Eric Berry vs. Taylor Mays

[RealSNR]

No, I'm not giving up on this season. This team isn't going to the playoffs. Plain and simple. But I'm still going to watch them and be encouraged by any progress I see. So if you want to bitch at me for starting a draft thread this early, go **** yourself in the eye with a sharp stick.

I've seen a couple Tennessee and USC games from last season. Taylor Mays looks MUCH better to me. He hits hard, wraps up, and is an athletic freak. Most boards I see though have Berry going before him. Granted, I'm not an NFL talent scout, but why is that?

Also, it would seem to me that this defense needs a big playmaker and that Taylor Mays is the perfect kind of athlete to fill that position versus a guy like Berry. Which one would be best for this team if we had an opportunity to draft either player this spring?

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Here's an article on Mays from before the year to give some people an idea on him...

http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/303208

UA Sports
He's a-Mays-ing: USC safety wows coaches in Pac-10
By Patrick Finley

Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 08.01.2009

LOS ANGELES — Taylor Mays didn't have a single interception last year. On a USC team filled with elite football players, he doesn't return kicks or punts.
He's not Charles Woodson, the flashy Michigan cornerback who in 1997 became the first defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy.

Yet Mays might be the best bet to follow in Woodson's footsteps at the Heisman presentation ceremony.

"I want to get to New York," Mays said Thursday, smiling. "But I've got to get some interceptions first."

He might be right. A few picks would add a dose of the obvious to football fans obsessed with highlights.

But one look at Mays, a two-time first-team All-American, tells you what you need to know.

"He's a freak of nature," said Steve Sarkisian, Washington's first-year coach and former USC assistant. "Look at him."

Interceptions are beside the point.

At 6 feet 3 inches and 235 pounds, the senior intimidates as much as Ronnie Lott, Dennis Smith, Troy Polamalu or any in the line of the Trojans' greatest safeties.

The son of former NFL player Stafford Mays can run a 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds. His 41-inch vertical leap is half a foot higher than former UA basketball player Jordan Hill. He bench presses 425 pounds.

"He's all that you could ever ask for physically," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "He's got size. He's got speed. He's got flexibility. He's got instincts. He's got intelligence. And he loves to play the game, and it shows. It exudes around him."

Here's how much: Mays said Thursday that he is so focused on football this season that he won't go to parties, lest his teammates see him unfocused.

Mays didn't eschew the NFL draft this spring so he could end up "walking through campus and having all the girls," he said.

"I've got no problem sitting in my room and looking at the wall," he said.
The singular focus pays respect to the Trojans greats at the position.

"There's a tradition about it, and Taylor embraced that from the start," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "He came in really willing to understand what he was getting into, to become part of that lineage."

On some level, he has surpassed Lott, probably the greatest safety in the history of football.

"I don't think — and I think Ronnie would be the first to tell you, and I don't want to ever cross Ronnie — that there hasn't been a guy more physically fit, faster, stronger, more committed than what Taylor is," Carroll said. "Those guys all get the chance to live through his performance, and he carries that responsibility with him."

The Trojans' history and exposure, of course, could contribute to Mays' hype.

"He's going to get a lot of preseason publicity, not only for his exploits, but he's been on that stage for a while, given what SC's accomplished," Neuheisel said. "But who knows? Woodson did it."

In an ideal world, that would be the end of the conversation. After three years as one of the game's best defensive players, Mays would project as the same in the NFL.

Truth is, some pro scouts don't know if he's a safety, or if he needs to play closer to the line of scrimmage.

"They're looking for specific things in specific areas," Sarkisian said. "It's almost like you have to fit inside a box — 'OK, he can play at this spot. Well, he doesn't fit that spot, he has to play in this spot.'

"I think the challenge for Taylor is to possibly show he can fit in that box, because he's out of the box."

Neuheisel said "there are people who wonder about his ability in open space," but then smiled.

"I'd take a flier on him," he said, cheekily stating the obvious.

The NFL will find a place for Mays in the first round, especially if he posts another stellar season. Mays could graduate with three first-team All-America honors, and maybe a national championship.

"He's a guy in our program that is the epitome of maximizing his experience at USC," Carroll said. "He had a chance to go out last year, but wanted to graduate. He wanted to see what it was like to be a senior and have a chance to be a leader of this team.

"He wanted to maximize his ability for the next level."

These statements are kind of silly, he's going to sacrifice partying during the football season, whoopdy doo. Offer me a chance to make millions of dollars, and I'll work out everyday, and not go to parties, and "stare at my wall". I understand they are showing his dedication, but it's a moot point IMO.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

What's worse - our safeties, our tight ends, our offensive line, our wide receivers or our linebackers?

When you divide the existing talent existing talent by the value of the postion in the draft and factor in the impact that one position can have on wins and losses, it's safety hands down.

LB is a close second.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ILChief

I have no idea and I don't have the time to look it up. How many Super Bowl teams drafted safeties in the top 10?

Keep in mind that Ed Reed was #24, and Troy Polamalu was #16

Last year's Super Bowl runner-up drafted a starting safety at #8 overall.

By the way, if you want to expand it to all of the first round, that's fine with me. The list of Super Bowl safeties goes up by almost 800%. The list of Super Bowl teams that spent 2 first round picks on offensive linemen goes up by a couple.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by ILChief

that wasn't the question

Ah, I guess there's a need to be much more specific so that you can't wiggle out of answering the question. Duly noted.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

These statements are kind of silly, he's going to sacrifice partying during the football season, whoopdy doo. Offer me a chance to make millions of dollars, and I'll work out everyday, and not go to parties, and "stare at my wall". I understand they are showing his dedication, but it's a moot point IMO.

Interesting that you are in LJ's camp, but don't see the significance of dedication and sacrifice. But then, maybe that is why you don't see the significance of what Mays does.

[Kyle DeLexus]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

These statements are kind of silly, he's going to sacrifice partying during the football season, whoopdy doo. Offer me a chance to make millions of dollars, and I'll work out everyday, and not go to parties, and "stare at my wall". I understand they are showing his dedication, but it's a moot point IMO.

From everything I have read on Mays, he doesn't even have much of a social life during the offseason because it's still all about football. He would rather be in his room studying his playbook or watching film than out doing what college kids do. That says something to me, that's a guy I want on my team.

I honestly don't know much about Berry and will watch him closely this season, but Mays has everything you want from an athletic standpoint and he has the work ethic and intelligence, it'll be interested to see if he can become that big playmaker this year instead of just the safety net that allows everyone else to make plays.

[The Franchise]

I'll take either one honestly. We need a playmaker back there.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Interesting that you are in LJ's camp, but don't see the significance of dedication and sacrifice. But then, maybe that is why you don't see the significance of what Mays does.

Yeah I don't like LJ, I did at the time I picked my username, but I've just never asked to have it changed. Kind of funny, because I dont have great things to say about him, but he is my username.

[El Jefe]

Originally Posted by Kyle DeLexus

From everything I have read on Mays, he doesn't even have much of a social life during the offseason because it's still all about football. He would rather be in his room studying his playbook or watching film than out doing what college kids do. That says something to me, that's a guy I want on my team.

I honestly don't know much about Berry and will watch him closely this season, but Mays has everything you want from an athletic standpoint and he has the work ethic and intelligence, it'll be interested to see if he can become that big playmaker this year instead of just the safety net that allows everyone else to make plays.

Answer me this, would you be willing to be an introvert and study your craft for a chance at making millions of dollars? I understand the point everyone is making, but money is a major motivator now, and it wouldn't take much to motivate me. I do agree that it's a good thing that he is dedicated, I just won't read too far into it.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

Money is a major motivator

So is pussy. Especially for someone who is 21. Think about all the guys who put half their accumulated fortunes up to the courts because they can't lay off the trim.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

Answer me this, would you be willing to be an introvert and study your craft for a chance at making millions of dollars? I understand the point everyone is making, but money is a major motivator now, and it wouldn't take much to motivate me. I do agree that it's a good thing that he is dedicated, I just won't read too far into it.

ask Michael Crabtree and Andre Smith, along with countless other dumbasses.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsfanGoLJ

Yeah I don't like LJ, I did at the time I picked my username, but I've just never asked to have it changed. Kind of funny, because I dont have great things to say about him, but he is my username.

[Balto]

Not even sure WHY we are talking about Mays????

We all know the Raiders will trade up if they have to for him!!!!!!!

Old Al will see what Mays can do and do what ever it takes to draft him no question about it hehe.

BUT you guys also need to think about HOW Pioli drafts!!!! He took Jackson BECAUSE he was a NEED not because of Value... ATM we run almost the EXACT same D as USC (4-3 Under) and we NEED that STUD hard nose Saftey. I just put those together and it screams Mays over Berry with ZERO question about it. Pioli just drafts for NEED and Mays plays in the SAME D as we do atm and would just FIT better /shrug

BTW: Some one said that Carlos Dunlap is NOT a 3-4 guy!!!! WHAT are you kidding me????

Carlos Dunlap, Florida
Height: 6-6. Weight: 290.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.

He would turn out to be the BEST 3-4 DE in the NFL no question about it!!!!

I say if Dorsey doesn't work out, trade him for a LATE 1st and spend our draft on Dunlap. THEN use that late 1st on our RT!!!!! Then spend our 3rd on a Inner Oline guy and pick up another in FA and we are GTG....

Dline:

Jackson------Tank------Dunlap


Oline:

Albert-----Waters-----Draft/FA------IKE/Draft/FA------Draft

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Why can't we draft both ?

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Why can't we draft both ?

If one comes out next year and the other in 2001, AND we lose 14 games in both seasons, we might be able to get both.