Jerod Mayo turns to Ray Lewis

HONOLULU -- Jerod Mayo has big plans for his first Pro Bowl trip. And he planted the seeds last night during the AFC players orientation meeting. Mayo cozied up to Ray Lewis, formally introduced himself, shook the man’s hand, and basically told the Ravens linebacker he hoped to pick his brain during the week for pointers on how to get better.

And guess what? Lewis agreed.

"He seemed like a good guy," Mayo said. ”It was a quick meet-and-greet. But he welcomed me with open arms, and we’re going to get together and talk."

Now the Patriots [team stats] and Ravens aren’t quite to the degree of the Pats and Jets on the hate meter, but they’re up there, especially when Terrell Suggs starts yapping crazy things about Tom Brady [stats].

But being teammates in Hawaii on a Pro Bowl team apparently calls for a temporary truce. All of the barriers and walls tend to come down for the week when the NFL’s all-stars gather. So Mayo wanted to take advantage.

The one person he was hoping to meet and spend time with this week was the future Hall of Famer Lewis, who is among the greatest middle linebackers to ever play the game.

"He’s just someone I’ve been wanting to sit down with, and talk with, and pick his brain," said Mayo, who flew in from Boston yesterday. "I’ve watched him and just want to see how he’s been able to do what he’s done for so long that’s so amazing to me, and take what I can from him."

Lewis has certainly been a tone-setter for the Ravens defense. He plays with a fierceness and ferociousness that’s unmistakable. He’s always had a knack for making big plays at crucial times. At age 35 this season, he played well enough to make his 12th Pro Bowl after recording a team-high 139 tackles. He also had two sacks, two interceptions, forced two fumbles, and played 1,111 out of a possible 1,116 snaps. He is the standard for this generation of linebackers.

That’s why Mayo was happy he got the green light last night from Lewis after Pats coach Bill Belichick opened the proceedings with a meeting that lasted a little more than an hour. So along with seeing sights like Pearl Harbor, spending time with Lewis was high up on Mayo’s bucket list for the Pro Bowl.

What impresses Mayo the most about his rival?

"Just his overall assertiveness," Mayo said. "How he takes control of the defense, how he gets everyone in the right place at the right time. How he lines everyone up. I know he studies a lot of film, and he just seems to know where the play is going before everyone else does."

Mayo holds the same job, but obviously feels he needs to improve in that area in order for the defense to raise its level. While he has certainly grown more as a leader, Mayo is still young and still feeling his way.

It’s hard not to like this move by Mayo. Some young Pro Bowlers - and All Pros, for that matter, as Mayo became this week - think they have it made and have all the answers.

Pick Lewis’ brain? What for? What’s he going to tell me that I don’t know?

"Hey, I’m absolutely sure I can learn something from him," Mayo said. "Even if it’s something small, it’ll be good to hear what he has to say."
The Pats linebacker led the league in tackles this year, but he’s still trying to improve, still trying to get better, still trying to be a better leader on the defense.

Who says the Pro Bowl isn’t good for something?

Click here to order Ray Lewis’ proCane Rookie Card.



(boston.com)