Playing without Mayo will ultimately make the defense stronger

[BradyManny]

While I'm not happy about the prospect of losing Mayo for two months, I think in the long run, it could make the team stronger.

For one, Mayo took a beating last season and was - according to Jackie McMullan's article on Sunday - banged up towards the end of the year. He will be fresher when he returns in 6-8 weeks for the stretch run. Fortunately, this team is good enough that we can win without him in the meanwhile.

Perhaps more importantly, it will force other players on this defense to step up and get reps they otherwise wouldn't get. Gary Guyton, specifically, will now have to add 4-3 MLB to his repertoire, and Woods/Ninkovich will have to play some 4-3 OLB. Adalius Thomas could be playing SILB in the 3-4, and likewise, TBC/Burgess/Woods will get more reps at 3-4 OLB.

Ultimately, it could help our depth and versatility. And by the time Mayo gets back, this defense could've improved at a much more rapid pace than it would have if he were in it.

Don't get me wrong, it sucks that he's gone for a length of time, but its not season ending, and it should not derail our season.

 

[mgteich]

If sitting out Mayo for half a season will help the defense better for the playoffs and SB, then we should have had him play less of a role early even when healthy. Young NFL players should be ready and able to be in top form for 19 games.

 

[BradyManny]

If sitting out Mayo for half a season will help the defense better for the playoffs and SB, then we should have had him play less of a role early even when healthy. Young NFL players should be ready and able to be in top form for 19 games.

I'm not trying to argue this is a good thing that he's gone - only that there is some positive to be gained amidst the very obvious negative. The truth is, they'd never take reps away from a healthy Mayo, so the fact that Guyton has been thrust into this role - it could very well help him and the team in the long run.

 

[BelichickFan]

If sitting out Mayo for half a season will help the defense better for the playoffs and SB, then we should have had him play less of a role early even when healthy. Young NFL players should be ready and able to be in top form for 19 games.

Dude, get a grip.

At the end of the day this likely will make the defense better, others will have to step up or be exposed and eventually replaced. That DOES NOT mean it's good, we're at further risk of losing multiple games because of it.

 

[BradyManny]

Dude, get a grip.

At the end of the day this likely will make the defense better, others will have to step up or be exposed and eventually replaced. That DOES NOT mean it's good, we're at further risk of losing multiple games because of it.

Right, losing Mayo may cost us the #1 seed (I still doubt that), but I do think we could be a stronger team in January/February for it.

 

[mgteich]

I don't care about multiple games. I care about having the strongest team possible for the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

It is worth the loss of 2 or 3 games if our backups will truly improve to a level to make us a stronger team in the winter.

And, yes I understand that we all would greatly prefer to have Mayo back healthy now, or as soon as possible.

Dude, get a grip.

At the end of the day this likely will make the defense better, others will have to step up or be exposed and eventually replaced. That DOES NOT mean it's good, we're at further risk of losing multiple games because of it.

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't care about multiple games. I care about having the strongest team possible for the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

It is worth the loss of 2 or 3 games if our backups will truly improve to a level to make us a stronger team in the winter.

And, yes I understand that we all would greatly prefer to have Mayo back healthy now, or as soon as possible.

1. We all would prefer to have Mayo back healthy now, or as soon as possible.

2. Having Mayo out may force others to raise their game a notch and step up in his absence. That could result in a better overall defense once he comes back. However, that is a best case scenario. It could also be the case that some players don't develop as quickly in his absence because of the lack of his leadership and because they are called on to play stopgap roles.

3. Getting a healthy Mayo back, whenever it occurs will give the defense a big shot in the arm.

 

[sebman2112]

I don't care about multiple games. I care about having the strongest team possible for the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

It is worth the loss of 2 or 3 games if our backups will truly improve to a level to make us a stronger team in the winter.

And, yes I understand that we all would greatly prefer to have Mayo back healthy now, or as soon as possible.

The experience gained in the system by younger players, and recent FA additions could help make the defense a stronger unit later in the season, but having Guyton and others playing more snaps could also add more wear to their bodies, and make them less effective down the stretch. Basically, there's multiple positives and negatives to most situations, and NE's losing Mayo isn't any different.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I don't care about multiple games. I care about having the strongest team possible for the playoffs and the Super Bowl.

It is worth the loss of 2 or 3 games if our backups will truly improve to a level to make us a stronger team in the winter.

I was with you until you talked about the loss of 2 or 3 games. It's not worth that. It's probably not even worth the loss of 1 game.

 

[tajapandu]

Right, losing Mayo may cost us the #1 seed (I still doubt that), but I do think we could be a stronger team in January/February for it.

lets get back to the playoffs before we start talking #1 seed.

 

[mayoclinic]

I was with you until you talked about the loss of 2 or 3 games. It's not worth that. It's probably not even worth the loss of 1 game.

Is it better to be the #1 seed with a beat up and tired defense which played its best football in October and November, or the #3 seed with a fresh and energetic defense which is just beginning to peak? Not sure I know the answer, though I think history would say the latter.

Look at 2003, when Ted Washington was injured and came back to give us a big lift and elevate the defense.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I was with you until you talked about the loss of 2 or 3 games. It's not worth that. It's probably not even worth the loss of 1 game.

See the long-view, Truth. Keeping Mayo out for a few games so he can be 100% healthy for the rest of the 2nd 1/2 of the season is the right decision.

Perhaps with additional reps, younger players will gain more confidence in their execution and responsibilities (see Guyton, Brace, Pryor) and veterans who need to learn the system and perhaps additional positions (see Burgess and Nitk at OLB)..

I don't want to see them lose games either, but some positives can be taken from his absence. Quite frankly, I could give a rat's poop of they go 15-1 or 14-2. The goal is a 4th ring. If they go 10-6 or 11-5 and are the hottest team going into the playoffs, their D firing on all pistons and the team no one wants to play- so be it.

 

[Satchboogie3]

While I'm not happy about the prospect of losing Mayo for two months, I think in the long run, it could make the team stronger.

For one, Mayo took a beating last season and was - according to Jackie McMullan's article on Sunday - banged up towards the end of the year. He will be fresher when he returns in 6-8 weeks for the stretch run. Fortunately, this team is good enough that we can win without him in the meanwhile.

Perhaps more importantly, it will force other players on this defense to step up and get reps they otherwise wouldn't get. Gary Guyton, specifically, will now have to add 4-3 MLB to his repertoire, and Woods/Ninkovich will have to play some 4-3 OLB. Adalius Thomas could be playing SILB in the 3-4, and likewise, TBC/Burgess/Woods will get more reps at 3-4 OLB.

Ultimately, it could help our depth and versatility. And by the time Mayo gets back, this defense could've improved at a much more rapid pace than it would have if he were in it.

Don't get me wrong, it sucks that he's gone for a length of time, but its not season ending, and it should not derail our season.

Yeah... keep telling yourself that. What ever gets you through the night.

 

[shmessy]

Yeah... keep telling yourself that. What ever gets you through the night.

Not sure you understood what he was saying:

"While I'm not happy about the prospect of losing Mayo for two months, I think in the long run, it could make the team stronger......"

".......Don't get me wrong, it sucks that he's gone for a length of time, but its not season ending, and it should not derail our season."

It was by no means a "Pollyanna" post. I think he is onto something with it. It could be wrong in the end, but it certainly is not out of the realm to be easily laughed off.

But thanks for the afternoon dose of snark!

 

[JMarr]

Yeah... keep telling yourself that. What ever gets you through the night.

I totally agree with the OP: every one of our LBs except AD is either new to the system or simply lacks significant NFL playing time. Same is true for many of the other defensive players. Throwing their feet into the fire early will only help us in the long run, especially with guys like Burgess, TBC, Woods and Nincovich forced into situations that will better prepare them when inevitable injuries occur as the season wears on.

With the talent we have, if this defense can't gel and even move in a positive direction after the loss of 1 [second year] defensive player, then the coaches and players won't be doing their jobs correctly. [And Seymour is not relevant to this discussion].

 

[MoLewisrocks]

If sitting out Mayo for half a season will help the defense better for the playoffs and SB, then we should have had him play less of a role early even when healthy. Young NFL players should be ready and able to be in top form for 19 games.

Honestly mg your developing a split personality, kinda like Todd and Matt...
i'm not even sure who it is we might lose ground to seedings wise given the way the Steelers OL is performing and the loss of Polamalu, the way Indy is enduring the usual late start for Sanders and the disappointing lack of development by their LT of the future is now, not to mention the swap of their shiny new Marvin Harrison replacement for Mr. Kendra, and I watched the SD/Raiders game where classy predictably limped off after his fumble and cry me a rivers got penalized for being an obnoxious twit and they were a clean TD reception away from yet another Norm coached cement shoes start...

Every team has issues heading into week two or they will have them in week 3 or 6 or 10...

The over reactions and hissy fits and quitter mentality exhibited here this week following the return of the franchise (despite Reiss' ramblings there can be only one...) is just mindboggling given it's occurring amongst a fan base and media who could legitimately be expected to act like they've been there...

 

[shmessy]

BradyManny2344 with the prescient thread of the year!

Well done.

 

[mayoclinic]

The "best case" scenario has occurred:

1. We are winning without Mayo.
2. The defense is playing extremely well even without Mayo, and a number of people have stepped up their games - Meriweather, McGowan, Bodden and Guyton in particular.

We will get a fresh and healthy Mayo back (probably around the bye week, but possibly sooner), rested and ready for the stretch run. And the defense will get a big shot in the arm which will hopefully take it to the next level.

I agree, very prescient OP.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

While I'm not happy about the prospect of losing Mayo for two months, I think in the long run, it could make the team stronger.

For one, Mayo took a beating last season and was - according to Jackie McMullan's article on Sunday - banged up towards the end of the year. He will be fresher when he returns in 6-8 weeks for the stretch run. Fortunately, this team is good enough that we can win without him in the meanwhile.

Perhaps more importantly, it will force other players on this defense to step up and get reps they otherwise wouldn't get. Gary Guyton, specifically, will now have to add 4-3 MLB to his repertoire, and Woods/Ninkovich will have to play some 4-3 OLB. Adalius Thomas could be playing SILB in the 3-4, and likewise, TBC/Burgess/Woods will get more reps at 3-4 OLB.

Ultimately, it could help our depth and versatility. And by the time Mayo gets back, this defense could've improved at a much more rapid pace than it would have if he were in it.

Don't get me wrong, it sucks that he's gone for a length of time, but its not season ending, and it should not derail our season.

Absolutely, giving Guyton all that experience is priceless as long as we keep winning. And we did not lose to the Jets due to defense.

This adds diversity/value to Guyton for our team.

Also it reinforces the idea that we can win with or without our star players.
That is a big reinforcement to the team concept.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

If sitting out Mayo for half a season will help the defense better for the playoffs and SB, then we should have had him play less of a role early even when healthy. Young NFL players should be ready and able to be in top form for 19 games.

You seriously need to get a grip.