August 04, 2015
Chris Szagola/AP
"Being able to stay in shape and being able to play a full game, that can help you, because when the game is on the line, sometimes all the technique and all that stuff goes out the window and you just have to go out there and be a beast." - Jordan Matthews
When we think of wide receiver attributes, we think of things like speed, acceleration, route running, and hands -- all of which are obviously very important. Swagger is extremely important too, in Madden. However, one attribute that is often forgotten, especially since it is difficult to quantify, is stamina.
Stamina, in my opinion, is Jordan Matthews' best attribute. In training camp practices, it is fun to watch Matthews in action. He'll make a catch in traffic, turn it upfield past the safeties, stop, throw the ball back to a ball boy, sprint back to the line of scrimmage in time for a hurry-up snap, run another route, catch another pass, rinse, repeat.
It's really impressive, and last season, we saw a glimpse of it in actual game action. In one drive against the Carolina Panthers, Matthews had four catches on four targets for 73 yards and a touchdown.
"As the game goes on, routes aren't as crisp as they were in the first quarter," said Matthews. "Your eyes aren't able to focus on the ball as well, when you're in warmups as you are in the third and fourth quarter. Being able to stay in shape and being able to play a full game, that can help you, because when the game is on the line, sometimes all the technique and all that stuff goes out the window and you just have to go out there and be a beast.
"I feel like stamina has to be a big part of my game. I have to be able to run all day."
It's tough to come up with an NFL comparison for Matthews. He's not flashy, he's not unique in terms of being overly big or small, and he doesn't have one particular attribute that really stands out in either an elite or deficient way. Except stamina. And again, since it's tough to quantify stamina, maybe Matthews is just kind of his own guy.
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