How is Mayo best used? - New England Patriots Forums

***BelichickFan*** · 01-12-2010, 11:48 PM

We need to find a way to build around Mayo, Meriweather and hopefully Chung in the middle of the field.

(Understanding he may not have reached 100% health this year) :

Mayo seemed to struggle shedding blocks against the run and was just OK in coverage.

Would we best in a 4-3 trying to keep OL off him and allowing him to run ?
Do we need a Ted Johnson type to do the grunt work ?
Do we need another Mayo type where both are good but not great vs. run and pass but combined are good against both ?

I'm trying to figure out what LB I want to look at in the draft or FA to put next to Mayo to best utilize what should be our cornerstone player.

I'm also assuming Guyton isn't going to be the long term starter next to Mayo but I could be wrong on that.

Patspsycho · 01-13-2010, 12:07 AM

I actually think Mayo is best as a will. Guyton is a 3rd down pass LB, not a 3 down player. He is terrible against the rush. We need a run stuffing ILB and an OLB that doesn't fall down every time he is breathed on.

Bonzo · 01-13-2010, 12:12 AM

On a lobstah roll.

***Jangles*** · 01-13-2010, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonzo

On a lobstah roll.

ROFL

***HEY BRO! WHAT UP?*** · 01-13-2010, 12:58 AM

He's not the type of LB that will do the dirty work. He needs to be more of a roamer.

***BradyFTW!*** · 01-13-2010, 01:24 AM

I think the OP is significant underrating Mayo.

***DarrylS*** · 01-13-2010, 03:12 AM

Find it difficult to assess this LB corps... Mayo should have morphed this year into a pro bowl caliber MLB, but his injury obviously held him back...

Agree Guyton is a passing down LB... but major issues are with the OLB's, Thomas was almost invisible... and TBC seemed ok, but Burgess seemed weak..

Have felt for a couple of years now that our LB corps is substandard... with a stronger LB group and a healthier Mayo... we may be better able to assess how to use himn.. I suspect that this will be a focus for BB in the offseason, but have felt this for at least the last two preseasons.. so will see.

Mack Herron · 01-13-2010, 05:51 AM

I can only assume that all the praise is deserved, but I did not see it. Seau was in the backfield more in one game than Mayo was all year. We can hope it was because of injury, because otherwise we need 4 LBs instead of 3.

The_Riddler · 01-13-2010, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patspsycho

I actually think Mayo is best as a will. Guyton is a 3rd down pass LB, not a 3 down player. He is terrible against the rush. We need a run stuffing ILB and an OLB that doesn't fall down every time he is breathed on.

Sounds like you're talking about 2 of 3 guys that stupid BB passed on last April and we know them well (Matthews, Maualuga and Laurinaitus - All 3 had tremendous rookie years).

What was he thinking? I went nuts then on that day and I keep thinking about what could have been. Can't believe he did that.

***Rob0729*** · 01-13-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Riddler

Sounds like you're talking about 2 of 3 guys that stupid BB passed on last April and we know them well (Matthews, Maualuga and Laurinaitus - All 3 had tremendous rookie years).

What was he thinking? I went nuts then on that day and I keep thinking about what could have been. Can't believe he did that.

Just because Matthews, Maualuga and Laurinaitus had great rookie years doesn't mean they are a fit for the Pats' defense. Maualuga, for example, would never fit into the Pats' defense. The knock on him was that he is not a smart player. It makes him perfect for Marvin Lewis' system that just allows his MLBs to freelance and run around making plays. I don't think he would do nearly as well when he has specific gap assignments.