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My impression on #98 Cliff Matthews.


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I watched him very closely during the Dolphins game and I came away very pleased in what I saw from the 7th rounder from South Carolina. He has tremendous hand speed and placement for a late draft pick. Time and time again I saw Matthews keep himself clean from an OT by slapping away his hands. This is something a lot of DEs have trouble with (Lawerence Sidbury) and it's very good sign for the young DE. He got close to the QB on a couple of occasions getting there once for 1 sack and was even a factor on running plays. It was a great showing for such a young player.

Now am I saying he is a star and saying "ZOMG!!! START HIM!"? No, I am not. But, what I will say is that Cliff Matthews has a very strong and intriguing skill set out of the box. If Matthews wants to be great, if he wants to get better at his craft, then watch out. Because we may look back on this draft and highlight the fact that Matthews was just a 7th round draft pick.

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I was really impressed as well. I think he will make the roster. I think we go into the season with Abe, Edwards, Biermann, Sidbury, Matthews, and Davis. I don't know if he'll be active on gameday, but he will be on the 53 man roster.

I'm interested to see what we do with the extra roster spot on gameday. Do we carry an extra DE/DT/LB or do we activate 3rd QB/emergency QB? I think we will see an extra LBer to contribute on Special Teams. We have a lot of LBers fighting for spots that are good STers.

Please don't activate 3rd QB! If God forbid we are in a situation where both have to come in, just run the Wildcat and sprinkle in a few pass plays for Meier. Come to think of it, this would be a great thread topic

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I watched him very closely during the Dolphins game and I came away very pleased in what I saw from the 7th rounder from South Carolina. He has tremendous hand speed and placement for a late draft pick. Time and time again I saw Matthews keep himself clean from an OT by slapping away his hands. This is something a lot of DEs have trouble with (Lawerence Sidbury) and it's very good sign for the young DE. He got close to the QB on a couple of occasions getting there once for 1 sack and was even a factor on running plays. It was a great showing for such a young player.

Now am I saying he is a star and saying "ZOMG!!! START HIM!"? No, I am not. But, what I will say is that Cliff Matthews has a very strong and intriguing skill set out of the box. If Matthews wants to be great, if he wants to get better at his craft, then watch out. Because we may look back on this draft and highlight the fact that Matthews was just a 7th round draft pick.

I too really noticed this kid. His bull rush is the most impressive. In fact, watch how JA55 trucked Jake Long and watch how Matthews trucked the RT last night. Very similar with the head butt.

I'm keeping my excitement in check, because I want to see get reps with starting caliber OL. I bet smitty get's him those snaps next week.

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yeah, I'm really excited about this guy.

Looks like KOG knows a good player when he sees one.

Thanks man! If nothing else (now that we have Edwards...also I will admit that Matthews was why I didn't feel we needed him) I think Cliff will make Davis expendable.

Also...Matthews is NOT 257lbs anmore. Dude is 268lbs and growing.

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I watched him very closely during the Dolphins game and I came away very pleased in what I saw from the 7th rounder from South Carolina. He has tremendous hand speed and placement for a late draft pick. Time and time again I saw Matthews keep himself clean from an OT by slapping away his hands. This is something a lot of DEs have trouble with (Lawerence Sidbury) and it's very good sign for the young DE. He got close to the QB on a couple of occasions getting there once for 1 sack and was even a factor on running plays. It was a great showing for such a young player.

Now am I saying he is a star and saying "ZOMG!!! START HIM!"? No, I am not. But, what I will say is that Cliff Matthews has a very strong and intriguing skill set out of the box. If Matthews wants to be great, if he wants to get better at his craft, then watch out. Because we may look back on this draft and highlight the fact that Matthews was just a 7th round draft pick.

Good info,when was Matthews rotated in and was he going up against starting OT's or there 2nd string????

How did Matthews look against the run??

It will be interesting to see if MS gives him any snaps with our starting Defense.

Edited by kiwifalcon
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I don't think Davis will be on the outside looking in. That will be Lawerence Sidbury JR.

I'm not sure about that. Sid is younger and a lot cheaper, and this regime doesn't give up easily on its picks.

If may depend how desparate we are to sign a veteran/nickel CB. If it becomes a priorty, Davis is probably the most expsendable veteran that could create significant cap space.

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Thanks man! If nothing else (now that we have Edwards...also I will admit that Matthews was why I didn't feel we needed him) I think Cliff will make Davis expendable.

Also...Matthews is NOT 257lbs anmore. Dude is 268lbs and growing.

Yeah I noticed that dude looks alot bigger. I think he makes the roster -if he lands on the pratice squad then he will get snatched up

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I was really impressed as well. I think he will make the roster. I think we go into the season with Abe, Edwards, Biermann, Sidbury, Matthews, and Davis. I don't know if he'll be active on gameday, but he will be on the 53 man roster.

I'm interested to see what we do with the extra roster spot on gameday. Do we carry an extra DE/DT/LB or do we activate 3rd QB/emergency QB? I think we will see an extra LBer to contribute on Special Teams. We have a lot of LBers fighting for spots that are good STers.

Please don't activate 3rd QB! If God forbid we are in a situation where both have to come in, just run the Wildcat and sprinkle in a few pass plays for Meier. Come to think of it, this would be a great thread topic

That's 6 DTs. In the 3 years he's been the coach Smith has never had more than 5 DTs on the 53 man roster.. What position would you go short on to add a 6 DT?

Edited by delaigle
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I don't think Davis will be on the outside looking in. That will be Lawerence Sidbury JR.

yup

and we wont keep 6 DEs unless a low level guy needs to be kept for ST.

Sid hasnt made his impression on the coaches in ST or at DE it seems.

Smith has raved about Matthews so far.

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yup

and we wont keep 6 DEs unless a low level guy needs to be kept for ST.

Sid hasnt made his impression on the coaches in ST or at DE it seems.

Smith has raved about Matthews so far.

Look they keep 5 DTs on the 53 man roster But only 4 dress out on game day.

So no matter who is the #5 DT ( Sidbury, Matthews, Stephens, or whoever), he will be on the sidelines on gameday.

It does not mean he's a bad player or that the coaches are not happy with him, it just means he is #5 and does not dress out on game day.

Now would you sit down Abe, Edwards, Bierman, (Davis) for one of those to be acitve?

Edited by delaigle
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