BradyManny
Pro Bowl Player
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2006
- Messages
- 11,103
- Reaction score
- 1,520
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.
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.