normally, GB does not guarantee roster bonuses (or base salaries for that matter) in year 2 or 3. For example, Bennett has a $2M Roster bonus in 2018 (year two) that is not guaranteed. He has to be on the roster as of March 11, 2018, to get the roster bonus. Sometimes a team wants the guaranteed money to come off the contract in the early years rather than being evenly spread throughout the life of the contract. Perry has $4.3M and $4.8M roster bonues in 2018 and 2019, respectively for several reasons.

Spock, I felt obliged to watch the video with Cohen [btw - I blame you for wasting one of my free articles on that site, since I'd already read the article carefully several times and the video has nothing new on it! - jk]. The article and video both qualify this with the notion of allowing Ball to do his thing within parameters and guidelines set by TT. I think those parameters are more detailed than you do. I am sure in my own mind that TT tells Ball the broad numbers, and gives him some idea on type of structure desired. Normally, the cap number year one is 45% to 60% of AAV of a deal, with increases in outer years. Other times, the cap hit stays remarkably similar each year. I am positive (in my own mind anyway) that Ball did not decide on his own that Peppers;' year 1 cap should be $3.5 and then almost quadruple to $12M+ year two w/o running that by TT or having gotten imput from TT before negotiations started. I'm sure that TT tells Ball prior to the start of negotiations that he wants the dead money in the last year or two of a longer term contract to be small, or decrease pretty evenly like in Perry's case. That is, make the guy cuttable early or not so cuttable, like the poster boy, Cobb.

Lang's 3 yr/$28M with $19M guaranteed contract sounds more nuts than it is. The dead money is $19M year one, $13M year two, and just $2.6M year three. Why? Cause Detroit is willing to bet on Lang playing well for 2 years, but not 3. He can be cut after 2 yrs. How did they do it? They gave him $8M signing bonus, and guaranteed his year one and year 2 base salaries worth $11M total. Detroit is a great example of getting the guaranteed money off the contract early rather than prorating it over the whole contract.

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chugwater's picture

June 04, 2017 at 07:02 am

Happy Birthday! I hope it's an enjoyable one with many more to follow.

It certainly would be nice if CM3 played like his old self again. Unfortunately, the years are catching up to Clay. I would settle for a CM3 that's consistently on the field even if he's only playing at an ability that's 80% of his younger self.

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dobber's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:28 pm

Live long and prosper!

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NickPerry's picture

June 04, 2017 at 07:02 am

Chris is absolutely on the money, Matthews is a great blitzer. Matthews being moved around more just makes sense. There were just too many times where he lined up on the right side and and slammed into the LT never getting close to the QB. If you think about it, Matthews hasn't consistently been effective the last 3 seasons when just rushing the QB from his usual spot. Moving him around, taking advantage of his speed and quickness as a blitzer is going to help the Packers defense the most this season.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

June 04, 2017 at 09:01 am

Yea he was so good blitzing up the middle. Want to see more of that. I am hoping 100 percent health makes a big deal with Clay this season. But I do hope they get creative again with him. He disappeared far too much last season.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 04, 2017 at 09:27 am

Reminds me of how Butler was used back in the day. Great at blitzing.

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NickPerry's picture

June 04, 2017 at 10:01 am

I'm excited about Josh Jones being used as a blitzer TB. Might not happen right away but as the season wears on I'd think his opportunities would increase, especially when you hear how much MM loves the kid.

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dobber's picture

June 05, 2017 at 01:15 pm

Just read a piece that says that Fackrell has added 10 lbs this offseason.

Feeling a little better about his ability to contribute...

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NickPerry's picture

June 06, 2017 at 05:39 am

THATS good news. Frackrell should be a player who could add 10 pounds without losing any of his speed.

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dobber's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:29 pm

Against the Eli Mannings and Sam Bradfords of the world, that inside rush is lethal.

Against the Russell Wilsons and Marcus Mariotas...well, you'd better have contain from that OLB who's taking CMIII's spot on the outside.

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Tundraboy's picture

June 04, 2017 at 11:52 pm

Looking forward to Jones and King the most.

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Handsback's picture

June 04, 2017 at 08:02 am

Happy Birthday Spock! I'll be joining you in the celebration myself in a few days but with a bigger number...CM3 needs to stay healthy. He's worthless on the sidelines so if he can stay at 90% or better, the Packers will have enough pass rushers to unleash against any team.

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Spock's picture

June 04, 2017 at 10:21 am

Thanks, Handsback. Here's wishing you an early Happy Birthday as well. I hope you have a special day. My wife and I are going for a two hour massage this morning and out to a fancy steak house for dinner. That's about as good a birthday day as I could have! Funny how fast the "older" years seem to go.

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Handsback's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:33 pm

Dang, a massage would be great. Better put it on the list. At our age.....really don't want or need anything.
I'll actually be traveling to China on my B-day. Still working and enjoying it.
Writing fiction in my spare time. Latest project is about a future Packer.
Enjoy that steak...at our age the high fat content won't matter. I love those crusty on the outside and tender on the inside steaks.
Cheers

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Spock's picture

June 05, 2017 at 04:45 am

China, wow that's cool. I just had a 2nd acupuncture treatment last week and am amazed at the difference that Chinese invention (at least I think they invented it) works. Been about 2 1/2 weeks since I started and my pain levels have dropped so much I've gone from 3-6 Oxycodone per day to one or two! I used to write short stories and one novel (still in a drawer LOL), mostly SF and some funny experiences I've been through. I highly recommend a massage to any "older" person with injuries. Maybe you'll be able to get one in China, hah. I'm a tenderloin steak fan so the fat content wasn't too bad. I like my steak the same way and mine was a perfect medium rare. Travel safe!

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Handsback's picture

June 05, 2017 at 08:09 am

My chiropractor uses acupuncture to take away that lingering pain from the adjustments. I haven't thought about having it done by itself. We used to train horses and used a substance called DMSO. Mix it with hot water and rub it into the horse’s legs. Started using it on my legs and joints and the stuff really does the job. It's banned as anything but a solvent for human use. I can guess why, but in reality used with common sense it works fine.

Wish I had time for a real acupuncture treatment in China. In and out quickly this trip.

We could go on about writing. My second book is a sequel to the first and it's taking forever to get it edited.
Glad the steak was good. Medium rare is the best!

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dobber's picture

June 05, 2017 at 09:45 am

As a chemist, I'll tell you that you don't want to be dealing with a lot of DMSO...

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egbertsouse's picture

June 04, 2017 at 08:06 am

Stick a fork in him. Or better yet, trade him to the Chargers or Rams so he can concentrate on his movie career.

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Savage57's picture

June 05, 2017 at 07:47 am

I laughed.

Last year he had more commercials than sacks.

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Savage57's picture

June 05, 2017 at 07:48 am

x

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Lphill's picture

June 04, 2017 at 08:35 am

The Packers defense is better with Clay then without him, if he is healthy and moved around on the field then it is a win win situation , too many Clay haters here , oh and some help for him would be nice too .

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al bundy's picture

June 04, 2017 at 08:43 am

Id love to see mathews in he middle wreaking havoc. He is not a de and never will be. His best year went by a long time when jenkins was chasing qbs into his arms. Jekns leaves, mathews prod does too.
Ted doesn't draft de's they cost too much. Ya he doesn't write the act contract but he knows what people will earn and avoids the big money players. Esp in free agency.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

June 04, 2017 at 09:02 am

While Chris is right about Clay's blitzing skills, the fact remains Clay is nowhere near what he once was. Remember, Clay didn't used to rely on surprise attacks to find QB's--he flat-out defeated Offensive Tackles.

Not anymore. Not by a long shot.

And while we're bending over backward chalking Clay's decline up to injuries, let's remember that Nick Perry destroyed the run and racked up 11 sacks last year despite playing much of the season with a club.

Right now, there's no comparison between Perry and Matthews. Yes, Perry did much better when Matthews was on the field, but that's largely because we had no other LB threat whatsoever when Matthews was out (I considered Peppers as more a DE/LB hybrid).

Unleash Clay? Sure, might as well. Surprise attacks are almost all he has left. But we'd better hope Fackrell, Biegel, and Elliott step up.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

June 04, 2017 at 09:03 am

You are right. And that's part of my argument he can't beat tackles with speed. Hand placement is key and leverage and that injury hurt him. But again, he needs to make a much greater impact. I just don't think he can play just at OLB. Move him around blitz him. Perry may be the best pure pass rusher on the roster.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

June 04, 2017 at 09:18 am

True, very true. I'd also mention that one of the reasons Clay is such a good blitzer is because he's also technically sound in coverage drops and enforcing against the run. When a guy is proficient at everything, you don't know when Dom will send him.

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dobber's picture

June 04, 2017 at 12:35 pm

"... he's also technically sound in coverage drops and enforcing against the run."

Maybe in coverage drops he's fine...he's always been a freakish athlete and still runs very well (when he's not nursing bad hammies), but he gets abused in the run game at times (note that I say, at times) when OTs push him upfield, he loses contain, and teams run under him. I would argue that this is part of why the Packer defense was better with him playing in the middle of the field...he could be more of the "see-ball, get-ball" kind of player his athleticism allows him to be, and his contain responsibilities were taken up by a player with better discipline (and who, frankly, wasn't as likely to run himself out of plays).

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 05, 2017 at 07:09 am

Most of Mathews problems in the run game were exposed with the read option. Where they used his aggressiveness against him.

No player is flawless... It seems like everyone expects him to be flawless...

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slit's picture

June 05, 2017 at 06:58 am

Do you watch the games? Clay was a liability against the run last year.

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Ferrari Driver's picture

June 04, 2017 at 10:04 am

Chris,

I like the thought, but the dog on the leash ain't the same dog it was seven years ago.

The heart remains unchanged, but the body and legs simply won't respond like they did when he was 25.

He can be a solid contributor for a while longer, but as many said before me, it's a young man's game and the best days as an edge rusher for Mathews are gone.

I suspect a move to the middle may extend his career and reduce the injuries.

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Bearmeat's picture

June 04, 2017 at 08:50 pm

I suspect that CM3 will continue to be somewhere above "meh" and below "good" for the next couple years. I suspect he will be injured for at least 1/4 of each of those seasons.

I suspect that the young guys had better step up, and Perry had better stay healthy. Or I suspect our pass rush is screwed.

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dobber's picture

June 04, 2017 at 09:02 pm

Just the usual "suspects"... ;)

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Lphill's picture

June 05, 2017 at 06:42 am

Again people fail to realize Clay played last season with practically one arm because of limited depth , let's give him a chance to rebound just like Jordy some here said he was finished after his injury.

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RCPackerFan's picture

June 05, 2017 at 07:05 am

exactly right.

At the beginning of the year Mathews was explosive off the edge. He had 3 sacks in 3 games. He then suffered a pulled hamstring which held him out, and it took him a couple of games to get back. The game he was starting to get back into it (Eagles) he got blindsided and destroyed his shoulder.

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stockholder's picture

June 05, 2017 at 07:17 am

I thought they were targeting him. I have to wonder if there is not a bounty on Mathews. I think the stronger he looks. The cheap shots will come.

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