Jump to content

Forgotten Man On Our Defense


Recommended Posts

Cliff Matthews.

Think about it he has got all the measurables to be our Michael Bennett. Some say Goodman will do well and I hope he does being a Clemson man, but I think this vet from SC will surprise. Heck will call it just like R_The_Great. He will have a big role on our defense all the while racking up a 7+ sack season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He was only forgotten by the last coaching staff. He got so few snaps that he didn't have much chance to make an impact . When he's on the field he has made play level impacts and most of them were good. If quinn can pump some life into him then I expect him to get a lot more playing time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The man's name is Quinn not Jesus. Matthews is a 7th round pick who played like a 7th round pick. It's ok to move on

This has been my thought regarding several of our hold over players. Having said that, I am still anxious to see how these guys respond to such an energetic, hands-on coaching style. I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised.

Besides, we already know a round peg doesn't fit in a square peg hole. We've seen the results of that. Let's just wait and see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

isn't this one of the guys Quinn was quoted as saying 'stood out' to him? Did that mean he stood out side the huddle and looked lost? bahahaha

in all seriousness, even guys who COULD have made a difference didn't get much playing time with smitty and nolan, they were too busy wearing Babs out and giving captain almost chance after chance after chance to prove himself....................so who really knows what we have?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was shocked that he wasn't cut along with Massaquoi and some of the other ineffective players when DQ first got his mitts on the roster. I think its best if we take a "wait and see" approach before predicting any massive rise in production. The guy hasn't proven he is capable of doing anything yet.

Edited by BritFalcon
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was shocked that he wasn't cut along with Massaquoi and some of the other ineffective players when DQ first got his mitts on the roster. I think its best if we take a "wait and see" approach before predicting any massive rise in production. The guy hasn't proven he is capable of doing anything yet.

He re-signed Matthews actually. I think he has potential but was not given a chance by Smitty and Nolan. Smitty and Nolan was too busy riding and working Babs to death. Babs is awesome but dude at least needs a breather. I personally think Babs is the most underrated DT in the entire NFL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Matthews is a backup behind Clayborn and Jackson, for now.

If you look at his measurables, he's almost a clone of Michael Bennett. Remember, Bennett was a UDFA and look what Quinn turned him into in the 4-3 Under.

Matthews is 6'4 275, runs a 4.82 40, virtually identical to Bennett. He is built for the 5-technique in a 4-3 Under.

He is NOT built for a 9-tech DE in a 4-3 Over or a 4-tech in a 3-4. And this is all he's been used for so far in Atlanta. Both of these.

Unfortunately for Matthews, Clayborn looks like he's healthy for once and ready to finally do what he was meant to do in the NFL. Clayborn is 6'3 275 and runs a 4.78. He's crazy quick for a 5-tech DE.

Plus, Jackson supposedly lost like 40 lbs or something crazy, and if he's in good shape, he could go nuts as a 5-tech DE, which is exactly where he made his bones in KC.

So like I said, Matthews simply hasn't been given a chance. But he could become another Michael Bennett if given one. Unfortunately he's got stiff competition in front of him.

Edited by Beef
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't beat up on the OP, we all know our new coach will play the best players. Cliff has not been bad for the very limited chances he's gotten. He can't help it Smitty was too conservative and loved his sacred cows.

I'm prepared to see at least two players we didn't think highly of perform much better this season under Quinn. I have a feeling it could be Alford and Matthews. Maybe Southward too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will tell you this, I think it is foolish to totally dismiss the idea that one of these players on the roster who have had little production in Smitty's defense could end up being very productive in Quinn's scheme, irrespective of draft position. As was said above, Bennett was un UDFA.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read somewhere he was down to like 290, but I can't find it again. But, if you saw what he looked like last year, you know he wasn't close to 290. He blew up and looked fat as ****. I'd say he was at least 330 or so. He looked aweful. And if Quinn is giving him praise already this off-season, and I'm seeing somewhere that he's around 290, then he's definitely lost a ton of weight. I may be exaggerating a bit with 40 lbs, but he's certainly lost a bunch it seems.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read somewhere he was down to like 290, but I can't find it again. But, if you saw what he looked like last year, you know he wasn't close to 290. He blew up and looked fat as ****. I'd say he was at least 330 or so. He looked aweful. And if Quinn is giving him praise already this off-season, and I'm seeing somewhere that he's around 290, then he's definitely lost a ton of weight. I may be exaggerating a bit with 40 lbs, but he's certainly lost a bunch it seems.

I think that might be Hageman that you saw recently reported that he has dropped to 295 after being overweight last year. I would assume Jackson is going to lose some weight for this season, and I definitely hope what you said is true. However, I've not seen it reported anywhere - and I like to think I'm fairly on top of most Falcons news.

Also, Bennett is not built like a prototype 5-tech DE, he's too underweight for the position. But that's what makes Bennett such a special and unique player - even at his low weight of 275 he still has the strength to take on the frequent double teams that position regurlarly encounters and can then still get a solid pass rush when singled up. Most 5-tech's are in the 290+ range, like Jackson. Clayborn is not a starting 5-tech DE and I'm going to keep saying it until people understand that - which by my estimation will be sometime around when a certain warm place freezes over. Or when Clayborn starts exactly zero games at the 5-tech next year. Somehow I doubt even that will convince everyone...

Edited by RandomFan
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...