Frankly, I love the article !!!! You know this will just piss him off even more, he already plays like he's mad at the world, love it, keep throwing a little gas on the fire......
I agree about what some people do but really not the very knowledgeable. But your point is similar to what happened to Jarrett Lee. Remember when "LSU fans" couldn't boo the guy enough. Then, all of a sudden, Jefferson gets into the out the field incident, and Lee becomes Y A Tittle in his prime (at LSU or in the pros) according to the overreacting fans. What REALLY happened was that LSU dumbed down the passing game for him and as I've said before mostly restricted his passing zone to an upside down U laid down from the LOS. Anyway, Lee didn't improve dramatically but they restricted his chance for failure. Mathieu appeared better than he was as a CB because he made big plays...many times not even on his guy but came over late to the play and knocked the ball out of QB's hands (KY), pulled the ball out of the RB's hands (Ark and WVA I think), etc. Causing turnovers makes you a very good playmaker but only 2 INTs or whatever when they were wearing out his side of the field sometimes does not make him a great CB. Obviously, Claiborne was the best CB, but I don't think too many would argue who the second best CB was ON COVERING WRs...it was Simon. And let's give John Chavis a HUGE amount of credit for his defense. Remember when TM was suspended for the Auburn game due to the synthetic marijuana deal? What happened with his replacement Ron Brooks? Well, it just so happens that Ron Brooks had an outstanding game including picking off a pass and running it back 25 yards or whatever for a Pick 6. Sort of makes you wonder how much of the DBs success is also due to John Chavis and the rest of the defensive staff teaching his players how to ball!
I don't think TM is overrated, he is by far my favorite player on the team, but I do agree with the statement that he isn't the best cover corner.
Knocking Mathieu for his perceived lack of coverage skills is vastly overrated. Yes, he does get burned sometimes when he's lunging for the big play, but he ain't exactly a liability in the secondary. Sometimes I almost think he lets the WR catch the ball just so he can strip it. The NCAA has never seen a player like this dude. He is an utter menace for the opposing team, and there's little that they can do to neutralize him. His abililty to force turnovers is other-worldly. Turns out, dude is a pretty sick kick returner, too.
fyi, TM is 4 forced fumbles away from career FBS record. TM is currently #1 in career FF/game. cant find combined INT and FF records or defensive scoring records.
Last year, IMO not only was he not the best cover corner, he wasn't even in the top 2 on LSU's team. #1 Claiborne of course, #2 Simon, #3 Mathieu. I think the other teams knew that also because teams like Tennessee and Alabama (in the NC game) went after Mathieu big time and got him also. That Tennessee game for him was a disaster. He mouthed off pre-game about the Rogers guy and the guy shoved his words down his throat...2 long completions against him and a pass interference penalty against him. And it wasn't like Tennessee was loaded witth WR talent. Justin Hunter their best WR was injured and didn't even play in the game.
Probably because Justin Hunter reneged on his commitment to LSU and knew he was in for a painful day. I'd fake hurt too if I were him.
