Where was Clay Matthews?

[Deleted member 6794]

He's certainly open for criticism. I don't know why he wasn't in the game, it certainly was a critical period and we could have used him out there. But there are a few years of history of the guy flying around on the football field with all effort all the time.

and while I don't think the answers for why he wasn't out there are very good, I also don't believe that he just "quit" on the team either. his history or his style of play don't show that at all.

I think a lot of us aren't doubting his effort when he's completely healthy but his toughness when having minor ailments.

 

[PackerDNA]

I think a lot of us aren't doubting his effort when he's completely healthy but his toughness when having minor ailments.

This is a question for me.
This took a little long to get answers for a strange situation, and the answers were shaky.
Especially in light of his apparent lack of any effects while going straight to Pro Bowl practices, and the game.
More so when compared to Thomas and Sherman, who played through the NFC title game and Super Bowl with serious injuries.

 

[MadCat]

What I saw after Burnett's interception was a defense and coaches who appeared to think the game was over. The game plan from that point was evidence of that. I would be willing to bet some of the defensive players even thought they might not see the field again. Clay came off with a knee injury and said he just needed a minute and MM confirmed that. We saw him play with the broken thumb in the past, so his supposedly not wanting to be out there would be very out of character for him, at least in my opinion. I believe they thought the game was in the bag to the extent they thought they didn't need Clay out there (until the game got away and they did need him) and they don't want to admit it.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

What I saw after Burnett's interception was a defense and coaches who thought the game was over. The game plan from that point was evidence of that. I would be willing to bet some of the defensive players even thought they might not see the field again. Clay came off with a knee injury and said he just needed a minute and MM confirmed that. We saw him play with the broken thumb in the past, so his supposed not wanting to be out there seems to be very out of character for him, at least in my opinion. I believe they thought the game was in the bag to the extent they thought they didn't need Clay out there (until the game got away and they did need him) and they don't want to admit it.

That may be an explanation for him not being on the field with the Packers still leading 19-7. There's no way he should have been kept out of the game after the Seahawks recovered the onside kick though.

 

[MadCat]

That may be an explanation for him not being on the field with the Packers still leading 19-7. There's no way he should have been kept out of the game after the Seahawks recovered the onside kick though.

Indeed! It would really have been nice to get a straight and honest answer.

 

[OldSchool101]

Oh I don't know about going on this "witch hunt" I personally used to point fingers and make accusations a lot before knowing all the facts. Im thankful I had a work partner for 10 years, who was winding down into retirement, that had a lifetime of experience he freely shared. One of the most important lessons I learned was to be very very careful about the accusations thing. Giving people the benefit of the doubt proved worthy the very first time I tried it. We got enough crap in our lives without creating and fabricating more.
I'll offer some straight out of the good book.. The Great Helper cannot work in your lives while your tied up in the negative (some call it Karma) menial worries. That's why people pay big big money for retreats and missions and such as acts of submission and servitude of self to others, only to have their own life completely changed for the better. we all seek our identity and soul purpose amongst the noise of our world. From what I understand this blame game thing is not only childish it's fruitless and withers your vine.

 

[adambr2]

Oh I don't know about going on this "witch hunt" I personally used to point fingers and make accusations a lot before knowing all the facts. Im thankful I had a work partner for 10 years, who was winding down into retirement, that had a lifetime of experience he freely shared. One of the most important lessons I learned was to be very very careful about the accusations thing. Giving people the benefit of the doubt proved worthy the very first time I tried it. We got enough crap in our lives without creating and fabricating more.
I'll offer some straight out of the good book.. The Great Helper cannot work in your lives while your tied up in the negative (some call it Karma) menial worries. That's why people pay big big money for retreats and missions and such as acts of submission and servitude of self to others, only to have their own life completely changed for the better. we all seek our identity and soul purpose amongst the noise of our world. From what I understand this blame game thing is not only childish it's fruitless and withers your vine.

I don't think there's any witch hunt or blame game going on. Just people drawing new conclusions about the kind of player and leader Clay Matthews is based on the facts we have.

 

[OldSchool101]

I don't think there's any witch hunt or blame game going on. Just people drawing new conclusions about the kind of player and leader Clay Matthews is based on the facts we have.

Very noble indeed.
If we could only protect our own spirit like we take delight in the comforts of worrying about the validity of others' ethics, we wouldn't have to lower our thoughts to the level of how to fix others' attitudes because we'd be busy bees working overtime on our own attitudes

 

[Half Empty]

When folks pay me seven or eight figures, I'll be glad to let them TALK about my attitude. Heck, lots of folks do that for free already.

 

[adambr2]

Very noble indeed.
If we could only protect our own spirit like we take delight in the comforts of worrying about the validity of others' ethics, we wouldn't have to lower our thoughts to the level of how to fix others' attitudes because we'd be busy bees working overtime on our own attitudes

No one questioned his ethics. No one called him dirty or immoral. The question was about his leadership.

When the organization that I have invested thousands of dollars in pays Clay Matthews $66M to lead this defense, I tend to think we're within our rights to expect enough leadership out of him to spend the last 5 minutes of the NFC Championship Game fighting and not bailing. I don't think that has anything to do with our own attitudes or ethics.

 

[Half Empty]

No one questioned his ethics. No one called him dirty or immoral. The question was about his leadership.

When the organization that I have invested thousands of dollars in pays Clay Matthews $66M to lead this defense, I tend to think we're within our rights to expect enough leadership out of him to spend the last 5 minutes of the NFC Championship Game fighting and not bailing. I don't think that has anything to do with our own attitudes or ethics.

Maybe it's too early, but I can't quite wrap my head around this one, specifically 'invested'. Would you please explain?

 

[adambr2]

Maybe it's too early, but I can't quite wrap my head around this one, specifically 'invested'. Would you please explain?

The investment is many single ticket games, merchandise, Sunday ticket packages, and other purchases related to the team, the return on investment is the enjoyment (hopefully ) that I get from watching the team.

 

[Half Empty]

The investment is many single ticket games, merchandise, Sunday ticket packages, and other purchases related to the team, the return on investment is the enjoyment (hopefully ) that I get from watching the team.

Thanks. Sort of figured that was the case. As so often in forums, we don't always (heck, usually) ascribe the same meaning as do others.

 

[OldSchool101]

No one questioned his ethics. No one called him dirty or immoral. The question was about his leadership.

When the organization that I have invested thousands of dollars in pays Clay Matthews $66M to lead this defense, I tend to think we're within our rights to expect enough leadership out of him to spend the last 5 minutes of the NFC Championship Game fighting and not bailing. I don't think that has anything to do with our own attitudes or ethics.

I Like your passion Adam. I love football. Among other sports. Everything about it. I'm not going to pretend to impress you with my involvement and my investment in it because I think that's a haughty position to take.
I do think there is a threshold we cross with putting sports before and above the relationships of one another as people.. At that point, there is not one piece of evidence of argument or any amount of ownership one can provide me that will impress me or put me in check. Because, I am not confused that at that point, we make football our God and we have put the very thing we adore about it, the human spirit in last place. the rest is up to you.

 

[RepStar15]

I think everyone in this forum loves football and are (mostly) invested in the Packers. I think Matthew's lack of mental and possibly physical toughness has led us to question his investment to this team and Packer's community. I do not think that his fans, being upset with him not playing, is out of line. If I told my boss I was too tired to go to my last meeting of the day, that he has worked for 4 months organizing, my entire staff and organization would be disappointed (not to mention I would not get paid and most likely fired). Unlike us, NFL player's get paid win or lose and a hell of a lot of money to perform in 16-20 games a year. After a loss like Seattle, we have to go to work and deal with the haters, while they start their $50,000 vacation. Fans have the right to question player's abilities (or lack thereof) in this case, because we keep the sport alive. We are the reason they have a career.

 

[OldSchool101]

I think everyone in this forum loves football and are (mostly) invested in the Packers. I think Matthew's lack of mental and possibly physical toughness has led us to question his investment to this team and Packer's community. I do not think that his fans, being upset with him not playing, is out of line. If I told my boss I was too tired to go to my last meeting of the day, that he has worked for 4 months organizing, my entire staff and organization would be disappointed (not to mention I would not get paid and most likely fired). Unlike us, NFL player's get paid win or lose and a hell of a lot of money to perform in 16-20 games a year. After a loss like Seattle, we have to go to work and deal with the haters, while they start their $50,000 vacation. Fans have the right to question player's abilities (or lack thereof) in this case, because we keep the sport alive. We are the reason they have a career.

I'm going to assume you've heard his response. So...
I'm curious. Simple yes or no. If you saw Clay in a bar. Would you say that to his face?

 

[Ogsponge]

I'm going to assume you've heard his response. So...
I'm curious. Simple yes or no. If you saw Clay in a bar. Would you say that to his face?

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Clay's own inability to finish that game has caused these legitimate questions and concerns and none of your philosophical statements or questions will change that. To answer your question, I myself would not question his toughness if I met him in a bar but not out of some sort of fear but out of respect for the fact that he is a human being and there is no need to rag on anyone about something they already probably feel bad enough about. I personally would be more interested in speaking to him about anything other than football.

That being said we as fans are always going to discuss all aspects of our teams with other fans and those discussions will not always be butterflies and kittens. This situation with Clay is a real head scratcher and with what little information given to us by the Packer and Clay himself, something just does not quite add up to anyone with an inclining of an analytical mind. This defense and team fails over and over again when it matters most and the highest paid player and "leader" of the defense could not make a gutcheck in crunch time. Do you really not see a connection there and have some concerns as to what the heck was going on with him?

 

[RepStar15]

I'm going to assume you've heard his response. So...
I'm curious. Simple yes or no. If you saw Clay in a bar. Would you say that to his face?

No, that's out of my pay grade. I would be more worried about trying to marry him, that way I can ASSURE the packers community he will not pull that BS ever again.

 

[OldSchool101]

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? Clay's own inability to finish that game has caused these legitimate questions and concerns and none of your philosophical statements or questions will change that. To answer your question, I myself would not question his toughness if I met him in a bar but not out of some sort of fear but out of respect for the fact that he is a human being and there is no need to rag on anyone about something they already probably feel bad enough about. I personally would be more interested in speaking to him about anything other than football.

That being said we as fans are always going to discuss all aspects of our teams with other fans and those discussions will not always be butterflies and kittens. This situation with Clay is a real head scratcher and with what little information given to us by the Packer and Clay himself, something just does not quite add up to anyone with an inclining of an analytical mind. This defense and team fails over and over again when it matters most and the highest paid player and "leader" of the defense could not make a gutcheck in crunch time. Do you really not see a connection there and have some concerns as to what the heck was going on with him?

First the question wasn't yours to answer. But as long as your complicit in the response I asked for a yes or no. In you not doing so I got my answer.
I think if you look in the mirror, you're hurt because your team lost and your one of many who are using Clay in the "blame game". I can give you 50 examples of why people thought we lost this game for evidence. Half from this forum alone.
But the point is Clay was asked and his response was clear and concise.
Any further questioning about his lack of perserrverence of lack of quality of play or lack of leadership or whatever you wanna call it is purely speculative.
How many years he has played ferociously on this team and still we question his devotion? Please
Listen. You're entitled to think he's a slacker if you want. your correct in that You have every right ridicule him. But remember this my friend. I don't care if it's. 999 to 1, my opinion is clear, Im a big fan of Clay and I'm honored to be able to watch him If we didn't have Clay Mathews we would be in deep do do

 

[Half Empty]

I'm going to assume you've heard his response. So...
I'm curious. Simple yes or no. If you saw Clay in a bar. Would you say that to his face?

OK, I'll play. No, I wouldn't.

 

[King of Jeans]

was CM3 on the field for OT? I don't remember.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

was CM3 on the field for OT? I don't remember.

Yes, he played every single snap in OT.

 

[Ace]

Yes, he played every single snap in OT.

All 4 of them lol

 

[Deleted member 6794]

All 4 of them lol

Let's be fair, it took the Seahawks six plays to get in the end zone.

 

[Ace]

Let's be fair, it took the Seahawks six plays to get in the end zone.

Lol Potato Potahto