Seahawks sign CFL receiver Matthews

[depaashaas]

Seahawks signed Chriss Matthews out of the CFL. He was CFL rookie of the year in 2012 with 81 receptions for 1,192 yards pretty big guy at 6-5 227 pounds. Was un drafted out of Kentucky and had some injuries last year

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/seahawks/ ... -matthews/

Pretty nice catch here http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/76665

Don't know much about him but according to radio he had multiple offers from other teams but decided to sign future contract with Hawks, so if he would not make it price will not be an issue

[NorthHawk]

Wow, he's a monster.
From the article:

"The Seahawks, known to be searching for another big receiver, today signed a potentially intriguing option — Chris Matthews, a 6-5, 1227-pounder who has played the past two seasons in the Canadian Football League." (my underlining and bolding)

Maybe it suggests how they are looking in the draft?

[c_hawkbob]

There was talk hereabouts whether he'd be able to bulk up enough for the NFL ... guess not (a couple years ago anyhow). If anyone can figure out how he fits in this league it's Pete.

[Hawkstar]

pretty big guy at 6-5 227 pounds

He's a monster compared to our current roster of WR's. Let's hope he can play!

[monkey]

Such a Pete and John type of pickup. I love it, I'd bet just about anything it works too.

[mykc14]

There was talk hereabouts whether he'd be able to bulk up enough for the NFL ... guess not (a couple years ago anyhow). If anyone can figure out how he fits in this league it's Pete.

Bob, you would know more about him than most of us. I read that the one real knock on him was his speed, was that a complaint going out of college? How about his pass catching ability, did he drop many passes? What was your overall impression? Did it look like he had the goods to be an NFL WR?

[mykc14]

After watching the video below I am not overly impressed. He is tall, but doesn't seem fast. I also didn't see him break any tackles in the whole 3 minute highlight. The writer of the article compares him to Stephen Williams from this year's pre-season (you may remember him making a lot of plays in the offseason, especially downfield) but I don't see the comparison, except maybe the height. Williams continually beat defenders downfield and Matthews doesn't seem to do that.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2014 ... -matthews/

[depaashaas]

After watching the video below I am not overly impressed. He is tall, but doesn't seem fast. I also didn't see him break any tackles in the whole 3 minute highlight. The writer of the article compares him to Stephen Williams from this year's pre-season (you may remember him making a lot of plays in the offseason, especially downfield) but I don't see the comparison, except maybe the height. Williams continually beat defenders downfield and Matthews doesn't seem to do that.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2014 ... -matthews/

No I did not think it was to impressive but or flashy but he did got open a lot and got some in traffic. If he can stay healthy for the whole year he can be an improvement over Rice at a much cheaper price

[Eaglehawk]

They don't have much video of his drops.
But from what I saw he has good range, and good hands, which is critical.

Maybe they are thinking of using him as a decoy to the decoy Harvin in a short slants where RW tends to throw high.

PC and JS just have more options now. Obviously its too soon for me to ask this but, goodbye Tate?

[briwas101]

Good move by the Hawks because it is low risk with some upside potential.

If he has injury problems and only catches 1 pass for 17 yards it won't be a big deal....

In all seriousness though, the move is smart because the Hawks clearly like to have a tall WR on the team and this makes Rice even more expendable than he already was. The downside is that he had injury problems last year. I would gladly take a poor-man's version of Rice if i knew he would be able to stay healthy most of the season. With his injuries last year i would be surprised if the Hawks settle for just Matthews. I bet the Hawks draft a tall WR somewhere in the draft.

[monkey]

There was talk hereabouts whether he'd be able to bulk up enough for the NFL ... guess not (a couple years ago anyhow). If anyone can figure out how he fits in this league it's Pete.

Bob, you would know more about him than most of us. I read that the one real knock on him was his speed, was that a complaint going out of college? How about his pass catching ability, did he drop many passes? What was your overall impression? Did it look like he had the goods to be an NFL WR?

I'm not Bob, but I play one on TV, and I can tell you that speed was easily the biggest knock on him.
He takes too long to get to top speed (no quick burst you normally like to see) and he tends to round off the tops of his routes (if you understand what I mean by that).
The guy he reminds me of?
Mike Williams.

[c_hawkbob]

Yeah I can't say I payed a whole lot of attention to him but he has nice size and decent hands. The local news every year covers all of the NFL prospects coming out of Kentucky schools and his highlight reel was decent but his speed is exactly what everyone's question mark was; too slight to play TE and not quick enough to play receiver.

[Eaglehawk]

Looks as if PC might have known this kid before, he is from LA.

No speed, but height and good hands, maybe his YAC numbers were special.

I bet that may be the x factor here.

[Eaglehawk]

Something this kid has jumped out at them. Would love to know what it was.

[NorthHawk]

Size.
He's the tall WR they don't have on the roster.
It doesn't mean he will win a spot - just like Chris Harper last year, and it's 2 years in a row they have put a big WR on their TC roster.
Let's see if he can win a spot.

[HumanCockroach]

If he can catch the ball consistently, especially in traffic, doesn't balloon up every off season, I don't see why he wouldn't be an upgrade over Williams. Nice to have those options in the red zone ( somewhere Williams was pretty much a non factor his entire career, including his one decent season in Seattle).

[Anthony]

Last night on one of the talk shows on the radio they had the QB that played with him, and he said his route running has gotten very good, he gets open, catches everything, does take a few step to get up to speed, uses his body well, ex basketball player, reminds me of Bouldin, which is not to bad opposite Harvin

[briwas101]

If he can catch the ball consistently, especially in traffic, doesn't balloon up every off season, I don't see why he wouldn't be an upgrade over Williams. Nice to have those options in the red zone ( somewhere Williams was pretty much a non factor his entire career, including his one decent season in Seattle).

Williams was not the redzone threat that people made him out to be, as you said.
Neither was Sidney Rice or Zach Miller.

Have ANY of our "redzone threats" even lived up to a fraction of their expectations?

It would be nice to finally get one.

[briwas101]

Last night on one of the talk shows on the radio they had the QB that played with him, and he said his route running has gotten very good, he gets open, catches everything, does take a few step to get up to speed, uses his body well, ex basketball player, reminds me of Bouldin, which is not to bad opposite Harvin

He won't look too bad sitting on the bench across from Harvin nursing his latest injury. They will look great on the bench together.

[Eaglehawk]

Last night on one of the talk shows on the radio they had the QB that played with him, and he said his route running has gotten very good, he gets open, catches everything, does take a few step to get up to speed, uses his body well, ex basketball player, reminds me of Bouldin, which is not to bad opposite Harvin

Then that explains why they are giving him a shot. he gets open. Even with little speed, if you get open, have great route running skills and good hands, you are going to get more opportunities in the NFL. I am rooting for him to make the team. And not get a dui like that one guy last season we dumped in camp. (can't remember his name).

[HumanCockroach]

Josh Portis, QB

[Ironfist]

I understand that was dealing with turf toe which shouldn't make hi a big injury concern.