"Leadership has been one of the primary issues on the table when it comes to elements that need to improve with the Patriots [team stats] going forward.

Jerod Mayo didn't dispute that notion yesterday.

The linebacker, who took a break from offseason workouts, was placed in a tough position last season. He was a captain in just his second year who was asked to step in and put guys in line who had a lot more experience and cache in the locker room than he had. But having another year under his belt, and having learned from and soaked in Junior Seau's wisdom last year, Mayo believes he's prepared to take a more active and vocal leadership role.

"I think I can definitely step my game up as far as being a more vocal leader," he said yesterday, speaking with reporters outside at Gillette Stadium. "Last year, I was still a second-year player . . . it was a void, as far as having that vocal guy on this team in general. I think this year is a year where guys can step up and say what they have to say. It's a young team as a whole and young guys will listen.""