2013 NFL Draft: Tyrann Mathieu Thinks He Can Cover Megatron, Calvin Johnson
By Mike Dyce
Feb 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive end Tyrann Mathieu runs with the ball after catching a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Some people think that Tyrann Mathieu, while impressive in his 40 time, disappointed at the NFL Scouting Combine by only doing 4 reps at the bench press. Mathieu is already undersized and underweight for an NFL player and he could be a mis match in the NFL for large wide receivers.
Tyrann Mathieu has been training this offseason with former LSU teammate Patrick Peterson, who is much larger than Mathieu. The idea was that Mathieu could work at getting physical with larger athletes like he’ll face in the NFL. And it has the “honey badger” feeling confident.
NFL Network Deion Sanders asked Mathieu if he could handle being outside or if he will be relegated to the slot because of his size.
“I feel like if I was to check somebody like a Calvin Johnson, he’ll make his plays, but I’m definitely going to get mine, too,” Mathieu said, via MLive.com. “He’s going to catch his five balls, but I’m going to get my two turnovers, so we’ll be even.”
That’s a brazen claim for a player who hasn’t played football in a year. We all see how well that worked for current NFL corners who watched Calvin Johnson walk into record books and nearly get 2,000 yards passing. Not to mention, if we use Maurice Clarett as the bench mark for players who take a year of than attempt an NFL comeback, history is against the Honey Badger.
And while Mathieu is bragging about him self and confident about his abilities, he wanted to clarify it wasn’t meant to be taken as disrespectful to Calvin Johnson.
“You got to understand I have the ultimate respect for Calvin Johnson,” Mathieu tweeted. “He is a freak of an baller & the best in the game but I’m gon compete.”
It’s still an uphill battle as he gives up 8 inches and 50 pounds to Megatron. But he still managed to be successful in the SEC against some of the best college football players.