Mathieu off to good start in Arizona

The sobriquet just won't quit. It's too catchy, and just too associated with Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerback Tyrann Mathieu.

So, people still call him the Honey Badger even if he no longer likes the nickname.

"I tried to, but it's on my shoulder," Mathieu told reporters. "I just go with the flow. We'll see what happens."

So far, Mathieu is off to a good start with the Cardinals after getting kicked off the football team at LSU for repeatedly failing drug tests.

The Cardinals are giving him a shot, drafting him in the third round. There's protection in his contract

"He's a lovable kid," coach Bruce Arians. "They want him to succeed. We all do. He knows what it takes and he's got a really good support group."

So, what about the nickname that sticks?

"I understand that there's a lot of people who love it and can't let it go, but for me, I want people to recognize me as Tyrann," Mathieu said. "I don't have anything against the nickname, it's just that Honey Badger happened during such a dark time."

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun.

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

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