Insight to Casey Matthews anyone?

by The Fish on May 2, 2011 12:08 AM PDT

Hi, I'm a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan. I primarily stick to pro football when it comes to watching but I do watch some college, not alot. Aside from the BCS Championship game, I have not seen alot of Casey Matthews film. The combine is difficult for me to watch, due to the fact A) I'm not exactly sure what to watch for and B) I got bored watching it, so I haven't seen alot of him in action (and its especially sad considering I actually live in Astoria lol)

I was hoping to get a fan's perspective as to what kind of LB is on my team now. A bunch of the other SBNation College Football blogs were doing profiles on their respective players getting drafted, so I was a lil disappointed to see that not being done here (hence the reason for my post). I tend to avoid the critic's word of mouth as they tend to be wrong when the game is finally being played.

Yes I know he's not his brother. Hell, NOONE can be his brother. I've read the Mel Kiper-type reports about where he lacks his brothers's explosiveness, he makes up in instinct and intelligence. So essentially, I just wanted to get a grasp from a fan's perspective on what to look forward to come NFL season time!

Thank you for y'alls time! I was going for you guys in January :(

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or the Addicted To Quack Moderators. FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable Oregon fans.

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Savvy, skilled player.

Not especially big or fast. Has great instincts for the game, which one would expect from a Matthews. Due to the way the Ducks play defense, he can play the pass well downfield. He’s certainly not an inside “run stuffing” linebacker due to his relative lack of size. Has a go-go motor. Is a natural leader. Also a highly valued member of the special teams units.

All this points to a guy who can contribute right away on S/T and can rotate in on passing downs. Give him a year or two to add some bulk and you could have a good, serviceable starter. OTOH who knows? You often see guys who succeed right away on guile, instinct, and motor, which CM has in spades.

Fuck you, Juju. We'll do it ourselves.

by BigGreenWreckingMachine on May 2, 2011 12:16 AM PDT reply actions

I agree with you on most points, but I think he’ll make a larger impact on the running game than some people expect. A big part of that role is being smart, aware, and getting to the right place at the right moment. He might not be shedding blocks and putting up highlight-reel hits, but a smart, savvy linebacker who understands the game has real value even at the highest level.

by JonathanPDX on May 2, 2011 2:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree.

He’ll be in the right place at the right time in the run game. My point was, he’s not a monster who will “plug a hole.”

Fuck you, Juju. We'll do it ourselves.

by BigGreenWreckingMachine on May 2, 2011 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I think only just started to have the football light turn on in his head recently.

The best performances are yet to come for Casey. He has great instincts and missed very few tackles last season.

The other thing you are getting is one of the more sure-handed linebackers in the country. He dropped an easy interception on the first play of the Rose Bowl against Ohio St 2 seasons ago; and thus, spent a ton of time in the offseason in early 2010 catching footballs from the jugs machine. This was evident last year, as he finished with a couple picks.

I think Casey could be a great player in 2-3 years.

by NICKPAPAGEORGIOTHEDUCK on May 2, 2011 1:57 PM PDT reply actions

A bunch of the other SBNation College Football blogs were doing profiles on their respective players getting drafted, so I was a lil disappointed to see that not being done here

*Sniff :(

Kidding, my post has since slid beyond the maintained FanPosts and contained only a quick write up.

There’s really not much I can add that the other guys haven’t already posted. Like Clay, Casey’s final college season was his best. He had some outstanding games as a junior (UCLA sticks out the most to me) but was pretty inconsistent. In fact during the off season after the 09 season there were some minor rumblings that he may not be a starter in for the 2010 season. Obviously those were unfounded and he turned in solid senior campaign.
I’m not sure how much the Eagles Defense still reflects Jim Johnson’s aggressive style, but I wouldn’t expect him to be one of the LBs that’s blitzing on over half the plays in that defense. More of the guy who’s playing that intermediate zone that allows the safety’s to come up in blitz packages.
He’ll likely be a special teams contributor early on, but given some more time to add some bulk could work his way up to an every down player. He certainly seems to have the work ethic for it.

Who needs normal sleep patterns?

by AcadianTraverse on May 3, 2011 6:11 AM PDT reply actions

We’re not sure how the new defense is going to be since we have a new DC. Some think there won’t be as much blitzing which makes me sad since JJ was the man but the DL coach we brought in is supposed to be one of the best unlike the last who was one of the worst.

by The Legend on May 5, 2011 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

He reminds me a lot of Zach Thomas

Very similar build and football instincts.

"We coach a vision, we prepare for a vision, and we compete against a vision." -Chip Kelly 9/12/10

by Mallard Muscle on May 7, 2011 11:27 AM PDT reply actions

Really? You live in Oregon but haven't seen Matthews Play???

And now you want to know about him….

It is sad you missed your opportunities.

by ConfofChamps on May 10, 2011 11:52 PM PDT reply actions

Poeple talk about his size.....

But Casey is only 5 lbs less than Clay was when Clay came out of college. Clay was also 1 and a half years older than Casey when he came out. Clay was in college for 5 years and Casey 4…and Casey was a 4 year starter altough he didn’t start every game his freshman year. Clay only started 1 and a half years and was a late bloomer.

Casey sees the play deveople fast and reacts to it quickly not losing any time on indecision or bad footwork. Didn’t blitz too much in college but was good at getting to the QB (see Cam Newton and his fumble).

The best way to describe it (I’m a 49er fan), I’m dissapointed the 49ers didn’t get him to play along side Patrick Willis. The Eagles got a good one.

by ericalancanty on May 15, 2011 8:44 AM PDT reply actions