By Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel
JsOnline
quote:
Green Bay — Sunday will feature a chess game between relatives. Clay Matthews vs. Bruce Matthews. Uncle must decide how to block nephew. The long-time NFL offensive lineman is now the Titans’ line coach.
“It’ll be interesting to see what they do,” Matthews said. “If he gives a little extra help over there or he wants to leave me one on one.”
Making matters more difficult for Bruce Matthews’ Titans is that his nephew has some help now. When Clay Matthews (hamstring) returned to the line-up last week, so did defensive end Mike Neal (shoulder). Together, they were often a tag-team force the Packers envisioned last season.
Matthews had two sacks. Neal had 1.5. Feeding off each other, they created match-up problems in Green Bay's 21-13 win. It’s an effect Matthews didn’t have in 2011. The Packers lacked a pass-rushing complement on the other side of the line and also in front of Matthews. The loss of Cullen Jenkins was a scar that never healed.
This year -- despite missing four games -- Matthews leads the Packers with 11 sacks.
“You always want some studs up on the front line that are going to help you out,” Matthews said. “Not to say we haven't had that in the past, but players develop in this league, year after year, game after game and it's no different for Mike. Obviously he's had a few injuries and a few setbacks throughout his career, but he's shown potential. As long as he keeps progressing and keeps living up to that, he's only going to help this team out.”
Emphasis on “injuries.” That’s held Neal back more than anything — leading to a frustrating off-field malaise a year ago. He hasn't been able to stay on the field. At Chicago, healthy, Neal’s raw ability was obvious. A chiseled 6 foot 3 inches, 294 pounds, he's difficult to block.
Matthews sacked Cutler once off a third-and-5 stunt on Neal and then again off of B.J. Raji. On the stunt that freed Matthews for a sack, Neal didn't occupy a pair of blockers -- he charged through them to reach Jay Cutler's ankles.
This combination of size and strength makes Neal a mismatch, Matthews said.
“When you put both of us on the same side, we'd like to think we have an advantage, especially when you can't double team a certain select individual and you have to have a traditional one-on-one matchup,” Matthews said. “We like to think we can get the best of that and that's what you saw last week."
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Interesting read and it gives you some insight why Capers/MM are hoping he can just stay on the field. To his credit, even when dinged this year he's done a far better job getting on the field AND being productive. Last season he played most of the last part of it but just wasn't effective. More then a few times this season we've seen the "rookie" version of him.
IIRC Tit's OL is turrible.
