Don't Forget Clay Matthews and Other News Around The NFL

by Brandon on Dec 21, 2009 11:10 PM CST in Green Bay Packers News

Looking back over my two recaps of the Green Bay Packers game, I've completely neglected to mention the great LB Clay Matthews. He had almost the same stat line (7 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits) as the other rookie LB Brad Jones (5 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits), but Jones did it quietly (I don't know how it was possible, but I only remember one of his sacks). Meanwhile, Matthews destroyed Steelers LT Max Starks on a couple plays. And he should have had another sack and forced fumble except for the stupid Tuck Rule. I loved on the sidelines after the official reversed the call, you could read QB Ben Roethlisberger's lips say "wow". The officials got the call right, it's just a stupid rule. I was optimistic that Matthews could be an outside LB version of LB Nick Barnett, but he's exceeded all my high expectations.

Congratulations to Greg Bedard for finally getting back to Green Bay after a 16 hour "flight" from Pittsburgh. I usually check Greg's Twitter account every day for the most recent Packer updates, but I only got to follow his Planes, Trains, and Automobiles adventure today.

What a lousy Monday night game. Who could have guessed that the Redskins would have come out flat at the end of a lost season for a lame duck coach?

Brad Childress is an idiot. Who could have guessed that trying to bench a certain star QB under any circumstances would make him turn on him?

The entire Cincinnati Bengals team is traveling down to Louisiana tomorrow for Chris Henry's funeral.

Mike Holmgren was announced as the new President of the Cleveland Browns. I think it's a great move for the Browns. He adds a lot of great football knowledge at the top of their organization. So long as he just stays focused on his role, and lets everyone else in the organization (after he cleans house) do their job.

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No Way

From Wiki———-The rule—— "The tuck rule is an exception to this rule. It applies if the quarterback brings his arm forward in a passing motion, but then changes his mind and tries to keep hold of the football rather than making a pass. In this situation, if the quarterback loses the ball while stopping his passing motion or bringing the ball back to his body, it is still considered a forward pass (and thus an incomplete pass if the ball hits the ground) "

The picture in your recap article completly refutes this. That was not a pump fake, he was trying to pass, Matthews kept his arm from going forward. Where was he trying to "tuck " it?? His head??? I didn’t know you could “tuck” a ball in above your shoulder pad. I think it was a BS call, and evidently BIg Ben knew it was too and therefor you get the “WOW” from him.

by GBfan73 on Dec 22, 2009 12:10 AM CST reply actions

The tuck rule is a pile of $#. Seriously.

by TrevorR on Dec 22, 2009 10:38 AM CST up reply actions

Can someone please do a Favre-as-a-Brown photoshop in honor of this?

Or conversely as a prediction for next year?

by Donald Driver on Dec 22, 2009 1:23 AM CST reply actions

Mangini

You have to let that guy do his job — for your opponents.

by uglyfatpimplynerd on Dec 22, 2009 7:49 AM CST reply actions

wow

That was a quietly great game by Brad Jones.

rmlumley.com

by shaftr on Dec 22, 2009 9:42 AM CST reply actions

Brad Jones Needs Love

I think it was quiet only because most people watched it on the NBC broadcast. My only qualm with non-local commentators is their stereotyped views of teams and their personnel. Don’t get me wrong: I’m greatful just to get any Packers game in HD down here in Florida. However, I would love it if we could get Wayne Larrivee’s play-by-play down here. I’m sure he gave Brad Jones some love during the game.

Anyone wanna by some Florida real estate?

by WisconsInExile on Dec 22, 2009 7:24 PM CST via mobile reply actions

keep the 3-4

don’t switch to one DL Capers, please.

keep Jones and Clay rushing the passer.

keeps Bush off the field.

by Acme on Dec 22, 2009 8:56 PM CST reply actions

The 1-5-5 actually worked pretty well, and we got a sack once out of it as well. There was one time where Ben dumped one off to Mendenhall when we blitzed, and I think that was because the blitz was supposed to force him to stay back and block. The thing was, we overloaded the opposite side he was on, and we didn’t get to Ben quick so he was able to slip out of the backfield.

by packallday555 on Dec 23, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions