Robert Mathis: 'I have to be a part of this'

Colts LB Robert Mathis talks about his recovery from his Achilles injury. (Stephen Beard / The Star)

(Photo: Brett Drinkut / The Star)He was the high school standout who could find only one Division I team to let him play defensive end; the Alabama A&M sackmaster who couldn't get an invite to the Senior Bowl or NFL Scouting Combine; the 138th pick in the fifth round of the draft whom pundits vowed would never last.

Now Robert Mathis is the Indianapolis Colts' aging linebacker, the grizzled veteran who's coming off the most trying season of his career – a lost one – resolute to prove he can still play like Robert Mathis once did.

He spoke with reporters Thursday, shortly after the Colts wrapped…