New England Patriots: LB Jerod Mayo Will Emerge As a Superstar in 2011

April 7, 2011   ·   Tony Santorsa   ·   Jump to comments

Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis and Jonathan Vilma are the first names you think of when you ponder elite middle linebackers.
But as of 2010 and entering the 2011 season, a new name must join that group: Jerod Mayo.
New England Patriots middle linebacker Jerod Mayo is one the rise toward being the NFL's best linebacker within the next few seasons. 
For the three-year player out of Tennessee, 2010 was a breakout year. Mayo recorded a league-high 175 tackles—15 more than Stephen Tulloch, who tallied the next-most tackles. 
Within Bill Belichick's 3-4 defensive scheme, Mayo has developed into the ideal 3-4 inside linebacker. In the 3-4, it's expected that the linebackers, inside and outside, are to be the playmakers. The down defensive linemen are supposed to take up blocks, which allow the linebackers to roam free and accumulated as many tackles as possible.
And that is exactly what Mayo did in 2010. 
The New England Patriots are one of, ...

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