Falcons right tackle Jake Matthews is looking forward to returning to the Lone Star state.
In addition to seeing family, Matthews, the sixth player taken in the NFL draft, is looking forward to any one-on-one matchup with Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
Matthews could also see Houston defensive end J.J. Watt, a two-time All-Pro pick when the Falcons practice against them on Wednesday and Thursday before facing the Texans in an exhibition game at 8 p.m. Saturday.
“They are great players and I’m excited about it,” Matthews said. “I love the challenge. I love going against the best players. I want to see where I’m at. I want to see where I need to improve. There are always going to be areas where you need to improve.”
Matthews has already faced Tennessee’s Derrick Morgan in a joint practice with the Titans and Miami’s Cameron Wake in the exhibition season opener.
Matthews held up well and took lessons from both of those match-ups.
“There are a lot of good players in the NFL, that’s what I learned,” Matthews said. “Every week, I’m going to be going against some stud. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be exciting.”
While the Texans were thrashed 32-0 by the Arizona Cardinals in their exhibition opener, their defensive front-seven is considered stout.
The Falcons are revamping their offensive line with Matthews as the key addition. Also, right guard Jon Asamoah was signed in free agency.
Last season, the Falcons offensive linemen were abused by the Cincinnati Bengals in a joint practice, which foreshadowed things to come.
The Falcons want to make a good showing against the Texans.
“This is going to be a really big challenge for us upfront,” Matthews said. “Coach (Mike) Tice has been getting us ready for this.”
Matthews played at Texas A&M and was raised about 15 minutes from Houston’s NRG Stadium. His father Bruce, played 19 years in the NFL for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The elder Matthews also was an assistant coach for the Texans from 2009-10.
“It’s weird looking at that situation now,” Matthews said. “It’s also weird that my Dad left for Tennessee and took that job. We’ve been so close the Texans and Titans.”
Matthews is looking forward to see the rest of the family.
“The thing that I’m excited about is that I’m going to have my whole family come to the game and watch me play,” Matthews said. “It will be their first time seeing me play in the NFL, that’s what I’m excited about.”
Matthews was picked with the expectation that he will be a cornerstone of the offensive line for years to come. He had his moments in the Falcons’ exhibition season opener.
He blocked well, but was called for two penalties in his 19 snaps against the Dolphins, including a holding penalty that negated Antone Smith’s 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
He also had an illegal use of hands penalty.
“I thought there were some really impressive plays,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I thought there were some teaching and learning moments for him. I think he’s going to be a great player.”
While some fans wanted the Falcons to trade up to draft Clowney, the former South Carolina star, the Falcons elected to keep the sixth overall pick and were elated that Matthews was available.
Houston played Clowney off of Watt against Arizona as they lined up on the right side. Watt sacked Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer. Clowney was fine attacking, but struggled in coverage.
Smith believes that Matthews will be ready for the challenge.
“He’s going to be a great player,” Smith said. “ He’s on the fast track to be a good player in the NFL. I really liked how he handled that first game, the ups and the downs of it.”
