Has Tyrann Mathieu found motivation in the form of NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock?
Mathieu's Twitter feed tells us yes.
As someone who contractually was obligated to closely monitor NFL Network programming before, during and after the 2013 NFL Draft, I can confirm Mayock said a lot of things about Mathieu, many of them positive. Mayock did put Mathieu's ceiling as a nickel corner and return guy, which might have irked the Arizona Cardinals' third-round draft pick.
"I think he's a playmaker, and on 'Thursday Night Football,' when we've got Arizona, if he makes a big play and blows me a kiss, I'm just going to wave at him and say, 'Way to go, big fella,' " Mayock said Wednesday on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access." "Because I'm rooting for him. I think he's a talented kid. I'm hoping he stays clean off the field, and I'm not sure what I said to motivate him, but I'm rooting for the kid."
So, what have we learned? Well, it turns out that Mathieu *does* care -- at least in matters related to noted draft pundits. That, and there's now another reason to tune in when the Cardinals meet the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
