Matthews says NFL is 'getting soft' after latest controversial penalty

Clay Matthews seems to be having issues with how NFL referees are calling hits on quarterbacks, as the Green Bay Packers linebacker received his third roughing the passer penalty in as many weeks on Sunday.

Matthews was flagged for landing on Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith "with all or most of (his) weight," under Rule 12, Section 2, Article 9(b).

"Obviously I don't agree with it, again," Matthews said when asked about the play postgame. "Obviously when you're tackling a guy from the front, you're gonna land on him.

"When you have a hit like that, that's a football play."

Matthews, 32, has played 130 games over 10 seasons, all with the Packers.

The six-time Pro Bowler acknowledged the need to try to eliminate the types of hit that resulted in Aaron Rodgers' broken collarbone against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 of last season, but he feels the league may be going too far.

"This league is going in a direction I think a lot of people don't like ... I think they're getting soft," Matthews said.

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