Check the Tape: Under-the-radar Mike Matthews set for success

As scouts from 30 NFL teams closely watched Mike Matthews and other Aggies complete a series of drills during Texas A&M’s annual Pro Day, another expert set of eyes watched from a different vantage point.

And with a different point of view.

“They make such a big deal with this combine-type workout,” Bruce Matthews said on Wednesday morning. “It has nothing to do with playing offensive line in the NFL. At the end of the day, it’s, 'Can you play or not?'”

Of course, Bruce Matthews could definitely play. In fact, he was better than the vast majority of offensive linemen that ever played the game.

He played 19 seasons in the NFL. He was named to the Pro Bowl 14 times. He was named All-Pro 10 times. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s coached in the NFL.

So, when he says those drills don’t matter well… they probably don’t. When he says he thinks his son, Mike, can play in the NFL, well … then he probably can.

“It’s hard not to kind of buy in and say, ‘My 40 is this and my three-cone drill is this,’” Bruce said. “As an offensive line guy it’s, 'What do you do on tape?' I feel confident Mike is going to get involved with a team, learn their system and learn all the ins and outs and nuances about it and I think he’s going to fit in well.

"He’s always been a very adaptive kid. We’re really excited to see where it all shakes out.”

Mike Matthews may be an enigma on draft weekend (April 28-30). He’s strong, smart and technically sound.

However, at 6-2, 297 pounds, he’s not that big by NFL standards. Also, he blocked on a Texas A&M offensive line that underachieved the last two seasons.

Was that because he struggled? Or was he stuck in the middle of a crowd that wasn’t getting the job done? Or was the A&M blocking scheme flawed?

Those questions can be debated. Perhaps the answer can be found on tape.

Bruce acknowledged that his third son doesn’t have ideal size, but said it is sufficient for the NFL. Besides, Bruce said Mike has more important qualities that cannot be measured or timed.

“His best quality is he plays with an edge,” Bruce said. “He’s got some nasty to him. That type stuff stands out at the collegiate level, at the NFL level. It’s like, ‘Mike, you know, obviously you’ve got to learn the system and get comfortable with it, but bring that attitude to the game.'

"As an offensive line coach it’s very refreshing because it pulls up the rest of your line when they see guys doing that.”

Another nearby onlooker agreed. Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews echoed that his younger brother has an attitude that would serve him well in the NFL.

“He’s one of the most competitive people I know,” said Jake, a first-round draft choice in 2014. “We’re similar in a lot of ways, but at the same time we’re both pretty different. I’m not as talkative. He’s more of a loudmouth. That’s one of the things I respect about him a lot. He’s really competitive and he doesn’t take crap from anyone.”

At 6-5, 309 pounds, Jake’s size has never been an issue. He says it shouldn’t be an issue for Mike, either.

Besides, leverage is the key to blocking. For years coaches have taught linemen that the low man usually wins.

“I think (Mike’s size) is really overblown,” Jake said. “I’ve played football with Mike my entire life. We’ve been on a couple of teams together. Even though he’s two years younger than me he’s always been one of the leaders. He’s one of the guys that everyone looks up to and respects. I could tell that, too, when he was starting at center his sophomore year and I was a senior.

“He’s big enough … he’s 290 pounds. He’s a big kid. I’ve seen him play. I know he can hold his own against anybody. He’s a center, too. He doesn’t have to play tackle like me. I think he’s going to be fine.”

In fact, Jake would be more than willing to recommend drafting Mike if anyone asked.

So far no one has — not even the Falcons.

“I hope they do,” Jake said. “I think that could be pretty cool to play on the same high school, college and NFL team together. That would be exciting.”

There may not be too much excitement among the fan base of whatever team selects Mike Matthews.

Centers taken in the later rounds don’t inspire delirious celebrations.

But at least one Hall of Famer believes the team that picks Mike will celebrate that selection when he lines up across the NFL's nose tackles.

“The guys they put on the nose in the NFL are guys you aren’t going to be moving very far anyway,” Bruce said. “It’s about fitting up on guys, staying up on guys. He does a great job with that. I think he’s going to make somebody a good player.”