Ariizona Cardinals defensive back Tyrann Mathieu was a guest on NFL Network's Total Access on Tuesday and was asked about several things. He was asked about Patrick Peterson, his knee rehabilitation, the NFC West and troubled wideout Josh Gordon.
He was pretty non-committal about his return from injury, saying that he hopes to be able to put a helmet on. He said he did not know what the team's plans were for him to start, whether he would start training camp on the PUP list or not.
Regarding Peterson, he was more diplomatic. He said that both Peterson and Richard Sherman would "definitely" be the two best corners in the game. He did not really lean one way or another.
However, what stood out most was about what he said about Cleveland receiver Josh Gordon. The hosts asked if Mathieu would have any advice for Gordon.
"Well, me having been through it and having a little bit experience with it, I don't think anybody in the world could possibly tell him anything," Mathieu said. "No one could tell me anything when I was going through it. I had to figure it out for myself, so hopefully he'll get the point, hopefully he'll get the message, but most of the time it will take for the person to hit rock bottom before they start to believe in themselves and start seeking help because a lot of people can reach out to you, but that doesn't mean you always take that help and take that advice.
"He just has to want it for himself."
It took Mathieu weighing what he wanted to be in life against what he didn't want to be in life to decide to turn things around. He is on the right track for now.
"It's takes a lot to look in that mirror and fix yourself."