Jerod Mayo

[Big-T]

A lot of people (including myself) have considered him elite for a while now but the big knock against him on here was that he isn't a play maker, well that appears to have changed this year:

125 tackles, 3 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 1 interception and 2 passes defended.

He's really turned up this year and seems to be thriving in the new more aggressive style that the team has been running since Talib came aboard.

Just for comparison, the oft-considered best LB in the league Patrick Willis stat line for this season is:

99 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception and 8 passes defended

It's great to see him having such a good season and have what some would consider a break out year so here's a thread showing a bit of appreciation for him.

Oh, and of course...the Jets picked Gholston over him :singing:

 

[jmt57]

I get the feeling that the Patriot coaching staff now has more trust in those around him, and are therefore allowing him to do more (e.g., blitz), which allows him to now be more of a 'playmaker'.

 

[mcsully]

Willis can play in space.. Big different in PD.. Thats why he's mentioned as the best. He does it all..

 

[ausbacker]

I've said it for years. Jerod Mayo is one of the best linebackers in the league. Don't blame me for the nonbelievers. The guy has been covering up deficiencies for years. It is my hope that the Defense comes along, so much so that his skills and abilities are put on show for all to enjoy.

 

[Water Boy]

I believe the game against the Texans may have been one of his finest performances. Now with our press man coverage in place Mayo is finally free to create some havoc in the blitz packages. I think now that he's more involved in the pass rush making highlight reel sacks, his national notoriety will blossom.

 

[Observer]

I think that as a group our linebackers are one of if not the best in the league.

 

[JackBauer]

Deus and I have been calling Mayo a top 5 (and even second to Willis) ILB in the NFL for a while now. It's great to finally have a strong enough surrounding cast to really unleash his talent. Amazing what having a legit CB1 will do for a team.

 

[mayoclinic]

Deus and I have been calling Mayo a top 5 (and even second to Willis) ILB in the NFL for a while now. It's great to finally have a strong enough surrounding cast to really unleash his talent. Amazing what having a legit CB1 will do for a team.

Sounds a little far-fetched to me ... next you'll be suggesting that people will be patterning board user names after him.

Love the kid. He does whatever BB asks him to. He's now being asked to unleash the beast within. It's about time.

 

[everlong]

Amazing what having a legit CB1 will do for a team.

Let's hope they pony up to resign said CB1.

 

[Joker]

I'll never forget the Rayge Rayge 19 post at JI that boasted how the Jets "tricked" the Pats into taking Mayo AFTER they "tricked" the Pats by moving up to the sixth pick to nab Goatston....and the when Wrecks took over, how Goaston would now become a "beast!!!!!!" and be far better than Mayo the jag....

nothing better than getting "tricked" by the Jets is the moral of this post...

 

[jsull87]

I think that as a group our linebackers are one of if not the best in the league.

Very good? yes. Best? a bit too far with LB corps in the NFL such as

SF: Smith, Bowman, Willis, Brooks
Steelers: Woodley, Harrison, Timmons, Foote
Miami: Wake, Misi, Dansby, Burnett
Dalas: Ware, Spencer, Carter, Sean Lee
KC: Houston, Hali, Johnson
Balt: Lewis, Mclain, Suggs, Kruger/Upshaw

 

[mayoclinic]

Very good? yes. Best? a bit too far with LB corps in the NFL such as

SF: Smith, Bowman, Willis, Brooks
Steelers: Woodley, Harrison, Timmons, Foote
Miami: Wake, Misi, Dansby, Burnett
Dalas: Ware, Spencer, Carter, Sean Lee
KC: Houston, Hali, Johnson
Balt: Lewis, Mclain, Suggs, Kruger/Upshaw

San Francisco, obviously. But some of your other suggestions are a little dubious:

- Baltimore, with an aging and injured Ray Lewis; McClain is nothing special; Kruger has emerged as a good player, but not all world, and Upshaw is emerging, but I'll take Hightower. I'll take the Patriots' group any day.

- Dallas: Ware is all world. Lee is great, but he's on IR so it's not much of a comparison. Carter's never shown any consistency, and Spencer has been hot and cold. +/-

- Miami: Really? Wake sure, though he's a bit one-dimensional for my taste. Dansby is solid, but not better than Spikes or Mayo. Misi and Burnett are nothing special.

Even for the Steelers, Harrison is getting well past his prime and Foote is definitely at the end of his career.

I wouldn't anoint this group "best" yet, but they're certainly on their way to being one of the top groups in the NFL. A little depth would help, though if Dane Fletcher hadn't gotten hurt we might be better still.

 

[DocHoliday]

It's a damn shame Dane Fletcher is injured

 

[manxman2601]

San Francisco, obviously. But some of your other suggestions are a little dubious:

- Baltimore, with an aging and injured Ray Lewis; McClain is nothing special; Kruger has emerged as a good player, but not all world, and Upshaw is emerging, but I'll take Hightower. I'll take the Patriots' group any day.

- Dallas: Ware is all world. Lee is great, but he's on IR so it's not much of a comparison. Carter's never shown any consistency, and Spencer has been hot and cold. +/-

- Miami: Really? Wake sure, though he's a bit one-dimensional for my taste. Dansby is solid, but not better than Spikes or Mayo. Misi and Burnett are nothing special.

Even for the Steelers, Harrison is getting well past his prime and Foote is definitely at the end of his career.

I wouldn't anoint this group "best" yet, but they're certainly on their way to being one of the top groups in the NFL. A little depth would help, though if Dane Fletcher hadn't gotten hurt we might be better still.

If they could one or both of two things, then I think they could really contend for best:

1. A legit pass rusher from the OLB spot (ie Von Miller). Doesn't have to be quite that good, but ten sacks a season good would be nice. Is this Hightower?

2. That elusive pass defending LB.

Not sure they could add both because, at best, we really only could get away with adding one LB.

 

[supafly]

Count me in as one who was starting to feel as though Mayo was not quite living up to his potential just yet. (much to Ausbacker's dismay )

He has been damn reliable, and great at consistently making tackles in the middle, but I will admit that I thought he was somewhat overhyped at times too.

This year we've really seen him step up into even MORE of a leader, and Belichick + the other play of the LB's has given Mayo some flexibility and additional responsibilities that he has taken advantage of in a great way.

Seeing him move outside in underneath coverage in the CB role on Monday not only cracked me up for a minute, but it made me appreciate his responsibilities even more. He's not exactly a good coverage backer, but it's nice to see him taking on whatever responsibilities that are given to him and continue to learn + move around.

He has grown from a reliable run clogging presence to playing an even bigger role in this current defense at times, and that is great to see.

Now let's see them re-up Spikes in the off season this year and continue to keep this going in the right direction, as Fletcher will also be coming back to compete for the precious coverage role next year too.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I don't think that it's just a coincidence that they are allowing Mayo to blitz more often now that Talib has strengthened the secondary and made it more stable and stronger.

I thnk the reason why Bill held Jerod back until now was because he couldn't trust his secondary to make up for a possible long pass completion if Mayo didn't get to the QB.

When you have faith that your secondary can hold its own then you gamble more with blitz schemes and we are seeing that now.

Talib has changed this defense and its designed plays more than some think,he has quickly elevated himself to top 3 most important defenders to be on the field.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

San Francisco, obviously. But some of your other suggestions are a little dubious:

- Baltimore, with an aging and injured Ray Lewis; McClain is nothing special; Kruger has emerged as a good player, but not all world, and Upshaw is emerging, but I'll take Hightower. I'll take the Patriots' group any day.

- Dallas: Ware is all world. Lee is great, but he's on IR so it's not much of a comparison. Carter's never shown any consistency, and Spencer has been hot and cold. +/-

- Miami: Really? Wake sure, though he's a bit one-dimensional for my taste. Dansby is solid, but not better than Spikes or Mayo. Misi and Burnett are nothing special.

Even for the Steelers, Harrison is getting well past his prime and Foote is definitely at the end of his career.

I wouldn't anoint this group "best" yet, but they're certainly on their way to being one of the top groups in the NFL. A little depth would help, though if Dane Fletcher hadn't gotten hurt we might be better still.

I agree with most of your post, and in addition to that.....



Dansby is overpaid in Miami.

Timmons is overrated on the Steelers. Foote is just decent.

Spencer has been a big disappointment for Dallas.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'll never forget the Rayge Rayge 19 post at JI that boasted how the Jets "tricked" the Pats into taking Mayo AFTER they "tricked" the Pats by moving up to the sixth pick to nab Goatston....and the when Wrecks took over, how Goaston would now become a "beast!!!!!!" and be far better than Mayo the jag....

nothing better than getting "tricked" by the Jets is the moral of this post...

You know, as much as Gary Guyton was maligned here in 2011, he still accomplished far more than Gholston ever did. . . .

 

[supafly]

I agree with most of your post, and in addition to that.....



Dansby is overpaid in Miami.

Timmons is overrated on the Steelers. Foote is just decent.

Spencer has been a big disappointment for Dallas.

I think there's a decent chance that we could potentially see 2-3 of these players either on other teams next year or out of work altogether (in Foote's case).

Spencer was playing under the franchise tag I believe, so I'm not expecting that to happen again.

Dansby certainly isn't worth that kind of money for that production.

Timmons--while a great young LB, is the best of this group IMO.

Foote won't really be back "again." Will he, lol?

 

[supafly]

I don't think that it's just a coincidence that they are allowing Mayo to blitz more often now that Talib has strengthened the secondary and made it more stable and stronger.

I thnk the reason why Bill held Jerod back until now was because he couldn't trust his secondary to make up for a possible long pass completion if Mayo didn't get to the QB.

When you have faith that your secondary can hold its own then you gamble more with blitz schemes and we are seeing that now.

Talib has changed this defense and its designed plays more than some think,he has quickly elevated himself to top 3 most important defenders to be on the field.

Sure, because he has allowed much better play from Arrington in the slot now too, along with McCourty being able to continue at FS.

It's all worked as one big machine, like it should..and like it used to!