ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ Mathieu looking to lead revamped defense

Aug 16, 2017, 3:28 PM | Updated: Aug 17, 2017, 11:22 am

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu warms up prior to the team's NFL preseason football ga...

Arizona Cardinals free safety Tyrann Mathieu warms up prior to the team's NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

LISTEN: Tyrann Mathieu, Cardinals Defensive Back

The 2016 season wasn’t a fun one for Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu.

Struggling to return to his old form from 2015 and being named a team captain in 2016, Mathieu’s season was cut short again due to a shoulder injury.

“Last year was definitely a different learning experience for me,” Mathieu said on The Blitz with B-Train and Jurecki on 98.7 FM, Arizona’s Sport Station. “Not being the guy my teammates see me as and not being the guy I see me as.

“So I think I struggled with the leading on the field part and it’s hard to be vocal when you’re not making plays.”

In 10 games last season, Mathieu amassed 35 tackles and one interception for the Cardinals.

And with the 2017 season quickly approaching, Mathieu is excited to see how good the team can be compared to last season.

“We were a pretty good defense in the past, so I really enjoyed playing with all those guys,” Mathieu said, “but when you look at it we added a lot of speed.”

The Cardinals led the NFL in 2016 in forced fumbles (21), sacks (48) and were second in yards allowed per game (305.2).

The Cardinals have had a bit of a makeover defensively which included drafting Haason Reddick this year and replacing Calais Campbell on the line. They also added a number of players in the secondary to make up for the departures of Tony Jefferson and D.J Swearinger.

And while the ultimate goal is the hoisting up the Lombardi trophy, Mathieu also has some personal ones for the season.

“I have them. There’s enough expectations for me. I don’t want to add extra pressure, I want to play the game and have fun,” Mathieu said. “I don’t think I had any fun last year, signing the contract, coming off a big season, coming off injury as well. I want to focus on what I can control.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

5 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

14 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

17 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Cardinals’ Mathieu looking to lead revamped defense