[Note by Grizz]: Final profile in our discussion of our new free agents. Matt Stewart is spotlighted below by Jim Vance. Can Stewart provide any help at LB, or is he strictly special teams? Can Wade Phillips get the production out of him he got earlier this decade? Is Stewart in playing shape after being out of football? Read Jim's profile then discuss how Matt Stewart will fare this season. [End Note]
Matt Stewart is 29 years old and stands 6'3" weighing in at 239 pounds.
Stewart was one of the first Cowboy free agents signed this off season.
He was originally drafted by Atlanta in the fourth round, 102nd overall, in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played for the Falcons for four years and it was there he worked with Keith Brooking and Wade Phillips. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with Cleveland on March 15, 2005.
He played for Cleveland for three seasons, however for his entire third season (2007) he was on injured reserve with a torn shoulder muscle. Stewart was an unrestricted free agent in 2008 and signed with the Cardinals but was cut before the season started.
| Year | Team | Tackles | Asst. | Sacks | Ints. |
|
2001 |
Falcons |
9 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
2002 |
Falcons |
48 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
|
2003 |
Falcons |
59 |
17 |
2.5 |
0 |
|
2004 |
Falcons |
56 |
11 |
1.5 |
0 |
|
2005 |
Browns |
26 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
|
2006 |
Browns |
11 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
|
209 |
49 |
8 |
1 |
When you look at his league travels you get the impression that he may be more of a backup/special teamer than actual starter material. But what you also notice is that when Stewart was teamed up with Wade Phillips' defense, he had his best years. From '02 to '04, Stewart was productive as a linebacker for Phillips when teamed with with the other Cowboys free agent from Atlanta, Keith Brooking.
I think Wade was also willing to give him a shot because Stewart is a high character guy with high intelligence. Look at his accomplishments at Vanderbilt - he has a degree in mechanical engineering, he was SEC honor roll as junior and senior, a team captain, team MVP, Gray MVP in the Blue Gray All Star Team, All -SEC leading his team in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss.
Stewart will have competition from some of the rookies this year and signing him may have been a gamble. If you are going to take a chance on a guy, Matt Stewart is the kind of high character player that is worth the risk.