Kiper on Clay Matthews!

[PATSNUTme]

I just hear Mel Kiper on ESPN saying that Clay Matthews

reminds him of Mike Vrabel. He said it 3 times or more.

So if the God of draft gurus says that Matthews is another Vrabel, is there any doubt as to what the Patriots should do.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I just hear Mel Kiper on ESPN saying that Clay Matthews reminds him of Mike Vrabel. He said it 3 times or more.

So if the God of draft gurus says that Matthews is another Vrabel, is there any doubt as to what the Patriots should do.

No, there isn't: draft Connor Barwin.

 

[TealSox]

Lets see here...

1. Son of William Clay Matthews.

1a. Father coached by Bill Belichick for two years in Cleveland.

2. The nephew of multiple pro-bowler Bruce Matthews.

3. Played under a former NFL defensive coordinator in a system that has produced a number of talented defensive players.

But...

1. Only earned the starting job after 3 games into the senior season.

2. Curiously went from 166 lbs. to 240 lbs. over the last four years

3. Gives off a vibe of an underrated Brian Bosworth.

4. Walk on at USC.

5. Rumors of steroid use by teammate Brian Cushing has spill over to Clay.

 

[Feep50]

I've been wanting Matthews at #23 for a long while now. I think he would be a terrific Patriot....

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

No, there isn't: draft Connor Barwin.

:yeeha:

 

[PATSNUTme]

Lets see here...

1. Son of William Clay Matthews.

1a. Father coached by Bill Belichick for two years in Cleveland.

2. The nephew of multiple pro-bowler Bruce Matthews.

3. Played under a former NFL defensive coordinator in a system that has produced a number of talented defensive players.

But...

1. Only earned the starting job after 3 games into the senior season.

2. Curiously went from 166 lbs. to 240 lbs. over the last four years

3. Gives off a vibe of an underrated Brian Bosworth.

4. Walk on at USC.

5. Rumors of steroid use by teammate Brian Cushing has spill over to Clay.

You have been listening to Box too much.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I've been wanting Matthews at #23 for a long while now. I think he would be a terrific Patriot....

Glad to see ther are some intelligent posters!:rocker:

 

[Patsmaniac]

With the other LBs available or supposedly being taken in rd 1. (Curry, Ray M, Cushing, Laurinitis, etc.) I am starting to think we may throw a curveball and draft someone on a position we are giving no thought to with the rd 1 pick and take someone like C Matthews at 34. You never know.

Maybe a WR in rd 1? or Oline?

 

[WhiZa]

I am dead set on OLB with #23. I was thinking Matthews is probably the best bet there as well since most other candidates are DE to OLB projects. Comparing Matthews to Vrabel is far fetched though. Vrabel played DE in college, weighs 20 lbs more, and has far less question marks.

 

[alvinnf]

Is this good or bad? Just wondering.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Lets see here...

1. Son of William Clay Matthews.

1a. Father coached by Bill Belichick for two years in Cleveland.

2. The nephew of multiple pro-bowler Bruce Matthews.

3. Played under a former NFL defensive coordinator in a system that has produced a number of talented defensive players.

But...

1. Only earned the starting job after 3 games into the senior season.

2. Curiously went from 166 lbs. to 240 lbs. over the last four years

3. Gives off a vibe of an underrated Brian Bosworth.

4. Walk on at USC.

5. Rumors of steroid use by teammate Brian Cushing has spill over to Clay.

Where did you get that garbage. Sounds like your quoting a draft guide or article. If so, please state the article or publication.

This from NFLDRAFTSCOUT:

Analysis

Positives: Ascending player who may be just scratching the surface of his potential. Well-built athlete whose dedication in the weight-room is obvious in his physique. Reliable open-field tackler. Versatile defender who flashes as a natural pass rusher off the edge. Good speed upfield and has the balance and burst to redirect his rush. Good initial hand punch to pop the blocker and disengage. Good effort and speed in pursuit. Instinctive defender who played well in space as a traditional linebacker. Excellent special teams player. Twice named co-special teams player of the year (2005, 2006). Excellent bloodlines. Father, Clay, played 19 seasons at linebacker and made the Pro Bowl four times. Uncle, Bruce, made the Pro Bowl 14 times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. Grandfather, also named Clay, played for the 49ers in the 1950s. Pac-10 Academic All-American with a 3.06 GPA in international relations.

Negatives: Has less than a full season as a starter and only 10 career starts -- all in 2008. Surrounded by so much talent at USC that holes in his game could have been disguised. Lacks the bulk to remain at defensive end. Prefers to run around blocks rather than take them on. While he improved as the year went on, remains a work in progress in disengaging from blocks. Suffered broken left thumb against Nebraska, then fractured a metacarpal later in season, then had to have surgery after the bowl game as it did not heal properly.


I can also quote Pro Football Weekly and Lindy's Draft guides that have none of that garbage about him- just the opposite.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I am dead set on OLB with #23. I was thinking Matthews is probably the best bet there as well since most other candidates are DE or OLB projects. Comparing Matthews to Vrabel is far fetched though. Vrabel played DE in college, weighs 20 lbs more, and has far less question marks.

I agree, no one really knows how any draft pick will turn out.. But no one thought Vrabel would be Vrabel when he was drafted.

 

[PATSNUTme]

:yeeha:

I suppose if Kiper had said Barwin was the next Vrabel, you would picking yourself off the floor.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I suppose if Kiper had said Barwin was the next Vrabel, you would picking yourself off the floor.

Nope, I'd be wondering which draft site he was copying. Here's your new avatar.

 

[iapatsfan]

I would much rather take someone who has proven to be able to get after the qb. Matthews just seems like an overachiever who hasn't shown that ability.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Nope, I'd be wondering which draft site he was copying. Here's your new avatar.

Looks like it needs to be trimmed. Adn where is that halo and glow?

 

[sg14]

I like Mathews, he gets to the ball,,

But what I am hearing about English sounds better, and fits the size/ shape of a Pats LB. Comparisons to Lamarr Woodley, works for me.

 

[bakes781]

I just hear Mel Kiper on ESPN saying that Clay Matthews

reminds him of Mike Vrabel. He said it 3 times or more.

So if the God of draft gurus says that Matthews is another Vrabel, is there any doubt as to what the Patriots should do.

I would say he's more comparable to Tedy Bruschi. Small, but quick with good hands. I like him at #34 if we miss out on English.

 

[mesoslo]

I wouldnt waste a first rounder at #23 on mike vrabel. Vrabel is good and all, but he was a steelers cast off. The steelers LB are prettty good, and if the steelers didnt want vrabel, chances are its not worth drafting vrabel in the first round, or a player that is compared to vrabel. The steelers defense should be the bar that other teams should compare with their players.

 

[dryheat44]

I am dead set on OLB with #23. I was thinking Matthews is probably the best bet there as well since most other candidates are DE to OLB projects. Comparing Matthews to Vrabel is far fetched though. Vrabel played DE in college, weighs 20 lbs more, and has far less question marks.

Yep. Here's how the comparison works....White. Athletic. High-Motor guy. Plays on the edge. According to Kiper and the non-Mayock guys on NFLN, every player in the draft that fits that profile "reminds me of Mike Vrabel."

That's pretty much where the comparison ends. Vrabel was a much more productive football player, played at DE, played in a dissimilar defensive system.