Patriots Player Profiles: Jerod Mayo
BOSTON (CBS) - New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo has solidified his role as a defensive leader in just three seasons. Can Mayo follow-up his best season as a pro with an even better one?
2010 Stats: 175 tackles, 114 solo-61 assists, 2 sacks, forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
With just three years of NFL service under his belt, Mayo is already the leader of the Patriots linebacking corp. He was named co-defensive captain before the season, and ended up leading the NFL with 175 tackles. His best game came against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, when he tallied 18 tackles.
Mayo was named to his first Pro Bowl as a reserve and made the NFL All-Pro team in 2010. He still has a few kinks to get out of his game (he gets pushed back by larger offensive players from time-to-time), but as the linebacking unit grows, so will Mayo.
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2011 Outlook: At 25 years old, Mayo is only going to get better. He is the perfect linebacker for Bill Belichick's 3-4 defense, and can certainly hold his own should the defense show more 4-3 schemes in 2011.
He will once again be relied on to lead the linebackers, but it's a role the young defensive stud relishes. While he may get a sack or two as the season rolls on, his focus is on stopping whoever gets the ball, be it a running back or receiver after the catch.
As teams have already found out, it will be a good idea to stay away from whatever side Mayo is covering. Although with his knack for knowing where the ball is going, that might not help much either.
