Does Clay Matthews deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

I say yes, and so do many others. It’s why the former Browns linebacker is, in his first try as a seniors candidate, a semifinalist for induction into the Hall.

In fact, there’s a website, Pro-Football-Reference.com, that lists Matthews as the top Browns player since 1960.

Yes, he’s ahead of even running back Jim Brown, who is generally regarded – he’s a shoo-in as such for me – as the greatest player in the game’s history.

Now, I wouldn’t go that far, but the people at Pro-Football-Reference.com have and they’re not afraid to state it. It is a great boost to those who re pulling for Matthews to make it into the HOF.

For the record, after Matthews and the “runnerup” Brown, the site’s top 12 Browns in the late 62 years, which covers what is considered the modern era, are, in order:

3. Left tackle Dick Schafrath of Wooster High School and Ohio State.

4. Offensive guard Gene Hickerson.

5. Left tackle Joe Thomas.

6. Running back Leroy Kelly.

7. Left tackle Doug Dieken.

8. Linebacker Jim Houston of Massillon High School and Ohio State.

9. Quarterback Brian Sipe.

10. Wide receiver Gary Collins.

11. Cornerback Clarence Scott.

12. Cornerback Hanford Dixon.

Keep in mind that all the great Browns for the team’s first decade and a half were not considered. Brown was included because, though drafted in 1957, he played through 1965.

Hickerson and Kelly are in the HOF, Thomas will be there soon and Schafrath and Collins should be in there.

But that Clay Matthews sits atop all of them is quite a statement.

Are you listening, Hall voters?