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Here’s some news for Patriots fans: The Patriots did not settle for Jerod Mayo with the 10th pick.
He’s the guy they wanted, a little later than their original 7th overall pick, from the minute the draft opened.
Of course, that’s easier said after the fact, but the Patriots knew that the Long boys, Glenn Dorsey and Darren McFadden, and none of those, the Patriots felt, were worth the money they’ll be getting as Top Five picks.
Which brings me back to Mayo.
Bill Belichick had apparently decided he was going to hold the Mayo pick — pun intended!! — at No. 10.
The Patriots felt Keith Rivers would be the first linebacker to go. He is more of an outside linebacker (though he can play inside, too). He just wasn’t Mayo.
In his meeting with Mayo in Foxboro three weeks ago, Belichick loved Mayo’s ability to figure out what an opposing offense was doing and how he would counter it.
Add in the fact that he is bright, well-spoken, can run and jump (he lept 40 inches in the air at the NFL Combine) and caused no grief while in Knoxville, Tenn., well, you got a Patriot kind of player.
The Patriots are giddy over this pick. They believe they have a potential superstar linebacker.
Just thought I’d pass it on …