FanPost

The Case for Taylor Mays

 
Lets get this out of the way first and foremost... Taylor Mays can't cover receivers.  He often makes poor initial reads and he often takes terrible angles.  Mays is not likely to be successful as a FS in the NFL where the QBs and WRs are too good.  He would get looked off and pump-faked and burned over and over again.  He would be exploited if given sideline-to-sideline responsibilities. 

Does that mean that he can't play in the NFL?  Absolutely not.  He just can't play FS.  I think that what happens with guys like Mays is that when they have been so good for so long (started since his freshment year) that it gets old and stale to gush over them repeatedly, and people start to over-emphasize his weaknesses and nitpick ad nausiem.  So lets refocus on what the young man does well and what type of system is best suited for his talents. 

As many of us know, Mays is a physical specimen.  6'4", 230 lbs, 4.3.  He's aggressive and intimidating.  He can cover ground quickly with his elite speed and he can destroy whatever crosses his path.  He's excellent in run support and is lightning as a blitzer. 

The best way to use Mays is to simplify/limit his reads, minimize his man coverage on wide-outs, let him play down hill, and involve him in the blitz game.  The best scheme for him to be in is one where he can be utilized in run-support, that blitzes heavily and applies pressure on QBs quickly. 

Taylor Mays is tailor-made to play SS for the Jets.  In our system we apply pressure quickly, often using strong safeties to get there.  We also don't ask our SS to roam and react much because of this pressure.  In addition, our safeties' responsibilities are limited due to the unique coverage abilities of our corners; and because of this, our safeties can be utilized as more of an intimidating force. 

Mays blitzing off ofthe edge is down-right horrifying.  Mays patrolling the box in a system that forces QBs to release the ball quickly is even scarier.  He has the ability to track down and blow up any back in the league.  He's a rare type of player that has the ability to get inside your mind and make you worry about where he his at all times and what he might do to you if he finds you.  At the wrong position in the wrong system, his talent is a waste.  In our system his talent would be unleashed. 

Watch out for Mahem Mays.  He's as fearsome as they come.

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