Mathieu named NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for October

[BACH]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/31/octobers-top-defensive-rookie-was-the-honey-badger/

NFL says October’s top defensive rookie was the Honey Badger

Posted by Josh Alper on October 31, 2013, 11:27 AM EDT
Atlanta Falcons v Arizona Cardinals
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Plenty of people said they thought the Cardinals had one of the steals of the draft when they took Tyrann Mathieu in the third round last April and those that didn’t are probably wishing they had after watching his play for the first two months.

Mathieu has made a smooth transition from collegiate cornerback in 2011 to starting NFL free safety in 2013 and was named October’s defensive rookie of the month as a result of his strong play. Mathieu hasn’t been quite the gamebreaker he was at LSU, but the team’s probably thrilled to see him handling his job well at the back end of a strong defense all the same.

Mathieu had 20 tackles, a sack and an interception for the Cardinals this month as they went 2-2 to remain in the mix for a playoff spot in the NFC. Even if the erratic offense finds some firmer footing in the second half, the defense is likely to be the thing that keeps them there so Mathieu’s quick transition to professional life is a big help on that front.

 

[BigRedRage]

Love it.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

 

[PJ1]

Great to hear this. I was unhappy when we drafted him. Sure glad I was proven wrong.

 

[Dback Jon]

Congrats!

 

[Cardiac]

Great to hear this. I was unhappy when we drafted him. Sure glad I was proven wrong.

That was my initial reaction as well but IIRC I got over my concerns very quickly.

I think what HB has done so far is just the tip of the iceberg and he will be a perennial Pro Bowler for us.

 

[crisper57]

Revisiting the Rookies

1. Cooper
2. Minter
3. Mathieu
4. Okafor
5. Watford
6. Taylor
7. Swope
8. Ellington
9. Jefferson

8 games in, would you say the draft was a bust or a boom?

Cooper and Okafor were busts this season, but due to injury, not play.
Mathieu and Ellington have been playing above their draft slots
Taylor has been reliable
Swope was a bust, a risk, but a bust.
The rest are a push at this point, I guess. Too early to tell what kind of pro they'll be.

Minter is my biggest disappointment, but if you had Washington and Dansby playing ahead of you, would you get much playing time either?

 

[Cardiac]

1. Cooper
2. Minter
3. Mathieu
4. Okafor
5. Watford
6. Taylor
7. Swope
8. Ellington
9. Jefferson

8 games in, would you say the draft was a bust or a boom?

Cooper and Okafor were busts this season, but due to injury, not play.
Mathieu and Ellington have been playing above their draft slots
Taylor has been reliable
Swope was a bust, a risk, but a bust.
The rest are a push at this point, I guess. Too early to tell what kind of pro they'll be.

Minter is my biggest disappointment, but if you had Washington and Dansby playing ahead of you, would you get much playing time either?

I saw enough of Cooper to feel real good that our LG position is set.

HB and Duke playing well above their draft slots.

Not disappointed in Minter due to your own caveat but I still would have preferred a different position been selected. Time will tell, no assurance that we will be able to re-sign LOS.

I'd like to add Tony Jefferson to the list as well, I think UDFA's should be considered with the draft picks.

 

[oaken1]

I am happy for the kid and would love to see him make a big push for DROY....was not a fan of the pic...I live outside Baton Rouge now and his troubles were all over the local news...but everyone deserves a second chance and so far he is making the most of it...IMO the off seasons will be the test but the boy is on the right road and I would love to see him not only succeed but completely blow it up

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Congrats to TM! He's been playing with a lot of energy. He is a very good tackler especially when you consider his size.

 

[JeffGollin]

So far so good. Keep your head down, continue to grind and good things will happen.

 

[Darkside]

Wasn't a fan of this pick and had a lot of doubts. Didn't expect him to have an impact at all this entire year. Love being wrong and I should be used to it.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 4

 

[Jasper]

Some say he's an over achiever.

 

[BigRedFan]

Glad to be wrong on this one, but saying told you so on the Kevin Kolb swindle

 

[jw7]

I don't think he would be near as successful if he went to any other team that did not have PP21 to mentor him. Cards were the best choice both for HB and the Cards.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I don't think he would be near as successful if he went to any other team that did not have PP21 to mentor him. Cards were the best choice both for HB and the Cards.

Have to agree with you on this. Environment here with the Cards makes this work for him. PP has been a great influence.

 

[jw7]

Have to agree with you on this. Environment here with the Cards makes this work for him. PP has been a great influence.

I didn't come up with that thought. It's been broadcast.