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Mayo wins defensive rookie award but wants more

By HOWARD ULMAN - AP Sports Writer
    2008-12-31 16:16

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -Jerod Mayo wasted no time showing he could be an NFL star. Now he's biding his time until he becomes the leader of the Patriots' defense.

In between, there's more he wants to accomplish: defensive player of the year and, more importantly, a Super Bowl championship.

But he certainly appreciates winning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Now, about that NFL title.

``My main focus coming to here (was) I wanted to win the Super Bowl as a rookie,'' he said after earning the award Wednesday. ``I thank the AP for the award, but I would trade it in for a Super Bowl any day.''

New England isn't even going to the playoffs and is only the second team to miss out with an 11-5 record since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978.

Mayo led the Patriots in tackles and was at the top of the NFL rookie class, receiving 49 of 50 votes from a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league. Cincinnati linebacker Keith Rivers received the other one. Mayo is the sixth straight linebacker to win the award, following Patrick Willis of San Francisco in 2007.

His toughest adjustment was learning the team's complicated defensive playbook. He credited Tedy Bruschi, a 14-year veteran, with helping him, although he still wants to react more without having to think as much.

But the 33-year-old Bruschi missed the last three games with a knee injury, and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel is 33. Mayo is ready to take over as the defensive leader once they retire.

``While those guys are still here and they're playing these quality years of football, I'm trying to learn as much as I can,'' he said. ``I came to a winning organization like this where they didn't need a leader, so I just sat back and did what was asked of me. But if that opportunity to lead this defense ever comes up, I'm willing to do it.''

The Patriots drafted Mayo out of Tennessee with the 10th pick and he showed them early that they made the right choice. He hit hard, ran fast and studied intensely.

``Jerod has been a pleasure to coach,'' Coach Bill Belichick said. ``From the day he arrived, Jerod has been mature and extremely dedicated to his profession and those qualities translated into consistent production on the field.

``There are still areas Jerod can improve on, but his career is off to a fine start. I am very happy for Jerod.''

Mayo plans to stay around Foxborough for much of the offseason, studying and working out to advance toward his goals. One of them is to win the AP Defensive Player of the Year award next season.

``I set my goals high, but at the same time we have always been told to manage our expectations,'' Mayo said. ``So my main goal is to get to the Super Bowl and win it. If I do that, then I'm sure my personal goals will fall into place.''

Mayo started all 16 games at inside linebacker. Bruschi started the first 13 before being sidelined. Two other veterans, safety Rodney Harrison and outside linebacker Adalius Thomas, missed substantial time.

`` I missed those guys out there, especially Bruschi,'' Mayo said. ``He was like an older brother to me on the field and off the field. We still talked every day and went over game plan things.''

The Patriots' linebacking corps needed an infusion of youth and Mayo provided it.

``He's very, very fast, very physical,'' said Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, whose team had the top-ranked defense this season. ``He runs around (and) makes a bunch of plays for them.''

Mayo led the Patriots with 139 tackles, according to their coaches' calculations after reviewing game tapes. The NFL credited Mayo with 128 based on statistics compiled on the day of the games.

He had 23 tackles in one game, the most by a Patriot since 1994. It came against the New York Jets, but the Patriots lost 34-31 in overtime, a critical setback that dropped them to 6-4. Not even a season-ending four-game winning streak could get New England into the playoffs.

``I was just trying to fly around and make plays and, at the end of the day, the stat sheet said 23 tackles,'' Mayo said. ``But we caught a loss so I was pretty disappointed. I really couldn't celebrate that accomplishment like I wanted to.''

There's that same bittersweet feeling about his latest achievement. The Defensive Rookie of the Year hopes to change that next season.

``I will meet with the coaches and ask them, 'What can I do to get better?' `` Mayo said. ``I'm trying to have a great season next year, hopefully make it to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.''


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