“Blitz like the Green Bay Packers, sack like the linebackers” is a lyric from the Wu-Tang Clan song Rushing Elephants. The title of the song is appropriate. A blitzing linebacker should be similar to an on-rushing elephant.

One of the best blitzing linebackers currently in the NFL resides in Green Bay. The former NFC Defensive Player of the Year, Clay Matthews III, is known for his ability to blitz and wreak havoc in offensive backfields.

However, even though he comes from a celebrated football family, success did not come easily for Matthews.

“I was definitely a late bloomer,” Matthews said, during an interview with Ask Men. In fact, Matthews was initially a walk-on at USC and invested two years of hard work before he earned a scholarship. 

Matthews, who is known for his unyielding motor and work ethic, spent the majority of his time on special teams before ever playing a down as a USC linebacker. Only in his second-to-last year was he elevated to backup linebacker. That season, he won USC’s Co-Special Teams Player of the Year Award.

Even during his final year, Coach Pete Carroll did not necessarily see anything special in Matthews, saying, “When we got to his senior year, he wasn't starting.” However, once he was given an opportunity to play on the field, Matthews began to make his mark.

Accordingly, there is a valuable lesson in Matthews’ progression as a football player from USC walk-on to NFL star. First, nothing is ever given, it is earned. Second, humility, perseverance and hard work go a long way in football and in life.

“I kept working because I had a chip on my shoulder because I was never the guy. And I wanted to be that guy,” Matthews said in an interview with ESPN.

Ultimately, Matthews’ personal philosophy and work ethicseparated him from the rest of his peers.

“I don’t just want to go out there and do my job — I want to excel at it…Whether it’s how you play, how you eat or how you train during the off-season, you need to separate yourself and become a man and take accountability for your actions.”

Matthews has gained the admiration of players around the league. When referencing Matthews’ tremendous playmaking ability, Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson said, “The true pros…definitely put in the hard work and it’s truly noticeable.”

Here is Matthews’ putting in the hard work at practice during a drill that utilizes techniques necessary to properly run the blitz progression drills:

Run this drill to find out who, like Matthews, is willing to put in the hard work and be noticed on your squad.

The purpose of this drill is to progressively introduce pass rushing techniques for blitzing linebackers.

Drill Setup

Have a coach holding a single arm pad assume a similar stance to an offensive blocker. The linebacker should be lined up directly in front of the coach approximately 2 yards away.

Make sure that remaining linebackers form a line behind the first linebacker to run the drill. This will allow the drill to flow more quickly so as to not waste time.

Phase One – Hip and Shoulder Turn

Players should rush and attempt to get around the coach without touching the coach or using their hands. Players should aggressively snap-open their hips and turn their shoulders, just prior to running into the coach, so they can get skinny in the hole.

Players should continue their momentum up field by employing good shuffle footwork. Once players have cleared the coach, they should re-square their hips and shoulders in order to get back to pursuing the ball.

Phase Two - Chop, Swipe, Club or Swim Technique

The coach, still with the single arm pad, will extend their arm to provide the rushing linebackers a target so they can execute a chop, swipe, club or swim technique. Rushing players should rush the coach and flip their hips to attack the outside of the arm pad with one of the designated techniques.

Once players clear the coach, they should re-square their hips and shoulders in order to get back to pursuing the ball. 

This drill can be used for inside or outside linebackers by simply changing the line backers’ angle of attack.

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