Clay Matthews: 2015 Packers Player Report Card
By adamczech
Clay Matthews
- Age: 29
- Ht./Wt: 6'3", 255lbs
- College: USC
- NFL Experience: 7 years
Expectations coming into the season: Packers general manager Ted Thompson once again did not address the inside linebacker position, leaving it up to Matthews to play the spot instead of his usual outside linebacker/pass rush position. Not only was Matthews expected to fill the void inside, he was expected to play well and help hold together the run defense. Matthews delivered. Unfortunately, Matthews didn't have too many moments where he went beyond simply delivering.
Player’s highlights/low-lights: Matthews' six tackles helped hold Adrian Peterson to 45 yards in a must-win game against the Vikings on Nov. 22. Matthews' two sacks against Kansas City in week three contributed to the Packers hot start. Down the stretch, Matthews failed to record a tackle in games against Oakland and Arizona. He also rarely beat his man when rushing from the edge as the season wore on.
Level of Expectations met: I can confidently say that Matthews met expectations. He even had a few games and key moments where he exceeded expectations. That said, I didn't feel like Matthews made the impact of a star defensive player consistently enough. With a star player like Matthews, you expect expectations to be exceeded -- especially during big moments. Is it unfair to expect a player to exceed expectations, especially when that player is playing a new position? Maybe. But I didn't feel like Matthews made the impact that he typically makes. He rarely won his matchup when he did rush from the outside (especially late in the season) and he had too many moments in later weeks where he disappeared. Overall, it was a good season for Matthews, but not quite the type of Clay Matthews season we've grown accustomed to.
Grade: B
Player’s contributions to team success: Who knows what would have happened to the Packers defense if they were forced to play Nate Palmer, Joe Thomas or Jake Ryan full time inside instead of Matthews? I know I sounded critical of Matthews in the expectation section, but he really did everthing the Packers asked him to do. Without him, the Packers defense would not have had the type of year it had.
Grade: B+
Player’s contributions in the playoffs: The main thing preventing Matthews from earning an "A" for the postseason was his inability to win his matchup when rushing from the edge. How nice would it have been to have Matthews discard an Arizona tackle and sack Palmer late in that game?
Grade: B+
Intangibles/misc: Matthews made himself a star by becoming one of the NFL's best edge pass rushers. Midway through last season, the Packers moved him inside. Matthews wasn't exactly overjoyed about the decision, but he's played his tail off and did exactly what the Packers needed him to do inside. Matthews has also turned into an ornery son of a gun as he's gotten older. Matthews attitude and aggressiveness has helped the Packers' defense shed the "soft" label.
Grade: A
Comments (18)
Packer_Pete
January 30, 2016 at 07:35 am
Given the circumstances I think the grade is fair.
Overall I think Matthews should've stayed outside. He certainly was the best option to play ILB, but I think he will regress now as OLB. Just a hunch. I actually think his best position is ILB. OLB you can plan and scheme against him. ILB you never know where he is coming from, or whether he will rush or stay in base or drop into coverage. Unfortunately, neither he nor the coaches are seeing it that way. Here is hoping Ted can draft an impact ILB who can play right away, as even with Matthews, I think OLB will be weaker next season as at least one OLB of the current group will be gone.
NickPerry
January 30, 2016 at 09:04 am
In that case lets hope TT does EVERYTHING he can to draft Ragland from Alabama. I see several mock Drafts with him going just ahead of the Packers (Like Mocks are EVER right) but Ragland can play all 3 downs and would be EXACTLY what the Packers need. If Ragland is gone then trade back to the top 2 or 4 picks of the 2nd round and shoot for Hunter Henry the TE from Arkanas. OR if your worried Henry will be gone pull the trigger and hope you get a player in the 2nd who can play ILB or OLB and START.
Is that asking for TOO much??
Matthews disappeared for a few games towards the end of the year and needs help. He needs a a 2009 version of himself to play with in 2016 so teams can't take him out so easily. I thought the Packers defense was DAMN good this year considering the offense couldn't make a first down over 65% of the time. I'd like to see Matthews play outside but be moved all over really. He's much more effective when they don't know where he'll line up.
EdsLaces
January 30, 2016 at 09:29 am
I think of we could grab either Scooby or Kentrell Brothers in the 2nd round we would be doing damn good in the draft. Both could play 3 downs and both are playmakers.
EdsLaces
January 30, 2016 at 09:30 am
If*
NickPerry
January 30, 2016 at 12:40 pm
I like Brothers, just not in the 1st round. To tell you the truth the Packers have 2 glaring needs, TE and ILB. I don't really care in which order they come but they need to come early IMO. The last thing the Packers need is ANOTHER player to develop for 3 years while 6 more players who are ready now won't be 3 years from now.
Packer_Pete
January 30, 2016 at 01:46 pm
I agree with you. But I think this is a very bad year for drafting TEs. so either one has to take one really early, or there just won't be a good one there, or one has to overreach for a minor talent in either 1st or 2nd round...
I think this year, a veteran TE signing might be the best thing. But I don't think that will happen.
jeremyjjbrown
January 30, 2016 at 10:00 am
Matthews badly needs a coach who fits has personallity. I never see him on the sidelines talking to Moss or McCurley.
EdsLaces
January 30, 2016 at 09:17 pm
Brothers is a 3 down linebacker...excellent speed for coverage and does well vs the run. Who's Lee?
EdsLaces
January 30, 2016 at 10:20 pm
NVM Lee is smallish dude from OSU. If Ur goin for the smaller LB gotta go with Cravens he's a beast.
Ima fubar
January 30, 2016 at 06:21 pm
The coaching staff knows they lack a true ouside pass rusher so mathews is it in there mins. I agree keep him inside and leave him there to wreck havoc
4thand1
January 30, 2016 at 07:49 am
The fire doesn't burn as hot with age. remember CM flying around the field reeking havoc. Doing the predator impression. He did seem to take some time off during the season but turned it up late. This defense would suck without him. He has a few pro-bowl caliber season's left, we need another stud defensive player and difference maker. I guy teams have to game plan for.
Lphill
January 30, 2016 at 08:29 am
He needs help is all , has plenty left can't do it all by himself.
hybridauth_Facebook_100004084225446
January 30, 2016 at 09:35 am
Been asking for a Clay type player for 3 years now ? WHEN ???????
EdsLaces
February 01, 2016 at 06:49 am
Spence is a freak ...but he's also a problem child...never happen.
Since'61
January 30, 2016 at 01:14 pm
Speaking for myself, one of the issues with grading CM3 is that we really don't know the impact of his presence on the opposing offense. For example has the opposing offense decided to run their ground game away from CM3? in hoping to reduce his effectiveness. Are they still double teaming him when he rushes, etc...? Maybe at least some, of the improvement in this seasons defense was due to how teams planned to stop Matthews, which allowed our other defenders to make more plays. His stats do not tell the entire story. On the other hand I would agree that Matthews has not taken over a game and wrecked the opponent's offense which would have made a big difference in the AZ playoff game as mentioned by the author. He has failed to make a big play in crunch time in the last 2 playoff defeats. As with QBs the playoffs are the time when a defender can create their legacy and Matthews has not done that recently. As I have said in the past, Clay is a great player but not a legendary one like, Reggie White, Willie Davis, or Ray Nitschke. His overall B grade is fair, it needs to be better for him. Thanks, Since '61
Ima fubar
January 30, 2016 at 06:13 pm
Im on an island withnthis but outside pass rush is wasting his talent. The only reason they use him at this spot is ted wont draft a top de due to the high costs they demand. Mathews need to stay in the middle and wrechm havoc. Just being in the middle force the qb to guess what he is going to do.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 30, 2016 at 07:13 pm
CM3 was a godsend with his versatility. I agree with the grade. I was a little disappointed in that I did not think he got better at ILB this year versus the end of last year. I would also say that while he was a pretty good starting ILB, he was not really good and definitely not elite. Low red chipper strictly as an ILB. Definitely not worth his salary, though that is not his fault since he is being paid as an elite OLB. Some had the opinion that he had lost something at OLB when he was still playing there - I hope that is not the case, but fear that he is only a red chipper at OLB as well. Time will tell, if TT gets ILB help, that is.
RCPackerFan
February 01, 2016 at 06:36 am
I love Mathews and his ability's to do everything.
I love Mathews playing inside LB because it allows him to be all over the field. His ability to rush from anywhere and line up anywhere is what sets him apart. When he plays OLB teams can game plan away from him more.
The thing I didn't like as the season went on is they were using him more like a traditional ILB. To me Capers used him to much as a 'normal' ILB and didn't do enough with him to create mismatches. Mathews is a special talent and he shouldn't be used like a normal player. Mathews is like Charles Woodson. Woodson wasn't used as a 'normal' CB. The same should be done with Mathews.
I keep going back to his first game played at ILB last year against Chicago. Where they literally lined him up everywhere. He was and ILB in position description only. That is how Mathews should be used as and ILB.
Overall Mathews has been a great player for Green Bay. He met all of my expectations for the year. I just think he was a bit handicapped from making more plays based on how he was being used.