Matthews and Packers Smart To Embrace Linebacker's Versatility

The Packers are going to continue to explore as many ways as possible to use the seven year veteran. 

As recently as April there had been reports about Clay Matthews wanting to be moved back to outside linebacker full time. 

So much for that. 

Both Matthews and Mike McCarthy made it pretty clear today that Matthews' days playing strictly on the outside have come to an end. 

When asked about Matthews spending the entire team portion of practice today working inside alongside Sam Barrington, as well as working with the inside linebackers during position drills, McCarthy had this to say.

Clay Matthews is a great pass rusher. He's going to continue to play as many different positions as we can possibly get out of him. We need to utilize Clay as much as we can. He's a great player and we need to give him as many opportunities to make plays as we can.

I've talked to Clay a couple times early in the off-season program and meetings that he goes to. He's moving around and let's make sure he has a clear understanding of the new things that we're doing from every perspective, inside linebacker, outside linebacker...wait until you see him play nose guard, that's going be really cool. 

McCarthy was joking with that last bit, but overall his comments sure seem to point to Matthews continuing to play inside on early downs. 

Matthews addressed the subject in the locker room after practice: 

I think anytime somebody asks you to make a position change, you're going to be very reluctant about it, especially when you've had success for several years at that position. But you've got to get your feet wet and on Sunday night football, I got 'em wet. Moving forward, I kind of built off the success that our defense had as well as myself and we really had a good thing going all the way through the playoffs.

They're going to rush me from all over the field. They're going to drop me from all over the field. 

Whatever Matthews' hang ups may have been, it would seem McCarthy and the coaches (or maybe even Ted Thompson) have convinced Matthews enough to at least be conciliatory in his tone when talking about the benefits to the team.

Because that's what this comes down to - the way Matthews' move to the inside has raised the level of play across the defense. 

While there are some who may wonder why the Packers didn't do more to try and acquire another inside linebacker in free agency or the draft, it's hard to look at the players on offer and see anyone who comes close to the athleticism Matthews gives the Packers from inside. Yes, some of the 2015 drafted rookies may end up playing well over the years, but it's tough to see any of them equaling the dynamic play making presence that Matthews offers inside. 

For myself, I keep coming back to one play against Seattle that, to me, crystallizes what Matthews brings to the inside linebacker position for the Packers. It's not a spectacular play, not something that would ever make a highlight reel. Hell, it ends in a four yard gain, which is traditionally considered a "win" for the offense. 

Still, it showcases what Matthews can do inside that so many players the Packers have tried at the position couldn't. 

That's a play that ends in a huge gain if most of the stiffs the Packers have used the last few years are out there. 

Now, without a doubt, Matthews should and probably will still be kicked outside on passing downs. McCarthy's quotes absolutely suggest that they plan on playing the veteran linebacker all over the place.

B.J. Raji made a good point after practice, saying that with offenses trying to key on Matthews, being able to move him around makes opponents work that much harder to account for him. 

I also thought Rob Demovsky had a great note, writing that Matthews had 8.5 of his 11 sacks in 2014 after the switch was made at the bye week. This, undoubtedly, was how McCarthy sold the overall move to Matthews this offseason. Production tends to end up in contract extensions, and I don't doubt Matthews was wary of moving away from the position that traditionally allows pass rushers to produce. 

The Packers are obviously a long way from setting anything in stone, and if someone like Jake Ryan, Carl Bradford or Joe Thomas sets the world on fire in training camp and preseason, who knows what might happen. But at the moment, Matthews and the Packers are smart to explore as many avenues as possible when using their defensive star. 

 

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Comments (21)

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Rick Norman's picture

May 28, 2015 at 09:51 pm

Does that mean that Jake Ryan could see some time on the outside in certain situations?

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PackerAaron's picture

May 28, 2015 at 10:09 pm

Eliot Wolf was asked if they saw Ryan as an inside guy during his press conference after Ryan was drafted and he indicated that was the plan. Not that they couldn't move him eventually, but I tend to think they'll keep him inside for now.

http://www.packers.com/media-center/videos/Eliot-Wolf-on-Ryan-Tough-smar...

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 28, 2015 at 10:10 pm

When you've got a fast horse, you ride it.
When you've got a big gun, you shoot it.

(Channeling Bum Phillips.)

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RCPackerFan's picture

May 29, 2015 at 07:42 am

I personally like Mathews better inside then outside. I just like the flexibility it gives the defense. It allows him to be able to rush from different angles and it creates more confusion for the OL to where he is going to be coming from.
Also it allows the defense to have its best pass rushers on the field every down on passing downs and it strengthens the defense on run downs by putting Perry at ROLB on run downs. He is a more stout run defender who can absorb blocks better.

I still think back to the first game Mathews was used at ILB and it was just brilliant how they used him. He was everywhere. Lining up outside, inside, next to Peppers at OLB at ROLB, everywhere.
Thats what I want to see them do more of.

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lmills's picture

May 29, 2015 at 09:14 am

As long as we have OLB's that are producing while Matthews is inside, I'm all for keeping Clay in the middle as much as we can. He seriously reminded me of Kuechly in there. He moves as well as him and has great size. if he can keep picking up the nuances of the position, he's only going to get better which would be scary. I'm excited to see what Elliot and Hubbard show this training camp. if one of them comes into their own, it would be a huge lift for the defense and would allow the team to move Clay wherever they WANT him. not where they NEED him.

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Idiot Fan's picture

May 29, 2015 at 09:27 am

I agree. I really like Clay inside, but where he plays will probably be more dependent on how the other players do. If Peppers gets really old really quickly and Perry/Neal are mediocre, he'll probably have to play outside. If no other ILB shows competence, he'll probably have to play inside. If both of those things happen, we're screwed. If neither happens, watch out!

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Guisado's picture

May 29, 2015 at 11:20 am

Carlos Valderrama? That's awesome.

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EddieLee's picture

May 29, 2015 at 12:40 pm

There is absolutely no doubt that Matthews had a bigger impact inside last year then outside. Fans don't like to hear this but Matthews was pedestrian a lot of games the first 8 games. He was having a limited impact. Teams were not double teaming him as much as previous years and he just wasn't as active. His two sacks and tackle numbers in the first 8 games show this. They move him inside on early downs and he becomes a wrecking ball again. His sack totals shoot up. His tackles shoot up. His performance when moved backed outside on passing downs improved. He looked like 2010 again.

The best part of this versatility is the ability of Capers to use it. You won't see him used the same way two games in a row. Offensive coordinators around the league are hoping the Packers push him back outside on every play.

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ben's picture

May 29, 2015 at 10:00 pm

He's going to have to play almost exclusively inside this year, and should. They have other competent OLBs, too many of them when you consider the deficiencies at ILB, NT, TE, CB. & S. (Peppers, Perry, Neal, Hubbard (who i like a lot), and Elliot (who has a knack for production). Who else is going to play ILB? Is one of the 4 rookie free-agents going to solve the almost decade old Packer Problem of a soft middle and lack of coverage ability from the ILB position? Barrington isn't as good as you homers would like to believe. Just cause you say he's a "thumper" doesn't make him a thumper. Jake Ryan's college tape at ILB is weak. Talk here about him playing being able to play OLB is baseless.

I was the 1st person to purpose that Clay should be move to ILB. When considering Roster strengths and weaknesses, then the continual defensive deficiencies, moving Clay to ILB was a no-brainer. Clay is as good in coverage and against the run as he is rushing the passer. The Packer's defense needed to shore up the middle in run support and coverage more than anything. I've been calling Matthews a potential Clay Nitschke for almost 2 years. I took a lot of heat from you jerkoffs for even suggesting Clay should be moved inside. Kind of like when I said on this blog that Peppers would play OLB not DE with the Packers. I knew Peppers had expressed a desire to play 3-4 OLB since is days in Carolina, you didn't.

Glad to see that most of you have come around. on this anyway.

I'll give it about 5 months before you all start coming around to the fact that Clinton Dix is a liability in coverage over the top, takes horrible angles, and is a terrible open-field tackler.

I'd give it about 3 months before you all start coming around to the fact that Richard Rogers shouldn't even be in the league, if Aaron Rodgers and the nature of the Packer's offense didn't make anybody there look somewhat competent.

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NewNikeShoes's picture

May 29, 2015 at 09:12 pm

*Ray Nitschke
Dude, just stop it please.
Your lack of respect towards others is only matched by your own very high, albeit retarded, opinion of yourself. You weren't even the first person to talk about Clay's transition(think it was Danny, or TK).
You sorely lack any communication skills required to not seem like an azz.
You also sorely lack the ability to back up statements with good evidence, which, here in California, is actually taught in elementary school.
Finally, just because someone doesn't disagree with your opinion does not make them a "homer". So please either back up talk with evidence, ort GTFOH and STFU.

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ben's picture

May 29, 2015 at 09:56 pm

*CLay Nitschke

Remember.......? Guess not
Get it.....? Guess not

"You weren't even the first person to talk about Clay's transition(think it was Danny, or TK)."????

I was talking about Clay's transition before his transition. You're either misinformed or a liar or both. I've been on here for nearly the last 2 years taking heat for suggesting Clay should be moved inside you dumbass. Just because I'm confrontational, or you don't like me doesn't make it alright for you to be dishonest.

"You sorely lack the ability" to be honest with yourself or with others, "which, here in Wisconsin, is actually taught well before elementary school."

FL

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NewNikeShoes's picture

May 29, 2015 at 10:23 pm

I would love to keep up this battle of wits with you, but I can obviously see you are unarmed.

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PackerAaron's picture

May 29, 2015 at 10:36 pm

Actually, Brian Carriveau was talking about it before anyone. But it's funny to watch you try to take credit Ben.

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 29, 2015 at 04:24 pm

CHTV: "It must be great always being the smartest person in the room."

ben: "No, it isn't. It's horrible!"

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NickPerry's picture

May 29, 2015 at 09:57 pm

That's hilarious, think Ben "Got It"?

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J0hn Denver's Gavel's picture

May 29, 2015 at 06:49 pm

LaMichael James is running for president?

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ben's picture

May 29, 2015 at 09:25 pm

careful john. With Moreno gone from Miami, James might finally get a real opportunity this year.

he's explosive

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Lphill's picture

May 30, 2015 at 07:39 am

Wow weak at NT and giving up on Dix after one season ? Ben how many seasons do you give your Vikings players before you evaluate them?

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NickPerry's picture

May 31, 2015 at 07:44 am

I know I was struggling with that too. According to "The World As Ben See it", the Packers are screwed at all 3 levels of the defense.
Raji, Guion, and Daniels is a pretty damn good Base Defense DL. Be even better if Datone Jones begins to play like the player they thought they were drafting coming out. He's been nicked up his first 2 seasons but at some point he needs to be and stay healthy I hope.

After watching the defense transform into one of the better defenses in the NFL last year after week 8, there was no way Matthews wasn't playing inside again. With that said I really like the selection of Ryan and I still believe Bradford will make a decent player inside. I read a review of Bradford before the draft last year which said "He Plays Like his Hair is on Fire". That can only mean something good right?

The Packers are going to field a defense this year that's going to be really versatile, I really like what they did in the draft. Not so much on draft night, but after really looking into the players drafted afterwards. The Packers had to draft a CB in the 1st or 2nd round this year, many questioned why in both rounds including myself. The more I look at Randell's tape, the more I love this kids versatility. Rollins is the player I'm most excited about, with Joe Whitt coaching him up and Rollins athletic abilities...WOW!!

Montgomery will fix the field position problem all by himself with his return ability. No more starting at the 14 yard line EVERY drive with this kid returning. Thinking what this kid could bring to a offense that already has Lacy, Nelson, Cobb, and Adams gives me goose pimples.

Now I'm pretty sure I covered most of the "Question Marks" Ben suggested the Packers have. Like all teams the Packers have some question marks, but this is the most complete team MM has had since he's been here. They have a nice mix of veterans and younger players and that Rodgers guy playing QB. I think they'll be just fine Ben.

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Amanofthenorth's picture

May 30, 2015 at 11:57 pm

That clip is awesome. Watch it again and look at "Jones" and compare his reaction on that play.

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TKWorldWide's picture

May 31, 2015 at 02:27 pm

Yes!
Jones is either doing an excellent job of "staying home", or, based on his reputation, stuck in mud and extremely slow to react.

My guess is the latter.

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