1 game scouting report Mayo UT LB

[Ochmed Jones]

I viewed last season's Florida Tenn. game and tried to keep an open mind.

I saw false steps, questionable instincts, trouble shedding, poor tackling technique (running around blocks as well) and an inability to cover the slot receiver or backs. Brothers! He looks too small to be dealing with NFL OG's, FB's and TE's.

However I did see NFL speed and a bit of fire/passion in the guy.

Best I could tell, he hesitated because he was unsure of/didn't know his key reads. It was a tough game to watch, I think the Tenn. DL was over matched from play #1 and it just went downhill from there.

I think to be fair, I need to look at another game.

Bottom Line: If Thomas moves to the outside with Vrabel, we need Hobson to step it up big time in the middle with Bruschi, otherwise we could wind up with the worst run defense in the league.

 

[letekro]

Do you mind if I file this with the hundreds of other draftnik scouting reports in my "Who Cares?" file?

 

[PonyExpress]

The game was a 59-20 blowout early in the season when even VOlfans weren't sure what they had yet in Mayo considering his position change. Definitely too early and the wrong game to evaluate him as a player. The last half of the season: LSU, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin etc. are the ones that should provide a more accurate assessment of his ability.

 

[patchick]

Do you mind if I file this with the hundreds of other draftnik scouting reports in my "Who Cares?" file?

Letekro, you always scoff at player assessments that you think are based on reading rather than actual observation. Then along comes Ochmed, a guy who's as knowledgeable about college football as anybody on this board, and gives his observations based on careful review of a game. What's with the petty "la-la-la-i-can't-hear-you" response? If you disagree, fine -- offer counterarguments.

 

[mmasterkillah]

The game was a 59-20 blowout early in the season when even VOlfans weren't sure what they had yet in Mayo considering his position change. Definitely too early and the wrong game to evaluate him as a player. The last half of the season: LSU, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin etc. are the ones that should provide a more accurate assessment of his ability.

good posting, it was the wrong game to evaluate.

 

[Kontradiction]

Yeah, definitely not a good game. I'm a Gator fan and watched that game with a Cheshire Cat grin on my face because the ENTIRE Vols team looked confused... not just Mayo.

 

[letekro]

Letekro, you always scoff at player assessments that you think are based on reading rather than actual observation. Then along comes Ochmed, a guy who's as knowledgeable about college football as anybody on this board, and gives his observations based on careful review of a game. What's with the petty "la-la-la-i-can't-hear-you" response? If you disagree, fine -- offer counterarguments.

Come on PC, he says he watched one game - a 59-20 loss - and bases his entire opinion on that? Meanwhile the Pats broke down film from 30 games, held private workouts, interviews with the player, etc. - why would I put any credence in his opinion whatsoever? I think the backstory on this, which you may or may not know, was that OJ was irrationally critical of many picks this year - and I thought his decision to review a game in which the Tenn. defense gave up 59 points was clearly made to support his irrational negativity towards this year's picks.

 

[captain stone]

Do you mind if I file this with the hundreds of other draftnik scouting reports in my "Who Cares?" file?

May I assume that your "Who Cares?" file contains any and all scouting reports which run contrary with those of our obviously infallable FO?

 

[BelichickFan]

May I assume that your "Who Cares?" file contains any and all scouting reports which run contrary with those of our obviously infallable FO?

The anti Mayo crowd are fighting an uphill battle given that our front office has been infallible with #1 picks. When an average player like Dan Graham is your first round bust all these years later, you're doing OK for yourself.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I viewed last season's Florida Tenn. game and tried to keep an open mind.

I saw false steps, questionable instincts, trouble shedding, poor tackling technique (running around blocks as well) and an inability to cover the slot receiver or backs. Brothers! He looks too small to be dealing with NFL OG's, FB's and TE's.

However I did see NFL speed and a bit of fire/passion in the guy.

Best I could tell, he hesitated because he was unsure of/didn't know his key reads. It was a tough game to watch, I think the Tenn. DL was over matched from play #1 and it just went downhill from there.

I think to be fair, I need to look at another game.

Bottom Line: If Thomas moves to the outside with Vrabel, we need Hobson to step it up big time in the middle with Bruschi, otherwise we could wind up with the worst run defense in the league.

I heard an interview with Mayo before the draft. He mentioned that it took himself a couple of games to get used to playing inside. He played outside last year. I'm sure you're report is accurate. A better tape might be their SEC Championship Game where they played LSU or Bowl Game.

 

[VJCPatriot]

It's easy to get a bad impression when you take one of the team's worst defensive games of the year. Right, not setting the guy up for failure in your mind already are you?

Look, I haven't seen footage on Mayo, and I wasn't as high on him as everyone else was. I thought we took him a bit early. But the Pats must see something they like if they took him with a top 10 pick, so I'll wait and see what he actually does on the FIELD before I pass premature judgment. If the comparisons are right and we landed us an Al Wilson type, the guy should fit this team just fine.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

As I said in the earlier posting, it wasn't a good game to review, unfortunately it was the only UT game where I could watch the coaches tape, which is so much better than TV as far as scouting goes.

PS: I watched Florida-Auburn as well and was even more impressed by Groves. He was driving Florida nuts all game long.

Lastly, I watched a couple of other Florida games since I was down there and I think Percy Harvin (Hardin?) whatever his name, would look very good in Patriots uniform. He needs to bulk up on courage and learn to block, but depending on how he runs, he is a playmaker that we could find a lot of use for.

 

[Kontradiction]

As I said in the earlier posting, it wasn't a good game to review, unfortunately it was the only UT game where I could watch the coaches tape, which is so much better than TV as far as scouting goes.

PS: I watched Florida-Auburn as well and was even more impressed by Groves. He was driving Florida nuts all game long.

Lastly, I watched a couple of other Florida games since I was down there and I think Percy Harvin (Hardin?) whatever his name, would look very good in Patriots uniform. He needs to bulk up on courage and learn to block, but depending on how he runs, he is a playmaker that we could find a lot of use for.

Oh yeah, Harvin is a golden god at Florida. Fastest kid on the team by far and one of the fastest people in the SEC. That's pretty impressive. Plus, he has soft hands and can make the catch lined up as a receiver or out of the backfield.

 

[dryheat44]

Oh yeah, Harvin is a golden god at Florida. Fastest kid on the team by far and one of the fastest people in the SEC. That's pretty impressive. Plus, he has soft hands and can make the catch lined up as a receiver or out of the backfield.

As of now, I prefer Heyward-Bey....but man, it's going to be fun seeing what these guys do next year as juniors.

 

[Kontradiction]

As of now, I prefer Heyward-Bey....but man, it's going to be fun seeing what these guys do next year as juniors.

Are you a Gator fan as well? If so, do you think Tebow is going to make more progress next year or do you think he will take a step back?

 

[dryheat44]

Are you a Gator fan as well? If so, do you think Tebow is going to make more progress next year or do you think he will take a step back?

I'm rather indifferent toward the Gators. As far as Tebow, I think we've seen what he is. I would expect he'll put up a year pretty much the same as last year. I don't think he's going to improve much more until he's tested by NFL defenses and is forced to be better to win.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think we'll be seeing him running with the ball a lot less due to the transfer (Moody) they have from USC. He and the defense looked the best during the spring drills and scrimmages. This year, Tebow can concentrate a lot more on throwing the ball.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think we'll be seeing him running with the ball a lot less due to the transfer (Moody) they have from USC. He and the defense looked the best during the spring drills and scrimmages. This year, Tebow can concentrate a lot more on throwing the ball.

Tebow has not been taught how to read defensive pass coverages and at Florida that won't matter much, but as Alex Smith has found out, it does matter in the NFL.

On the coaches tape, Harvin "pops". With Caldwell gone, I think defenses are going to key on Harvin a lot next season. It will be interesting to see what Urban does to help get Harvin the ball in space.