Cory's Corner: Clay Matthews isn't a Hall of Famer right now
Clay Matthews’ career can be described with plenty of highlights.
He has sacked Jay Cutler with one arm. He has swallowed Sam Bradford — the Rams version. He ran 15 yards downfield to punch the ball out of Brandon Jacobs’ hands. And he raced 38 yards for a touchdown after picking off Eli Manning.
Matthews has been a dynamic player. For much of his career, he has been a headache for opposing offensive coordinators.
But is he a Hall of Famer?
That’s a tough question. In four of eight seasons, he has registered double-digit sacks and he’s averaging nine sacks a year.
But has he done enough? Is eight seasons enough to warrant a Hall of Fame career? Terrell Davis played seven seasons and finally got his call into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
I need to see more from Matthews. Especially lately, because in the last two seasons his production has tapered off. His hamstring and his left AC joint were why he only started nine games last year — his lowest number of his career.
What’s also hurting Matthews is that the Packers are using him as a resourceful linebacker. He played more inside when Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan went down with injuries last year.
Instead of racking up numbers strictly as a heat-seeking quarterback missile on the outside, he bounced around, which has caused his numbers to drop.
Obviously the Packers need Matthews this season. They need him to be that menacing defensive predator that many were treated to seeing during his second year in the league.
Green Bay may have linebacker depth in terms of bodies but it doesn’t have the depth when it comes to playmakers. And if it’s playmakers that you seek, it would make sense if the “Claymaker” made an appearance.
This is a pivotal year for Matthews. Many are wondering if he can stay healthy. Others are wondering if the 31-year-old has enough gas left in the tank to prevent an eventual slide in production.
Can Matthews ever regain his 2010 form? I doubt it because his hamstring issue will now plague him for his entire career. That also doesn’t bode well for a new crop of versatile and speedy running backs — guys that Matthews can’t stick with for long periods of time.
Matthews’ career has been filled with plenty of ups and downs. His enduring image as a Packer is holding up the championship belt right next to Aaron Rodgers in the Super Bowl.
Another injury prone season and many will start to wonder if Matthews’ season is filled with bouts of inconsistency.
What’s unfortunate is that Matthews plays with his hair is on fire. He has the speed to quickly get around the edge and has been great at causing confusion for the offensive line.
But he needs at least one more special season in order to guarantee his ticket to Canton.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (22)
jeremyjjbrown
June 06, 2017 at 06:12 am
Thanks for having the guts to say it.
ThxJackVainisi
June 06, 2017 at 09:33 am
It takes no guts to post on internet forums.
jeremyjjbrown
June 06, 2017 at 11:33 am
No brains either I guess.
ThxJackVainisi
June 06, 2017 at 01:13 pm
Nice non-sequitur, jeremyjjbrown: You were the one making a brainless comment.
NickPerry
June 06, 2017 at 06:46 am
I haven't gotten on the boat suggesting Matthews has completely lost whatever it was that made him so great his first few seasons in the NFL. But Matthews does need to have himself a strong season to justify bringing him back in 2018 that's for sure. I still think he can be a great playmaker on this defense and the Packers need him to be.
He might not be what he was 5 years ago, but not many OLB's who play at 100% for 100% of the game (That's for you Spock..LOL) are what they once were when they turn 31. IF Matthews is healthy all season he'll have 10 plus sacks this year. Moving him around will help but so will the development of younger guys. Matthews is getting to that age where less will could produce more, especially when you consider HOW he plays each snap.
Matthews has 72.5 career regular season snaps and another 11 in the playoffs. He has 18 FF in the regular season and playoffs combined. He needs to get over 100 career sacks in the regular season over the next 2 seasons to have a legitimate shot at the HOF IMO. That and another SB title would help too. To bad he was completely ROBBED of the 2010 DPOY award. Well at least he outplayed the guy who stole it from him when it mattered..In the SB!
Spock
June 06, 2017 at 03:26 pm
100% = :)
Bearmeat
June 06, 2017 at 07:42 am
Short answer: No, he's not a HOFer. He was on that pace until 2013. He is no longer. HOFers have long, illustrious careers. CM3 was great (when healthy) from 2010-2012.
That's not nearly enough. Double that timeframe, then mayyyyybe. Probably 2.5x that timeframe though.
Handsback
June 06, 2017 at 07:59 am
CM3 is a blue chip player...he just hasn't stayed healthy enough to make the difference in big games. The exception came in the most important game he's played in... the SB. He didn't have a sack, but did make a difference with that hit behind the line and causing a fumble. Since then in the big games, not a lot of game changing plays. Sometimes he wasn't even on the field, as in against the Seahawks in the NFC championship game. HOF players make a difference in the big games. He still has time to do it, and the Packers seem loaded again this year.
Maybe a solution is as simple as doing the Peppers routine, resting more during the year so that wear and tear won't break him down during the playoffs.
TarynsEyes
June 06, 2017 at 08:38 am
Since the 2005 draft, only one player is a Hall of Fame and that's Aaron Rodgers.
Matthews had a chance, though slim, and even less now. Unless of coarse the dominate one in the eyes of many, Perry, can play so Matthews can get 20 sacks this season, not over 3-4,to pad a shrinking or already to shunken resume'.
If resting Matthews as like a 7 year older Peppers, is the answer for rejuvenation, then Matthews chances are already un-bettable.
TKWorldWide
June 06, 2017 at 09:32 am
Not sure how many fans would consider Perry to be the dominant one. I think even the most optimistic fans are pleased that he had good production last year and HOPE for a similar performance in 2017. But to call 53 "dominant" is a stretch, IMHO, and I think in the opinions of most others as well.
dobber
June 06, 2017 at 09:49 am
You mean, the "dominate" one...? ;)
I agree. I think both Perry and Matthews benefit significantly from having each other on the field. Unless another consistent threat emerges, how they'll fare in the absence of Peppers will be something to watch this season.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 07, 2017 at 02:45 am
I thought Perry looked dominant in the first 5 games or so of 2016. He looked good the next 5 or 6 games, but once the club went on, he looked like a shell of himself.
Ferrari Driver
June 06, 2017 at 08:58 am
What I like about Mathews is that he appears to give 100 percent and doesn't take plays off.
He may not be a Hall of Famer, but he's pretty darn good.
holmesmd
June 08, 2017 at 11:45 pm
Other than when we lost to SEA in the NFCCG because he left the field for being "tired"?! Lol. He make take "plays off" but he has taken himself out of games inexplicably. Just sayin
Lphill
June 06, 2017 at 09:18 am
Packers defense is better with Clay that's a fact . Let's judge him when healthy and when he has some help. I was at the Eli pick six game , very exciting to watch something I will never forget.
MarkinMadison
June 06, 2017 at 10:11 am
31 NFL players have reached the 100 sack milestone. Of those, 13 are in the Hall of Fame and 7 are not yet eligible. Put another way, about 1/3 of those guys are likely NOT getting into the Hall of Fame. Sean Jones is a great example. Ended his career with a Super Bowl win in 1996 and 113 sacks to his name. He is not in the Hall of Fame, and he probably never will be. CM3 has 72.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, and one Super Bowl win to his name. For comparison, Kevin Greene had 160 and he did not make it the first few years he was eligible. Derrick Thomas had 126.5, and also took a few years to get in.
Looking at his active contemporaries who have breached the 100-sack mark here is who CM3 will be measured against: (1) Dwight Freeney 122.5, 0 INTs; (2) Terrell Suggs 114.5, 7 INTs; and, oh yah, (3) Julius Peppers 143.5, 11 INTs. Guys with (two) less years in the NFL but more sacks than CM3 are: JJ Watt (76 sacks, 1 INT) and Von Miller (73.5 sacks, 1 INT).
No, sacks aren't everything. But for a guy whose ticket to the Hall of Fame is predicated on being a pass rush specialist in a pass-happy era, his numbers just aren't Hall of Fame worthy. If his career ends in two years and his sack total is around 85, I don't even think he'll be given serious consideration. If he eeks out another six years and breaks the 100 sack mark, he'll be a marginal candidate.
Right now, I'm just doubtful that he makes it. And before anyone plays the, "yeah but, ILB" card, just remember the first time he made the switch his sack production actually went UP for the remainder of the season.
RCPackerFan
June 06, 2017 at 10:35 am
'Right now, I'm just doubtful that he makes it. And before anyone plays the, "yeah but, ILB" card, just remember the first time he made the switch his sack production actually went UP for the remainder of the season.'
To be fair the way they used him at ILB in 2014 was vastly different from how he was used at ILB in 2015.
I believe his production goes way up if they use him more like they did in 2014 again. While he was technically an ILB he didn't play the normal ILB role. He was moved around a lot.
To get the most bang for our buck with Mathews moving him around and having him exploiting mismatches definitely is the best way to use him.
If Capers does this I think we will see Mathews number go way up and our defense will be much better for it.
As far as HOF... Thats down the road.
dobber
June 06, 2017 at 10:43 am
I think you hit the key idea: at this point, there are more guys out there who look like CMIII who aren't in the HOF than that are.
Thegreatreynoldo
June 07, 2017 at 02:53 am
Excellent comment, Mark. CM3 isn't really all that close right now. He needs 3 or 4 seasons of double digit sacks. A super bowl victory would help, and/or an iconic play somewhere in the playoffs, preferably in a winning effort in a super bowl, where every sportswriter who votes sees it live or in real time.
Packer_Fan
June 06, 2017 at 11:54 am
Matthews career isn't over yet. Don't count him out. What he does on the field in the next few years will tell the story. No need to assume now.
billybobton
June 06, 2017 at 02:21 pm
Nicely written article ... you might have noticed at IN LB where he has to play under control - he is actually honoring his run commitments and destroying people with his quickness - our D is far better and CM3 was not hurt
Won't honor run, blows hamstrings and misses huges hunks of his career and our D sucks with CM3 at O LB..... so where should he be?
EdsLaces
June 06, 2017 at 09:27 pm
Blitz him up the damn middle!