It's more important than ever for the Green Bay Packers' long-haired linebacker to get to the quarterback.
The Packers didn't add a potential game-changing edge rusher in free agency or via the draft. They focused on another defensive priority and replenished the cornerback position with veteran Tramon Williams and draft picks Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson.
That leaves Matthews and Nick Perry as leaders of a pass rush that had trouble getting consistent pressure last year.
"Well, I wasn't surprised with the first two picks. ... But obviously, you look at the depth at the outside linebacker position, and it's not that great," Matthews said. "That's not a slight to the guys who are behind Nick and myself, but you look around the league, a lot of times they're rotating in pass rushers."
The Packers had veteran Julius Peppers in the mix on the edge a couple seasons ago, but he returned to Carolina in 2017. Second-year player Kyler Fackrell and veteran Ahmad Brooks, who combined for 4 陆 sacks, were the primary backups outside.
Matthews and Perry each missed time last season with injuries. With a lack of production from the bench, getting fresh blood seemed to make sense.
Matthews said he understands that signings don't always go as planned for the front office. There are only so many draft picks to make. The salary cap limits spending.
"I'm happy with the picks they made Youth Marshall Newhouse Jersey , and at the same time it does show ... their confidence in Nick and myself, as well as the guys we have," Matthews said. "At some time I'm sure it will be addressed, but for the time being the guys we have here are the guys who have to hold up their end of the bargain."
It would help if Fackrell and second-year player Vince Biegel became more productive. Biegel missed the first seven games last season because of a foot injury.
"The biggest gains we've always made have been from our returning players, particularly the second, third year players," coach Mike McCarthy said after the draft about outside linebacker depth.
The pass rush could get more productive if other areas of the defense also improve.
Tighter pass coverage could give edge rushers more time to get to the quarterback. Green Bay also hopes to get more push up front from free agent signee Muhammad Wilkerson, who has 44 1/2 career sacks.
He joins Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry on the line, which should be the strength of new coordinator Mike Pettine's defense. Pettine was the New York Jets' defensive coordinator in Wilkerson's first two years in the league in 2011-12.
"Everybody's learning, some of the wording is a little different from back years ago when I was with Pettine Matthias Farley Jersey ," Wilkerson said. "We're all getting through it."
Matthews knows that Pettine wants to be aggressive, though there is plenty of time to figure out exactly what role he'll play this fall. It's quite possible that it doesn't change much after Matthews showed the flexibility to play both outside and inside the last few years.
Pettine replaced Dom Capers, who was fired after the 7-9 season. Capers had been Matthews' only defensive coordinator since the linebacker entered the league in 2009.
"Like I said, someone needed to fall on the knife. I think it's all done to get better results, and that's exactly what we're here for," Matthews said. "In the new defense we're getting ready to hit this season strong and, like I said, hold up our end of the bargain."
Odubel Herrera smiled when told he was being compared to Ichiro Suzuki and Vladimir Guerrero. He has potential to be known by his first name just like Ichiro and Vlad, too.Herrera hit a tiebreaking, solo homer in the seventh inning, Cesar Hernandez hit a two-run homer and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 Wednesday to win their third straight series.
”What he’s doing is special Cheap Quenton Nelson Jersey ,” manager Gabe Kapler said, adding that Herrera reminds him of Suzuki. ”It’s elite.”
Herrera is batting .419 (13 for 31) with two doubles, five homers and eight RBI in the last seven games.
”He’s a different breed,” starter Jake Arrieta said before mentioning Guerrero’s name with Herrera. ”When he gets hot, he’s fun to watch.”
Herrera had a tough stretch after an excellent start before finding his stroke again.
”It’s very satisfying to be compared to two legends,” he said.
Yadier Molina hit a pair of homers for the Cardinals, who lost starter Michael Wacha to injury.
Philadelphia’s beleaguered bullpen tossed three scoreless innings after Arrieta had another so-so outing, giving up both of Molina’s homers. Edubray Ramos (2-0) got five outs and Adam Morgan retired the last two batters with the tying run on second for his first career save.
”It was cool to go out there and succeed,” Morgan said.
The Phillies took two of three to win a series against the Cardinals for the first time since August 2014.
Arrieta gave up three runs and four hits in six innings to remain winless in June after posting a 0.90 ERA in five starts in May. Arrieta, who is earning $30 million this season as part of a three-year, $75 million contract Tarik Cohen Jersey Youth , has a 6.97 ERA in four starts this month.
Wacha left in the fourth with a left oblique strain. The right-hander allowed three runs – one earned – and six hits in 3 2/3 innings. He’ll have an MRI on Thursday.
”Feeling a little bit better,” Wacha said. ”I’m hoping for the best.”
Herrera ripped a 91 mph slider from Sam Tuivailala (1-3) off the scoreboard on the facing of the second deck in right field to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead. Herrera has a homer in four straight games.
Pinch hitter Jedd Gyorko hit a one-out double off Victor Arano in the ninth. Morgan entered to get Matt Carpenter on a foul pop and Tommy Pham on a grounder.
Molina drove a 3-2 pitch the opposite-way into the seats in right-center for his fifth career multihomer game in the sixth to tie it at 3.
A throwing error by Carpenter led to a pair of unearned runs in the fourth. Jorge Alfaro reached with one out when Carpenter’s throw pulled first baseman Jose Martinez off the bag. With two outs, Hernandez lined a 1-2 change-up to the seats in right for a 3-1 lead.
The Phillies took a 1-0 lead in the first after Rhys Hoskins hit a single, advanced to third on Herrera’s double and scored on Carlos Santana’s sacrifice fly.
Molina crushed Arrieta’s first pitch in the second inning to left to tie it at 1.
Wacha worked out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the third by striking out Scott Kingery and retiring Nick Williams on a bouncer.
CLUTCH
Seven of Herrera’s 12 homers have given Philadelphia a lead.
TRAINER’S ROOM
PHILLIES: INF J.P. Crawford was placed on the 10-day disabled list after breaking his hand Tuesday night. INF Mitch Walding was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace him. … Williams returned to the lineup after he broke his nose in the field on Monday night.
UP NEXT
Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (3-3, 2.73 ERA) takes the mound for the start of a four-game set at Milwaukee. He’s 6-4, 1.95 vs. the Brewers.
Phillies: After a day off, RHP Zach Eflin (4-2, 3.43 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game series at Washington on Friday night. Eflin has never faced the Nationals.
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