PatsBoy12

Here is an intriguing article about Jerod Mayo I just read on Pats Pulpit. I know a lot of you have probably been over there early this morning, but I thought I'd post it here for some discussion.

Mayo has become a bit of a polarizing player on the roster, albeit not as polarizing as some in the past (i.e. Maroney). Many fans laud him for his consistency and ability to play injured. He has been steady and reliable. Others chide him for his lack of big plays like some of the other more household names (Pat Willis, Ray Lewis, etc.). Many thought he was primed to make the leap last year, but it was arguably his worst, both statistically and just from an impact perspective.

Personally, I don't want him in any other uniform, and I'm glad he got the extension he got. BB obviously sees his worth, perhaps going beyond the field of play. I used the term "playmaker" in the title, but I think what we may really be talking about is impact plays. He makes tons of plays, but the perception (which may actually come close to matching reality for once) is that he doesn't make those eye-popping plays or crucial plays that are momentum swings like Spikes INT versus the Jets in the red zone in 2010 and his INT versus the Ravens last season in the playoffs. Can Mayo become that? Will Mayo become that?

What do you all think? Let's discuss.

mayoclinic

I would personally be happy to see Mayo return to his 2010 form as a tackling machine, as well as quarterback of the defense and captain and co-leader along with Wilfork. I'm not sure we'll ever see him become an elite playmaker with great ball skills and instincts - anything that he in that area would be a major bonus, obviously. But I'm not sure after 3 years that much more will happen, and I'm fairly pro-Mayo.

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Gronkandez

He seemed to occassionaly blitz last year, esp in pre-season, which I don't remember seeing in previous years. He was pretty successful too, getting some nice hits on QB's as they extended in their throws. With the acquisition of Hightower maybe he'll get some more opportunities in this area.

Other than that though, I think 'he is what he is' at this point. A pretty good LB IMO.

BradyManny

He is what he is, and there's nothing really wrong with that. He'll probably be a very good, fringe Pro Bowler most of his entire career - but he'll never truly be an elite linebacker. And that's OK.

Spikes has a better shot at being a true playmaker on this defense. And one could hope Hightower and Jones might have some playmaking ability in them.

patsinthesnow

Mayo is top 5-10 at his position IMO, and he made some playmaker plays last year. As others said, he's a very good ILB.

However, that SB play was so atrocious and plays like that I feel are why he won't become the playmaker, stud LB. He had a endzone INT right in front of him....

One could even argue Spikes has a higher ceiling and could be that next stud LB. He has the crazy attitude for the Ray Lewis like leadership, is a stud against the run, and has even surprised me in his coverage abilities with the sweet INT in the AFCCG.

PatsSox363804

I think at this point he is what he is, a tackling machine but not a game changer. I hope I'm wrong but I gave up hope of him being a game changer when he didn't turn around and make a play on the ball in the Superbowl and basically gave Cruz a TD.

everlong

He's further along than either Bruschi or Vrabel at the same stage of his career. I don't see why we need to cap his upside already. I can't remember if it was the Giants or Steelers players last year who said the game plan was basically get Mayo blocked because after that the middle is soft. Couple that with BB giving him the contract he got and I think he's a lot better than people realize. I get pretty frustrated with his coverage from time to time but even then rewatching the game on the DVR I half wonder sometimes if it wasn't even his man but he ended up coming off and making the tackle.

I'm really looking forward to what the addition of Hightower is going to mean for Mayo. The last pick I was as excited about was Gronk and I think Hightower has DROY and AP potential. His addition might make Mayo really shine.

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PatsSox363804

Fair point. I think it's possible we're being impatient because Mayo was a top 10 pick and now has 4 seasons under his belt combined with the fact that we're in win now mode. That said, it's amplified by the play in the Superbowl, the defense was perfectly called, all he had to do was be in the right position and he would have had an INT. He was so badly positioned he couldnt even knock the pass down. Another terrible play in that god awful first quarter.

DarrylS

Difficult to tell if he will emerge as a game changing kind of guy... last year our D was up and down, so one of your two best defenders cannot take too many chances and has to play fairly vanilla.

This year there are more pieces, so he will be able to take more chances.. Spikes only played 8 games last year..

I think he will be fine, the Pats do not reward these guys with long term contracts unless they see something worth paying for.

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livinginthe past

People should try and read a couple of books about Belichick as a coach and what he looks for in his players - LBers included.

In 'Education Of A Coach' - he talks about his All-World LBer corps assembled when he was D-coach for the Giants - he had alot....ALOT of respect for a couple of the guys in that corps who did alot of the grunt work that allowed guys like LT to make the highlight reel plays.

What Mayo brings to the table as the QB of that defense is not easily definable, especially to those who are only able to value work based upon statistical output (which, to be fair, is a great deal of us).

I really couldn't care less if Mayo fails to get the INTs and the FF's - as long as Belichick is pleased with his output - thats all that really matters at the end of the day.

To me, Mayo personifies the Belichick mantra "Do your job".

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