It’s only a slight exaggeration to call Mayo’s rise meteoric.
It certain is by NFL standards.
Even if the league is trending more towards younger guys and former players as head coaches.
Or because the Krafts carelessly and irresponsibly committed to him last year and painted themselves into a corner.
Like I’ve said before, I’m going into semi-retirement when it comes to blind, unwavering optimism.
Because it hasn’t paid off in such a long time and I’m worn out from being wrong.
Now I’m more into cautious optimism.
And not that talk show fodder second one.
Mayo would help Belichick with special projects by reviewing film as the duo scouted future opponents.
“In 2014, when he got hurt, I remember being in the Baltimore game.
That was the balance of keeping it light and keeping guys ready to go.
I think that fully embodies who Jerod is.”
…
“He’s always been a coach to me on the field.
But now it’s stamped, it’s labeled, he’s the coach now.
He’s not putting the pads on.
“He’s just somebody people gravitate towards,” Dont’a Hightower explained.
“He not only leads by example, he also has the vocal aspect of it, too.
Mayo has a great message and does a great job of delivering that message.”
“I’m not surprised one bit that we are sitting here talking about this.
That man was born for this.
He was born to be the New England Patriots head coach,” former linebacker Brandon Spikes stated emphatically.
…
“He was like a coach on the field.
I never forget Matt Patricia, Pepper Johnson, and Bill [Belichick] going over corrections and stuff.
Mayo had already told me half the stuff while we were jogging off the field.
Like we need to do this, this, and that.
He just spit stuff out.
He processed stuff a lot faster than most players,” Spikes added.
With the captaincy came complete control of Bill Belichick’s defense.
Don’t check it unless Mayo checks it.
I’m like, but I mean, we can all see it.
That’s just a small, Trader Joe’s free sample counter-sized portion of a much more comprehensive article.
And even though it appears on the Patriots version of state-run media, it’s impressive.
If nothing else, look at that cross section of teammates.
McCourty and Hightower were cornerstones of three Super Bowl championship defenses.
These guy execute the gamut of Patriots experience.
But all hold Mayo in the same high regard.
Not by a damned sight.
They’ve been hearing these things in the building since Mayo’s rookie season.
And believe the time to give him his shot is now.
But we’ll soon see if all these former teammates are right.
