Tyrann Mathieu Interview: Saints Training Camp, Day 1
Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu speaks with the media following the team's first practice of training camp.
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00:00 >> It's only literally the first day, but
00:03 I guess I give an emphasis is like turning around that turnover
00:08 number from a year ago for you guys this year.
00:11 >> Yeah, I mean, obviously it's been a point of emphasis throughout the whole
00:16 spring, so we really just trying to come together as a unit, do what we need to do.
00:22 I think if we're able to create turnovers, we can put ourselves and
00:27 our team in a position to be successful.
00:29 >> Just bringing back a lot of the same guys from that secondary last year,
00:34 does it help having that year together now and
00:36 you guys know each other a little bit better?
00:39 >> Yeah, I mean, we're definitely more comfortable with each other.
00:42 I mean, obviously a big part of it is all of us kind of staying healthy
00:46 throughout camp and throughout the season.
00:48 But we definitely have a talented group, but it's a lot of work that we still need
00:53 to put in to kind of get us to the point where we know we're one of the best.
00:59 >> What's it like to have another Purple Knight in here?
01:02 >> Feels good, man.
01:04 Definitely feels like home for sure.
01:06 So Trey has always been a great player, even going back to St.
01:11 Augs, so it's good to have him around.
01:14 >> Did he talk to you much about coming here?
01:16 >> No, I didn't even know he was on a visit, so
01:19 I probably found out when everybody else found out.
01:22 >> Did y'all play together at all?
01:23 Did y'all overlap a little bit?
01:24 >> Yeah, we did, yeah.
01:25 >> Okay.
01:26 >> Were you able to, did you try to sneak a peek at what Jimmy Graham looks like?
01:31 >> [LAUGH] No, it was funny, man, cuz I was in the equipment room, and
01:35 he kind of walked by, and we had some words.
01:38 And Ted Ginn was here in the spring, and so
01:42 obviously I played against both of those guys, I played with Ted in the past.
01:46 And as we're talking, I'm looking at him, and I'm thinking he's about to coach, or
01:50 he's helping out coaching.
01:51 So I asked him, I said, what you coaching?
01:53 And he was like, no, I'm playing.
01:55 So he kind of surprised me with that one, but I mean, he looks good.
01:59 So I definitely feel like he can help us, still.
02:03 >> Is there like, when you get to a certain point on the calendar, and
02:07 you get later in your career, do you appreciate guys like that more,
02:11 trying to still do that?
02:12 >> Yeah, I mean, anytime I see a guy that age that I played against
02:18 10 years ago, kind of makes me feel old.
02:21 But obviously, helps you appreciate where you're at, and
02:26 the chance that, and the opportunity that you still have playing football.
02:29 >> And Tyron, speaking of where you're at, where are you at right now,
02:32 you and Marcus May, as far as communication?
02:35 And are y'all thinking of the same wavelength, and
02:38 particularly how well y'all finished through the season last year?
02:43 >> Yeah, I mean, I think we've definitely grown in that aspect.
02:47 I think me and him still have a lot more to prove, and a lot more to offer.
02:51 So it was good to kind of get here in the spring, and
02:56 both of us being present every day, and practicing together, watching film together.
03:02 So I'm pretty sure that'll continue as we go through camp, and
03:06 hopefully we both stay healthy, and it kind of carry us throughout the season.
03:11 >> Tyron, did you feel this year, as opposed to a year ago,
03:13 more comfortable with what you did with what franchise for a long time?
03:16 How do you feel this year?
03:18 >> Yeah, I mean, I feel good.
03:19 I got a lot of great players around me, a lot of great teammates.
03:25 I got some pretty good coaches too.
03:27 So I know for me personally, I definitely feel like I can be much better.
03:33 And so that's always the goal as a football player,
03:36 is how you can come back and be a little bit better.
03:39 So just looking forward to having that opportunity and
03:41 letting the tips fall where they may.
03:44 >> Tyron, you've been blessed to see a lot of different quarterbacks in
03:48 different places kind of try to put their stamp and leadership on a team.
03:51 What's your viewpoint of how Derek Carr has tried to do that,
03:56 joining kind of an established veteran?
03:58 >> He's been doing this a long time.
04:00 A few guys try to force it, and
04:05 then there's other guys that kind of come natural to him.
04:08 And I think he's one of those guys, he's just a knackered leader.
04:11 He doesn't do anything crazy.
04:14 He doesn't yell or scream.
04:15 But he's the first one in line.
04:18 He's the first one here in the building.
04:21 He's one of the last people to leave off the field.
04:23 So a lot of guys gravitate towards, especially offensive guys.
04:28 >> You've gotten to him a few times.
04:29 Has he picked your brain?
04:31 Have you given any secrets away to him?
04:33 >> I mean, we've had a lot of different battles throughout the years.
04:38 So even when we had practice, he always kind of looking at me,
04:42 making sure I'm where I was, pre-snaps.
04:45 So we go back and forth a lot.
04:47 >> He was just out here talking about how difficult the defense here makes it for
04:52 a quarterback.
04:53 What about him makes it difficult for a defense?
04:56 >> Well, I think an underrated part of his game is his scramble ability.
05:01 His ability to kind of move the pocket.
05:03 And then he can make every throw too.
05:06 So I think as a defense, you gotta cover a lot of blade of grass.
05:12 When you're dealing with a quarterback that could make every throw.
05:15 >> I'm tired of asking a question about Harold, taking up LSU.
05:20 A lot of comparisons, your 2011, his 2022 season.
05:23 Have you had conversations with him?
05:25 Do you like his game there?
05:26 Cuz there's a lot of, y'all both popped and kind of blew up on the SEC.
05:30 >> Yeah, I mean, if I had to say, man, he was much better than I was.
05:35 I think the things he did as a freshman, being that kind of impact player,
05:40 not playing the secondary.
05:42 So people can kind of pick and choose when to get me involved in the game.
05:48 I think with a guy like that, that plays in the front seven,
05:51 they don't have a choice.
05:52 You know what I mean?
05:53 They gotta deal with him each and every week.
05:55 So definitely looking forward to him having a big season this year.
06:00 >> You have one on one conversations with him?
06:02 >> I've talked to him a few times, but never nothing personal over the top, no.
06:07 >> Maybe they'll let him return punts too, so
06:10 he'll get a really good chance at your- >> Yeah, man,
06:12 gotta give your best players a shot at the Heisman, man.
06:14 >> Speaking of nervousness, whether it's baseball, basketball,
06:19 or some sort of development guidance, general out-of-state activities,
06:23 some medical programs, even here with your work in the field,
06:27 how much pride do you take in the fact that you're in the playoffs?
06:31 >> Yeah, I mean, not a lot of us make it out of here.
06:34 And so it's a great opportunity and it's a great responsibility.
06:38 And I've met some of the best people I've ever met at LSU.
06:42 So some of those people are still dear friends to me.
06:45 So I've learned a lot of life lessons too at that program.
06:49 So it always kinda hold a special place in my heart.
06:54 >> Yeah, a guy like Trey Morgan from baseball, he says when he felt like one
06:59 of his heroes, and he's got the same story, getting out of New Orleans.
07:02 >> Yeah.
07:04 >> You hear those kind of things?
07:05 >> Yeah, I hear it a lot, man.
07:07 And like I said, sometimes it kinda makes me feel old.
07:11 And other times it kinda helps me appreciate the journey I've taken.
07:15 So just blessed to kinda still be on that journey and
07:20 still be an inspiration to a lot of young guys.
07:24 >> Tyron, how is it healthy for y'all to have the balance between a veteran such
07:30 as yourself and the really talented young DBs working together in the second
07:35 division?
07:36 >> Yeah, I mean, I think anytime you can kinda add that, I don't know,
07:42 quote unquote experience with the youth.
07:45 I think we both can kinda help each other.
07:47 Obviously, the younger guys don't know as much or
07:51 have not seen as much football as I've seen.
07:54 And obviously, with me kinda getting up in age, I don't run as fast as those guys.
07:58 So it's definitely a healthy balance.
08:01 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> That's it, man.
08:04 >> So is there pressure on the football team now after those two
08:07 national championships?
08:09 How do you feel about that?
08:10 >> I mean, pressure on Brian Kelly, you know what I mean?
08:13 So between the women's basketball and what Jay Johnson has done, man.
08:18 But I think Brian has a good chance, man.
08:23 He has a good football team.
08:24 He got a good program.
08:26 And he got a quarterback.
08:29 So a lot of times, that's all you need.
08:31 >> There's been a lot of conversation over the substance about creating more
08:35 turnovers on the defensive side.
08:36 How do you think Joe Woods factors into that element?
08:39 >> Well, he has a lot of experience.
08:42 He's coached a lot of great secondaries.
08:47 I think two of them in particular was the Broncos secondary and
08:51 then when the 49ers, when we played them in the Super Bowl when I was with the Chiefs.
08:55 So he's put his stamp on some good secondaries.
08:59 And most of those guys found a way to be an impact and take the ball away.
09:04 So we're hoping he brings some of that good mojo over here with us.
09:08 [BLANK_AUDIO]