Packers report: Clay Matthews fill-ins an assortment of skills

Published Wednesday, Nov 14, 2012 at 2:29 pm EST
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GREEN BAY, Wis.—Replacing Clay Matthews (hamstring) isn't going to be easy. It's likely Matthews won't play this week, so it will be up to a combination of rookie Dezman Moses, Frank Zombo and possibly Vic So'oto to fill the void.

Moses has played mostly as a sub-package linebacker, serving as both a pass rusher and a bump-and-run player. He's a former defensive end who's still learning to rush from a two-point stance. He has a pretty good outside move and has the strength to bull-rush some tackles. But working in space is new to him and learning when to dip under a block and when to slip inside are things he's still working on. He will probably be the starter.

Zombo started in Super Bowl XLV, so he's not a novice. He's not a Matthews-type rusher, but he's tall and a more polished rusher than Moses. He's solid at the line of scrimmage, taking on tight ends or tackles. He just isn't a dynamic player.

So'oto knows the system and showed some raw pass rush ability a year ago, but he didn't perform well in training camp and has to make sure he takes advantage of a second chance.