Receiver Jerome Mathis, the Washington Redskins’ first free agent acquisition of 2008, is an enigma.
As a rookie kick returner with Houston in 2005, he earned a Pro Bowl spot. However, he had just six catches in his three seasons with the Texans.
Mathis, 24, is about to become a father with his live-in girlfriend, Erica Smith — the same woman he was charged with assaulting in February. The charges were dropped in March, but the incident — which followed a fine for allowing his unvaccinated pit bulls to run free, a failure to appear for the Pro Bowl team photo and some altercations while at Hampton (Va.) University — prompted the Texans to release Mathis this winter.
The one thing that no one disputes is Mathis’ speed. He won a national sprint title at Petersburg (Va.) High School, set NCAA kickoff return records at Hampton and ran a blazing 40-yard dash at the 2005 NFL Combine.
But, after missing all but five games with stress fractures in his left foot and right leg the past two seasons, questions remain about his speed and ability to produce.
“We think he’s fine physically,” Redskins executive vice president Vinny Cerrato said. “The kid can really run.”
An NFL source agreed, saying: “If the kid can stay healthy, he’s a weapon. At a minimum salary [deal], what do the Redskins have to lose?”
Perhaps some tarnishing of what former coach Joe Gibbs would call their good name, something owner Dan Snyder claims to treasure. But Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak at last week’s NFL meetings assured Cerrato that Mathis isn’t big trouble.
“They both said that Jerome’s a good person who just needs a fresh start,” Cerrato said.
Said Mathis: “I made some mistakes in my younger days, but I’m a different person. I’m not looking at Washington as a second chance. It’s more like my last chance.”
With only Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El set at receiver — a high draft choice could possibly join veteran backup James Thrash and 6-foot-5 project Anthony Mix — Mathis has a chance to make an impression on Jim Zorn, but at 5-foot-11 and 184 pounds, he’s not the big target the Redskins coach is seeking.
Although the Redskins could use an upgrade from Randle El at punt returner (7.55-yard average in two seasons in Washington), Mathis bombed in that role as a rookie.
And his competition, Rock Cartwright, gave Washington its best consecutive seasons on kickoff returns since the mid-1990s while emerging as one of the team’s top special teams tacklers.
“Maybe they want more speed,” said Cartwright, whose 23.9-yard career average is 4.8 yards below Mathis’. “I ain’t really worried about it. They can bring in whoever they want.”
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