Critics of Arizona Cardinals Pick of Tyrann Mathieu Will Be Disappointed
By Scott Allen
May 10, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (32) signals during a drill during rookie minicamp at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
They are still coming out of the woodwork. Peter King from SI.com thinks the Arizona Cardinals will be sorry for drafting cornerback turned safety Tyrann Mathieu. All he has to go on are his actions in 2012 that landed him one arrest, failed drug tests, and being kicked off the LSU squad. He, or many other critics for that matter, have failed to take into account what he has done over the last eight months to regain his life. Give the guy a chance.
I said this a couple of weeks ago and I will say it again because apparently everyday there seems to be a new critic of Mathieu. Today it happens to be Peter King. Mathieu is a risk worth taking. The Cardinals have done their homework. Can they promise he’s going to behave and stay out of trouble? Of course not. There are no guarnatees in life except death and taxes.
King compares Mathieu to Titus Young. Horrible comparison. First of all, I’m not sure anyone can top Titus Young. That man has been arrested three times, for three separate incidents, in one week! I believe King is grasping at straws here. He knows the Cards reputation of past and all he wants to do is continue to bang on it because it is so easy and acceptable. Well Mr. King, it’s not acceptable around here. The Cards are turning a page in their history. Give Steve Keim, Cards general manager, some credit. Give Bruce Arians, new head coach, some credit. You think these guys just walked in off the turnip truck? No.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers or New England Patriots had drafted Mathieu in the fourth or fifth round, you wouldn’t hear a peep out of King or many of the other critics. However because it was the Cards, in the third round, its time to bang on the Cards for taking what is described as a unnecessary risk. Say what you want, Mathieu has a great support system and a good organization who will bend over backwards to make you feel welcome. Even if Mathieu doesn’t make it here, I still like the Cards took the chance.