Mayock on Matthews

INDIANAPOLIS – As you might be able to tell from this story, we’re big believers in Clay Matthews being a good fit for the Patriots. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock spoke with reporters recently about Matthews, and what he could bring to an NFL team. Here’s what he said:

“The people who think he’s just a ‘try-hard, overachiever’ are wrong. He was a former walk-on. He’s gained 55 pounds of muscle since he got there. He’s got athletic skills. And of all the USC linebackers, he can rush the quarterback better than any of them. I think he’s a solid, second-round kind of guy that’s going to start for somebody early in his career and play 10 years.

“I think that’s part of the beauty of him, his versatility. I think he’s probably a 4-3 ‘will.’ But I know teams are looking at him for different things. And I think in today’s NFL, the more you can do from a versatility perspective, the better off you are.”

Just a quick heads up — ex-Pats GM Scott Pioli is scheduled to speak with the media at 2:30 p.m. We’ll have more from him as soon as it is done.