We’ve been hemming and hawing about the Green Bay Packers not organizing workouts during the lockout, but we have nothing to worry about when it comes to one player — linebacker [intlink id=”454″ type=”category”]Clay Matthews[/intlink].
A couple weeks ago we got a chance to check out Matthews’ workouts first hand. The linebacker works out in Westlake Village, a northern suburb of Los Angeles, with trainer Ryan Capretta at Proactive Sports during the offseason.
Capretta trains several football players — in addition to Clay, his brother Casey, Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga, and cornerback Antoinio Cromartie, who spent last season with the New York Jets, were on hand the day we visited.
According to Capretta, Matthews is ahead of the pack, though.
“Clay workouts out 11 times per week. It’s very intense. He does two workouts per day Monday through Friday and one on Saturday,” he said. “He puts way more time into training than most guys in the offseason.”
Matthews’ workouts begin with field work — first running and then various drills to improve strength, speed and agility, as you’ll see below. That’s followed by time in the weight room.
Matthews said he’s preparing this offseason just like he would for any season, by working.
When I asked him if he was worried about the lockout and the lack of organized team activities affecting the Packers in their quest to repeat he shrugged off the idea.
“Is it going to affect the way we play? I don’t think so,” Matthews said. “We’ve got a veteran group of guys. We’re not like the teams who have a new quarterback and a new coach.”
Duly noted.
The most likely difference going into this season is rookies may be at a disadvantage. Casey Matthews, a fourth-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, falls into that group.
“They’re going to have to show something right away,” Clay said.
Of course, when you have someone like Clay Matthews setting the example, Casey will probably we well ahead of most rookies.
Here’s a look at the beginning of Matthews’ day.
Training with Clay Matthews from Total Packers on Vimeo.
It should be noted it was approaching 90 degrees the morning we stopped by.