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By: Steve Rebeiro | 3 hours ago
Clay Matthews showed his age last season. In his final season with the Packers, the 32-year-old recorded just 3.5 sacks in 16 games, the lowest of his career. It seemed like father time was sending a message to the six-time Pro Bowler.
Matthews decided to return to the state he grew up in and the city he played college ball in after 12 seasons away in Green Bay. “Coming back home was obviously very nostalgic for me,” Matthews said after his homecoming victory against the Saints in Week 2. “I had a blast playing here last year when I was with Green Bay, but now obviously being a part of the Rams organization, with all the improvements and just feeling like I was back home – continuing the clichés, it’s nice to come full circle. So, it’s fun. I’m having a blast.”
It feels like Matthews made the right decision coming home. He has more sacks in three games with the Rams than he did all of last season.
The Rams desperately needed help in the pass-rush next to Aaron Donald. Last season, the Rams rolled out Samson Ebukam and Matt Longacre on the edge to open the season. They’ve been replaced by Matthews and Dante Fowler, with Ebukam rotating in off the bench. The trio have been fantastic for the Rams so far this year.
Mathews is leading the way for the Rams with four sacks this season. He currently has half of the team’s sacks this year. Last year, the only Ram to have five sacks or more was Donald. Matthews is well on his way to passing that total.
The Rams aren’t asking Matthews to do a ton in his thirteenth season. It’s exactly what the veteran pass-rusher needed. Fowler has been the much more efficient edge-rusher, grading out as the number 12 overall edge rusher on Pro Football Focus. Matthews ranks far lower at 66. But the Rams didn’t sign Matthews to be an All-Pro level outside linebacker who can do it all. They hired him to hit opposing quarterbacks and take some pressure off of Donald. That’s what he’s done so far.
Matthews and the pass rush were on full display against Cleveland in primetime on Sunday. Even when they were running dime coverage with a four-man rush, the Rams were making Baker Mayfield’s life a living hell. Matthews touched on it after the victory. “That is what we pride ourselves on,” the former All-Pro noted. “Obviously, we have the best player in the league on the inside. Dante, myself, Samson , and Michael (Brockers) – we all try to follow that up and do our part. I think the pass rush, especially in the fourth quarter, was truly what made the difference”
The USC alumni is having a blast playing football in Los Angeles once again. The Rams have certainly enjoyed having him. Expect Matthews to pick up a few more sacks before the season ends.
Clay Matthews is turning back the clock in Los Angeles
Clay Matthews has more sacks than he did all of last season. The former All-Pro is turning back the clock with the Los Angeles Rams.
theramswire.usatoday.com
