The only LB's on your list I saw play were Johnson, Bruschi and Hightower who both played on the outside and inside. Mayo would be last on the list.
I clearly never said he sucked.
Pats run defenses with Mayo as a full time starter:
2008: 18th allowing 107 yards per game
2009: 20th allowing 110 yards per game
2010: 11th allowing 110 yards per game
2011: 17th allowing 117 yards per game
2012: 9th allowing 101 yards per game
The guy was all over the field and had to be played in a way to help address the absolute **** hole secondary. He was respected for his versatility and quickness.
2010: 31st, allowing 258 yards per game
- Mayo gets 174 combined tackles
2011: 31st, allowing 282 yards per game
- Mayo gets 95 combined tackles
2012: 29th, allowing 272 yards per game
- Mayo gets 147 tackles
2013: 26th, allowing 252 yards per game
- Mayo gets 55 tackles in 6 games before injury
This ain't news, take it from the hospital nearly unanimous DROY, at 49/50 votes.
"
Mayo's versatility, highlighted by quickness and a physical style, made him stand out even though the Patriots didn't make the playoffs.
"Jerod's done a lot for us," coach Bill Belichick said. "We've asked a lot of him and from Day 1 he's really been a well-prepared, very mature player who can do a lot of things: play the running game, play in the passing game, blitz, helps us in the kicking game.
"He's smart, makes a lot of defensive adjustments and calls for us there. He runs well. He's tough. He's a good all-around football player, very mature, very professional. For a rookie, he's probably as professional as anybody I've coached." "
2009 commentary show's how Bill used Mayo all over the field, not just against the run:
FOXBORO — Last year, before the draft, the talk was about how the Patriots don't select linebackers in the first round because their defensive schemes are way too complex and it takes too long for a …
www.southcoasttoday.com
"Thursday night in the preaseason opener against Philadelphia, playing in the middle of a 4-3, as opposed to the weakside inside linebacker spot he typically plays in the 3-4, Mayo was more free to roam and make plays. He was very active, leading the team with five tackles and playing nearly a half of football.
He seemed to be everywhere, blowing up plays. If it's possible, he could be even more of a monster on defense than last season. Mayo, however, shrugged off the suggestion of any difference between his roles in a 3-4 or 4-3 alignment."
The
typical ILB is focusing on the run, but if you're tasked to be all over the field, I'm not sure you could say Mayo had a traditional ILB experience.