Clay Matthews doing his part in Packers' flourishing pass rush
-- For a team lacking a true force of nature off of the edge this season, the Green Bay Packers have been undeniably placing opposing quarterbacks under heaps of pressure.
The Packers' two highest-paid edge rushers -- Clay Matthews and Nick Perry -- haven't necessarily been nonexistent, but they haven't been their formerly explosive selves either.
Perry has only mustered a sack-and-a-half in every game he's played this season. He's set to miss his first action this year Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks.
Matthews is one sack ahead of Perry at 2.5, however, his number would likely be higher had it not been for a couple of roughing the passer calls earlier this season.
How does a team without consistent pressure from two of its top outside linebackers generate enough sacks through nine games to have them sitting pretty at a league-leading 31 by mid-November?
"It’s a mixture of guys winning their one-on-ones as well as scheme," Matthews said on Tuesday. "I think that's why you see a multitude of guys coming up with sacks. There’s not just one or two guys with 10-plus sacks. It’s pretty evenly spread throughout the board."
The Packers have 15 different players with a sack this season and have the second-most sacks in the league on third downs. It's what many are referring to as the "Pettine Effect," citing the impressive single-season turnaround in performance under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
"We just like to throw a few wrinkles out there every game to keep them honest, and at the same time, when it’s time to rush -- it'is time for a four-or-five-man rush -- you need to make those kinds of plays as well."
It's helped players like Matthews and Perry shoulder less of a burden in years such as this where they're not up to par with what's expected of them.
Perry has been dealing with the aftermath of offseason ankle surgery and has presumably been playing through any semblance of pain this season. It hasn't stopped him from starting all nine games, but his biggest contributions have been batting passes down at the line of scrimmage.
Matthews -- also with nine starts under his belt this season -- doesn't sport the same agility in bending the edge and turning the corner off of blocks anymore. That still hasn't stopped him from generating pressure, as well as contributing to the Packers' overall success in pass rushing.
According to ESPN's NFL Matchup, the Packers are successfully pressuring the opposing quarterback on 31.7 percent of dropbacks; good for the sixth-highest in the league.
That same momentum could aid the Packers Thursday night against Russell Wilson, who is the third-most pressured quarterback in the league.
"He can move around in the pocket," Matthews said. "Where most mobile quarterbacks are looking to run, he actually keeps his eyes downfield and does a great job of letting his receivers become uncovered and making the big plays that wa.
"He’s very elusive in the pocket. Our pass rush has been doing really well this year, so we’ll have to have equal pressure as well as keep him in the pocket."
Dating back to the 2015 NFC Championship game, the Packers have forced 11 turnovers from Wilson in their last four meetings with the Seahawks. Thursday night will mark the first time since the Packers' collapse in January 2015 that they'll return to CenturyLink Field.
And it's probably a good sign that it's the last thing on Matthews' mind entering the game.
"That was like eight years ago or something; I can’t remember it. It’s good for the media, it’s good for fans, it helps build up the hype, it helps the ratings. But it's ust another game for us."
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Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (39)
TarynsEyes
November 15, 2018 at 11:14 am
So...less is more in regards to Matthews...as long as his less isn't given more with a resigning,
EdsLaces
November 15, 2018 at 11:14 am
He hasn't been the same Clay the past couple years, but watching him chase Wilson has always been fun. I hope 52 gets him to the ground at least a couple times tonight. Fingers, eyes, arms,legs.....all crossed.
Bearmeat
November 15, 2018 at 11:18 am
I think CM3 is done in Green Bay after the year, but he's been a decent (albeit overpaid) rotational piece for us.
stockholder
November 15, 2018 at 11:20 am
I still feel we always have a chance with CMIII. He 's more like Peppers now. Team leader. Can be moved around. 3 years 10 mil a year. He plays every game. The guy wants to win. The fan base wanted two new pass rushers. Perry is the question mark. Not CMIII. What really matters is this team wins. Thats what you judge players on. Judge the veterans on that.
LambeauPlain
November 15, 2018 at 11:33 am
CMIII NEVER gets double teamed any more. He rarely disengages from his initial blocker. He does get free once in a while and create pressure, even to flush the QB into the arms of a teammate.
Perry is a complete dud this year. He can't even set the edge vs the run anymore, let alone sack the QB. Hugely overpaid.
Both will likely be gone next year. No way Gute pays CMIII what Clay thinks he is worth. But some team will overpay due to his past.
Gute may decide to keep Perry around next year because little cap space would be created by releasing him. His dead money is HUGE. Maybe he could trade him for a mid round draft pick next year.
Fortunately the 2019 draft is rich in EDGE and OLBs. Those 2 number 1s will be handy!
stockholder
November 15, 2018 at 12:05 pm
I still see cm3s pressure. More than Perry's. To trade Perry or dump cm3 they need two OlB. Rookies that need time to learn. Who's best could they learn from? CM3! Peppers is still playing and so can cm3. Draft one, learn two, replace next. And hope they don't bust. Look how long it takes for a good Pass rusher in the NFL. CM3 will help. Then dump Perry. You can't play Perry in the ILB. CM3 anywhere. We need everyone we can get. And forget about a reggie white. Forget about the money. Cobbs just went to CM3.
Lare
November 15, 2018 at 02:44 pm
It won't be hard to find two OLBs that produce as much (or as little) as Perry & Matthews do.
Time to move on and better utilize the cap space being wasted on below average players.
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Re: those two number 1's:
If Gute can bring in two rushers the same caliber as Alexander and Jackson, GB be lookin' good! (Looking Gute)
Packers0808
November 15, 2018 at 02:12 pm
Nah just the opposite if anything, Perry is done and Matthews to middle to next year with Martinez!
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 05:10 pm
Opposite of what?
LambeauPlain
November 15, 2018 at 11:22 am
What we are seeing on D is what Pettine promised to build at his first press conference in Lambeau.
He said NFL QBs are ALL so adept at reading defenses pre snap and are so well schooled in defensive tendencies, they all adjust the play call at the line. So you HAVE to confuse them. Show different alignments every week and create pressure from multiple, disguised looks.
He said confusing the QB pre snap WILL create pressure, bad throws and INTs.
And he said his Ds focus in practice will be 3rd down, red zone and goal line. He said the first and second down are important and will be practiced too but the other 3 situations are by far the most important to the outcome of the game...and it is not even close.
And this is how the 2018 Packer D has been rolling!
I have to give MM credit...Pettine was an inspired hire.
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 12:01 pm
He also said he greatly values pressure up the middle, which might mean edge rushers are slightly less vital. But I think we can all agree that if GB unearths the next Von Miller or Khalil Mack, MP would somehow find a use for them.
Skip greenBayless
November 15, 2018 at 01:00 pm
Mike Pettine - Promises Made Promises Kept!!
jeremyjjbrown
November 15, 2018 at 01:45 pm
"He said NFL QBs are ALL so adept at reading defenses pre snap"
There is another way. The Seahawks do it, the Vikings do it. Keep your scheme simple, outpreform the other team with defensive play. Obviously you have to have good players for this.
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 05:56 pm
Totally agree.
Naturally there is room for creating confusion, but I believe trickery and deception are overrated. Like I’ve said before, gimme an in their prime Deion S and Lawrence T, and I like my chances on D.
Also seems to me that the most successful defenses often report that they’re not complicated, they just whip the other guy’s arse.
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 04:36 pm
Perry: "a sack and a half in every game"? Wouldn't that actually be a lot?
dblbogey
November 15, 2018 at 04:55 pm
You can always tell when it's a Zachary column, I think English is his second language.
dblbogey
November 15, 2018 at 04:56 pm
Comment posted twice for some reason.
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 05:09 pm
How duplicitous.
EddieLeeIvory
November 15, 2018 at 12:17 pm
Pettine good
Roadrunner23
November 15, 2018 at 12:56 pm
Unless Clay is willing to take a team friendly deal he’s gone. They’ll keep Perry because they wouldn’t gain anything by cutting him. I believe the Packers will sign a FA pass rusher and draft several of course.
Pettine is very good, now the question is, do the Packers Fire McCarthy and the entire staff at seasons end? Then any progress made is for naught.
Unless McCarthy’s team goes on an improbable run and makes it to the playoffs I believe he’s gone and most likely his coaches too.
It should be an interesting off-season.
But I digress, let’s hope for a big win tonight and put that talk to rest for another day.
Go Pack!
Lare
November 15, 2018 at 02:48 pm
The Packers save almost $4 million in cap space by cutting Perry in 2019.
dblbogey
November 15, 2018 at 04:58 pm
I thought that was the case, still some dead money but the $4 million makes it time to move on.
Samson
November 15, 2018 at 01:31 pm
Nice 'fluff' piece on the play of CM3. -- He does have some moments but his play no longer equals his contract. -- It's called overpaid. -- He'll be playing on the west coast in season 2019.
The 31 sacks is a bit misleading. -- Over half of the sacks (16) came in 3 games versus Buffalo, Detroit & Miami. -- All 3 teams will finish this season with losing records.
Packers0808
November 15, 2018 at 02:16 pm
So you see Matthews is over paid, ever step back see if you are overpaid or were. I think you were over paid too, so does that mean you were, Yup! Why because you think Matthews is!
LeotisHarris
November 15, 2018 at 04:39 pm
Wait. Are you saying I could make thousands of dollars weekly working part-time from home in an internet-based business?
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 05:57 pm
Sheer genius, ol’ 69! LOL
Samson
November 15, 2018 at 05:22 pm
Packers0808
I'll help you to understand better with a little more clarity. -- CM3 is overpaid compared to his on-field production. -- It's been that way for a few seasons now. -- It's also why his days in a GB uniform are numbered. -- It's how the NFL works, don't cha know?
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 05:59 pm
But what’s weird is the 3 other teams that are tied with GB get ALL their sacks against teams with elite O-lines, and exclusively in clutch situations.
That’s what stinks.
Lphill
November 15, 2018 at 01:48 pm
the Packers defense is better with Clay in it, he still gets pressures and he can be moved around. I think he takes a team friendly contract next year, he seems to know Wilson pretty good which is a good thing , we will find out tonight.
Packers0808
November 15, 2018 at 02:16 pm
Yup and right on!
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 06:01 pm
I’d wager the ONLY way 52 stays in GB is in a team friendly deal. I can’t see Gute overpaying.
PatrickGB
November 15, 2018 at 01:50 pm
Clay does ok as a disruptive OLB. My concern is if Martinez can’t play. If so then I hope Matthews plays MLB because they will try to run on us and the other MLBs are mostly DBs, except for maybe one guy who plays mostly STs. Crawford?
Dzehren
November 15, 2018 at 03:11 pm
The pass rush is more effective because GB has more cover corners (complete rip and replace of players) and Pettine is under rated.
Ferrari Driver
November 15, 2018 at 03:59 pm
I certainly agree that the corner backs are helping
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 06:02 pm
¡Y yo también!
LeotisHarris
November 15, 2018 at 04:21 pm
I thought we'd see some quality Kyler and Tyler merch in the Pro Shop after Lancaster made the roster. Not happening, I guess. The branded cans deal with Miller Lite must have fallen through - original plan for Jake and Blake sidelined by injury.
So, now I'm on the lookout for Fack Attack shirts: Kyler's likeness on the front and "FACK ATTACK" in bold letters on the back, and/or "another sack for Fack" down the sleeve. Can't believe Murphy is leaving revenue on the table here. I mean, Fack's no Dave Roller, but it's not like the Packers to ignore a potential revenue stream.
Lare
November 15, 2018 at 04:37 pm
Great marketing idea, but I think Murphy spends the majority of his time wandering around Titletown with dollar signs in his eyes.
TKWorldWide
November 15, 2018 at 06:03 pm
Put Gene Simmons on the case and watch the cash roll in!