Mathis nixes holdout report, has no plans of being a 'cancer'

Veteran defensive end Robert Mathis downplayed a report Sunday suggesting that he won't play for the Indianapolis Colts under his existing contract.

Sports XChange stated that Mathis "has no intention of reporting" to the team until his contract situation is addressed. A source close to the eight-year veteran said: "He'll never play another snap there under that (existing) contract."

Veteran OT Charlie Johnson might be an unrestricted free agent after a new collective bargaining agreement is struck, but he said he'd like to re-sign with the Colts. More...

Mathis took to Twitter on Sunday in response, saying he's "overpaid already" and adding that teammate Dwight Freeney "takes all the blockers."

"I have every intention (of) doing my job once the NFL gives us our job back," Mathis tweeted. "I never been a locker room cancer & wont start now."

Wrote Mathis: "im no dummy in #Business101 so why stir the pot knowing there's minimal interest in re-signing me rite now despite how I feel ... i take pride in being a leader. ... There's a time & place for all things and contract will take care of itself in route 2SuperBowl"

Mathis has netted $27 million of the five-year, $30 million extension that he signed in 2006, according to Sports XChange. Mathis is set to make $2.41 million in 2011 after racking up 11 sacks and 60 tackles last season.

Mathis has been a mainstay for the Colts since joining the team in 2003, pairing with Freeney to form one of the NFL's most imposing defensive duos. Mathis has 74 career sacks, with 32 over the past three seasons, making the Pro Bowl each time. Freeney has 34 sacks over that span.

The Colts selected Mathis in the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Alabama A&M.

View the original article here

Colts' Mathis fined for helmet-to-helmet hit on Jags' Garrard

Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis was fined an undisclosed amount by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard in last Sunday's game.

Mathis tweeted about the fine Wednesday night.

"I didn't even think about it until (Wednesday) when my agent called me," Mathis said, according to The Indianapolis Star. "I was just trying to swat the ball away. He pumped it and I was trying to get the ball out."

Mathis said the fine won't change his playing style.

"If you change the way you've been taught to play football, you won't have a job," he said. "If you continue to play the way you've been taught to play, you're going to get fined. It's a double-edged sword."

Garrard was 24-of-38 passing for 294 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the Jaguars' 34-24 loss. He become Jacksonville's single-season leader in touchdown passes with 22.

View the original article here