Packers Question of the day - Clay Matthews' Back Inside?

Against the  Bears in 2014, Dom Capers experimented with linebacker Clay Matthews by swapping him inside rather than his usual position as an edge-rusher on the outside. It paid off, as Matthews played a fantastic game on a Sunday night affair at Lambeau.

He stayed there for the remainder of the season and through the 2015 campaign, only switching back to his natural outside linebacker spot in 2016.

However, should the Packers move him back inside - if he remains with the team?

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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].

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Comments (51)

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TarynsEyes's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:11 am

Inside or outside decision should be addressed after he gives back some money. I know he had/has a shoulder issue but he is still under snuff in play wherever for his salary and expectation being paid for while leaving the constant hamstring on another table of discussion. I'm not against his departure if it need be.

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dobber's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:21 am

I think the key is that if the Packers see him as an ILB and want him to play there full time, they can't pay him premium edge-rusher money. He was able to stay on the field when he was playing ILB, but seems to constantly have soft tissue, lower body issues on the outside...and the shoulder thing was a contact injury (that crushing block from Barbre) which I have a hard time holding against a player.

Still, the Packers are so thin on the outside that moving #52 inside on a full-time basis exacerbates the issue. Can't move him inside unless they've already formulated a plan on the outside.

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Andrew Lloyd Peth's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:18 am

Absolutely move him inside. Due to the structure of Clay's contract, this will be his last season with the Packers. The team could even save $11 million this year by cutting him now, but that woukd result in a "dead money" cap hit over $4 million.

Matthews is still a force inside, so one more season with him anchoring the middle with Ryan would work well.

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dobber's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:39 am

His size/speed combo are exceptional for an ILB...and he's always playing hard. Some of the analytics (someone posted his PFF numbers on the inside) are not all that good, but the bottom line was that when he was playing inside, the Packer defense was playing much better in general. The question that needs to be asked is: was the Packer defense playing better because he was playing that well, or because the player he replaced on the interior was that poor?

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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2017 at 12:20 pm

Mathews is still a Force inside. Were better with him than without him. Let's look at new coaches and not new players. This team needs to focus on defense in free agency. Peppers and woodson brought returns. Mathews still has it.

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Bert's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:29 am

Given his production decline, injuries and high salary I think it's time to either cut his salary or just cut him loose and try someone else. I don't see Clay holding up over a 16 game season or being very productive in the process.

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dobber's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:42 am

CMIII played all 16 games in 2014 and 2015...which coincided with him playing more games inside.

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Bert's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:49 am

Right now I just can't see paying CMIII $15MM to play anywhere. He's just not an elite player anymore. Cut him down to about $5-7MM and I would be open to playing him inside or outside.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:35 am

They need faster ILBs not bigger ones.

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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2017 at 12:28 pm

Correct. And thats what is not happening. Speed wins. I understood why Spriggs was taken last year . But I wanted deion Jones or Jones and Billings. And if they would have chosen either. This team would not be asking ,"What the Hell are you Doing"? I've asked that since TTs draft of 2014.

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NickPerry's picture

January 27, 2017 at 06:08 am

I loved Dion Jones coming out of LSU as did many others. I would have loved GB to grab him in the 2nd when they moved up but they took Spriggs. I'm anxious to see what Spriggs does next season after a full offseason of training but still, Jones was a steal for Atlanta a few picks later. The Falcons first 4 picks were excellent picks. 3 starters on defense, Neal, Jones, Campbell, and a TE I'd hoped the Packers would grab ...Hooper from Stanford. Hooper will be starting next season.

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rdent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 09:53 am

First of all renegotiate his current contract, his performance at olb doesn't warrant the money he is getting, I am all in on putting him at ilb but especially with Peppers retiring now they have to somehow cover olb and Fackrell isn't ready for full time,quite a dilemma.

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RCPackerFan's picture

January 26, 2017 at 10:14 am

Should Clay Mathews move to ILB?

The answer technically should be yes, but IMO its not that simple.

In 2014 Capers essentially created a hybrid position for Mathews. It wasn't a typical ILB in his defense. It was a role that fit Mathews abilities. It allowed him to move around and to maximize his abilities. He was able to move around, blitz from every where, line up everywhere, also he was able to spy QB's and attack them from the middle.

In 2015 Capers moved Mathews to ILB completely playing the normal ILB role and that simply takes away what Mathews is great at. It put him into coverage more and took away what he was really good at.

In 2016 he went back to OLB and was injured again. I don't think Mathews body can handle playing OLB down after down. In 2014-2015 when he was at ILB he didn't miss a game.

IMO, Mathews needs to go back to playing a hybrid ILB role. Not a pure ILB role. One that allows him to be moved around, and to not allow the offense to know what he is going to do. It will preserver his body, but will also force offenses to have to adjust to where Mathews is at.

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CJ Bauckham's picture

January 26, 2017 at 02:26 pm

I, for one, am a strong advocate of moving him back to that 2014 role

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pooch's picture

January 26, 2017 at 10:52 am

I was adament a year before they made the switch that they needed to move him inside.His hamstrings and the way he bull rushes cannot sustain the constant pressure therefore they are prone to constant injury.He is by the way leaps and bounds better then what they have inside a backer,he no longer has that effect outside

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Lphill's picture

January 26, 2017 at 12:50 pm

Go to a 4 -3 defense with Clay inside , he would be like Urachler was for the Bears. But he would have to learn how to drop back and cover the middle , Urlacher was great at that.

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Lphill's picture

January 26, 2017 at 12:53 pm

In other news, Clements out Capers staying as per MM.

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Finwiz's picture

January 26, 2017 at 02:43 pm

Unbelievable this guy is taking him down with the ship. I'll predict right here today, they will never win another championship with McCarthy in charge. They can't possibly fix all the holes on this defense in one year without free agency signings, and Ted isn't going to do that. They are 3 years away, if he's going to tell me it's all TALENT for the lack of defensive performance. You need two corners, a linebacker and a linemen of high caliber. You aren't going to get that in one draft. What a joke to display this kind of loyalty and blame it all on talent. Then he's essentially throwing Ted under the bus for his lack of depth, isn't he? I don't buy it....there's some strange level of loyalty going on here with Capers that isn't rational. This Packers defense has been really good maybe ONE time in Capers entire tenure. So that means he only had the talent ONE year, and no other? Crazy.

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dobber's picture

January 26, 2017 at 02:53 pm

From the Packers press release...

"As for the rest of the coaching staff, McCarthy said he has not begun the formal evaluation process, but he did not give any indications other changes are forthcoming."

He voiced support for Capers in this way...

"“This is no time for drama,” McCarthy said. “Dom Capers is an outstanding football coach. That doesn’t change. He had a tough challenge in front of him this year, and once again, that coaching staff dealt with a lot."

MM doesn't air dirty laundry in the media...last year with Lacy, that was about it. He's not going to say anything negative at this stage, even if he dismisses Capers he's going to be politically correct about it. And it's only been a few days. If Capers decides to go on his own, he's likely to take some time to think on it and not make a rushed decision.

If two weeks goes by and no announcement has been made, then I'll feel fairly certain about Capers's future with the organization.

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Since'61's picture

January 26, 2017 at 03:29 pm

Dobber - if the Packers were going to move on Capers it would have happened by now. Why wait? As an organization you want to make your move and get the replacement in ASAP before other candidates are hired and in time to begin setting your plans for next season. If some thing doesn't happen by Friday at the latest I'm pretty confident that we're stuck with Capers and his no tackle/don't get off the field until a score is allowed defense for at least another year. There is no sense of urgency when the stadium is sold out and the team will soon have another source of revenue (year round) when PackerWorld(Circus) is open. MM has stated that "Capers is an outstanding football coach. That doesn't change." I respect MM for publicly supporting his guys but I can't see how you can say any coach is outstanding after allowing 44 points in a championship game. Especially after it happened twice during the season to non-playoff teams. That's just bad defense and should be inexcusable on an alleged SB contender. Just another example of everything is OK, we'll work on fundamentals and pad levels and we'll be fine. NO SENSE of URGENCY. Aaron Rodgers is a smart guy and a competitive guy. He may already have figured out that he doesn't need to play alone and get beat up every season when it doesn't matter to the organization. Let's see what the off season brings. Thanks, Since '61

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stockholder's picture

January 26, 2017 at 05:28 pm

Boy 61, Thats calling the kettle black. TT won't resign then. His replacements just got a raise. And MM may resign next year too. So we don't fix CB. WE draft players to replace the high cap players. My draft board just changed. RB- McCaffrey ,WR -Davis ,TE- Butts OLB Biegal

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Since'61's picture

January 26, 2017 at 08:42 pm

Stock - we'll see what happens during the off-season. If the Packers stick with their usual draft/UDFA approach without adding some FAs especially at CB and pass rusher we can be pretty sure that the team will look and perform similar to the last few seasons. We have an offense that is good enough to get to and even win in the playoffs but it's defense that determines how far we go and we have seen yet again this season that our defense is not good enough to take us all the way to the SB. Is it players or is it Capers? With the exception of CM3 we have seen many defensive players (good and bad) come and go in Green Bay. Regardless of the names the results have been the same except for the 2010 SB. Time for a sense of urgency and a new approach. Thanks, Since '61

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Since'61's picture

January 26, 2017 at 03:14 pm

First, I believe that CM3 will stay with the team unless the Packers try to drastically reduce his salary, which I don't think they will. Second whether CM3 plays inside or out doesn't change the fact that this team still needs legitimate NFL starting CBs instead of wishing and hoping that the current players will make the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year jump and suddenly become Herb Adderly. Just as an aside, Adderly was drafted as a RB converted to CB in his rookie season and went on to become a shut down hall of fame CB. Compare that with our current CBs, drafted or UDFAs, as safeties or CBs who never contest a pass but do lead the league in running into and injuring each other while simultaneously allowing the receiver to make the catch and run for a TD, (Welcome to the circus). Getting back to CM3, again whether he plays in or out this defense also needs pass rushers, meaning players who can get off their blockers and make a sack on 3rd and long so we can get off the field. Again as opposed to giving the QB 4-5 seconds to find a receiver wide open over the middle for a 15-20 yard gain on 3rd and 14 or more. I don't see where CM3 plays as making a difference in either pass coverage or pass rush. As an ILB he can help the run game but he isn't good in coverage. At OLB he can take himself out of the play or get double teamed and neither of those help our CBs who are beaten by 5 yards or more anyway. Let's see what happens during the off-season with draft picks, FA signings (should I even mention the thought) or our game changing collection of UDFAs, before we determine where CM3 should play. It appears that we have one less issue to worry about as it looks like we're keeping Capers and his no tackle defense. Imagine my relief!? Thanks, Since '61

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Finwiz's picture

January 26, 2017 at 03:19 pm

I ISO'd on CM3 quite a few times in that game, and mostly he didn't get near the QB because he was pushed way outside the pocket and Ryan just stepped up, or he was completely fooled on running plays. I didn't see many plays where he "took off" and showed no effort like a few previous games, but he got no pressure except for a few times when he was 1/2 second too late. CM3 is not the same player, and should be asked to take a pay cut unfortunately. I honestly have no clue what people see in Gunter, a 4.7 CB. The 1st few games he was pressed into service it was obvious he was way in over his head. This team SCREAMED of needing a GM to go get one experienced corner, some way, some how, because all those corners were horrible this year. I wouldn't give you a lick for any one of them in a trade. They have major work to do in the draft.

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rdent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 03:43 pm

That D couldn't be fixed in 7 rounds, in six years they haven't been able to improve through the draft.

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Since'61's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:43 pm

Fin - I agree that we have a lot of work to do in the draft. But since we have the #29 pick I'm not expecting much better than Randall/Rollins or D. Jones/Perry. If this team has a sense of urgency they will sign at least an FA CB and pass rusher to help the team win in 2017. If they go the draft/UDFA route as usual we'll know they are in no rush to win in 2017. Look at it from Murphy's and TT's point of view for 2017 rather than us as fans. Stadium sold out, check. Increased revenue sharing from NFL, check. Additional revenue from 3 playoff games, check. National TV games for making NFCCG, check. Additional marketing revenue, check. Soon to have additional year round revenue stream from opening Packer World, Big Check. Job security, check. Board of Directors happy, check. Additional revenue from SB win, nice to have, but 3 playoff games plus extra cap space, check again. MM says that Capers is an outstanding coach and that doesn't change. Ok we're good. No urgency to win next year, the year after whenever, we're Green Nay, no one expects us to beat the big owners. The money is rolling in and we keep our jobs. The beat goes on and as fans we're stuck with another season of Capers don't GET off the field until they score defense. We'll see what the off season brings but expecting the changes necessary is like expecting our defense to get off the field without allowing a score. Thanks, Since '61

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TKWorldWide's picture

January 26, 2017 at 08:43 pm

I am beginning to suspect that you might be slightly dissatisfied with GB's defense.

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Dzehren's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:34 pm

You are fired up man!!

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Lphill's picture

January 26, 2017 at 03:47 pm

We don't know how injured Clay was playing , might have been worse than we were told I believe it was said he would need surgery , so that must be a tough injury to play through . I feel better with clay on the field.

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Handsback's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:03 pm

To me, Green Bay seems to have a promising group of ILBs. If you move CM inside, you for sure weaken the OLB position and have some of your promising LB sitting on the bench.
OLB right now is a position of weakness. It has to be built up and I don't see moving Matthews over to the inside.

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Free agent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:15 pm

Wish Bob Harlan was still the Packers President. He would have persuaded TT to bring some high level free
agents to win the Super Bowl during the past 5 years. TT has no one to answer to, no pressure. Hell he doesn't even talk to the press more than a half dozen times a year. Tired of his act, looks like another boring year of Ted.

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rdent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:22 pm

I miss Bob Harlan,best President GB ever had,unlike Murphy a real hands-on guy who always had his finger on the pulse of the team.

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Houndog's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:16 pm

I haven't read every post in full, but from what I did read there hasn't been any mention made of what it cost to lose Raji ! Is losing Raji that much different than when Albino Ted decided to let Cullen Jenkins go and the pass rush went to hell? I don't think so! Yeah, I'll admit Matthews did not have a good year, but can anyone name a D-Lineman that routinely took on dbl-teams the way Raji used to? Those dbl-teams were now used on CM3 and Peppers with no one in the middle to do $hit! Thompson is the problem, consistently drafting second rate players for the defense, can anyone say Jerrel Worthy?
Add in 'Oh, I'm good for a couple penalties per game Jones" and a couple more scavenged fro the practice squad and you get what you pay for! LeTroy Guione is NOT "Big Howie" Howard Green, and the new kid ain't Cullen Jenkins. This D needs a complete makeover, and with Albino Ted and now Capers sticking around it ain't about to happen soon!
F.A.T (Fire Albino Ted)

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Houndog's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:24 pm

Oh Geez,
Did I forget last year's 1st and 2nd round cornerbacks, about to enter their 3 seasons? You know, the 2 guys that played like high school wash-outs! What were their names again, maybe Rollins and Randall? Two more of Albino Ted's finest!

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dobber's picture

January 28, 2017 at 02:33 pm

Come on, people. Going into the season most were satisfied with the play of these two during their rookie seasons, even when Shields missed a few games, and were expected to be important pieces in 2016. The sample size on both those guys was large enough that people were at least satisfied that they could be relied on this season. It's not like they sucked from day 1, folks.

I'm not defending their play in 2016, but there was no reason to expect what we saw on the field from them last offseason or even in camp...when the kind of changes people are saying SHOULD have been made would have had to happen.

Let's be honest: we beat on Capers, and the buck ultimately stops with him for the play of the unit as DC. But it's NOT his job to teach technique, to handle individual players, and to make in-game corrections to what these guys are doing on the field. That's the job of positional coaches. The defensive staff needs to be evaluated from the ground up. Aside from Mike Trgovac, Jerry Montgomery (the DL coaches), and Darren Perry (safeties), the other positional assistants should be on notice.

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Free agent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:37 pm

Ted has been missing on first round picks since he got here. 2006 AJ Hawk # 5 pick. 2007 Justin Harrell # 16 pick . Started 2 games in his career. It's amazing what 2 hall of fame quarterbacks in their prime can do for Ted Thompsons resume. Without Farve & Rodgers TT would not be the GM in Green Bay today.

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rdent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:49 pm

He wouldn't be the waterboy for a college team, think about it, two of the best QB' s in NFL history and only two SB' s to show for it hell the Ravens won that many with Dilfer and Flacco,who's to blame for that?

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al bundy's picture

February 28, 2017 at 03:28 pm

You are very wise.

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rdent's picture

January 26, 2017 at 04:50 pm

If you can't fix a defense in SIX years there is something wrong, whether it's TT or Capers or both you would think someone ,eg; Mark Murphy would have been taking a look at that and done something, anything to address that problem instead of sitting on his hands,that imo is one of the flaws in that organization,TT is been given too much free rein with no checks and balances from the puppet President,you can bet Bob Harlan would not have let it get to that point.

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Since'61's picture

January 26, 2017 at 05:21 pm

Rdent - how can we fox the defense when MM is stating that Capers is an outstanding coach 3 days after his defense allows 44 points and 500 yards of offense. I'd hate to see what it would take for him to be concerned about the defense or that Capers was a poor coach. Thanks, Since '61

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Point-Packer's picture

January 26, 2017 at 08:17 pm

Despite the occasional impact play, Clay Mathews is among the most overpaid and overrated players in the NFL. Straight talk. With plenty of stats to back it up.

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Dzehren's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:16 pm

some what agree with you. However All the guaranteed money is gone and he's 10Mi And can be cut w/ zero cap ramifications. 10M month to month on a pass rusher with a high ceiling I can live with imo. Not like we have this stable of OLB or ILB's in the waiting

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Dzehren's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:23 pm

3-4 OLB are not cheap & hard to find

On a side note -
4-3 end Dwight Freeney got 4Mil with Atlanta though--- 1 year deal

3-4 D is getting over saturated- should consider 4-3 again

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al bundy's picture

February 28, 2017 at 03:27 pm

Ted will never go 4-3. The reason, DE's are too expensive. They liked to be paid cash money for their pass rushing prowess. Takins a fat ass like Datone Jones, and saying POOF, your an elephant linebacker now (thats the term for cheaper alternative to paying a top pass rusher) saves the packer fans and the team so much money.

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NMPF's picture

January 27, 2017 at 09:51 am

CM's contract is what it is. Live with it. Cut Matthews, free up 10M and everybody is bitching on why there is so much cap space that TT is unwilling to spend. The draft and develop moniker that is TT is not changing whether 50M or 1M under the cap. Inside or outside is irrelevant, probably avg# of sacks, avg# of pressures. Health is the only reasoning for a move inside.

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Dzehren's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:27 pm

Well stated- cut clay and plug in another UDFA

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Dzehren's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:02 pm

Not for what he is being paid.

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Dzehren's picture

January 27, 2017 at 11:08 pm

I stand corrected. Yes Clay should stay after reviewing the contract. He's "only" 10Mil a year. Clay is going no where and not taking a pay cut. Guaranteed money is gone. Great contract by Thompson. Ride it out and let him go in 2 years.

2017: $10.1 million, 2018: $10.4 million, 2019: Free Agent

4/17/2013: Signed a six-year, $69.73 million contract. The deal included a $20.5 million signing bonus.

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JC's picture

February 22, 2017 at 12:26 pm

I believe they should switch back to the 4-3. Not only would it help Clay's productivity, but the personnel already seem to fit this scheme better. Imagine Mike Daniels as a Warren Sapp style 3-Technique with Kenny Clarke next to him as the 1-Tech. Perry and Jones as the ends, Clay as the Will, Jake Ryan as the Sam and Blake as the Mike seem to all fit.

Just a thought I guess as Dom will never seem to change.

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al bundy's picture

February 28, 2017 at 03:21 pm

I know this is a dead time of year but come on guys, Mike rules. He wants Lacy back, Lacy stays. He wants Mathews outside to pass rush, Mathews stays outside.
I think both those moves sucks just like his play calling. His red flag management, clock management and offensive management all suffer because he wants to run it all and thus cant do any of them well.
It was his freekin idea to go into the seaon with two backs, and look how well that worked out. The guy is a mental midget

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al bundy's picture

February 28, 2017 at 03:23 pm

NOTE TO TED: Lacy burned you two seasons in a row.
Keep in mind, fool me twice, shame on ME.
If you put your eggs in the Lacy basket again your going to be sorry. Better get some running backs who can run and plan on fat eddy as being the fill in guy

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