In OLB Clay Matthews, the starting defense of the 2010 Green Bay Packers features one of the most dynamic young players in the NFL.  The second year pro out of USC is really flourishing within Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers’ 3-4 system, and the race for NFC Defensive Player of the Year figures to come down to him and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel.

Matthews finished fourth in the NFL in sacks, second in the NFC.

“Once you finish your rookie year you kind of see what you need to improve on,” Matthews said at Cowboys Stadium during the Nike Football Media Summit last week.

“For me, I think I finished the season pretty well and I knew coming into the season that I was going to get a lot more attention from opposing offenses, so I knew I had to not only get bigger, faster, stronger, but also my mentality- that’s kind of where I been this year. Trying to be a leader and being relentless and ruthless in getting after it, kind of the same approach I’ll take going into my third year,” he continued.

By Paul M. Banks

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It’s really been a phenomenal season for both the NFC Champion Green Bay Packers defensive unit and their star Left Outside Linebacker Clay Matthews. The second year pro out of USC is really flourishing within Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers’ 3-4 system, and the race for NFC Defensive Player of the Year figures to come down to him and Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. If you’re one to bet on sports, you might want to put money on Matthews getting sacks in the Super Bowl.

“I was fortunate enough that my first year was his (Capers) first year. I think we finished one or two in defense last year. And I think right now we’re leading the NFL in points per game allowed,” Matthews said at Cowboys Stadium during the Nike Football Media Summit.

Matthews will be return to Cowboys Stadium for Super Bowl 45, the annual sports betting event.

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