I'm not sure why everyone seems to be so high on pass rush specialists at #23. Granted I've seen very little of Barwin but did see quite a bit of Matthews. Matthews almost always lined up on the LOS and either pulled a speed rush outside the tackle or stunt up the middle. I honestly can't think of a time where he wasn't running around blocks and penetrating the opposing backfield. While that is a fine talent to have (and highly sought after in Indy and other places), it doesn't seem to fit in NE. In fact, Matthews seems waaaaaay too light to play OLB/DE in the Pats system so he would likely have to translate to ILB to get on the field.
Do people really think the Pats are going to change the defensive scheme this year and that Matthews would be a fit (and a 1st round fit at that) at OLB? Or do people think that Matthews will transition that seamlessly to ILB...where I can't recall him ever playing at USC.
I could say a lot of the same things for Barwin but I've seen a lot less of him so I hesitate to draw conclusions.
"Specialists?" I'm looking at Barwin as an OLB myself. Matthews projects more to a 4-3 OLB, for a 3-4 role I don't have him any earlier than the late second.
Since you are struggling with a desire to find an equivalency with Barwin, allow me to post the NFL Draft Scout Analysis notes for the two of them to assist with your own.
Matthews: Combine results - 6-3/240, arms:hands 32 1/4":9 1/2", 4.67/40, 23@225, 35 1/2" vert, 10'01" broad, 4.18. ss, 6.90 3-cone
NFL Draft Scout 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.
Barwin: Combine results - 6-4/256, arms:hands 33 3/4":10", 4.66/40, 21@225, 40 1/2" vert, 10'08" broad, 4.18 ss, 6.87 3-cone
Positives:
-- Tall with a well-developed upper body.
-- Physical at the point of attack.
-- Can get under the offensive tackle's pads and push him into the quarterback.
-- Has effective stutter and spin moves.
-- Relentless as a pass rusher, he also hustles down the line and chases ballcarriers downfield.
-- Good backfield awareness to knock down passes and keep contain on reverses, run plays and bootlegs.
-- Uses his hands well to keep blockers away and shed to make tackles.
-- Stands up on some plays -- may fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker.
-- Very coachable because of his intelligence, work ethic and motor.
-- A special teams ace since his freshman year; he blocked three punts in 2008.
-- Played power forward for the Bearcats' basketball team for two seasons as a walk-on.
Negatives:
-- A bit tight in the hips, is not smooth changing direction or handling coverage in the flat.
-- Is not a quick-twitch athlete.
-- Although he showed some explosiveness and suddenness off the edge, NFL tackles will be more difficult to beat.
-- Inexperienced on defense, played only one season; must continue working on his pass-rushing techniques.
