Cory's Corner: Clay Matthews is on final lap as a Packer
Clay Matthews is on his final lap as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Clay Matthews is on his final lap as a member of the Green Bay Packers.
You could’ve made an argument for that decision before this season, but it just so happens that the Packers have an out in Matthews’ contract in 2018 — with $0 in dead cap money. So if the Packers cut him before June 1, they don’t owe him a penny.
The reason is simple. The Packers cannot pay a guy that cannot only stay on the field consistently, he just cannot produce. Even when he’s on the field, he is invisible. I would even argue that Matthews ($15 million) is the one of the most overpaid players in the league this season behind Joe Flacco ($24.5 million) and Carson Palmer ($24.1 million).
Remember the nickname “Claymaker?” Well, we are a long ways from those days. Matthews doesn’t have the speed to get around the edge anymore and even when he does, he has lost the reckless abandon that made him a household name and made him feared by opposing offensive coordinators.
But even though Matthews has played better in 2017 as compared to 2016, questions about his groin, shoulder, hamstring or a plethora of other ailments will always haunt him.
My enduring image of Matthews is the 2014 NFC title game. When the Packers needed a defensive stop late in the ballgame, he was on the sideline because he needed a breather. Is that fair? Maybe not. But he has always been concerned about how he looks vs. how his play has helped the team.
Remember when Matthews was drafted back in 2009? The Packers traded away a second rounder and a pair of third rounders, to the Patriots of all teams, for a first rounder and fifth rounder. Sports Illustrated even went so far as to say that the move was one of the best draft day trades of the last 10 years.
Outside linebacker was and is supposed to be a prime position for the Packers. They moved up in the draft because they not only wanted a dynamic talent at a premier position, but they also wanted a defensive leader. The first thing happened, but the second thing never materialized.
To Matthews credit, he accepted a versatile role as an inside linebacker three years ago to mask obvious deficiencies at the position that has been historically overlooked by the Packers.
Yet that move solidified why Matthews should’ve stayed as an inside linebacker. His splash plays were decreasing on the outside and at least on the inside, the Packers weren’t a leaky faucet at stopping the run.
Matthews owns the franchise record for sacks, he has been selected to six Pro Bowls and he’s No. 9 on the career active list for sacks. (Coincidentally, Julius Peppers is No. 1.)
Matthews has been a solid player. But he turns 32 in May. It’s time for the Packers to swallow hard and understand what they have. The NFL is getting faster and it’s time to catch up on defense after getting exposed in the playoffs last year and for much of this year.
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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 (56)
NickPerry
November 25, 2017 at 06:58 am
I don't expect the Pacers to keep Matthews next season, not at that cap number or with the production he's given GB the last few years. Matthews is no different than many of the NFL players his age and he's hardly the "Problem" in Green Bay.
According to "Over The Cap" the Packers have $43 million in cap space in 2018 as of today. Cutting Matthews, Cobb, and possibly Bulaga would add roughly another $20 Million in space. Now I don't see the Packers winning more than maybe two more games and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if they lost to either Tampa Bay or the Browns, not one bit. If they finish say 6-10, 5-11 that should get them in the top 10 of each round. Throw in the 4 comp picks they'll get the Packers can actually get a few players who can help immediately. With $63 million in cap space, picks in the top 10 of each round, plus 4 extra picks and Rodgers coming back the Packers could be a much improved team in one year.
Matthews isn't part of the solution anymore, not at 32. But this is EXACTLY what happens when you have a GM who has failed to keep the shelves socked. He overpaid for Matthews and he did again this season with Perry, he HAD to. I mean could you imagine this defense this season without Matthews and Perry?? YIKES...Just when I thought I couldn't feel any worse.
Justin Ritzel
November 25, 2017 at 07:44 am
Not sure how you can say Thompson overpaid for Matthews and Perry. Pass rushers are expensive. Matthews signed his extension the offseason after posting 13 sacks in 2012. Perry had 11 sacks last year and easily could've gotten more money on the open market.
It's funny how Packers fans feel the need to constantly blame TT. He's the one who was smart enough to trade up and draft Matthews in the first place and he's had a very good career in Green Bay. Failed to keep the shelves stocked? While some drafts have been better than others, he's draft an impact player or two almost every year. Focus your blame on a defensive coaching staff ... more resources are spent on that side of the ball every season and it never gets any better.
Bearmeat
November 25, 2017 at 08:25 am
I'd agree that the issue is more DC than TT. But TT also bears some culpability for the state of the team. He's drafted defensive player after defensive player, and he's gotten precious few impact players outside of the top 20 picks while other GMs have done so time and again. Add in that TT has refused to patch holes in the team with trades and free agency.
He's responsible for his mess.
GBPDAN1
November 25, 2017 at 05:40 pm
It's time for Clay and TT to go ! Clays not worth 7m let alone 15m. TT's product is what we see on the field now. That's a bad team that we're currently watching. TT never really valued the back up QB position. DC needs to follow TT & CM3 out of town..... I'm not sure about MM?
Doug Niemczynski
November 25, 2017 at 09:49 am
I hope we are in negotiations with davante adans ammns m. Bunett agents....the season is Over.time is wasting !!!!
NickPerry
November 25, 2017 at 10:59 am
While some drafts have been better than others, he's draft an impact player or two almost every year. Focus your blame on a defensive coaching staff .....
I think you and I definitely have a different idea what exactly an impact player is. While I agree with putting some blame on the defensive coaching staff, it all starts with Thompson. Go back and look at the drafts, especially those from 2011 until now. I'd also like to hear who exactly those impact players are. Last one I see is Bakhtiari and nothing since. At least not an "Impact Player".
I understand Perry could have gotten $60 million from someone else somewhere. My point was because Thompson has failed to stock the most important position on a 3-4 defense, he had NO choice but to overpay. It was either that or start Frackrell!! WINNING!!!
"more resources are spent on that side of the ball every season and it never gets any better"
Capers deserves much of the blame but considering Thompson has spent so many resources on defense and it's still no better says something. Also he should have forced McCarthy to fire Capers long ago if McCarthy wasn't capable of doing it himself. Now with all the resources spent on defense the Offense is starting to suffer. The Packers need multiple O-Line, a TE, and 2 WR's...at least and maybe a true RB since our best option is Bob Marleys cousin.
Capers is awful, no doubt about it but if more of these players were even average of above they should have gotten better. What about all those seasons lacking at Safety, TE, RB, and backup QB this year.
pooch
November 25, 2017 at 11:33 am
Ted latest draft blunders,no JJ Watt,wasted pick on Spriggs,drafting wanna be cb's in 1st and 2nd round.Could of drafted 3 outside backers in last 3 years,now what is left next year...Perry i only play with a club and Vince B with a foot injury 3 years in a row.Let see next year need #1 wide reciever,tight end,another cb cause House does not seem to be answer,O tackle,a quarterback and outside lbers and not F A.'s
OrganLeroy
November 25, 2017 at 06:10 pm
J.J. Watt plays for the Texans and has been in the league for about 8 years.
pooch
November 26, 2017 at 09:34 am
Oops TJ
Pauly
November 25, 2017 at 12:06 pm
?? Is there a place for Mathews as ISLB at a reduced price for a few more years?
Thegreatreynoldo
November 25, 2017 at 03:30 pm
Yes, Pauly, that's an option. Does CM3 agree?
An impact player has to be at least a noticeably better than average NFL starter, right? So, Clark in 2016, Nada in 2015, Dix in 2014 (perhaps this is unclear right now), Nada in 2013 (no, Hyde isn't an impact player), Daniels and Perry in 2012 (Hayward at most had an impact for one year in GB), Nada in 2011, Burnett in 2010, and CM3 and stretching again, Raji in 2009.
That just isn't enough to produce an above average defense. We got there for a few years due to FA signings of Woodson, Pickett, and Peppers, plus finding Shields and Tramon in the UDFA/waiver wire bins, which counts for me as talent acquisition.
Tundraboy
November 25, 2017 at 08:49 pm
" Throw in the 4 comp picks they'll get the Packers can actually get a few players who can help immediately. With $63 million in cap space, picks in the top 10 of each round, plus 4 extra picks and Rodgers coming back the Packers could be a much improved team in one year."
Perfect NP. That's what could be. I'd prefer it under new management and coaching for maximum effect.
NickPerry
November 26, 2017 at 05:01 am
That's a lot of money and a lot of picks. I saw one forecast which thought the Packers would receive a 3rd rounder for Lang and three 5th rounders for the others. I'll be anxiously waiting to see exactly who declares himself for the draft.
Bearmeat
November 25, 2017 at 08:28 am
I've made my thoughts on CM3 quite clear. He got amazingly better in a short time as a college player. He ascended to pro bowl status. He won a super bowl. He got a big contract. Then he stopped using steroids and became an average player with a bloated salary.
TT will not cut him though. Nor Cobb. Maybe Bulaga, but I doubt it. As long as TT is GM, MM will be coach. And as long as MM will be coach, DC will be Defensive coordinator.
Ho hum. Status quo. Ugh.
Thegreatreynoldo
November 25, 2017 at 03:21 pm
We will see if TT survives. I think he will re-negotiate CM3 and Cobb, and I can see him cutting both of them. I have CM3 and Cobb as being worth about $7M and $5.5M respectively. With Cobb's $3.25M dead money, looks to me like re-structuring his salary still results in too large of a cap hit. It would still be roughly $9M. Cobb can earn $5M to $6.5M elsewhere, so he won't go lower than that. I don't think we can replace Cobb on the FA market for less than $5.5M, so the cap hit doesn't really change. Best for Cobb to get cut and get a multi-year contract elsewhere with some new guaranteed money. Best for us to renegotiate a one year salary decrease and take the comp pick in 2019 (received in 2020).
egbertsouse
November 25, 2017 at 08:31 am
There’s enough blame to go around; Ted, Dinosaur Dom, Mashed Potato Mike, and Murphy. Ted has failed to get that good pass D begins on the front end and continually whiffs on CBS and safeties in the draft while relying on mediocre edge players.
Dom has been running the same D for 30 years and thinks he will fool the OCs by changing the name.
Ditto for the Tater, who runs an offense based on one play which is, snap the ball to 12 and let him run around and make a miraculous play.
Murphy is just asleep at the switch, too busy counting cash to watch what is going on.
mrtundra
November 25, 2017 at 09:04 am
So, we get rid of Claymaker. Do we then draft a pass rusher in the first round? Defense has seemingly always been getting the first pick in our draft, lately. Depending on where we pick in the next draft what positions do we draft for?As near as I can tell, we look to draft around #18, based on our .500 record. ARod getting injured showed the Packers just how important he is to this team. We have no one close to his talent level on our bench. Neither does any other team in the League. Do we go defense and grab another shut down corner? Or go with a fast, sure handed WR? An O Lineman? A RB? (Guise from LSU would look good in Green and Gold) or do we go for a big TE? What to do, what to do?
OrganLeroy
November 25, 2017 at 06:14 pm
Ted Thompson doesn't draft WR, TE or RB in the 1st round so you might as well forget that nonsense. Regardless of what happens with Clay, we need more pass rush and that means a stud OLB in the 1st round, TE, WR CB OL, can all come 2nd round and after.
dobber
November 26, 2017 at 11:57 am
Remember that Brooks is also on a one-year deal. Let CMIII and Brooks both go, and they're looking at needing to find as many as 3 pass rushers in the off-season. My guess is that the packers are likely to try hard to make sure one at least one of those two is back in 2018.
In the end, most of us had written off Peppers as too old to make a difference for what it would cost to keep him. They're really missing him now.
OrganLeroy
November 26, 2017 at 03:27 pm
And in fairness to Ted(Ugh!) Peppers wanted to go back home to finish playing. I don't think he would've resigned with us.
lou
November 25, 2017 at 09:06 am
Murphy is running a "business" and the bottom line is as good as any competitors which ensures more years of gainful employment. McCarty blessed with 2 HOF QB's will also be gainfully employed as long as #12 is healthy. Dom Capers at one time was at or near the top of DC's in the NFL and as a prior Head Coach where jobs are few and far between reached the top of the professional positions but now it is time to thank him and move on because his "bottom line" has not gotten better for 6 seasons. Thompson has missed as all GM's do and as long as Murphy is running the show he stays (bylaws had Harlan retire at 70) until he retires. One thing people over look is the fact that his drafts have been less successful as Schneider/Dorsey/McKenzie/McClougan have left to be GM's. There is a lot of hype about "potential GM's" currently on staff (several interviews but no hires) but my guess is Thompson really missed the advice from those that left and it contributed to a lot of misses, not all of course but that should be factored in when appraising Thompson. That is my year end evaluation of the decision makers.
Rossonero
November 25, 2017 at 10:12 am
You nailed it. I've mentioned the loss of Dorsey, McKenzie, Schneider, etc. to other Packers fans as well. There's no question that we miss them. I wonder if Dorsey would ever be a candidate to return to GB.
One thing is for sure-- all of the guys I mentioned take a lot more risks than Ted. For example, Dorsey took a huge gambles on CB Marcus Peters and WR Tyreek Hill. Hill was less of a gamble in the 5th round, but look at the return on that investment. Our late round picks are so bad ?Amichia, Yancey) they don't even make the team.
lou
November 25, 2017 at 11:00 am
Good points Rossonero, not only did they become GM's, they all were successful GM's (inlcuding McClougan who made a big difference in a short time with the Redskins even with a meddling owner - too bad he had the alcohol issues), that can't of talent leaving year by year HAS TO HAVE HAD A LARGE EFFECT ON THE DRAFTS.
lou
November 25, 2017 at 11:02 am
Sorry, "kind of talent"
OrganLeroy
November 25, 2017 at 06:18 pm
Schneider, Dorsey & Wolf all lobbied hard for Ted to sign Marshawn Lynch and Ted passed. It was reported they were pissed. Ted makes all final decisions and he also scouts players live, as much as everyone in the scouting department. The buck stops with Ted and I don't buy the loss of Schneider & Dorsey as having any effect on the personnel dept.
pooch
November 25, 2017 at 11:38 am
Lou we like you cause your on meds to
Doug Niemczynski
November 25, 2017 at 09:40 am
Too many missed picks in the draft and keeping dom capers has destroyed the packers we are now getting to the point of having to rebuild...players getting older. .etc..not looking good for the pack.
Lphill
November 25, 2017 at 09:42 am
I think they work out a deal to keep him and he plays more inside with Martinez coming on that's a pretty good tandem.
TarynsEyes
November 25, 2017 at 09:47 am
The failure of Matthews leading up to this article has many reasons but Matthews himself is by far the biggest and most legit reason of all.
He's gotten injured for real but most of his injuries are lost in the tape someway and unable to be found. Last week he hurt his groin, on what play,when. He gets a sack and all of a sudden,seems like anyway, he's gone. I don't think Bearmeat's above comment is to far off on the steroid thinking...his play took as close a nosedive there is to an actual nosedive off a cliff.
OrganLeroy
November 25, 2017 at 06:24 pm
As far as the steroid comments and questioning when Clay got hurt, those are moronic statements. Fans are entitled to criticize subpar play but don't engage in character assassination just because your team is losing and you're throwing a tantrum.
Bearmeat
November 26, 2017 at 11:46 am
Dude,
I've been talking about CM3 and steroids since before he was drafted. ALL of his LB buddies at USC have been busted. Some, multiple times. CM3 was almost busted last year himself. Go look at the size of his forehead when he was a Sophomore in college vs a Senior. Some of that is regular growth, but not all. What 28 year old man has that much acne?
Look at his injury history. Look at his explosion in the 10 yard split. All of these things point towards steroids.
OrganLeroy
November 26, 2017 at 03:36 pm
Are you a doctor? Do you have a PHD in sports medicine? Stop making bogus allegations against football players because they're not playing well, you're also not a prosecution attorney and Clay isn't a low life criminal trying to get away with a crime. Calling players names and disparaging them is a reflection on your character and lack thereof! I'm sick and tired of all the grade school name calling. Either enjoy the sport or don't enjoy the sport.
Bearmeat
November 26, 2017 at 06:08 pm
lol. mkay dude. You are disparaging me, while telling me not to disparage others. Pot, meet kettle.
If you'd been around here for awhile, you'd know that I've been on the "Clay's body of work suggests PEDs" since before he was drafted. It has nothing to do with his current malaise (although that is one piece of pretty strong evidence).
I'd love to see him play well and prove me wrong. I doubt I will.
Doug Niemczynski
November 25, 2017 at 09:56 am
Cut Bulaga. .7.9 millio
Cut R.cobb..13 million
Cut matthews 15 million ir Huge paycut
Cur ahmad brooks. 3.5 million
Cut Richard rogers 2 million
Savings. ..
41.5 Million dollars
Minus 10 million to sign D Adams
Minus an extra 3million for burnett
28 Million Savings !!!
Thegreatreynoldo
November 25, 2017 at 03:47 pm
This is horribly inaccurate.
Cut Bulaga = $5.15M
Cut Cobb = $9.5M
Cut CM3 = $11.4M
Can't cut Brooks, he's a FA in 2018 = $0 savings
Can't cut RR, he's a FA in 2018 = $0 savings
Savings would be $25.05M
Add the $43M under the cap = $68M to spend.
Taking those savings would leave us with gaping holes at RT, OLB, and WR. Sure, Nelson could and should move to the slot, but that leaves a gaping hole at boundary WR, and AllisonDavis/Janis/Yancey/Max have shown zero (and I still like Max, but have to be honest here). Maybe there is an internal replacement at RG if Evans leaves, or RT in McCray, but he can't play both RG and RT. House is a FA.
So, sign Linsley, Adams, Burnett?, Jahri Evans?, find a boundary starting WR (FA and the draft both kinda suck at WR), OLB2, OLB3, CB2, still need some back-ups for LT, OC, be nice to have a WR4, TE1, TE2/3, and we'ere good to go. Oh, QB2 and RB 3 would be nice.
Doug Niemczynski
November 25, 2017 at 09:57 am
We can some key players in free agency.
pooch
November 25, 2017 at 11:40 am
If we dump Ted
canadapacker
November 25, 2017 at 10:35 am
Good article. Usually TT lets a guy go 1 season 2 soon rather than 1 season too late but lately there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the Packs cutting loose or resigning guys. I find that the keeping of CM3 may have been both good and bad - he has made some plays but he has also been totally out of position on a lot of plays and allowed some big gainers against us. Overall for most games our D has played well and if Rogers was playing our record would be right up there with Minnie. I think we would have beaten the Ravens and the Lions and probably the Vikings in the game that he got hurt. That being said TT has made a lot of mistakes recently - why not resign Hyde who is doing well in Buffalo when the back end was so weak - why sign Kendricks and Bennett ( 2 problem childs) and let Cook go who is doing good on a bad Oakland team? Finally it seems to me that our Oline guys are scattered all over the league still playing and we keep on having a bunch of 2nd and 3rd stringers playing. I guess there is being fiscally responsible and being overly tight to the point of being cheap. I am not in favor of spending big time on free agents because most of the time it doesnt work - but sometimes you need to pay some guys - Hyde, Cook, Lang, Hayward who wont take a team discount. I think that this is CM3's last year much the same as Woodson - he has slowed down too much but will find another team where he can play a few downs each game. Final TT criticism - it might be the time to get a backup who is able to manage a game or 2 if AR goes down again. This idea of developing a young guy in the hopes of training them and maybe trading them for a draft pick appears not to be working. In any case name a post Favre TT/MM backup who went on to be good elsewhere - Not Flynn not Tolzein - not nobody.
Bedrock
November 25, 2017 at 10:59 am
I understood the idea of Clay not being what he once was. However, the philosophical conflict between Capers and TT is leading to the demise of this team. Dom needs experienced players for his complex scheme. We get a 32 year old and we look to replace? I get it, I do. But when will we have an experienced defense that can communicate the scheme effectively? I’m tired of watching this youth/experience battle play out in mistakes and losses.
Thegreatreynoldo
November 25, 2017 at 03:53 pm
Maybe. If DC needs a lot of experienced players for his schemes to work, that is incompatible with free agency and the cap. If he needs a sprinkling of experienced players, probably primarily at ILB and safety, that is far more doable.
I don't think experienced NT/DE/DEs are necessary, Probably not at elephant end either. Maybe one OLB disguises what he's going to do, but everyone knows what Perry is going to do.
Doug Niemczynski
November 25, 2017 at 11:36 am
I don't know who we should draft in the first round I like to draft a number one Wide Receiver Jordy is getting kind of old but he can still play but that would really help Rodgers out obviously a pass rusher either linebacker or and and I don't even know if I trust are running backs don't be a hard decision but I think we'll probably get a top-10 pick that I don't see us winning another game
Doug Niemczynski
November 25, 2017 at 11:37 am
I would still like to see Joe Callahan come out in the second half against the Steelers even though it's not the game I would take for him to come out in I don't see Hundley doing anything in the first half and I would just put your Callahan just to see what the guy can do
Pauly
November 25, 2017 at 12:12 pm
Drafting,,,, one of the Patriots strengths I think is that Belichick is also GM and does his own drafting. How often do we see MM act like or say he doesn't have any faith in a particular player.
Pauly
November 25, 2017 at 12:12 pm
?? Does anyone else think that there a place for Mathews at ISLB at a reduced price for a few more years?
Thegreatreynoldo
November 25, 2017 at 03:54 pm
Yep. One more year and take the 5th or 6th round comp pick.
Lphill
November 25, 2017 at 02:59 pm
Yes I agree Pauly and that's probably the plan like him or not the Packers defense is better with clay .
flackcatcher
November 25, 2017 at 08:03 pm
Interesting comments. One important point overlooked is how much the pro game has changed in the past decade. Outside linebacker was a prime position in 2010. Today, not so much. It has been replaced by the DB/hybrid/slot in today's game. A good CB is gold in the pass happy NFL of today. OLB is the DE of today. Mostly a pass rusher and edge setter on the run. In that aspect Matthews is clearly past his prime. But as Corey and various commenters on this thread pointed out, Clay Matthews move to the inside saved the Packer seasons of 2014 and 2015. (Both years where the Packers defense was very, very, good.) Frankly, it's up to Matthews to decide if he still wants to play for the Packers. If he does, then he will have to accept a permanent change of position.
Thegreatreynoldo
November 26, 2017 at 02:57 am
"Outside linebacker was a prime position in 2010. Today, not so much."
Now that's an interesting assertion. It is one I've not heard and am still wrapping my mind around. I don't think I want to pay Burnett anything approaching good OLB money.
flackcatcher
November 26, 2017 at 04:44 pm
Well, if you put skill level players (DB) into positions that were not considered skill positions the price will go up. Their are lots of after effects the owners did not clearly consider when they made the rule changes over the objection of the coaches in 2010. They made Burnett's value nearly equal to a no. 1 WR in the league. Every good DB in this league value sky rocketed thanks the 2010 rules changes, and the value of FB and ILB plunged in response. And you know who pushed this over the objections of the old guard owners. Jerry Jones. (I'm glad the Cowboys are suffering now. Jerry made the QB king in today's NFL and now he gets to live in his personal Hell. Have I told you how much I hate Jerry Jones..... :)
pooch
November 26, 2017 at 09:45 am
He must mean inside linebacker not as important,outside linebacker would be #1 defenive postion,they are not putting hybrid 215-25 safties against offensive tackles
flackcatcher
November 26, 2017 at 04:17 pm
No pooch, I do mean OLB. We fans are seeing the third and fourth effects of the 2010 rule changes the NFL made to increase scoring in the games. MM was ahead of the curve in this when he went to three starting WR and dropped the FB out of starting 11 in 2012. (This was already the offense's preferred formation in 2011) One of the main jobs of OLB is to cover TE and RB, Take away FB, and OLB is covering the three or fourth WR. A mismatch that the WR will win most of the time. Combine that with the weird rules on defensive coverage and most LB would have a problem. That is also the reason why teams are looking for big DB who can play in the box, or more likely in the line. DC like Capers are just reacting to what the owners did, as are GM like Ted in changing their draft and FA pickups.
flackcatcher
November 26, 2017 at 05:10 pm
I should add that prior to 2010 the main job of the ILB on most NFL teams was covering the RB and TE. With the use of slot DB, most teams shifted that TE coverage to their DB. ( Capers led the way with the use of Woodson in the slot and then rookie Sam Shields playing the outside) To understand what has happen to the ILB slot, look at the average size of the players playing the position. Between 2000 and 2010, the average size was between 235 to 255. Today, the average size is between 220 to 235. (There are some exceptions like Jake Ryan who is between 240 to 245) Also like FB, the numbers of ILB has dropped in favor of extra CB and the new hybrid DB. If the current rules stay in place, most teams will only have two maybe three ILB with the need for more big SS/Hybrid DB. (Green Bay is trending that way with FA pickup like Pipkins?)
4zone
November 26, 2017 at 08:13 am
If we don't sign Adams soon, we may experience another mass exodus in FA this year. I think players are starting to look at GB as a perennial 'almost made it' team built on a single player and who's coaching staff can't keep up with the rest of the league.
I think CM3 is in that kind of position where he will be sent packing or be forced to re-negotiate a significantly lower contract. Bulaga will probably not be able to play for most of next year anyway so I bet he's gone too. I expect a heavy offensive oriented draft this year. We definitely need a top shelf WR to go with Adams, or possibly replace him if it comes to it. Cobb could go as far as I'm concerned and move Jordy into the slot for his last years. Who knows, maybe Jordy after this year decides its time to retire.
Green Bay is at a critical point this off season. We could continue to keep slugging away as usual, we could fall off the face of the earth or we could make some aggressive moves and take it back to the top again. What's it going to be Mr. Murphy? You game or are you just comfortable?
stockholder
November 26, 2017 at 08:52 am
Mathews still has NFL talent. They should not let him go. (Capers is the problem. ) This year is a poor judge, for any long term investments. Losing good players because of money, will only put you in a rebuild. Why let Mathews go the way of woodson? This team could end up like past teams. Just not enough talent to win. We love the packers , rich or poor. They brought us a Trophy in 2010. But lets not forget the business end. (And Any player can get hurt.) WE would play football because we love it. Some only want the money. Criticism should be aimed at management and not players. (Especially Mathews) They sign them, and pay them. They also can wreck a teams chances. The easy way out is to ask TT to resign. But the logical problem is Capers.
dobber
November 26, 2017 at 12:12 pm
The bottom line question is: is CMIII worth--to the Packers--what his contract will pay him in 2018? The answer is, based on recent performance, no. The answer based on what's currently on the roster is much less clear as finding effective pass-rushers is hard. Finding more than one or two is even harder, and they'd have to do that if he's let go.
CMIII is essentially on one-year deals from here on out. There's no cap hit to the Packers to cut him. I agree that they can't afford to pay him what they have paid him and expect to get that kind of return. I think the best option is actually to extend him by a year, get him some guaranteed money around market value, and at a much lower cap number.
http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-bay-packers/clay-matthews-5670/
People here consistently complain that the problem with the defense is at the top. That a different DC and position coaches will make a difference in the performance of the unit. Well, you can't leave the cupboard bare, and CMIII is still an excellent athlete. If it really is all about how the defense is schemed and how the pieces are being used, then another 2 years of CMIII make sense.
OrganLeroy
November 26, 2017 at 03:38 pm
Very well said Dobber!