As much as I hate to admit it given my dislike for all things USC, you've got to admit: This guy's a stud.

Two weeks ago with that play where he stole the ball from Peterson then this week where he was just everywhere on the field, TT deserves major props for recognizing this guy's potential. Imagine when he'll be like if he shows even moderate improvement going forward.

Hustle, intensity and ability. This is what I hoped AJ Hawk would play like.

Beast!

Do you mind slowing down?

The guy makes one good play against Minny and he has one good game against one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Let's not break out the champagne and call him the new Dave Robinson after just that.

Geez, anything else you'd like to be depressed about after a win?

another 1st round bust

WB, I know how you must feel, this is one of the worst teams( the Lions) in the NFL. We exhibited all the same problems against them. Yes, some of us were negative during a win. The win was great, honestly. Many of us had much higher expectations for this team, I know our reactions upset you for this I apologize. This level of play will never be satisfactory, and we won't act like it is acceptable.

I really don't give a D**m what your expectations are!!

This is the Clay Matthews thread.

Got anything to say about him?

He was all over the field and looked great!!

Yes it was against the Lions, but I doubt the Steelers
thought the Lions were a pushover last week.

This is the NFL.

Every team (maybe except the Titans )
is out there trying to win and has professional players.

Some of you posters are pathetic.

How do I use that ignore feature??

Go Pack!! 3-2!!

I may now get my Matthews authentic jersey!

looking at the ESPN boxscore, Mathews had a big game, 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss and 2 QB hits. what I want to know is if his 2 sacks count for 2 tackle for loss and the 2 QB hits. If they are the same thing counted 3 times his game doesn't seem nearly as big. If not, he was all over the place. Kampman had 5 QB hits and 1 sack, means he's getting closer to the QB.

The TFLs were distinct from the sacks. Remember, he had that early stop on a running down.

Clay Matthews has been very impressive the more opportunities he gets. Remember, that hamstring is just now to full strength. That could be a strong reason why he's doing better.

Hey now! No fair taking something positive out of a 26-0 win.

Sorry I'll try not to let it happen again
(after our next several 26-0 wins!!)

Go Pack!!

I take it back.

He is better right now than Dick Butkus or Lawrence Taylor.

In fact, by the end of the year, Butkus will ask to have the award renamed as the Mathews Trophy.

Is that good enough for you?

How can you not be excited about this guy.

I like him Dave...he is Extremely active and all over the field...he has some definte potential and shows a serious passion for the Game..

But maybe the others that are not excited... would be excited...

IF his last name was Butkus or Nitschke...Imagine if he was related to them instead of Clay Mathews..

IF TT had not been the one that Drafted him.....

IF he had shorter Hair like Urlacher....

IF he had been 100 % healthy in Pre-Season and so On....

A Lot of IF'S there...but just saying

I think Clay Matthews is going to be a special player....Awesome game today #52

Nobody has said any of that.

But keep up the good work!!

All anyone has said was that he had a great game.
(2 in a row in fact)
Sorry if that bothers you.

Go Pack!!

Go Pack!!

Another guy called him a "beast'.

OK.

I am not saying he did not play well.

What I am saying is 1.) Its one game, and 2.) Against one of the worst teams in the NFL. A team that was playing with its third string QB in the second half, and without its best player.

Let him sustain that over the rest of the year against teams like the Cowboys and Cardinals. If he does I will say he can be a solid starter.

I would have to say his play was encouraging. Beast ? Nope.

How quick we forget how much of a Beast Hawk was or was going to be. Hows that workin out for ya now ?

I personally had my reservations thinking we had just got Hawk II and gave up a bundle to get him. I would be pleased to say I am wrong - but not just yet.

If you want to throw around the word Beast - Woodson is the only one I would use it for.

It was clear as day that he is the fastest LB we have by a long shot. He gets off the snap super quick (unlike the others ...maybe Bishop)

Definitely like what I'm seeing out of Clay so far.

You can go ahead and admit you were wrong. It's ok, it's healthy. Matthews acan't be compared to hawk in any way. Matthews is quicker and faster than Hawk, and that won't change. I also wouldn't say they gave up a "bundle" to get him.

Fine. I think he's going to be a beast. Is that better?


Geez. I didn't realize that word carried such heavy implications.

Looks like everyone is starting to see why I was jumping for joy on draft day.....after I picked myself up off the floor hearing that the Packers had traded up into that slot! Funny thing about Clay last year is he was considered the #3 LB behind Rey & Brian.

I think we did.

If you look at what the draft chart says, TT gave up way too many points based on that chart.

Especially since 1.)he could have had Mike Oher for probably the same amount. 2.) he could have had Sintim, Brown,or Barwin for nothing.

And instead we got a guy who looks like he'll be a stud at a different position than the guys you mentioned. Remember, we needed help of D going into the season, especially given the transition to the 3-4.

Our defensive is better this year because of our draft, not despite it.

I was critical of the trade when we made it and am still just cautiously optimistic; however, Matthews being called a "Beast" and really playing like one is an awful lot better than the alternative. Shout for joy people - continue to prove me wrong on this one!

Between reading this thread and comments on the mediocrity of the Pack in another recent thread I can only imagine somewhere Eeyore is out there saying "D**n that Gregg dude is depressing"

I too really like CM3 and what he brings to our D.

I will also say if he keeps up his play the rest of the season, I see Hawk or Kampman or both being traded next year.

Has Hawk ever had a game like Matthews did? All i see hawk do is chase people out of bounds

For what it's worth. . . statistically, he is playing as well as DeMarcus Ware did after being drafted to be the starting ROLB for the Cowboys back in 2005. I'm very happy with Clay Matthews so far and hope that he continues to bring the same type of fire and intensity that he's had so far. As he (and the rest of the defense) improves I think that he'll go on to become a special player for this team.

Through his first 5 games, Clay Matthews III has. . .

12 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 passes defended and 1 forced fumble (that he returned for a TD.)

Through his first 5 games, DeMarcus Ware had. . .

13 tackles, 3 sacks and 1 pass defended.

His big stats didn't come until much, much later in the season. Oh, and he began the season as the starter, while Clay has split time with Brady Poppinga early on so he didn't aggravate his injured hamstring.

I think that CM3 will only improve and become more dynamic and disruptive as the season progresses.

Clay Matthews 3 will be something special before its all said and done. He's easy on the eyes too.

Several teams, and several media outlets, have developed new draft value charts (often based on the study done by Thaler and Massey, on the market-efficiency of the NFL draft, when accounting for things like salary, which wasn't factored into the original draft value chart of Johnson et al). Most of the time, when people on the internet say things like "it was a bad trade based on the Draft Value Chart;" it turns out that they're actually looking at an obsolete value chart. I mean, the Bengals and Raiders probably still use that chart, but a number of teams don't.

These new value charts indicate that the move up for Clay Matthews was very fair.

Also, Matthews has outperformed Brown, Sintim, and (my personal favorite) Barwin. Their careers are presumably very young, and the sample size is certainly too small to draw any sort of conclusions about these players, but Matthews has clearly had a larger impact than any of those guys.

Exactly, the draft pick value charts are fluid from year to year. Teams also take into account the depth and talent in a draft from year to year. This past year the talent was at the top and dropped off after around the mid second. So giving up what they gave up was fair value.

I have the same thoughts. I can't remember anything from Hawk this year. I really thought he was going to be a player.

At this point Matthews looks to be a playmaker. Exciting to see.

Yep, we've got ourselves an honest to God playmaker. Clay has all the tools, and is a natural. And he'll only get better.
As for Hawk, don't think much will change. I thought he was the right pick at the time, but I remember reading several scouts saying that he was maxed out and wouldn't get much better. Big fish in the college pond, little fish in the NFL ocean.

Scouts also said the same thing about Matthews.

I recall that, Sinatra, I just thought they were so different physically and in ability that I liked Matthews chances a lot more.

Matthews is no going to get major push on this board by some because, TT went out of his normal pattern. Trading up to get a player that fit the scheme still scares the anti TT boat. Next year he goes out and gets early round help for the offnse they will be more scared.

Early on Matthews looked good in camp and if not for his hammy he would have been a starter from day one. He has shown an ability to fly around and make plays. Right now he mihgt be the best backer on the team when it comes to 3-4 fit.

Doug Farrar offers this more nuanced analysis of Matthews' first half against Cleveland. Matthews was the goat on the Browns' big plays on their only scoring drive, and Farrar notes his tendency to get washed up when playing on the line. Packer opponents have certainly been running outside the tackles more this year than last — no doubt because of improved defensive line play as well as inexperience at OLB.

On the other hand, Farrar is impressed by Matthews' play in space — his instincts and nose for the ball. He also gives props to Dom Capers for taking advantage of the rookie's versatility. Farrar highlights a zone blitz on which Matthews stayed with a wide receiver on a deep route, while Atari Bigby rushed the passer.

I questioned that analysis a little because of one thing: our OLBs are coached to seal off so the ILBs can make the tackle. But I agree ammek: the only success teams have had against us running the ball is when they get outside of our OLBs.

Depends. In general, yes that's true. But there are also plays where Matthews can cut inside, and the ILB or even the DE or S is responsible for sealing the edge. Just depends on the package they have on the field, the blitz call, etc.

Ok to call him a beast yet?

Raji and Mathews had great games tonight .. Bright , Bright future.

Kid is showing that Ted knew what he was doing when he moved up to get him. We have a group that gets together every year for the draft, and it was chaos with the trade this year. Room was filled with dismay and questions of how they could give up so much for this player. Many thought he was overrated. My comment was if Ted traded up for him he has to be worth it, and he is proving it.

Raji was tremendous.

He was explosive on nearly every snap he played.

I finally got the whole Raji thing tonight. This guy's a player. I don't know what was holding him back before - if it was still the injury, or what - but I think tonight I finally got a glimpse of the real Raji. And i look forward to seeing more of it, for years to come. He's got a ways to go, but at least now we know what to expect down the road as he settles in and develops.

I like "Monster" a little bit better -- after last night, Flacco's going to be checking under his bed for him before he goes to sleep at night.

Raji looked explosive last night, but Matthews is flat-out exciting to watch on every down.

Fitting and appropriate for him to get that last sack.

They doubled him all second half and he he looked like he might be getting tired, but man he kept running down the play and took down Flacco to end the game!!!!

TT continues to underscore his strengths and weaknesses.

He is a great drafter, but has difficulty with some of the subtler sides of managing the team. Admitting mistakes...

Matthews has the pedigree, played in a winning program and has the physical tools. This was one of TT's better moves. The team needed some real OLB's for the 3-4 and I am glad we got some.

I was one of the more vocal anti-Hawk people on this board leading up to the draft. We would have been much better off trading down and getting DeMeco with that pick. That being said, we have Hawk now and I think we are forgetting a few things. He is really an inside linebacker. NB was already playing MLB and was vocally opposed to moving outside (even though I think in the 4-3 he would have been better there than Hawk). Hawk took one for the team and played out of position. He has been solid LB, but not eye-popping. With the flat-out failure of many 1st round picks, I am OK with Hawk now. He was one of the safer picks and while I would not have made it, we really do not have room to complain about this one either.

Not the thread for it, but it seems like he's been willing to get rid of underperformers and that more often than not the guys he lets go are starting to slide downhill. A possible exception is Harrell, but really the only option with him is to cut him and there's not a ton of upside to doing so.

Overall, it's starting to look like we have a lot of studs on this team -- CM3, Rodgers, Jennings, Driver, Woodson, Finley, Collins...

equals