Is Honey Badger Healthy?
September 15th, 2016
At full strength?
The Cardinals took a major hit to their Super Bowl hopes last season when”Honey Badger,” stud defensive back Tyrann Mathieu, blew out his knee in Week 16 while picking off Sam Bradford.
Honey Badger battled back from surgery and started last Sunday night in the loss to the Belicheats. Some NFL observers heard on SiriusXM NFL Radio hinted he may not be 100 percent recovered from surgery as he was little factor in the game.
When asked this, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians this week waved off the suggestion and instead thought Honey Badger played “too much center field.”
So Joe decided to ask Bucs receiver Vincent Jackson today, after studying film of Arizona’s defense, whether he could tell if Honey Badger was at full strength. Jackson wasn’t sure.
“You know, it is hard to tell,” Jackson said. “The kid is obviously playing so the coaches I am sure have done a lot of evaluation in training camp to see if he is ready to go out there and play. To put him in that role and that position, they obviously feel he is capable so we have to treat him [as if he is 100 percent.]”
Well, the Bucs are going to need every edge they can get. If Honey Badger is not 100 percent — not a far-fetched notion — then the Bucs need to attack him.
Joe is going to go out on a limb and suggest America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, has more weapons at his disposal than Jimmy Garoppolo did Sunday night.
Joe loves his fellow Eastern Illinois University alumus, but he’s no Jameis.
September 15th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
Go panthers, Joe! EIU grad myself. Graduated a year ahead of Jimmy. Love your site by the way. On here each and every day.
September 15th, 2016 at 3:03 pm
Dumb question time: how is this Card DB a “honey badger”? No snark, n/t.
September 15th, 2016 at 3:12 pm
@orlbucfan This YouTube vid was really popular when Mathieu was at LSU and he was given the moniker. The honey badger was the meme-inspiring Harambe of his time
https://youtu.be/4r7wHMg5Yjg
September 15th, 2016 at 3:29 pm
The Honey Badger tore his ACL in a blow out win against the Philadelphia Eagles in week 16 or week 17. They didn’t have him for the playoff game. You’re better than this Joe! #IraForLeadEditor
September 15th, 2016 at 3:43 pm
This Joe called for him in the 2nd!
instead, we got Johnathan Banks!
Who cares if he smokes herb??
it’s a holy plant that has been PROVEN to be anti-inflammatory and great for concussions!
Legalize the HOLY HERB!
Hah bless and protect!
“I only have one area. To see man unite. Black, white, chinese, whatever. I just wanna see mankind come together.”- Bob Marley
September 15th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
Only one “dream” not “area”…lol
September 15th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
It takes a full year to recover from an ACL tear – and even then hardly anyone gets back to full speed, strength and confidence for a full 18+ months.
Honey Badger’s injury occurred just 8 1/2 months ago. So no. There’s no way he is 100% right now.
Even the great Revis who started games in Sept for the Bucs in 2013 – 11 1/2 months after a similar injury admitted that he was not close to 100% until well into that season.
September 15th, 2016 at 3:58 pm
vs the pats he didn’t look healthly…I hope he’s not 100% until week3 in that case….joes right…if they see a weak link in the chain and that link is him, we have to attack him….I think the 2TE sets would give ARZ fits and help our run game….GO BUCS!!!!
September 15th, 2016 at 4:26 pm
It’s not just Honey Badger. Who is the converted RB now playing DB opposite Petersen….#3 has to be salivating when he sees that poor kid running around back there like a confused rookie.
September 15th, 2016 at 4:46 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo had a nickname like the Honey Badger…..it was the “Jalapeno Armadillo”….Pablo had great speed…. now Pablo was proud of that nickname until Pablo saw a road kill Armadillo…..that was the end for Pablo.”
September 15th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
My friend, a pats fan wondered if the honey badger was a big enough safety to hit Lagarret Blount in the hole. I replied simply that the honey badger has never had a problem hitting a Blount. Ty ty I’m here all week folks. Gn.
September 15th, 2016 at 5:07 pm
Jalapeno Armadillo
LOL
September 15th, 2016 at 5:24 pm
Oh my gawd…Pablo..LOL!
September 15th, 2016 at 5:25 pm
Got it DB55!!!!!!!! LOL!
September 15th, 2016 at 5:34 pm
We here you Preacherman. PREACH ON!!!
September 15th, 2016 at 5:50 pm
Oh.My.Gawd. why did you pose this question Joe??? You’ve effectively given them a built in excuse as to why we defeated them😔.
September 15th, 2016 at 6:08 pm
I’m surprised nobody mentioned the JBF coming surprise announcement that will be bigger than Ira coming aboard. Could it be JBF has joined BSPN?
September 15th, 2016 at 7:20 pm
Jalapeno Armadillo? Pablo, you keep me laughing.
September 15th, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Ty life I try….
September 15th, 2016 at 7:32 pm
Badger is 5″8 against our twin towers. I don’t care if this dude is 100% or 75% Evans is going to go H.A.M.
September 15th, 2016 at 8:06 pm
Jalapeno Armadillo.
September 15th, 2016 at 8:35 pm
What’s wrong with picking Johnathan Banks? I sure hope Smith gives this kid the chance to play. He sure was a great pick in his rookie year. Then for some d$$m reason, he got thrown in the closet through no fault of his own.
@@@@@@2Players_1ChoreographedCelebration Says:
September 15th, 2016 at 3:12 pm@@@@@
Thanks for the video explanation on the “Honey Bear.” Really Appreciated it. Go Mighty Bucs and all Us Fans!!!!
September 16th, 2016 at 12:02 am
Thanks Bucky.
September 16th, 2016 at 8:50 am
I like our odds with the height advantage against Mathieu. Evans, Jax or ASJ could catch passes right over the top of his head kinda like they did against the other birds we roasted sunday. I doubt this offesne is scared of any of those DBs, maybe Peterson but if u think we’re not gonna throw to Evans because of him you got another thing coming. This team is no longer scared of anyone. We have the confidence and Swagger now that it takes to be a legit team. U will not intimate us Cardinals. We’re gonna come out Sunday and try to punch u right in the mouth. We aint playin no games.