At No. 26, It's LB Clay Matthews

by Brandon on Apr 25, 2009 6:08 PM CDT Comment 11 comments

Wow. I never saw it coming. I expected Thompson to stick with his guy, LB Brady Poppinga just got a 5 year contract extension, before he would draft a guy like Matthews. I expect he'll start at outside linebacker and will be expected to provide a pass rush immediately. Still, I have some concern about taking a former walk on with a 1st round pick. But Thompson went to USC's Pro Day earlier this month and saw first hand something special. I'm surprised Matthews went ahead of USC LB Ray Maualuga. Here's what I wrote when Thompson went to the USC Pro Day.

LB Clay Matthews. Quite the late bloomer; he was under 170 lbs. when he started his college career and now he's almost 250. He didn't play much until his senior season, probably because he wasn't finished growing, but he's got NFL talent. And his father (LB Clay Matthews) was a great NFL player. His uncle (OL Bruce Matthews) was one of the best players in NFL history.

Greg Bedard says it cost them their 2nd round pick and both 3rd round picks to trade up into the 1st round for Matthews. That has soured me on this move. Giving up three good picks for a linebacker I'm not sure is much better than Poppinga. I really hope I'm wrong about Matthews.

Poll

What do you think of the trade up into the late 1st round to draft LB Clay Matthews?

Good Move

341 votes

No Way

203 votes

Time Will Tell

390 votes

934 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Poppinga blows goats. He never keeps outside containment. Any time a back swings out of the backfield and picks up a big gain, it is Brady’s blown assignment. Why he got a contract extension is beyond me.

by Yooper on Apr 25, 2009 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps Poppinga’s talents were being misused in a 4-3. Hopefully he shines in the 3-4.

by taleswapper on Apr 27, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TT is generally a pretty good at evaluating players in the draft so I’m hoping he is right on this one. If they didn’t think he could be really special because they gave up a 2nd rounder and 2 3rds, and we all know how much TT likes the 2nd-3rd round picks. He is big at 250 and can definitely rush the passer at least from the times I saw him this past year. So far I’m happy with the picks and pretty optimistic that everything is going to turn out good.

by packallday555 on Apr 25, 2009 6:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i think this was a great pick!! possibly the second best LB in the draft( behind curry)! may have given up alot but i think it will be worth it. all in all great draft day! go pack go

by packerz71 on Apr 25, 2009 7:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He played almost exclusively stand up end for USC and should be a perfect fit to rush the passer from the 3-4 OLB. Seen a lot of him and his brother out on the west coast and they are both smart, hard working and instinctive football players. I like this pick, although we gave up a lot.

Ducks Go!
RIP CITY!

by trumpetduck on Apr 25, 2009 7:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm from So Cal

This guy is amazing. I watched him all year and was very impressed. He is aggresive and smart, a rare combination. He will come in and work hard in a linebacker core that needs help. I am sad we have no 2nd round or 3rd round picks but TT doesn’t think we need them with this team. I am happy they made a strong commitment now to a very strong core of players fit to play in a 3-4 scheme

by Giant_in_la_area on Apr 25, 2009 8:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Great Move

Raji was the obvious pick at 9. But, Matthews was a great move. Watch the NFL Network’s coverage of USC Proday and Matthews stole the show. He was the most impressive of the 3 LBs.
We all know Thompson values draft picks like they’re his kids. So, this move tells me two things. 1. This kid is an impact player. He’ll come in and start this year. 2. Thompson thinks this team is close. If this team wasn’t, there is no way he would give up a 3:1 deal like this.

by packfan on Apr 26, 2009 12:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Getting over the Sticker Shock

OK. If one does the math from the pick value chart, here is what the trade involved, outside of the Matthews pick:

We gave:
41 worth 490 points
73 worth 225 points
83 worth 175 points
for a total of 890 points

We got:
162 worth 27.6 points

That means that we paid a net of 862.4 points for the pick that netted Matthews. Based upon the value chart, that amount falls between the values given for picks 19 (875 pts) and 20 (850 pts). The bottom line is that Matthews had unexpectedly fallen to a point where he was an excellent value. If he represented the value of someone who should have been taken in the top 20, then the Packers paid fair value or, perhaps, even still got a bargain.

I feel a bit better after looking at the trade in this fashion. Hopefully, TT will find enough in the dreg rounds to fortify the OT & CB positions.

by NYCPack on Apr 26, 2009 12:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

CB?

why does everyone keep thinking we need corners? all the stuff before the draft with Jenkins..? IDK… we still have a couple years with Harris and Woodson and Tramon is coming forward quickly. Hopefully Lee keeps Tramons pace and will be ready when the time comes.

I do agree we could use some depth there but we do not need to spend 1st or 2nd rounds on someone that will sit the bench for a couple of years….

by bizzle4 on Apr 26, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bizzle4- very good point. I think Harris and Woodson both have a few good years left in them and williams is becoming a very good cb. I was hoping we would use one of our 3rd round picks on a cb but looking at it now I think we’re ok with not even drafting one at all. Again very good point.

by packallday555 on Apr 26, 2009 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs