Mathis found contender he wanted close to home in Cardinals

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Redskins have re-signed running back Chris Thompson and signed linebacker Terence Garvin.

Thompson was an exclusive rights free agent,Nike Oakland Raiders Jerseys while Garvin spent his first three NFL seasons as a special-teams player for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With starting running back Alfred Morris a free agent, the Redskins opted to bring back Thompson, who averaged 6.2 yards on 35 carries. The 25-year-old had two receiving touchdowns last season.

Garvin can play inside linebacker but is known for his special teams play. He tweeted a photo of his one-year contract with the Redskins on Thursday.

''I always thought it would be pretty convenient,'' he said. ''So, here we are and I don't have to pick up my family and move across country. I don't have my daughter changing schools or anything like that. We get to stay in our routine and do what we do. My family's really excited about it, and for more reasons than that.''

Mathis, the starting left guard in his one season with the Broncos, will move to right guard for the Cardinals.

He said he doesn't get to watch much football but what he saw of Arizona he liked.

''I saw a team that runs the ball well. I like the way the offensive line plays,'' Mathis said. ''I like the schematics of their offense. I played with Carson (Palmer) in Cincinnati. I like the way he throws the ball. There are a lot of good things here.''

Mathis said former Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson, who is a member of the team's Ring of Honor, ''did a good job of recruiting me.''

''He just truly believes in this organization and where it's headed,'' Mathis said. ''He made me a believer in that, but I had already seen what this team had been doing. Then seeing somebody from behind the scenes, who had that same mentality, that they're just all in and they're ready to win, it was kind of exciting.''

He recently underwent surgery on his right ankle.

''They went in there and removed some bone chips, some cartilage pieces and some bone spurs,'' Mathis said. ''I think I'm a couple weeks out from being able to run, but it already feels way better and I'll be full speed here before long.''

As it stands now, Mathis will line up alongside 22-year-old right tackle D.J. Humphries. He said he likes the role of teacher.

''I like teaching, especially when it's guys you're really working close with,'' Mathis said. ''I've always hung my hat on being a student of the game and working hard off the field. Hopefully, I can come here and share whatever information I can share with these guys and just help them become better players as well.''

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