Jerod Mayo News: Pro Sports Daily

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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, ..."

Big production by Jerod Mayo

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November 15

Boston Herald

"The number jumps off the stat sheet: 20 tackles. The number represents a career high in a 10-game career that’s already looking like it has the chance to be something truly special. Patriots rookie inside linebacker Jerod Mayo was all over the Gillette Stadium field in Thursday night’s 34-31 overtime loss to the New York Jets, with 16 solo stops and four assists. He crashed the line in the running game, registered tackles in the open field and made plays down the field. Mayo was everywhere. “Jerod has been pretty active in all of the games,” coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s instinctive. He has a nose for where the ball is, he gets to it and he’s a good tackler. He doesn’t miss many. He has ..."

Mayo makes a mark

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November 14

Boston Globe

"Jerod Mayo turned around from his locker last night to find a herd of cameras and microphones, about the biggest compliment a rookie linebacker can receive following a loss in which he was not the goat. But Mayo politely declined all requests for comment, citing the Patriots' (loosely followed) rule that rookies can't speak following games. He could be forgiven considering he did all his talking on the field. Mayo, a first-round pick (10th overall) out of Tennessee, recorded a game-high 20 tackles (16 solo, 4 assisted) as the Patriots' defense did its job in helping the team overcome an 18-point deficit, but it wasn't enough as New England fell in overtime to the rival Jets, 34-31, at ..."

Avoid spoiling Jerod Mayo

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November 2

Boston Herald

"Patriots defensive coodinator Dean Pees joked with reporters Friday that Jerod Mayo shouldn’t be told he was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October. Part of Pees meant it, because coaches are always trying to keep the kids in line. Pees doesn’t want Mayo to think he’s made it before his time. Catching up with Mayo Friday, there was no need for Pees to worry. The young linebacker said he could answer just one question, because he was off to a meeting. And even then, he was still incredibly humble. “It’s nice to get the recognition,” Mayo said, “but I just thank the guys in front of me, and the coaches that put me in a position to make plays.” Mayo leads the team in tackles with ..."

Mayo is not being held back

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September 10

Boston Globe

"The Patriots rotated their defensive personnel throughout Sunday's season opener against the Chiefs, but one player never retreated to the sideline. Surprisingly, it was rookie Jerod Mayo. The 10th overall selection in the NFL draft went wire to wire at the weak-side inside linebacker spot in the 3-4 alignment while also staying on the field in sub packages. He finished with six solo tackles and received positive reviews from coach Bill Belichick. By unofficial count, he was the only defender to play every snap. "He was out there for just about all of it," Belichick said. "Jerod has done a good job for us all the way through, and while there is always room for improvement, I thought he did ..."

Jerod Mayo an early film star: Pats LB has grasp on subject

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August 12

Boston Herald

columnist Karen Guregian

"In the early hours of the morning, Jerod Mayo has been spotted in the linebacker’s room at Gillette Stadium, poring over tape, doing whatever he can to get a handle on a defense that’s baffled many rookies before him. He has been studying Bill Belichick’s complicated 3-4 alignment, trying to learn, trying to speed up the process, trying to live up to the expecations of being the 10th pick in the draft. A film junkie? That’s not exactly a news flash to John Chavis, the defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at the University of Tennessee, where Mayo played his college ball. Chavis never had to kick Mayo out of the film room to get him to go to class or catch a few hours sleep. It wasn’t ..."

Jerod Mayo nays turn to yeas

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August 4

Boston Herald

"Slowly but surely, Jerod Mayo seems to be getting it. The rookie linebacker with a reputation for embracing film work is clearly learning his lessons. He has taken reps with the first defense during the last couple of days, and every time he steps on the field, he provides another glimpse into what a talent he can be. Last week, he highlighted his speed by staying stride for stride with Kevin Faulk on a pass down the sideline. It’s the kind of matchup the Patriots attempt to exploit against pretty much every linebacker in the league, but Mayo had Faulk blanketed and the pass sailed out of bounds. During Saturday’s practice, Mayo showcased his explosiveness by blowing up Laurence Maroney ..."

Pats reach deal with Mayo

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July 24

Boston Globe

"The Patriots have reached a deal with first-round pick Jerod Mayo, according to a league source. The rookie inside linebacker, drafted with the 10th pick overall in April's draft, will be at the second of the team's two scheduled practices today, the opening day of training camp. Mayo will not be on the field for the first practice, which is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. this morning. The second practice is set for 5:30 p.m. We will follow up with details of the deal when they become available."