Mays Makes Cut
Taylor Mays was named a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. Here's the full list.
The quarter-finalists (alphabetically)
Sam Acho (DL, Texas)
Pat Angerer (LB, Iowa)
Eric Berry (DB, Tennessee)
Kurt Coleman (DB, Ohio State)
Jerry Hughes (DL, TCU)
Greg Jones (LB, Michigan State)
Trevard Lindley (DB, Kentucky)
Taylor Mays (DB, USC)
Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
Gerald McCoy (DL, Oklahoma)
Mike Nixon (LB, Arizona State)
Eric Norwood (DL, South Carolina)
Joe Pawelek (LB, Baylor)
Brian Price (DL, UCLA)
Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)
Darrell Stuckey (DB, Kansas)
Ndamukong Suh (DL, Nebraska)
Alterraun Verner (DB, UCLA)
Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)
Kyle Wilson (DB, Boise State)
I love Taylor Mays, who doesn't? His undisciplined late hits/Personal fouls certainly do NOT help his cause NOT too mention the tough competition he's against.
El Capitan must be watching someone else. And totally missed the Cal game. FYI he wears No. 2 on the defensive side. He, and the ND player were BOTH in bounds when Mays hit him last Saturday, you must have looked away, or nodded off into your nachos. Wake up.
I agree with SoCalMAB, Taylor Mays was the victim of poor officiating, the NBC commentators agreed that both calls should have not been made! The first personal foul was called when the ND running back was faking to remain on the field and Taylor Mays hit him as he should.
The second bad call was when their tight end was attempting to stretch out for additional yardage and Mays applied the hit, as he should have!
By the way, if you wanted to see a real personal foul, watch the play where Joe McKnight runs out of bounds and after five additional steps he is hit at the ankles “right in front” of the referees and NO call was made!
I love Taylor, but don't think he has been playing all that well this season. He has missed several key pass break-ups and some tackles going for the big hit. I know he still has a ton of tackles, but other than his one INT, he hasn't made many, or any, other key plays. I think Josh Pinkard is playing the best in the secondary.
DFWTrojan,
You've gotta be outta your fucking mind!!! Did you not see Pinkard get destroyed by the Notre Dame receivers all night!?! Up until the final 2 passes that went his way at the goal line, he did NOTHING!!! Taylor Mays finds the ball on almost every play. When USC played at Cal, he was all over the field sideline to sideline. He can contain a quick tailback like Jahvid Best AND make plays in the secondary.
You've gotta be a moron if you think Taylor Mays isn't the reason the defense is any good right now (other than the defensive line).
Ps. We lost at Washington without him. Wonder why? Yeah Barkley was out, but the defense got torched by Locker in crucial situations on 3rd down. Again, Taylor Mays was out.
Get a clue man, he's the best player our defense has.
One last point, DFWTrojan; Did you miss the "trick play" where ND lined up for a field goal, only to pass to a player standing next to the sideline?
The only player on the field who could of caught the undefended ND receiver was....you guess it! Taylor Mays!!
Unfortunately ND scored on that drive but Taylor Mays was "On It" as usual.
One last point, DFWTrojan; Did you miss the "trick play" where ND lined up for a field goal, only to pass to a player standing next to the sideline?
The only player on the field who could of caught the undefended ND receiver was....you guess it! Taylor Mays!!
Unfortunately ND scored on that drive but Taylor Mays was "On It" as usual.
SoCalMAB:
I watched the Cal game, thank you. You are missing the point(s). BTW I am objective, fair and balanced regarding TM. By the same token I can't be blinded by his talent when he makes mistakes. That's what I have done. USC is victim of their own success. Let me explain. While growing-up my father used to tell me people go out of their way to point out the wrong and at the same time you get very little credit or praise for your positive accomplishments. I drove my best half crazy while watching the USC-ND game. When the game ended she was glad. I cussed, ripped and roared like the best Trojan fans. In fact I told her last night that I read at least 50 comments on the web where USC fans blasted the officiating just like I did during the game.
Thank you
Mays is a phenomonal talent, who can track down anyone on the field. He tracked down Best, and the receiver on the fake FG. He will be a star in the NFL if he stays healthy.
I just wish that he would wrap up a little better, instead of always going for the kill shot. As for his lack of INTs, he is a "victim" of Carroll's philosophy of playing a deep safety. Teams do not want to go deep with that kind of speed back there (although ND hit USC deep). He rarely gets the opportunity. The pick against Cal was on a short field. USC is fortunate to have him in his senior year.
RB, Taylor was also the guy who was supposed to count the ND players and call time-out when he counted less than 11. But, don't get me wrong, Taylor is good. But, he is a bit over-hyped at the expense of other excellent players a la Rey Maualuga last season.