Patriots lock up Jerod Mayo for 5 more years

By: Greg

The Patriots have made a great move in locking up their best linebacker, Jerod Mayo. The Pats usually let their stud defensive players contracts run up before signing them long term or cutting them loose.

Mayo, despite missing two games in October with a sprained knee, ranks third for the Patriots with 68 tackles this season after a year in which he logged a career-best 175 and was voted to his first Pro Bowl. He was the AP's defensive rookie of the year in 2008- ESPN

Think about past defensive standout players for the Pats like :

• Assante Samuel: was not re-uped, left for Philly...our secondary has been awful ever since
• Ty Law: was not extended, look above
• Richard Seymour: not extended, traded for a 1st rounder, pass rush has been poor since his departure until Mr. Carter came this season
• Mike Vrabel:
• Vince Wilfork: Not extended until his contract was up, contract discussions became a distraction and tensions grew

I think this is a great move. The defense has been horrible this year. But this gives the Pats a rock for years to come at middle linebacker. With Big Vince locked up for numerous years, the Pats now have two big pieces to build around.