Brooks Reed Drawing Clay Matthews Comparisons in Several Different Ways

Okay, so maybe it's just me that has already begun comparing Houston's second round (42nd overall) selection in this year's draft to the Pro Bowl/Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews III.

You've got to admit, though, while watching the Arizona State standout in his NFL debut with the Houston Texans tonight, Reed's flowing, luscious locks look eerily similar to those of Matthews.

With similar size and speed as Matthews at the outside linebacking position, Reed is more than just a carbon-copy in terms of looks–if you don't agree that the two have a similar physical appearance then take a gander at the below photos.

In his two seasons roaming the defensive backfield at the Frozen Tundra, Matthews racked up 90 tackles, 23.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and 11 passes defensed in 28 starts on his way to two Pro Bowl appearances and an All Pro team.

But more importantly, Matthews III has already established himself as an NFL workhorse and is one of the most well-known outside 'backers in the game. Even the casual football fans know that Matthews has the ability to run sideline-to-sideline and make big plays.

What was Reed's rep at Arizona State like? Oddly similar to that of Matthews. Playing all four years at Univ. of Arizona, Reed recorded 114 tackles and 17 sacks in 34 career collegiate starts. Though he played end a lot in Arizona, Reed is versatile and has the ability to play both DE and OLB.

With 4.6 speed, Reed, too, has a wide range and can cover both sides of the field. Watching video from his Arizona career it looks as though he was in on a majority of the plays and had a knack for finding the ball-carrier. Though I would categorize him as more of a pass-rusher, obviously, I do think he can contribute to stopping the run in Houston as well.

Considering he hasn't even played a full game in the NFL yet–and it's week one of the preseason for crying out loud–one could say this is all a bit premature. But the potential for a Matthews-type 'backer is certainly there for Houston. Especially when you consider he will be playing alongside the likes of Mario Williams, Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans and fellow rookie (first round pick) J.J. Watt in Wade Phillips' new-look defense.

Houston's 29th overall defense from a year ago has nowhere to go but up in 2011, and with a revamped defense and high-flying offense led by Schaub, Foster and Johnson, Houston may be the team to beat in the South this season. Not Indianapolis.

My, oh my are the tables turning.

**Photos found on Google, no copyright infringement intended**

Video(s) of the Day 2/1/11: More on Matthews and Polamalu

With Pittsburgh's strong safety Troy Polamalu winning the AP Defensive Player of the Year award last night, despite Matthews being favored by many (including myself), I think it's time for a little bit more hype on the Polamalu vs. Matthews headline in the Super Bowl.

Here are a couple of highlight videos I found on youtube which feature the two long-haired, hard-hitting defenders. Enjoy.

Most of the highlights aren't from this year alone, but these were the two best videos I was able to find.

Hair (Matthews) vs. Hair (Polamalu): AP Defensive Player of the Year?

The Associated Press' Defensive Player of the Year will be announced tonight at 8 PM ET on the NFL Network.

This raises one obvious question: who will win the award?

At this point it's basically between the two long-haired ball hawks playing for the two Super Bowl teams: Clay Matthews III and Troy Polamalu.

Here are the possible candidates and their regular season stats:

Clay Matthews: 60 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF

Troy Polamalu: 63 combined tackles, 1 sack, 7 INTs, 1 FF

DeMarcus Ware: 66 combined tackles, 15.5 sacks, 0 INTs, 2 FF

James Harrison: 100 combined tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 6 FF

Cameron Wake: 57 combined tackles, 14 sacks, 0 INTs, 3 FF

Ray Lewis: 139 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FF

Julius Peppers: 54 combined tackles, 8 sacks, 2 INTs, 3 FF

Jerod Mayo: 175 combined tackles, 2 sacks, 0 INTs, 1 FF

Of these candidates, it seems Polamalu and Matthews are the most logical choices. Not only did they put up good numbers on the season, but they were their respective team's playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and was the deciding factor in just about every game they played this season.

Each and every week the opposing quarterback had to keep tabs on Nos. 52 and 43 in order to succeed on that given day. Obviously, more times than not Matthews and Polamalu got the most of their opposition.

When it comes to individual achievement I believe that Matthews is a bit more deserving of the award partly because he is playing a much bigger role in the defense as one of Green Bay's outside linebackers. He must direct traffic on defense, and is both a great pass-rusher (13.5 sacks) and coverage guy (60 tackles, 1 INT, 2 FF).

Polamalu's hair is better, but I think that Matthews will take home the award in just his second season in the National Football League.

*Runner-up: Troy Polamalu, Steelers

*Dark horse: James Harrison, Steelers

Photo credit

Clay Matthews: Todd Rosenberg/NFL

Clay Matthews, Packers' Defense Unblockable in Big Win over Big D

Things just haven't been going Dallas' way this season, and Green Bay's 45-7 shellacking of Jerry Jones' 'Boys tonight have just made matters worse.

Not only was Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers-led offense spot on, but so was the ball-hawking defense of Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson and A.J. Hawk.

Aaron Rodgers threw for nearly 300 yards and three TDs while Green Bay's defense scored two more times, once on a fumble returned by Nick Collins and the other a 62-yard interception return by Matthews. Kitna was pressured all night long and just couldn't seem to get much of anything going, unless of course he was throwing to rookie wideout Dez Bryant, who caught nine passes for 86 yards and the team's only touchdown.

Green Bay doubled Dallas' total yards, 415-205, as the Cowboys rushing attack struggled dearly, running for a mere 39 yards on 14 carries (2.8 YPC).

Jerry Jones has a Texas-sized problem out in Big D, but it isn't likely that he will be firing the 63-year old despite the team's 1-7 record this season.

What else have I learned from this game? Green Bay is a top five team. The last time I posted a top 10 (Oct. 30) I had the Pack at No. 9, but after this week they will certainly crack the top five considering the Pats and Chiefs both lost earlier today.

Photo Credits

John Kuhn: AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps