Benefit held for crash victim
WSU vs. Milwaukee
Badin Spirit Olympics
Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2010 > March > 17 > Entry
USC safety Mays ‘Taylor’ made for Bengals defense
The Cincinnati Bengals have the 21st overall pick in April’s NFL draft and could use the selection on University of Southern California safety Taylor Mays. The Bengals have a real need at strong safety behind starter Roy Williams and will likely address the position via the draft.
There is no question Williams still has the ability and desire to play at a high level, but the frequent forearm injuries remain a concern. Williams has missed 25 games over the last two seasons due to the injury. An insurance policy is more than necessary.
Although Mays would be a perfect fit for the Bengals’ aggressive and attacking defense, he must first become available. After a show-stopping performance at the Scouting Combine last month, there are no guarantees he will be there when the Bengals make their selection.
Mays will have to make it past the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 6 and No. 14 overall picks for that to happen. The team is in the market for a safety since releasing Deon Grant. I think this pick is a no-brainer. No one knows Mays better than Seahawks new head coach Pete Carroll, who coached him for four seasons at USC. Not to mention his former position coach Ken Norton Jr., who also joined the coaching staff this offseason.
Should Mays slip past Seattle, he could be there for the Bengals at No. 21.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Mays would flourish in Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense. Zimmer loves to bring the strong safety down in the box to support the run or blitz the passer, which is a strength of Mays. Who better to learn Zimmer’s defense from than Williams, who would act as a mentor.
Mays’ freakish athleticism at safety reminds me a lot of Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis coming out of Georgia in 2005. Davis split time between safety and linebacker his rookie season before making a permanent switch to outside linebacker a year later.
Mays’ questionable instincts and poor change-of-direction skills in coverage could be headed down the same path. The player tends to take bad angles in coverage and would rather make a big hit than make a play on the ball. Mays will need to be more consistent making plays on the ball in the pros. Presentation may be something else to improve on.
According to multiple sources, Mays could see his stock dip on draft day if Seattle fails to pull the trigger. I’m told that Mays did not interview well with some teams at the Senior Bowl and combine. It was also stated that the player came across as arrogant and with an over-inflated ego.
Mays is a physically gifted and talented athlete. I believe the good far out-weighs the negatives. I think the Bengals will overlook Mays’ weaknesses and make him their selection.
I will be joining 1410 WING ESPN Radio Host Mark Neal on the highest rated sports talk show in Dayton and Dayton Sports Scene, Wednesday, March 17 to discuss the latest with the Bengals and Browns. I will be joining Mark periodically throughout the year, so stay tuned.
When you think sports talk radio think 1410 ESPN.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Tweet
Comments
By Jack
March 17, 2010 1:53 AM | Link to this
Well, if the Bengals are going thinking about Mays with their first pick if Seattle doesn’t pull the trigger, they will definitely get the second best safety in the draft. Eric Berry from Tennessee, is by far, the best safety in the draft. He makes Mays looks like a D-2 player. Hopefully Cleveland can select Berry so I can watch him twice a year when the Brownies play Bungals. Go Colts!!!
By Bengal
March 17, 2010 6:45 AM | Link to this
Mays has underachiever written all over him. We love the big hits, but our goal is to win games. Eric Berry plays with heart and is a playmaker. Berry can help the team win. The one dimensional nature of Mays is suspect in the NFL and the potential locker room problems would be difficult for the Begals to overcome.
By zeke
March 17, 2010 7:29 AM | Link to this
Mays is terrible at everything that pertains to the passing game. And he needs that speed to catch up on blown coverage. bad article big C
By Mike J
March 17, 2010 10:50 AM | Link to this
Will the Bengals definitely go defense, then??
By G'Ville
March 17, 2010 12:31 PM | Link to this
They need a safety but Mays is not the answer, Earl Thomas from Texas can cover a lot better than Mays can.
By Hope4agape
March 17, 2010 12:54 PM | Link to this
SHHH Every one else should take Berry he’s the best . He may be short and not have the speed. And sure May’s played against much better players and owned them … But Berry is a better player ..>Do you think they are buying it …Worked last year with Mauluga LMAO senior year, he registerd 68 tackles, 1 interception,4 pass defenses, and 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. OMG he only had one interception no one should take that guy he’s not good in coverage… Don’t tell any one those are Troy Polamalu’s final stats . May’s Had 88 Tackles and 1 Pick.
By seo lace
May 3, 2010 8:00 PM | Link to this
Ican’t rdads your websie in Fierfox 6.2, I justt thohgth I wokuld let oyu know!