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Jerod Mayo News & Rumors

Dedication sets LB Jerod Mayo apart
February 3
Boston Herald
 
"There isn't much that's surprised Bill Belichick about Jerod Mayo. The way he patrols the field with the Patriots, Belichick said, is what he saw when he was in college at Tennessee. The 25-year-old linebacker is active, makes a lot of tackles, has good range, is fast and diagnoses and recognizes plays quickly. But Mayo's importance runs much deeper than the plays he makes every Sunday. And it's what Belichick couldn't see when Mayo was in college that has not only surprised him, but gives him a bigger impact on this Super Bowl team."
Mayo not taking bait
January 30
Boston Herald
 
"On Friday, Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham dissed the abilities of Patriots slot corner Julian Edelman, saying he was looking forward to going up against Edelman in the Super Bowl. "I hope he's out there when we play them," Manningham told the Herald at the Giants facility in East Rutherford, N.J. "I don't want to sound like that, but you know what I mean. To our advantage, I hope he's out there.""
Jerod Mayo the man in middle
January 19
Boston Herald
 
"Not long after the Patriots charged out of the giant inflated helmet and onto the field for Saturday night's AFC divisional round showdown with Denver, they huddled together by the sideline. Players jumped up and down and stood as one to hear a quick sermon delivered by a teammate who quietly has emerged as their emotional leader. Jerod Mayo stepped into the middle of the huddle and gave a rousing, inspirational message. If you knew the linebacker when he first walked through the Gillette Stadium doors as a quiet, respectful first round-pick in 2008, the image was daunting."
Jerod Mayo ready for rematch
January 13
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo admitted that when the Patriots played the Broncos on Dec. 18, he struggled to take what he learned in the classroom to the field. The Patriots linebacker had studied Denver quarterback Tim Tebow and his quirky offense before the 18-point win, but it took him some time to adjust. The ugly first quarter showed that Mayo wasn't alone. As the team wrapped up its preparation yesterday, the captain feels much better. "I feel a little more comfortable this time around than the first time," said Mayo, who had eight tackles in the Pats 41-23 victory. "You really don't know what to expect the first time you see the option offense. Even though the whole offense isn't option, there are"
LB Jerod Mayo locks up 5-year extension
December 18
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo is so devoted to the Patriot Way that teammates jokingly call him Jerod Belichick. With a new contract extension submitted to the league on Friday, the linebacker has ensured that moniker will continue. Mayo has signed a five-year contract extension, a source confirmed yesterday, one that keeps him in New England through 2017. The 2010 All-Pro linebacker still has two more years on his rookie deal. Precise salary numbers are not yet available for the former first-round pick out of Tennessee, but guaranteed money is said to be substantial. That Mayo was locked up long term is no surprise. For a still-rebuilding defense, Mayo is one of the key cogs along with tackle Vince Wilfork."
Source: Pats extend Jerod Mayo's deal
December 17
ESPN.com
 
"The New England Patriots have signed Pro Bowl linebacker Jerod Mayo to a five-year contract extension, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Saturday. Mayo, despite missing two games in October with a sprained knee, ranks third for the Patriots with 68 tackles this season after a year in which he logged a career-best 175 and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. He was the AP's defensive rookie of the year in 2008."
Mayo makes do at LB
December 3
Boston Herald
 
"The players around linebacker Jerod Mayo keep changing. One week, it's Tracy White. Another week, Gary Guyton. Before he was put on injured reserve, it was Jeff Tarpinian. Only Rob Ninkovich is the constant along with Mayo at the linebacker position. Despite the rotating door, Mayo has taken it in stride. "Injuries are part of football and sometimes, it changes," Mayo said yesterday. "It gets hard sometimes, but these guys work, and everyone who's stepped in always had that next-guy-up attitude. It's been working well for us these last couple weeks." In fact, despite the constant flux, the Patriots have improved defensively the past three weeks. Starting middle linebacker Brandon Spikes"
Mayo, Vollmer travel; Barrett downgraded
October 30
ESPN.com
 
"Linebacker Jerod Mayo and offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer are with the Patriots in Pittsburgh, giving them a chance to suit up for Sunday's game against the Steelers. Both had been listed on the injury report as questionable. Mayo, one of the team's defensive captains, sprained his MCL against the Raiders on Oct. 2 and has missed the last two games. Vollmer, the team's starting right tackle, has missed five of the team's six games with a back injury, playing only in Week 2 against the Chargers."
Patriots LB Mayo likely out 6 weeks
October 4
Boston Globe
 
"Patriots coach Bill Belichick wasn't ready to comment yesterday on the extent of the left knee injury that forced Jerod Mayo to leave Sunday's win over the Raiders, but according to a league source the Pro Bowl linebacker likely will miss six weeks with a medial collateral ligament sprain. "I saw him in there today,'' Belichick said. "I'm not sure exactly where things are at. We'll see where we are on Wednesday.''"
Gary Guyton stands in for Jerod Mayo
October 4
Boston Herald
 
"If there's any silver lining to the knee injury Jerod Mayo suffered Sunday, it's that the Patriots have been here before. In Sunday's 31-19 win against the Raiders, Mayo sprained the MCL in his left knee, which could sideline him for up to six weeks. Previously, the All-Pro inside linebacker sprained the MCL in his right knee in the season opener in 2009 and missed three weeks. That year, the Pats filled the void by plugging in Gary Guyton. They'll follow the same blueprint now."
Jerod Mayo feels the sprain
October 3
Boston Herald
 
"The Patriots will likely be without captain Jerod Mayo for the next several weeks. The Herald has learned that the star linebacker suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in the second quarter of the Patriots' 31-19 win over the Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mayo could be out up to six weeks, though he returned from a similar ailment in 2009 after three games. "We'll look at it tomorrow," coach Bill Belichick said, "(and) see where he's at going into this week.""
Jerod Mayo knows it's time for 'D' to step up
September 30
Boston Herald
 
"The loss didn't serve as a wakeup call. One wasn't necessary. The Patriots defense saw their warts in two early wins, even while celebrating their well-timed turnovers and propensity for goal-line stands. They didn't need a defeat to the Bills to alert them to their shortcomings. All the result did was sound the alarm louder. "We have to get better — fast," linebacker and captain Jerod Mayo said."
Mayo Bowl super for giving back
September 20
Boston Herald
 
"Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo received the prestigious Ron Burton community service award during the preseason, but that didn't mean he accomplished everything he set out to do in the community. The captain held his second annual Mayo Bowl event at King's Dedham last night, and teammates flocked to support the cause. Money raised went to benefit Pitching in for Kids, a charity that helps enhance the lives of local children, and to Boston Medical Center, which provides health services to all in need of care. "Those guys give health care to people who can't afford it," Mayo said of Boston Medical Center. "And Pitching in for Kids is two businesswomen in Boston with a dream, and I support"
Jerod Mayo's sight for sore eyes
September 13
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo took the field last night with one major alteration from last season. And it had nothing to do with the Patriots' revamped defense. "I can see!" Mayo told the Herald this week. During the offseason, while the NFL was locked out, Mayo used the time to get locked in. The Patriots captain underwent LASIK eye surgery to dramatically improve his vision and help him read his keys on the field. Thanks to Dr. Sam Melki at Boston Laser, Mayo no longer had to worry about his contact lenses on the field. He now does commercials for the practice. "I don't have to wake up and put contacts in every morning," said Mayo, who had five tackles in the Pats' season-opening 38-24 win against Miami"
Mayo on Sports Illustrated cover
August 31
Boston Globe
 
"To celebrate the start of the 2011 NFL season, Sports Illustrated produced six regional covers for this week's edition, which hits newsstands on Wednesday. Patriots' linebacker Jerod Mayo is the cover subject for the edition which we will see in New England; all six of the covers feature defensive players. Atlanta's James Curtis Lofton, the Jets' Calvin Pace, the Steelers' Lamar Woodley, Green Bay's Clay Matthews and Dallas' DeMarcus Ware are the other players featured."
Jerod Mayo honored for community service
August 31
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo is only beginning his fourth season with the Patriots, but he's already making a sizable impact on the community. The Patriots captain was honored as the 2011 Ron Burton Community Service Award winner, the team announced during the Patriots Charitable Foundation's Kickoff Gala. Mayo said that when drafted by the Patriots in the first round in 2008, owner Robert Kraft told him to be a good player on the field. "But they also stressed to me to be good in the community and give back," Mayo said at the dais upon accepting his award. "I feel so fortunate to be at a great place like this. Just to have the role models of these past winners (is great).""
Jerod Mayo makes big impact in new role
August 20
Boston Herald
 
"For three years, Jerod Mayo has been a tackling machine. A run-stuffing, tone-setting physical linebacker who roams off the line of scrimmage and crunches ball carriers. The high point of that identity culminated in Mayo leading the NFL with 193 tackles in 2010. In his fourth season, it appears the role of the Patriots captain is changing. Thanks to a potentially new defensive scheme, and with increased "horses" up front, the former first-rounder is expanding his repertoire. Thought he'd reached his potential after leading a young defense on and off the field in 2010? If his play in Thursday night's preseason win over the Buccaneers offered a glimpse of the future, you ain't seen nothin'"
Jerod Mayo heads up Tedy Bruschi's clinic
June 15
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo spent most of the afternoon on his behind, a human tackling dummy for 54 lucky children. Fine with him. In theory, the Patriots captain's role at Gillette Stadium was to serve as a counselor for the SBLI Tedy Bruschi youth football clinic. In reality, he taught fundamentals of defense by allowing them to test it out on him. Mayo was one of six current and former players to lend Bruschi a hand because "he did so much for me as far as growing up." That wasn't the only reason. "Plus, I miss the field," Mayo said after the camp ended. "It's a long time since I've been here." Mayo has been leading players-only conditioning workouts in the area, but the lockout means he hasn't been on"
Jerod Mayo pleased, impressed with players' workouts
June 6
Boston Herald
 
"It will take more than a lockout to change some well-known characteristics of coach Bill Belichick's team. Patriots players held three workouts at Boston College last week, well-organized sessions that did not include coaches or playbooks. But those who took part lauded the experience, saying the learning was valuable, and the camaraderie was enjoyable. As for the fact that there was little fanfare or hoopla — and limited access to the prying eyes of reporters — that was fitting. "Hey, the Patriot Way still lives on," said a laughing captain Jerod Mayo, who helped spread the word for the defensive players. "You know (reporters) weren't allowed in, so we're still doing it the Patriot Way."
Jerod Mayo chats up Ray Lewis
January 27
Boston Herald
 
"Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo scanned the room and found the guy he was looking for: Future Hall of Famer Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens. "He's just someone I've been wanting to sit down with and talk with and pick his brain," Mayo said after Tuesday night's AFC players orientation meeting. "I've watched him and just want to see how he's been able to do what he's done for so long. That's so amazing to me, and take what I can from him. "He seemed like a good guy. It was a quick meet-and-greet, but he welcomed me with open arms, and we're going to get together and talk." Now, the Patriots and Ravens aren't quite to the degree of the Pats and Jets on the hate meter, but they're up there,"
Jerod Mayo turns to Ravens' Ray Lewis
January 26
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo has big plans for his first Pro Bowl trip. And he planted the seeds last night during the AFC players orientation meeting. Mayo cozied up to Ray Lewis, formally introduced himself, shook the man's hand, and basically told the Ravens linebacker he hoped to pick his brain during the week for pointers on how to get better. And guess what? Lewis agreed. "He seemed like a good guy," Mayo said. "It was a quick meet-and-greet. But he welcomed me with open arms, and we're going to get together and talk." Now the Patriots and Ravens aren't quite to the degree of the Pats and Jets on the hate meter, but they're up there, especially when Terrell Suggs starts yapping crazy things about Tom"
Mayo eyes more positive playoff journey
January 12
Boston Herald
 
"When Jerod Mayo was a rookie, veterans like Tedy Bruschi and Rodney Harrison attempted to school him in the ways of the playoffs. No matter that the team's 11-5 finish led to being left out in 2008, the lessons still were there. "They were on me tough," the third-year captain recalled yesterday. Yet Mayo's first experience in the playoffs after the 2009 season wasn't nearly as glorious as the perennial postseasons players had described. He can thank the Ravens and running back Ray Rice, who started the first-round rout with an 83-yard touchdown run, for that fact. As his top-seeded Patriots head into Sunday's showdown against the sixth-seeded Jets, the goal is for this year's rookies — and"
Patriots' Jerod Mayo fined $10K for hit
December 31
ESPN.com
 
"New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo said Friday that he has been fined $10,000 for a second-quarter hit in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Mayo was not told which second-quarter hit drew the fine."
At the captain's table
September 11
Boston Herald
 
"During the preseason, Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo walked out to the 50-yard line for the coin toss all by himself. The team hadn't officially named captains yet, so Mayo took on the sole responsibility. Sunday against the Bengals, he'll have company. Coach Bill Belichick announced that Mayo will be a captain for 2010 once again, and be joined by nose tackle Vince Wilfork, quarterback Tom Brady and running back Kevin Faulk. "A great selection by the team," Belichick said. "Those four guys have all been in that role before. Those four guys have done all the things you'd want your captains to do for this particular season, which is really what everything is based on. We have a lot of other"
Even Jerod Mayo can't know
September 10
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo has spent more than a month with his defense, leading the group like he was led during his first two seasons with the Patriots [team stats]. The linebacker and captain is faced with shepherding a unit with an average age of roughly 25 - a tall task for anyone. So what will be the product the Patriots put on the field Sunday against the Bengals and their varied offense? "We still don't know," said Mayo, the third-year starter on a defense that includes rookies Brandon Spikes, Devin McCourty and, perhaps, Jermaine Cunningham. "We'll know after Sunday. But you go into every year not knowing what you're going to have." The world will know Sunday. Receivers Chad Ochocinco and Terrell"
Big turnout for Jerod Mayo charity event
March 26
Boston Globe
 
"Dozens of Patriots players and staff showed up for Jerod Mayo's celebrity bowling tournament at Kings Dedham at Legacy Place tonight. The inaugural event benefited Pitching in for Kids, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing earmarked grants that improve the lives of children in New England. Mayo may be entering his third season but he said he learned from former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi that he can do plenty in the community no matter how long he has been in the NFL. "You know, I try to model my career after Tedy Bruschi as far as in the community and things he does," Mayo said. "He's made a major impact here. Even though he's not playing anymore, he's still living"
Mayo expects to make some noise next season
March 17
Boston Globe
 
"The clanging of weight machines could be heard at Gillette Stadium yesterday as the Patriots returned for offseason workouts less than two months after the Baltimore Ravens ended their season in the wild-card round. "We're trying to put last season behind us,'' linebacker Jerod Mayo said. "You can tell from the guys who were here before we actually had to report that people are really hungry to get back at it and start the new season.'' On Monday, players began working out under the guidance of strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik. Weightlifting, running, and watching film take up most of the players' time."
Jerod Mayo talks up a more vocal role
March 17
Boston Herald
 
"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"
Postseason a first for Jerod Mayo
January 8
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo has performed in high-profile, high-stakes, postseason games in his career. But they all came while he was wearing the orange of the Tennessee Volunteers. "The biggest game I've ever played in was the SEC championship game (in 2007)," said Mayo, the Patriots second-year captain. "I'm sure this is a huge game and every game is a huge game from this point on." As the young leader of the defense can attest, those contests are slightly different from Sunday's wild card game against the Baltimore Ravens. As for what the experience will be like, he's blunt. "I don't really know what to expect," Mayo said. "I just know how to play football, that's what I'm going to do." Mayo is one of"
Jerod Mayo not satisfied
January 1
Boston Herald
 
"His best game of the season? Are you kidding? Jerod Mayo hears you repeat his tackle numbers - 15 against the Jaguars - and he shakes his head. Celebrating his own performance is the last thing on the mind of the star Patriots linebacker. "I'm not making a big deal about this last game," Mayo said. "I don't think that was my best game, to be honest. I was just in the places to make plays. Earlier in the season, I had 12-tackle games. Two more tackles doesn't make it my best. But anytime you win a game, everybody loves you this time of year." Mayo is getting some love. The second-year co-captain began the season with a knee injury, then struggled to regain the form that led him to earn AP"
Jerod Mayo leads in silence
December 11
Boston Herald
 
"This is a time when the Patriots need leadership. They need the respected players in the room to take control and help restore some kind of order. Jerod Mayo knows and understands the dynamic. Before the season, he was given a more prominent place at the table. He was voted as one of the team's five captains. And before leaving to retirement, Tedy Bruschi passed the leadership torch of the defense to the young linebacker. The second-year player, however, hasn't shown that he's comfortable enough to openly challenge his teammates, as fellow captain Tom Brady did this week. He hasn't been around long enough to pull a veteran like Adalius Thomas aside and tell him to make nice with Bill"
Jerod Mayo, defense never lost their swagger
November 23
Boston Herald
 columnist Karen Guregian
"During the week, linebacker Jerod Mayo insisted members of the defense were not the least bit miffed with Patriots coach Bill Belichick after last week's controversial fourth-and-2 call against the Colts. While former teammate Tedy Bruschi suggested Belichick's apparent lack of faith in the defense to make a late fourth-quarter stop would have made his blood boil for weeks, Mayo respectfully disagreed with his mentor. Given Bruschi was no longer a resident in the locker room, he didn't have a proper read on the pulse of what the players truly felt, Mayo said. The team's new defensive captain, who isn't fond of speaking during the week, took a stand in support of his coach. "He doesn't know"
Will Indianapolis 'Insult' Incite?
November 22
Boston Herald
 
"Of course, the Patriots have had this date circled on the calendar ever since their Week 2 loss to the Jets at the Meadowlands. There really isn't a need for added incentive. Everyone knows they have no love for Gang Green, so avenging a loss is motivation enough. But there's more of a backdrop to today's grudge match with the trash-talking Jets. There's more to it than merely seeing who gets bragging right this time, Randy Moss or Darrelle Revis. It will be interesting to watch the Pats defense as it takes the field against Rex Ryan's boys, and see how it performs. How will what played out in the final minutes of the 35-34 loss to Indianapolis last Sunday night impact Vince Wilfork, Jerod"
Patriots come to the defense
November 20
Boston Globe
 
"At this time last year, Tedy Bruschi was a leader on the Patriots defense. This week, in an indirect way, he may have sped the passing of those duties to linebacker Jerod Mayo, already a captain in his second season. Bruschi, now an ESPN analyst, criticized Bill Belichick's decision to go for it on fourth and 2 from his 28 in Sunday's game against the Colts because, he said, as a former defensive player, it would have "been enough to make my blood boil.'' Yesterday, Mayo further asserted himself as the team's defensive leader by offering the strongest rebuke yet by a Patriots player of the sentiment Bruschi championed."
Jerod Mayo insists defenders not upset
November 20
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo came out in support of Bill Belichick yesterday regarding the coach's controversial decision to go for it on fourth-and-2 against the Colts rather than punt. The Patriots linebacker and defensive captain said he didn't think Belichick was sending a message to the defense that the coach didn't have faith in it to stop Peyton Manning & Co. "We looked at it as a challenge. People say it was a lack of confidence in us. But we looked at it as a challenge," Mayo said. "We looked at it as coach having enough confidence in us to have a short field. Unfortunately, we were unable to step up to the challenge and get the job done. Hopefully, we can get it done this week." Former Pats"
Jerod Mayo old hat at 'cat
November 6
Boston Herald
 
"When the Dolphins unveiled the Wildcat offense last season, the Patriots were flummoxed. Coach Bill Belichick had to call a timeout and calm his team down. Yet linebacker Jerod Mayo had seen it before. The former Tennessee star defended the original in college when Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones brought it to Knoxville. Mayo didn't hesitate when asked which scheme is the bigger challenge. "What we're gearing up for Sunday, by far," said Mayo, whose team held the Razorbacks to 158 yards rushing in a 34-13 win on Nov. 10, 2007. He's not sure how much his previous preparation helps. "Arkansas ran it a lot," Mayo said. "They were the first ones to really do that. But"
Linebacker is wise beyond his youth
October 31
Boston Globe
 
"The "old soul'' owns a playful spirit. On Thursday, Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo stood behind a herd of reporters who were asking questions of teammate Gary Guyton. Mayo stretched his 6-foot-1-inch frame above the huddle and listened in. He whispered to a reporter to ask Guyton about the red-and-blue braid accenting his hairdo. Guyton smiled as the question was asked, but avoided eye contact with Mayo. Mayo then whispered to another reporter, "Ask him why he doesn't grow facial hair like the rest of the defense.'' Guyton responded, "Because that guy has it all,'' pointing at Mayo. "That guy was born with facial hair. Only guy I know that was born with facial hair.''"
Healthy dose of reality
October 3
Boston Globe
 
"The sight of Jerod Mayo, Wes Welker, and Vince Wilfork all on the practice field was almost enough to make you forget they were still on the injury report. You'd have to go back to the first quarter of the Patriots' Week 1 matchup against Buffalo to find a time when they were all available, and having them on the practice field yesterday was an obvious boost to the team. "It was nice,'' linebacker Pierre Woods said with a grin. "Very nice. It's nice to have everybody out there. That way we can all get together, jell, go out there and do what we need to do.''"
Gary Guyton to fill Jerod Mayo's LB spot
September 19
Boston Herald
 
"Regardless of where professional football players spend their offseason, it often becomes high-profile. From charity work to off-the-field trouble, it's all in the news. Gary Guyton is comparatively low-profile; very low-profile. How did the Patriots [team stats] linebacker spend his summer? "I was an office assistant, right there at the desk," said Guyton, who worked for a meager wage at Georgia Tech Research Institute. "Just a regular office assistant. Tech is my school, and I enjoyed it." A nose-to-the-ground, old-fashioned grinder, Guyton didn't understand what was odd about an NFL player toiling at such a job. Perhaps that drive brought him to where he'll be tomorrow at 1 p.m. against"
Jerod Mayo on shelf, Patriots move on
September 17
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo was not at practice yesterday, a day after the Patriots star linebacker reportedly was diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament. Coach Bill Belichick did not offer a timetable for his return, but a source close to Mayo said he could be out up to six weeks. The Patriots are moving on. Fellow second-year linebacker Gary Guyton will now sport a green dot on his helmet, a sign that he's wearing the helmet radio and taking over defensive play-calling duties for Mayo. Guyton moved from outside to inside linebacker when Mayo was injured in Monday night's season opener vs. the Bills, taking over play-calling duties as much as one can against a no-huddle attack. "Gary was"
Mayo has sprained MCL
September 16
Boston Globe
 
"According to two sources with direct knowledge of Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo's injury, Mayo sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee on Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. One source said that Mayo was expected to be out 6 to 8 weeks with the Grade 3 MCL sprain, but the other source said that the timetable is "not that bad" and Mayo is expected to be back quicker than that."
Mayo injures knee; status unknown
September 15
Boston Globe
 
"There was no word from the Patriots on the status of injured middle linebacker Jerod Mayo, who left last night's 25-24 win over the Bills in the first quarter with a knee injury and did not return. The initial belief, however, is that the injury is not as serious as the season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear quarterback Tom Brady suffered in last year's season opener. More definitive word on Mayo's status may come today. In Mayo's absence, Gary Guyton and Adalius Thomas manned the middle with mixed results. Guyton had four tackles, but was victimized on screen passes and Buffalo ran 19 times for 90 yards. Thomas had five tackles and a sack. Mayo's loss also meant the team lost its"
Jerod Mayo injures right knee
September 15
Boston Herald
 
"Patriots star linebacker Jerod Mayo left last night's game in the first quarter with a right knee injury, a potentially devastating blow to the Patriots. The reigning AP defensive rookie of the year looked to sustain the injury when engaged with a blocker, tumbling to the turf and spending several moments there. Doctors flexed Mayo's knee, then took him into the locker room. Officially, he was listed as "questionable." In his place, Gary Guyton moved to the middle. Following the Pats' 25-24 win over the Bills, coach Bill Belichick said he had no update. "I wish I did," he said. Teammates described Mayo as being in "good spirits" at halftime. Mayo told one teammate, "It's nothing serious.""
Jerod Mayo role grows in 2nd year
August 25
Boston Herald
 
"Fourteen years with the same franchise. An invitation to the Pro Bowl. A few Super Bowl rings. Yeah, that sounds pretty good to Jerod Mayo. The Patriots second-year inside linebacker is in position to replace veteran Tedy Bruschi not only in the starting lineup but also as the playmaker on the team's vaunted defense. For inspiration to do so, Mayo need only to glance two lockers over to Bruschi, whose resume is highlighted by the aforementioned longevity as well as individual and team success. Mayo is learning from a leader. The goal is to do more than that. The former University of Tennessee star wants to model his career after Bruschi's, too. "Who wouldn't want to be like that?" Mayo"
Jerod Mayo in middle
August 18
Boston Herald
 
"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 rookie to grasp. Given the rapid ascension of Jerod Mayo, the above line of thinking sounds pretty silly. With just a rookie season under his belt, it's looking very much like Mayo has been handed the keys to the defense. Judging by the green dot on the back of his helmet, he's going to call the plays. And if the Patriots employ a 4-3 defense, which is looking at the very least like a part-time possibility, then he's in the driver's seat at middle linebacker. That's where the stud of the defense"
Mayo isn't lightening load
April 17
Boston Globe
 
"Jerod Mayo hails from Hampton, Va., but now considers himself a full-fledged New Englander. Why not? He could probably legally change his place of residence to Gillette Stadium. Since the Patriots' season ended with a 13-0 victory over the Buffalo Bills Dec. 28, Mayo has been to Virginia just once. Not content to bask in the glow of a season in which he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Patriots inside linebacker has spent his offseason working out and watching film. Just like the Patriots couldn't get Mayo, who started all 16 games last season, off the field during his rookie year, they can't get him out of Gillette, not unless they plan on changing the locks. "I don't think"
Jerod Mayo spreads message
April 17
Boston Herald
 
"Ever get a B-minus on a test or polite applause after a middling karaoke performance? That's how Jerod Mayo feels about his rookie season. Even after being named Defensive Rookie of the Year, Mayo offered what amounted to a shrug yesterday when discussing his 2008 campaign. It was as if his 128 tackles and wire-to-wire starting job never happened. "To be honest, I feel like I can get so much better," the Patriots linebacker said following a workout. "Last year, I felt like the season I had was OK, but I felt like I could have made so many more plays, big plays, especially." Mayo is well aware his final stats showed only a single forced fumble and recovery. He had no interceptions or sacks,"
Jerod Mayo grabs rookie award
January 1
Boston Herald
 
"The Patriots broke from their norm by selecting a linebacker in the first round of the 2008 draft. The commonly held belief was that the club avoided selecting linebackers that high because Bill Belichick’s defensive system is too complicated to learn quickly. Mayo proved otherwise. Taken with the 10th overall pick in April, Mayo not only got a handle on the defense, but he thrived in it, leading the team with 137 tackles from his all-important position at inside linebacker. Yesterday, his reward was being named the near-unanimous Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. “It means a lot . . . it’s a great honor,” Mayo said during a conference call. “I look at it more as a"
Jerod Mayo no wallflower
December 7
Boston Herald
 
"Jerod Mayo has played a lot more meaningful football than most had imagined for a rookie linebacker, especially considering the nuances of the Patriots’ complex system. The rookie has led the team in tackles from the opening week, hitting his stride with the 20-tackle effort in Week 10 against the Jets. Lately, his name hasn’t been mentioned as much in the play-by-play. Might he have hit that proverbial rookie wall? After all, at Tennessee, his college season would be over by now, save for prepping for a possible bowl appearance. Asked about it Friday, Mayo said he’s been told about it and warned about it happening, but doesn’t believe he’s reached that point. “To be honest, I feel good,"