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For Patsnutsme and all you others who loved Clay Matthews and wanted him at 23 for the Pats, here's an interesting piece from Pro Football Weekly:
"Not long after the Packers’ rookie orientation ended last weekend, head coach Mike McCarthy made it clear that none of the newcomers in attendance had been guaranteed anything close to a starting role. But the way we hear it, OLB Clay Matthews, a player for whom GM Ted Thompson very uncharacteristically traded up to obtain late in Round One, looks like the clear-cut front-runner for the starting ROLB job. Clearly, Thompson must think the USC product has what it takes to make an instant impact as a starter, considering that, according to team insiders, the Packers’ GM apparently was ready to select Matthews with the ninth pick overall, had NT B.J. Raji been off the board.
Although the viewing of rookie drills was limited to the local media, sources on the scene said Matthews, who reported to the orientation weighing 250 pounds, 10 more than his weight at this year’s Combine, showed impressive explosiveness on a few drops. Word is Matthews’ major competition for the starting ROLB job is expected to come from the physical Brady Poppinga, with second-year pro Jeremy Thompson also in the mix. We hear there’s one other rookie who could have a good shot at starting right away: fifth-round FB Quinn Johnson, who, according to one unofficial report, registered an eye-popping 70 pancake blocks in his final season at LSU. As for Raji, while he’s certain to see considerable action right away in passing situations, plans call for him to start the season listed second on the depth chart at nose tackle behind veteran Ryan Pickett."
Green Bay - Pro Football Weekly
"Not long after the Packers’ rookie orientation ended last weekend, head coach Mike McCarthy made it clear that none of the newcomers in attendance had been guaranteed anything close to a starting role. But the way we hear it, OLB Clay Matthews, a player for whom GM Ted Thompson very uncharacteristically traded up to obtain late in Round One, looks like the clear-cut front-runner for the starting ROLB job. Clearly, Thompson must think the USC product has what it takes to make an instant impact as a starter, considering that, according to team insiders, the Packers’ GM apparently was ready to select Matthews with the ninth pick overall, had NT B.J. Raji been off the board.
Although the viewing of rookie drills was limited to the local media, sources on the scene said Matthews, who reported to the orientation weighing 250 pounds, 10 more than his weight at this year’s Combine, showed impressive explosiveness on a few drops. Word is Matthews’ major competition for the starting ROLB job is expected to come from the physical Brady Poppinga, with second-year pro Jeremy Thompson also in the mix. We hear there’s one other rookie who could have a good shot at starting right away: fifth-round FB Quinn Johnson, who, according to one unofficial report, registered an eye-popping 70 pancake blocks in his final season at LSU. As for Raji, while he’s certain to see considerable action right away in passing situations, plans call for him to start the season listed second on the depth chart at nose tackle behind veteran Ryan Pickett."
Green Bay - Pro Football Weekly
