The Chargers are in the market to draft at least one inside linebacker. In need of a pass rusher, the Chargers were one of several teams that passed on USC outside linebacker Clay Matthews in 2009, instead selecting Larry English with the 16th overall pick.
The Green Bay Packers took Matthews at No. 28, and he has 23½ sacks in two seasons. He was runner-up as Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and earlier this month won a Super Bowl ring.
Now, Clay's younger brother Casey is at the NFL Scouting Combine, an undersized (6 feet, 232 pounds) inside linebacker out of Oregon projected to be a mid- to late-round pick and trying to both live up to his family name and make a name for himself.
Casey Matthews could join a long line of Matthews who have played in the NFL. His grandfather was a defensive end in the 1950s. His father, Clay Matthews, Jr., played the third-most games in NFL history (278) in 19 seasons as a linebacker. His uncle, Bruce, is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman who also played 19 seasons. His cousin, Kevin, was a rookie with the Tennessee Titans last season.
Casey has the friendly demeanor but icy stare of his father and brother, their chiseled chin and their long hair. “It’s just the look of it coming out the back of the helmet,” Casey said. “It’s just one of our trademarks.”
Casey Matthews was passed over by USC even though his two brothers and father went there. He ended up leading national runner-up Oregon in tackles in 2010 and was named the team’s co-MVP.
Asked what separates him from his brother, he said, “Just my instincts. He’s more of an explosive athlete. We’re different positions. I think my position requires a little more of the instinctual side and getting to the ball quicker. I feel that’s a part of my game that Clay doesn’t necessarily (do) as well. He obviously has a pretty good game.”
“No matter where I go I’ll definitely be trying to prove a name for myself and not be known as Clay’s son or Clay’s little brother,” he said. “That’s definitely a compliment though ... You can live up to the name, (but) You have to put that aside. You have to deal with it from within, not necessarily worry about what other people have to say. You’ve got to have that coming from the inside. You want to make your name that big and separate from other players.”
Would this make up for the oversight two years ago, should the Chargers pick him?
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