Why the Miami Dolphins Should Love Oregon Duck Casey Matthews

After watching most of the Miami Dolphins' linebacking core spend much of the past several seasons nursing injuries, it would be time to fill spots with someone who is instinctual, runs sideline to sideline, has football in his blood, and is set on competing with his family lineage....

Meet Casey Matthews. He's must see TV, he should be a Miami Dolphin. 

First, he is 6' 1", 235. Before the season begins he can easily weigh in at 245. Please don't overestimate the size issue. I'm very aware of Parcell's system of critiquing players. The front office re-signed Crowder, his play has been disappointing, his mouth ran faster than his legs. The best move(s) the front office signed was Karlos Dansby and the development of Cameron Wake. Koa Misi looks promising, but it is still too early to tell. It is easy to like Ikaika Alama-Francis but he is one dimensional. The release of Rob Ninkovich was disappointing. He had a good season for the Patriots...still taking castaway Dolphins players and making them gamers.  

Casey Matthews can cover, tackle in open space, and blitz. He was an integral part of the Oregon Ducks' 3-4 defense. He played zone and man. He sniffs out the screen well. Yes, I think he would fit in well. I live on the west coast, I've seen a lot of the Oregon Ducks. Matthews is capable of playing all downs. He can play both inside and outside in the 3-4 scheme. 

And, yes, he does remind me of bigger Zach Thomas. Karlos Dansby and Matthews would be a great pair. Edds was drafted for his third down play (unfortunately he was injured and needed surgery, his return should be interesting). For the record, Edds makes a lot of sense. However, he was injured and it's tough to trust the knee reconstruction. I know that from my days of college football. Edds was not drafted for every down, it would be nice to have linebackers who can cover and blitz on all three downs. 

I'm not interested in him purely because he is a Matthews. However, It does fit into the equation significantly. He was bred to play football, just like his dad, his uncle, and his brother. This reasoning does having validity. The Miami Dolphins are a team with rich history, so do the Matthews. It is a great fit. How amazing would it be to have a dad, brother, and uncle who have been there, done that? How great for his psyche would that be? 

Most say that Casey is not as good as his brother. Clay played outside linebacker, not inside (technically Casey played both). Two different players, different positions. The truth is most had no idea that Clay Matthews would work out so well in Green Bay, or he would have not lasted until the 26th pick. In fact, most draftniks didn't know what to do with Clay Matthews. It seems like the same is being said of Casey: too small, not fast enough, and can't play inside linebacker. Some said Clay was a situational player. The NFL was wrong about Clay, I think the draftniks are wrong about Casey. 

Casey Matthews seemed like he is ready to wear 54 in the NFL, let's hope it's for the Miami Dolphins.