This guy was highly touted coming out of USC. He can hit hard but thats about it.
I always thought he should have beefed up to be a LB like Thomas Davis from Carolina.
Probably too late for all that.
Hybrid LB/Safety. Could be a versatile back up here. I doubt there's any interest though as he was a FA a couple months ago and we didn't show interest then.
What knarnn said. The lower price tag for a guy released in June can certainly stoke some interest where there may not have been any in the past, but the way the Jags spent in March, you'd think they would have targeted him then if they were really interested.
Mays is fast, a big hitter, and a great special teams player.
I believe he has blocked a couple kicks/punts in his career as well as removed one for a TD when he was in SF.
Meh. I watched him at the Bengals for a few seasons. Never lived up to any "hype" potential, if you can call it that. But, he was capable at special teams and spot duty.
He'll land on some team later in the season as injuries pile up on someone.
He could end up with Rex Ryan and that defense.
I followed Mays back when he committed to USC...
He is a physical specimen, but there is nothing up in his noggin - especially at the NFL level.
Recognition and positioning is something he struggles with.
Quote:This guy was highly touted coming out of USC. He can hit hard but thats about it.
Kam Chancellor became the player that many thought Taylor Mays would become in the NFL.
Quote:Mays is fast, a big hitter, and a great special teams player.
I believe he has blocked a couple kicks/punts in his career as well as removed one for a TD when he was in SF.
If Taylor Mays has a future in the NFL, he probably will have to demonstrate that he can be a difference maker on Special Teams like Kassim Osgood was for many, many years. It's hard to imagine Mays being anything more than role player ( at best ) on Defense.
I can see Pete Carroll bringing him in.
Quote:I can see Pete Carroll bringing him in.
I can't. Don't you remember Mays' public blow-up when Carroll passed on him?
I dont think Carroll will be calling up Taylor anytime soon.
Quote:I followed Mays back when he committed to USC...
He is a physical specimen, but there is nothing up in his noggin - especially at the NFL level.
Recognition and positioning is something he struggles with.
Definitely. He has great speed and size. But he just doesn't look for the ball it seems like he'd rather try and lay a hit to knock the ball loose instead of making a play on the ball.
Taylor Mays has been an under-performer for years now.
It doesn't look like he can do more than hit
Honestly...I forgot he was still in the league.
Quote:Taylor Mays has been an under-performer for years now.
But, he's a 2nd round pick, and he's been in the league. Isn't that enough qualification?
Quote:As it turns out, the Lions are the team that will be signing Taylor Mays. I stand by my earlier comments but there's practically no downside in giving a low cost player a look:
<a class="bbc_url" href='http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/06/20/taylor-mays-detroit-lions-sign/29029141/'>http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2015/06/20/taylor-mays-detroit-lions-sign/29029141/</a>
I remember a couple games that Mays had to play alot on defense due to Cincy's injury situation (a couple years ago I think).
He was okay. He's capable as a spot duty backup,, and can be a playmaker on special teams at times.
Quote:I remember a couple games that Mays had to play alot on defense due to Cincy's injury situation (a couple years ago I think).
He was okay. He's capable as a spot duty backup,, and can be a playmaker on special teams at times.
jagherd, thanks for your input from a Bengals perspective.
One question that jumps out for me is why did the Vikings release Taylor Mays so soon after they signed him? Especially, considering that Mike Zimmer was his Defensive Coordinator for multiple seasons in Cincinnati?