ProFW: Insiders say that Mayo is odds on favorite to start at ILB immediately - New England Patriots Forums

***Rob0729*** · 05-04-2008, 09:47 AM

From PFW:

Quote:

ILB Mayo expected to see rookie minutes immediately

Coach Bill Belichick doesn’t like to play rookie linebackers. Believing that it takes a couple of years to learn the complexities of the position, he opts to let them learn on the practice field and watch from the sideline during games. Expect Belichick to make an exception with first-round pick Jerod Mayo. According to one team insider, Mayo is an odds-on favorite to win one of the two starting ILB jobs by the season opener. There was a school of thought that the 242-pound Mayo would flip outside and 270-pound Adalius Thomas would shift inside, considering that each has experience at both positions, but we hear that won’t be happening. For one thing, Thomas was far more effective a season ago when working on the edge. For another, the Pats see inside linebacker as Mayo’s long-term position, and to have him learn outside responsibilities, then throw him the ILB playbook a year or two later would stunt his development. That being said, we hear the Pats want him to gain about 15 pounds, even if it’s detrimental to his speed.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW...It/default.htm

***DarrylS*** · 05-04-2008, 10:19 AM

Said before and will say again.. a LB might start, but only play 35% of the defensive snaps, dependent on the rotation necessary for a given game.. so he might start, but not play that much.. in this D starting does not mean a whole lot.

BionicPatriot · 05-04-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJAJ15

Said before and will say again.. a LB might start, but only play 35% of the defensive snaps, dependent on the rotation necessary for a given game.. so he might start, but not play that much.. in this D starting does not mean a whole lot.

Exactly, doesn't matter wether he does or not. It's just who gets the majority of the playing time, you can start and switch out plenty on the Patriots.

***BelichickFan*** · 05-04-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJAJ15

Said before and will say again.. a LB might start, but only play 35% of the defensive snaps, dependent on the rotation necessary for a given game.. so he might start, but not play that much.. in this D starting does not mean a whole lot.

That is true but I expect Mayo to get the most snaps of any ILB on the team. Given the point that Bru and Seau (if he returns) are at in their careers it shouldn't be long for Mayo to be our best ILB. How Hobson fits in will be interesting.

***PonyExpress*** · 05-04-2008, 10:36 AM

By mid season the starting lineup could include FS Meriweather, SS Sanders, Wheatley (hopefully Hobbs gets over his hernia/labrum problems), Bryant, SILB Hobson and WILB Mayo. That is a major overhaul.

***BelichickFan*** · 05-04-2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

By mid season the starting lineup could include FS Meriweather, SS Sanders, Wheatley (hopefully Hobbs gets over his hernia/labrum problems), Bryant, SILB Hobson and WILB Mayo. That is a major overhaul.

The good thing is, assuming our offense gets back to scoring 27+ points a game we can afford to overhaul the defense on the run while still winning games.

***PonyExpress*** · 05-04-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

The good thing is, assuming our offense gets back to scoring 27+ points a game we can afford to overhaul the defense on the run while still winning games.

I think our schedule gives us a bit of cushion. I have to take another look at it, but beyond SD I don't remember a big offense early on (plus, Rivers has a peg-leg). That ought to help the transition.

***WhiZa*** · 05-04-2008, 10:55 AM

I see Mayo as a perfect fit this year to be the 3rd down ILB while learning to play in the NFL. Hobson will start ILB day1 just because of his experience. He will be able to learn the Pats system quicker then the rest of the new LBs. Mayo and even Crabel can come in on 3rd downs and use their speed in the passing game whether it be rushing the passer or covering the TE/RBs. They are certainly an upgrade of Seau on 3rd downs. I still get chills remembering Seau covering LT last year.

bradmahn · 05-04-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiZa

I see Mayo as a perfect fit this year to be the 3rd down ILB while learning to play in the NFL. Hobson will start ILB day1 just because of his experience. He will be able to learn the Pats system quicker then the rest of the new LBs. Mayo and even Crabel can come in on 3rd downs and use their speed in the passing game whether it be rushing the passer or covering the TE/RBs. They are certainly an upgrade of Seau on 3rd downs. I still get chills remembering Seau covering LT last year.

Hobson is not guaranteed anything, let alone a starter's spot. He was signed to the absolute vet minimum late in free agency, so he can be easily cut if he doesn't make the adjustment from Mangini's OLB to Belichick's ILB. It wouldn't surprise me if Hobson doesn't even make the team. It would, however, disappoint me.

***WhiZa*** · 05-04-2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradmahn

Hobson is not guaranteed anything, let alone a starter's spot. He was signed to the absolute vet minimum late in free agency, so he can be easily cut if he doesn't make the adjustment from Mangini's OLB to Belichick's ILB. It wouldn't surprise me if Hobson doesn't even make the team. It would, however, disappoint me.

I suppose I am being optimistic. You sometimes think if someone started on a team last year then they'd make a significant contribution this year. Tho Tory James killed that theory last year.