Locker must be wary of Matthews

Titans quarterback Jake Locker and his banged-up offensive line will face a significant test from a Green Bay defense that’s compiled 45 sacks this season – the sixth-best figure in the NFL.

Leading the way for the Packers is linebacker Clay Matthews, nephew of Titans offensive line coach Bruce Matthews, who has 11 sacks.

“It’s just because of his speed, his athleticism,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “He makes plays you don’t think he can make. When you play a team like this with the ‘3-4’ concept, they’ve got better athletes on the field. I think he’s got a knack for getting a good jump on the ball, especially at home with the crowd noise.”

Locker, who’s been sacked 11 times in the last three games, is fast enough to outrun most pursuing defenders, but that may not be the case with a player like Matthews.

“I think the thing with someone like him (is like) when we play Indy and (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis,” Munchak said. “You have a guy that can run you down, a guy that is always chasing you, a guy that you have to be careful when you are booting out away from him.

“There’s a good chance if you stop, you’re going to get hit and the ball is going to get stripped. So when you have guys run like he can, you have to be aware of once you start moving, you better keep moving.”

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Posted In: League News, Team News

Source: Titans Insider