Has Mayo improved? - Page 4 - New England Patriots Forums

***AndyJohnson*** · 09-25-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatsBoy12

I agree with the panel thus far. I've seen nothing from him that would make me think he's a game-changer. In fact, I haven't seen anything that really makes me believe he will ever become that.

Have you seen teams consistently run effectively to the part of the field he is responsible for? I haven't.
Have you seen teams consistently throw effectively into the zone he is covering? I havent
People need to know what the job is to judge it.
An ILB in our system is never going to be defined as a 'game breaker'.

Mayo is asked to control the area between the C and T on his side of the field playing 2 gap defense, and rarely blitizing, and to cover his zone.
To make the kind of plays that people seem to expect from him, he would need to be making up his own assignments.
34 ILBs in a 2 gap system are not making tackles for loss, and cannot get sacks when they do not biltz.

Armchair Quarterback · 09-25-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fgssand

I agree with this assessment 100%. Going to the games as we do - we tend to focus on certain players and Mayo is one I have been watching since his rookie year. try to watch his reactions and figure out his reads as best I can. It really seems to me he is much faster as the game certainly has slowed down for him. I think he will soon begin to make impact plays.....

People tend to forget how long it took Bruschi to excel in this defense......

Now, obviously,the same goes for Spikes, Cunningham and the rest of the young guns.....rookies no less.

This "D" will take time to gel....but I really think they will be quite impressive come December.

Bruschi was making the transition from defensive tackle in college to outside linebacker his first year or two in the pros before being tried at middle/inside LB. Mayo played mostly MLB at Tenn, didn't he?

crowell33 · 09-25-2010, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperPatsFan

ILB blitzes are not a significant part of this defense, are they?

Generally, the 0-tech nose and the 2 ILBs are responsible for shutting down runs through the A-gaps, and B-gaps depending on the call. It's not a glamorous role.

Maybe the Pats should play a 43 with Mayo as the Mike so he can get on Sportscenter more often?

ETA: And after the Jets game, every team with a decent tight end is going to look for a matchup against Spikes, so perhaps Mayo's coverage skills won't be significantly tested.

Mayo is playing Bruschi's spot, Spikes plays the Ted Johnson's spot. Bruschi made big plays in the same defense and I never once heard him use the system as an excuse.

crowell33 · 09-25-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyJohnson

Have you seen teams consistently run effectively to the part of the field he is responsible for? I haven't.
Have you seen teams consistently throw effectively into the zone he is covering? I havent
People need to know what the job is to judge it.
An ILB in our system is never going to be defined as a 'game breaker'.

Mayo is asked to control the area between the C and T on his side of the field playing 2 gap defense, and rarely blitizing, and to cover his zone.
To make the kind of plays that people seem to expect from him, he would need to be making up his own assignments.
34 ILBs in a 2 gap system are not making tackles for loss, and cannot get sacks when they do not biltz.

Agreed, but doesn't zero career interceptions jump out at you ?

***Horace's Ivories*** · 09-25-2010, 02:48 PM

This week the full moon combined w/fall equinox ( first time since '91) will create a unique astrological opportunity - in other words - look for all the young linbackers to move up a level and start kicking butt

BritPat · 09-25-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armchair Quarterback

Bruschi was making the transition from defensive tackle in college to outside linebacker his first year or two in the pros before being tried at middle/inside LB. Mayo played mostly MLB at Tenn, didn't he?

Nope. WLB. He played his junior year at MLB.

PATRIOTSFANINPA · 09-25-2010, 03:18 PM

He is not making us forget Ted Johnson at this point

His game thus far is to tackle the player who gets by the first line of defense...not much else to his game yet

I would rate him somewhere in the middle,not a superstar but not a dissapointment either

***BradyFTW!*** · 09-25-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOTSFANINPA

He is not making us forget Ted Johnson at this point

His game thus far is to tackle the player who gets by the first line of defense...not much else to his game yet

I would rate him somewhere in the middle,not a superstar but not a dissapointment either

Johnson = SILB, Mayo = WILB. Mayo should be more comparable to Bruschi; Spikes is the Johnson replacement.

SuperPatsFan · 09-25-2010, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowell33

Mayo is playing Bruschi's spot, Spikes plays the Ted Johnson's spot. Bruschi made big plays in the same defense and I never once heard him use the system as an excuse.

For an ILB in a 2-gap, learning when and how to commit to a gap to consistently make the play on the ball carrier is and art and a science, and it takes years to perfect.

To see an example of the consequences of the Pats D committing too early, refer to "Rice, Ray."

Bottom line, I see 2010 as another year of development/improvement for Mayo. We haven't seen his best yet, IMHO.

crowell33 · 09-25-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATRIOTSFANINPA

He is not making us forget Ted Johnson at this point

His game thus far is to tackle the player who gets by the first line of defense...not much else to his game yet

I would rate him somewhere in the middle,not a superstar but not a dissapointment either

agreed. 10 char.