I agree. He appears to be very stupid, but that doesn't make him a bad person. He is a risk because he has a record of making bad decisions, but he could definitely grow up and begin making better choices. He said he would agree to he drug tested and supervised more closely which is what he needs. If he interviewed well in team interviews some one will give him a shot. It also makes zero difference what city he ends up in. Kids in tiny town Kansas have no trouble finding drugs and alcohol. His level of maturity and desire to play in the NFL will determine whether or not he stays out of trouble.
This is by a Saints fan talking about TM7 on NFL:AM they brought up how he flew back from the combine on the same flight as Steve Whyce and how he was sat next to Rob Ryan Whyce asked him what Ryan said and he responded "He was joking bout how he was gonna draft me and how he would make me this big time player in the NFL, It was just all fun and games" Whyce then says "So what if they did draft you, how would you like to play for the Saints and be back in Louisiana" .... Mathieu pauses and says with a big smile on his face "I dunno man, we'll have to come up with... definitely a good plan to keep me out of harms way!"
I'll change my viewpoint if the NFL removes weed from the banned substances list becasue I don't believe he can/will stop smoking it. I think he'll do what he's done before and try to find ways to get away with it rather than just put down the joint and comply with the rules for playing football in the NCAA or NFL. As far as I'm aware, it's still not allowable and failed drug tests equal suspensions, no? Whether weed is the greatest substance on earth or the downfall of humanity isn't relevant here, it's still not allowable if you want to hold a job playing football in the NFL is it? So drafting him might be a bad investment for the team if he's going to be suspended for doing something he can't seem to stop himself from doing. He's young, but he's a man now and has to be able to make responsible adult decisions to deserve to get and keep a good job just like the rest of us. I wouldn't hire a applicant with his history to work for me if there were other choices available who showed better decision making ability and could do the job just as well. Why should the Saints? I don't see it as any different than any other athlete who shows piss poor judgement on a grand stage prior to being drafted in the NFL when they know they will be able to write their own paycheck if they can just stay in their shoes one more year. Anybody remember the talent his clown squandered becasue he thought he was invincible and could do whatever he liked? How'd he work out in the NFL? On the flip side, his combine numbers were pretty good except for his bench press reps (WTF is up with 4 reps having such a strong upper body like he has???) Let's see how he looks at Pro Day. I sincerely hope that he has turned his train wreck of a young life around and succeeds. I really do. I just wouldn't want the Saints to spend a pick on him unless he falls all the way to the bottom of the draft. I doubt he will becasue he's obviously talented and some team will take a chance on him. And I hope he turns it around there. I'm just not confident of it.
Um...yeah. It's business. I would have taken Ingram over Ridley myself. Can't really blame them, since they've lacked a power run game almost as much as they have a pass defense in the Payton era. Ingram was undoubtedly the best available.
If the Saints are going to pick any Tiger this year, I am hoping and praying that they either trade up or he fall to #15 and they take Mingo. I think he'd be awesome as a pas rushing OLB in Ryan's 3-4 and they definitely have a need. But I bet he'll be off the board in the top 10 for sure. At cornerback I wish they'd do like Seattle has done and get some big guys out there.
Anyone see where Mel Kiper has TM at 59 to the Patriots? If he goes 59 you can't tell me an argument cannot be made that pound for pound he was the greatest football player to wear purple and gold. To go from not playing a snap for a whole season, to going 2nd round as a 5 foot 9 or whatever less than 200 lb would be amazing to me.
I hate the Patriots and I've already sworn that whichever team drafts and plays him will be my team, so I really hope Kiper is wrong. I will feel dirty cheering for the Patriots.
Antonio Cromartie tore his ACL in workouts before his junior year at Florida St, missed his entire junior season recuperating, declared for the draft anyway, and was drafted 19th overall, first round, then became an All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler
