Heavy on the Mayo

[PatsBoy12]

Practice rundown #3 - Extra Points - Boston.com

WLB Jerod Mayo has been the best defensive player through three days as he continues to grow into the playmaking role the Patriots have carved out for him.

I know it's only been three days of camp, but this line from Bedard's latest training camp report stood out to me because there has been soooo much ballyhoo about whether or not Mayo will ever become a playmaker in the Patrick Willis or Ray Lewis mold. If this is any indication of things to come . . . well, the news just keeps getting better and better. Either he's just really been that good, or everyone else has been that putrid.lol Here's to hoping it's the former.:eat3:

 

[mayoclinic]

Practice rundown #3 - Extra Points - Boston.com

I know it's only been three days of camp, but this line from Bedard's latest training camp report stood out to me because there has been soooo much ballyhoo about whether or not Mayo will ever become a playmaker in the Patrick Willis or Ray Lewis mold. If this is any indication of things to come . . . well, the news just keeps getting better and better. Either he's just really been that good, or everyone else has been that putrid.lol Here's to hoping it's the former.:eat3:

That would be a huge bonus. I get the impression that Mayo's been so occupied being the defensive signal caller and field general the past 3 seasons that it's gotten in the way of his being more of a playmaker. The addition of Hightower - who pretty much acted as the on-field coordinator for Alabama last year - and Bobby Carpenter and having Spikes and Fletcher more comfortable with their roles may free Mayo up to be a bit more proactive.

 

[Sciz]

That would be a huge bonus. I get the impression that Mayo's been so occupied being the defensive signal caller and field general the past 3 seasons that it's gotten in the way of his being more of a playmaker.

I prefer the term "babysitter"

 

[ausbacker]

I've said it for some time - Mayo has been a stud and will continue to be a stud.

 

[mayoclinic]

FWIW, NE Patriots' Draft agrees with Bedard:

The best defensive player through three days of training camp has been Jerod Mayo. He has been all over the practice field and really stood out today. His most visible play today came when he created a fumble by stripping Aaron Hernandez after the catch. He also would have has at least one sack if it were a game situation. Whenever he blitzes he seems to get to the QB. Having a healthy Mayo for the entire 2012 season, will go a long way to curing the defensive woes.

Patriots Training Camp: 15 Things That Stood out on Saturday | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2013 NFL Draft

 

[patfanken]

I really appreciate the detail that Bedard gives us in his daily reports on the TC practices. HOWEVER.... I really have to question his stats on the one on one drills. Here's why. If you've been to TC before, the OL and DL do their one on one drills in the far left corner of the farthest field from the stands Its even farther from the media tent. I just can't for the life of me figure out how he can make plus or minus judgments from so far away, even with binoculars.

The only way he could have such accurate and definitive evaluations is if he is getting them from someone on the coaching staff after they review the practice tape, or if he gets a copy of the practice tape himself.

I would also point out that since this was the first live practice, the defense SHOULD be ahead of the OL. It will be a lot more impressive for the DL if they have the same success a couple of weeks from now.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Mayo looked amazing in last years pre-season.

I've never seen him all over the field like he was in the Bucs games last pre-season.



Still waiting for him to perform like that on a consistent basis during the regular season and playoffs.

 

[Rob0729]

This could be the year that Mayo truly steps into elite status. I felt the last few years they have put some reigns on him because he had to cover up some weaknesses in other parts of the defense. if the players around him are improved, the Pats will free him up to make more plays.

 

[NewFeep]

If Spikes stays relatively healthy and Hightower performs like expected during the course of the year that will take a lotta pressure off Mayo. I have no doubt he can do it all from the WILB spot..... The real question is the Defensive line.

 

[Joker]

Just think, if Tannenbaum hadn't outsmarted Belichick in the draft, moving up to 6th to take Gholston, and thereby "forcing" BB to take Mayo...where would we be today??..

 

[randomk1]

This could be the year that Mayo truly steps into elite status. I felt the last few years they have put some reigns on him because he had to cover up some weaknesses in other parts of the defense. if the players around him are improved, the Pats will free him up to make more plays.

You mean tackles 5 yards past the line of scrimmage?


hehe

 

[woolster22]

FWIW, NE Patriots' Draft agrees with Bedard:



Patriots Training Camp: 15 Things That Stood out on Saturday | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2013 NFL Draft

While it is early and in theory the live should be behind the defense...I am worried about the o line this year. More specifically the tackle spot. Vollmer has proven effective when healthy, but with serious back and head history...I don't like the writing on the wall. That leaves us with a light in the pants second year solder (last year anyway, hopefully he bulked up) who was ny's ***** during the big game, cannon (like this kid a lot, but at guard) and gallery. Color me very very worried. Inside, the depth looks good, but that has cannon and gallery penciled in...

Regardless, I expect the tide to be turning in favor of the d. BB us no fool, he knows his nfl history. If you are going to overcome losing one if the best qbs in history it is going to be on the back of the defense.
The late infusion of assumedly skillful, and obviously young players on the defensive side of the ball tells me BB either plans on ******* around for a bit post Brady, or passing the torch fully fueled to his hand picked predecessor. Lets face it, he (brady, but BB too...) isn't getting any younger in a game when any play could be your last, also see; my gut feeling on the line (and didn't BB's son join the staff this year?). Exit Brady, couple years and the torch gets passed...crazier things have been suggested here before...see: trade Brady, keep cassel...

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[Fencer]

FWIW, NE Patriots' Draft agrees with Bedard:

Patriots Training Camp: 15 Things That Stood out on Saturday | NEPatriotsDraft.com - 2013 NFL Draft

Let's not get too excited here -- he got the strip on Aaron Hernandez.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Mayo is an incredible talent but I don't buy into the notion that his playcalling duties impeaded his ability to make plays because it was a case of analysis by paralysis. In his prime, Bruschi made the defensive calls he made plays just fine.

As others have stated, might be more of a matter of a positional requirement and responsiblity to support the defensive alignment required (run, pass, etc.).

IIRC at the end of the season, Spikes had the dot on his helmet at the end of the season so Mayo could be allowed to flow to the ball a bit more..

 

[SwedishPat]

Mayo is an incredible talent but I don't buy into the notion that his playcalling duties impeaded his ability to make plays because it was a case of analysis by paralysis. In his prime, Bruschi made the defensive calls he made plays just fine.

As others have stated, might be more of a matter of a positional requirement and responsiblity to support the defensive alignment required (run, pass, etc.).

IIRC at the end of the season, Spikes had the dot on his helmet at the end of the season so Mayo could be allowed to flow to the ball a bit more..

Some people handle pressure differently. Just because Bruschi made the calls and plays doesn't mean that everyone can do that. Some people have a problem doing both and some can do it.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Some people handle pressure differently. Just because Bruschi made the calls and plays doesn't mean that everyone can do that. Some people have a problem doing both and some can do it.

Thats my point. I don't think it had any to do with pressure or the lack of cognitive capacity or to mentally multi-task. Bru also had superior talent around him as well. That has a lot to do with why Bru could make the calls and flow to the ball.

With Spikes there to jam the running lanes and Hightower to jam the TE at set the edge, Mayo can now flow to ball more, etc.

 

[SwedishPat]

Thats my point. I don't think it had any to do with pressure or the lack of cognitive capacity or to mentally multi-task. Bru also had superior talent around him as well. That has a lot to do with why Bru could make the calls and flow to the ball.

With Spikes there to jam the running lanes and Hightower to jam the TE at set the edge, Mayo can now flow to ball more, etc.

What i meant was that maybee Mayo can't call plays and make plays. Maybee its too much for him. Just becuase Bruschi could does not mean that Mayo can do the same. Just like not every QB can call plays like Peyton or Brady. I'm not saying that May can't do both things, just that some people can't do both. maybe it is too much pressure for him, maybe not. Saying that he can do it because Bruschi could is a bit like saying " Calling plays while sucessfully executing them should't be a problem for Sanchize, Brady can do it without any problems." Everyone is different and some aren't really playcallers but they are playmakers.

But i'm right with you that having Spikes and Hightower next to him will help him a lot. I'm not hating on Mayo, I beleive he will be a stud in our defense this year, I'm just saying that I don't think that "he can because he could" is a valid argument.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Kind of off topic. But does anyone else find it unusual how Mayo's legs are so much skinnier than Welkers?

 

[ausbacker]

Nathan to paraphrase Tyrone from Snatch "It was a funny angle."

 

[State]

That would be a huge bonus. I get the impression that Mayo's been so occupied being the defensive signal caller and field general the past 3 seasons that it's gotten in the way of his being more of a playmaker. The addition of Hightower - who pretty much acted as the on-field coordinator for Alabama last year - and Bobby Carpenter and having Spikes and Fletcher more comfortable with their roles may free Mayo up to be a bit more proactive.

Right on.

I like to think of this defense improving by "Towling." Hightower looks to be able to step in immediately and be a beast at multiple assignments.

(And all I'm expecting of Chandler Jones this year is to come in on passing third downs and cause QB pressures.)

And if Dowling stays healthy and shows off his freakish combo of size, speed, and athleticism at the CB position, that should dramatically remake our secondary.

So Hightower + Dowling = Towling. Like a nice Chinese massage.