Just saw the newsticker, Pete Carroll has confirmed that Taylor Mays will return to USC next year with CJ Gable. I know this brings a tear to my eyes. A link is surely available somewhere.
Mistake he shoulda came out cause i dont see how he can improve his position, he's the #1 safety on the board right now and he has major some competition next year.But at least he's finishing his education if he hasnt already, u never know.
Bad move, strike while the iron is hot. If you're a safety and have a shot at the top ten, you leave, and you don't even consider looking back.
He's been a hot prospect since he was a junior in high school - the only thing that will hurt him in 2010 would be a serious injury. If Mays stays healthy in 2009, he'll still be a top ten pick -- maybe in top five.
No doubt!! Huge mistake. I'm very disappointed, I wanted to see Mays in the NFL this year. Just like, Laurinitais should have came out last year. The "Little Animal" was a top ten player last April, not now, lucky to make in the top 20. You want as many talented players to be available thru picks 1-17 for the Jet's sake. Mays is one less....such a shame. Mays might have cracked the top 8 players with a good workout. Eric Berry is going to give Mays a run for the First safety off the board next year. My bet is on Berry!! Berry isn't Chopped Liver, that dude is a ballplayer. What's next??? I hear strong rumors Spikes may stay...since Timmy Boy is staying.
Mays comes from a pretty wealthy family (dad played some pro ball) so he isn't in any dire need of money......his mom REALLY wanted him to finish his education too.....he's a smart dude and a year will only do him better (barring any tragic injury).
Draft status suicide since Berry out of Tenn. is probably the best safety to come from college since Sean Taylor...............
Like you said, he's leaving the door open for an injury, and of course the disgustingness that is Eric Berry. His stock really can't go up that much, he could very easily be a top ten pick this season, this draft is still looking for its elite players.
I really like Eric Berry a lot too -- but according to Todd McShay, Taylor Mays ran a 4.25 40 at 230 pounds. It will be interesting to see who gets drafted first - Mays has more versatility because he can play BOTH safety spots, while Berry's size limits him to just free safety in the NFL. Berry could very well be the next Ed Reed, but Mays has a chance to be the next Sean Taylor. Next year is the year to draft a safety.
Agree 100% on that last sentiment. I'm usually not one to support taking a safety in the first round, but those are two football players that can't be ignored in the top half of the round. As for Eric Berry, he can lay the wood with the best of them, he's a total player. That said, just a general statement about safeties, I think that the cover two and the rapid development of athletes is really blurring that line between FS and SS. Most safeties that are in the NFL and especially those that go high in the draft are really capable of playing either position at a high level. I'd say a good portion of the time teams don't really even worry about designations.
Apparently former teamate Darnell Bing from acouple years ago didn't teach him anything about declaring when your stock is high when you're a safety prospect.
I thought Bing left USC early? I know he was allowed to play as a true because of his grades, but he was a three year starter after that - and a pretty good one at that. Bing's stock was pretty high when he came out - he was a Thorpe semi-finalist and a Lott Trophy quarter-finalist. He performed well in 2005...the year that he entered the draft. He dropped because he was too much of a 'tweener.
Mays is staying because he's said to enjoy the college lifestyle and hanging out with his friends. I can't really say I blame him.
I can understand his motivation to hang around one of the top football programs in the country and be the BMOC. But his draft spot definitely couldn't get much higher. I think he's taking some serious financial risk with this move. As for the Jets I wish he would have gone in the draft, either to knock another player down or (if lucky) for the Jets to pick him. Too bad for us about his decision.
Not too upset about this, I'm pretty sure he would have been gone by 17 anyway, it does hurt that he would have knocked another solid prospect down to us.
Bing left after his redshirt junior year...when he declared he was thought of as a late 2nd round pick. However...after his redshirt sophomore year, he was widely considered a solid mid 1st round pick w/ possible top 10 potential. Much like O-linemen, Safeties stock can really fishtail...the wise move is declare when the supposed "big board" stock is at its highest.
