Tag: Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews, Josh Cribbs among many Browns nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Clay Matthews, Josh Cribbs among many Browns nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Will this finally be the year for Browns legend Clay Matthews Jr. to earn enshrinement in Canton? Matthews headlines a large group of players with Cleveland Browns ties in the initial nominations for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and it’s enshrinement class of 2021.

Matthews has been a semifinalist three times, including last year, but has yet to get the gold jacket. He’s the most likely of any of the players with Browns ties to earn the nod in 2021.

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Also prominent among the Browns nominated is special teamer extraordinaire Josh Cribbs. While he never found a home at running back or wide receiver, Cribbs made three Pro Bowls as a return man. He ranks third in NFL history in total return yards, kick returns yards and scored 11 TDs. Cribbs was also one of the best special teams coverage men of his era.

Joining Matthews and Cribbs on the list of Browns among the 130 players who made the initial nomination list:

(in alphabetical order)

Lomas Brown – primarily knows for his Pro Bowl-laden career with the Detroit Lions, Brown played left tackle for the expansion 1999 Browns.

Earnest Byner – one of the most electrifying and productive dual-threat RBs of the 1980s, Byner played half of his 14-year career in Cleveland.

Jake Delhomme – the longtime Panthers quarterback went 2-2 as the starter for the Browns in 2010.

Jeff Garcia – The consummate journeyman QB, Garcia started 10 games for Cleveland in 2004. It was the second stop in Garcia’s journey that saw him play for six teams in seven years.

Jamal Lewis – after a great career with the rival Ravens, Lewis finished his impressive RB career with three seasons (2007-2009) in Cleveland. He topped 1,300 yards rushing in his first year with the Browns, the most of any in a season for a Cleveland RB not named Jim Brown until Nick Chubb passed it in 2019.

Eric Metcalf – the slippery runner/receiver/return man spent his first six seasons (1989-1994) with the Browns and quickly earned fan-favorite status for his sashaying style. He made the Pro Bowl twice and first-team All-Pro once in Cleveland.

Willie McGinest – McGinest spent the final three (2006-2008) of his 18 NFL seasons with the Browns after an illustrious career as an outside LB with the Patriots prior to that.

Michael Dean Perry – My personal favorite Browns player ever, Perry played defensive line for Cleveland in his first seven seasons (1988-1994). He made five Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro squads in those years.

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Is Clay Matthews still a possibility for the Broncos?

Broncos coach Vic Fangio was asked about Clay Matthews before Thursday’s practice.

Broncos general manager John Elway tried to sign free agent Clay Matthews but wasn’t able to reach an agreement with the veteran pass rusher. Before practice Thursday, coach Vic Fangio was asked about the team’s interest in Matthews.

“John and the guys had been looking at possibilities out there,” Fangio said. “I’m sure Clay was one of them. I don’t know exactly where all that stands or where it went or what happened. I really don’t. I just know what was put out there today that he’s not ready to play yet. I don’t know any of the details.”

Judging from the statement Matthews’ agent released, it sounds like Denver and the outside linebacker simply couldn’t agree on contract terms. If the two sides are able to reach a compromise and meet in the middle, there might still be a chance of Matthews signing with the Broncos.

The team will likely add a linebacker to the 53-man roster, either Matthews or someone else, after placing Von Miller on injured reserve.

“We’re always looking and especially our numbers are low there now at that position,” Fangio said. “Yeah, we’re looking, but we’re not going to do something just for the sake of doing something.”

Fangio also confirmed interest in Isaiah Irving, who will visit the team.

“It’s a possibility,” Fangio said of potentially signing Irving. “I think we’re taking a look at a bunch of guys right now. We’d have to create a spot on the practice squad for that to happen. We’ll see where it goes … I’m sure we’re going to see where he’s at physically and if he’s a guy that we might consider.”

Irving totaled 25 tackles and one sack in three seasons with the Chicago Bears, including two seasons playing under Fangio from 2017-18.

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Broncos bring free agent OLB Isaiah Irving in for a visit

Former Bears outside linebacker Isaiah Irving is visiting the Broncos.

The Denver Broncos are bringing free agent outside linebacker Isaiah Irving in for a visit, according to KMGH-TV’s Troy Renck.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio confirmed during his Zoom press conference before Thursday’s practice that Irving is among the players Denver is looking at. Fangio noted that the Broncos are looking at several free agents.

Irving might be a candidate for Denver’s 16-man practice squad. If he does join the practice squad (or active roster), the Broncos would have to make a corresponding move to make room for Irving.

One possible scenario could be adding Irving to the practice squad and promoting rookie Derrek Tuszka to the 53-man roster. Denver clearly values Tuszka because he’s one of four players who were placed on the protected list on the practice squad.

Irving (6-3, 254 pounds) signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent out of San Jose State in 2017. He spent the first two years of his career playing under coach Vic Fangio, totaling 13 tackles and one sack. Last season, he played in 13 games and recorded 12 tackles.

The Broncos also wanted to bring in Clay Matthews but they weren’t able to reach an agreement with the 34-year-old pass rusher. It remains to be seen if the team will make any more attempts to sign Matthews.

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Report: Clay Matthews turned down interest from Broncos

Clay Matthews won’t join the Broncos following Von Miller’s injury.

After losing outside linebacker Von Miller to a serious ankle injury, the Denver Broncos reached out to free agent Clay Matthews. Denver was told Matthews is “not going to play,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It’s unclear if that means Matthews is going to retire or if it means Matthews simply doesn’t want to play for the Broncos this season.

Matthews (6-3, 255 pounds) originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick out of USC with the Green Bay Packers in 2009. He spent 10 years in Green Bay before spending last year with the Los Angeles Rams.

A six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Matthews has totaled 481 tackles and 91.5 sacks in his career. In 13 games in L.A. last season, Matthews recorded 33 tackles and eight sacks.

Matthews, 34, was one of the top players on our list of 12 free agent pass rushers who could take Miller’s place on the 53-man roster. The list also includes Terrell Suggs and Isaiah Irving, among others.

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Report: Seahawks interested in pass rushers Clay Matthews, Everson Griffen

The Seattle Seahawks could be looking past Jadeveon Clowney and are now interested in pass rushers Clay Matthews and Everson Griffen.

The Seahawks have been unsuccessful in their pursuit to re-sign defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and are now turning their sights onto two other available players who could assist with Seattle’s pass-rush efforts.

“While the Seahawks appear to have moved on from Jadeveon Clowney, who wants more than they’re willing to pay, the team has interest in two veteran free agent pass rushers: LB Clay Matthews and DE Everson Griffen,” NFL Network’s Mike Silver tweeted Thursday morning. “A deal could happen soon.”

It is interesting to note that both players, while now seasoned NFL veterans, spent their college days under the tutelage of coach Pete Carroll at USC.

Carroll and the Seahawks have made it more than clear the team will never stop looking to improve the defensive line and players who are able to successfully rush the passer will always be coveted on the roster.

This story is continuing to develop.

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Clay Matthews, Everson Griffen drawing interest from Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly interested in a pair of former USC Trojans; Everson Griffen and Clay Matthews.

NFL free agency opened up officially on March 18, less than a week after the COVID-19 crisis shut most of the country down. As such, the pandemic has very clearly had an impact on a handful of free agents who are still looking for employment heading into what will be a unique 2020 season.

Two of the most prominent names still on the market, outside of Jadeveon Clowney, are former USC Trojans: defensive end Everson Griffen and outside linebacker Clay Matthews.

Now, with training camp just getting underway and teams allowed to conduct in-person physicals, it looks like the long wait may be nearing an end for at least one of Griffen and Matthews – as they are each drawing interest from Clowney’s former team, the Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawks almost certainly won’t sign both of coach Pete Carroll’s former players, but they have been connected to each of them throughout the offseason – especially when it became clear a reunion with Clowney was unlikely.

Griffen, at least on paper, seems like a better fit for the Seahawks. He is an accomplished pass rusher off the edge, with 74.5 career sacks to his name during a 10-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He is known to have interest in Seattle as well, but was waiting to see what would happen with Clowney – a saga that remains unresolved.

Matthews would certainly upgrade Seattle’s depleted pass rush, but his complicated history with the team and the fan base may make him a tricky addition, and the team’s plethora of outside linebacker candidates – including the recently signed Bruce Irvin – make this less of a fit as the roster is currently constructed.

Regardless, both veterans will find themselves homes before too long, and it looks very likely one of them will be in the Emerald City.

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The 7 best Browns players not in the Hall of Fame

Who are the 7 best Cleveland Browns not already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

The Cleveland Browns are well-represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame down I-77 in Canton. There are 22 Hall of Famers who spent at least one season with the franchise, including founder/coach Paul Brown.

There are several other Browns alums who at least merit a conversation about Hall-of-Fame worthiness. At least one of these players will eventually earn enshrinement, but all are worth discussing. Here are the seven Cleveland Browns not currently in the Hall of Fame that have the best cases for getting in at some point.

Clay Matthews

(Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

It’s almost shameful that Matthews wasn’t part of the centennial class in 2020. He’s widely cited as one of the best players not already in the Hall, and has held that status for several years.

During his 16 seasons in Cleveland (1978-1993), Matthews was a model of consistent excellence. The Browns list Matthews as the team’s career sack leader with 76.5, although some of those were notched before sacks became an official NFL statistic in 1982.

Matthews made four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro team, but he was a player whose impact transcended the traditional statistics. He does have the stats too, however; Matthews led the NFL in total tackles four times and he’s the only player to log at least one 100-tackle season in three separate decades.

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See why USC deemed ‘Linebacker University’ by Bleacher Report

The USC Trojans have the distinct honor of being the best school for linebackers, according to Bleacher Report.

Bleacher Report is continuing ‘Position U Week’, their series labeling which schools have produced the most talent in the NFL at each position.

And while USC will do favorably at the quarterback position, they officially won the title of Linebacker University, edging out the Miami Hurricanes who boast a pair of Hall of Famers in Ray Lewis and Ted Hendricks.

USC’s win was more quantity based, although they get a huge boost from 12-time Pro Bowler Junior Seau, as well as Clay Matthews Jr. and Clay Matthews III – who went to a combined 10 Pro Bowls among them.

Other big name linebackers include Jack Del Rio, who is a candidate for the College Football Hall of Fame, Brian Cushing, and Lofa Tatupu.

All-in-all, USC has 12 linebackers who have been to at least one Pro Bowl, giving them far more depth than any other school – and more than enough to win the coveted title of ‘Linebacker University’.

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Which veteran OLBs could the Bucs have interest in?

Greg Auman of The Athletic gives the names of a few OLBs the Bucs might have interest in signing as training camp approaches.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense is shaping up to be one of the most exciting units in the NFL heading into 2020. But with the New Orleans Saints the defending champs of the NFC South, the Bucs will have their work cut out for them as they seek a return to the postseason for the first time in over a decade.

While Tom Brady will take care of the offense, the six-time Super Bowl champion can’t do much to help out the Bucs on defense. But after a solid 2019 under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and the re-signing of key players like Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa Bay’s defense is sitting pretty right now, too.

But, with training camp approaching, could the Bucs be in the market for some veteran insurance at outside linebacker? And if so, who are some of the names we might see suiting up for Tampa Bay?

Here is Bucs writer Greg Auman of The Athletic with his thoughts.

Matthews would be a nice signing, but his price tag may be steeper than what the Bucs are willing to dish out. Golden would be a good pick up, considering he’s coming off a 10.0 sack season with the New York Giants. His biggest year came in 2016, when he had a career-high 12.5 sacks with the Arizona Cardinals.

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5 free agents the Patriots could target with NFL facilities reopening

Looking at 5 possible free agents the Patriots could sign as they approach the July 28 start date of training camp for the 2020 season.

Amid the current pandemic, the NFL has changed some of the guidelines surrounding training camp. In the past, teams were required to report to training camp 15 days before their preseason opener.

This season however, 28 teams now must report July 28, which is 47 or 48 days before the opening week of the regular season. Teams playing Sunday, September 13, are required to report to camp 47 days before their opener, while teams scheduled to play Monday, September 14, are required to report 48 days beforehand. With almost every team set to report to camp at the end of July – including the Patriots – many hot ticket free agents still remain on the market and could possibly find themselves at 1 Patriot Place by August.

And with NFL facilities beginning to reopen, the Patriots might be able to bring in these players for workouts or physicals, a piece that has been missing during this free agency process. Keep in mind that these are high-budget options, and that the Patriots would have to tweak their salary cap space to add these veterans.

DL Damon “Snacks” Harrison

Harrison is a mammoth of a human. Standing at 6 foot 3 inches, and weighing in at 350 pounds, Harrison is the ultimate nose guard. For comparison, Vince Wilfork was an inch shorter, and weighed 25 pounds less. Harrison spent four years with the Jets after going undrafted in 2012. He signed with the Giants before the 2016 season and would finish as an All-Pro that season. After two and a half seasons with the Giants, Harrison was shipped to the Lions where he played under former Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Unfortunately for Harrison, the Patriots defensive line is already big – both in terms of depth at the position and physical size. Beau Allen, Adam Butler, and Byron Cowart currently sit on the depth chart for the nose tackle spot. Harrison is 31-years old.

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