Great USA Today Article on Packers D

LUKE23 · Post #1 » by **LUKE23** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:55 am

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football ... op+Stories)

Some very nice words on Woodson:

"Charles Woodson is the league's defensive MVP," said Greg Cosell, NFL Films analyst and veteran producer of ESPN's NFL Matchup show.

"He lines up at corner, as their slot corner in nickel and dime. He plays safety in their base 3-4. He's a great blitzer, physical with great ball skills."

and Matthews:

"Clay has a skill set I have not previously seen in an outside linebacker in a 3-4. And I played with the Lawrence Taylors, Pat Swillings and Derrick Thomases," says five-time Pro Bowler and Packers outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene. "Clay covers like a big athletic strong safety.

"He rushes the quarterback with a violence and changes that up with speed and quickness. He has the ability to be one of the best outside linebackers to ever play."

Said his father, Clay Matthews Jr., a four-time Pro Bowler during 19 seasons: "You have a guy who scratched and clawed to get where he's at.

"Clay's much faster and stronger than I was. I'm happy I can say that. He must have got that from his mom."

Post #2 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:44 am

Absolutely mind-boggling quote from Cosell about Matthews. Not that I think it's insane or Cosell is making a ridiculous claim, but the fact that I'm honestly wondering if it could be true someday.

Honestly, I'm trying to think of holes in Clay's game and I'm not sure there are any. He doesn't have a wide assortment of pass rushing moves but he's still getting to the QB a lot. He's strong at the point of attack. He can dismiss LTs and play the run. His motor is absolutely unreal.

If you're asking me who I'd take if I had my choice of any player from last years' class it's Matthews. The guy's a great pass rusher, players the run and can cover like a safety. What more could you possibly ask for in a defensive player?

I'm giddy.

MikeIsGood · Post #3 » by **MikeIsGood** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:14 am

Unless I missed something, Cosell made the Woodson comment. Kevin Greene and Clay Matthews II made the comments about Matthews.

Post #4 » by **ReasonablySober** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:17 am

MikeIsGood wrote:Unless I missed something, Cosell made the Woodson comment. Kevin Greene and Clay Matthews II made the comments about Matthews.

You didn't miss anything, I was wrong. :-?

Thanks for pointing that out.