Indiana linebacker will meet with New England Friday. Joe Fortenbaugh
Indiana linebacker Matt Mayberry will work out for the New England Patriots Friday in Bloomington, according to a league source.
The 6’2”, 238-pound inside linebacker recorded 108 tackles (67 solo), five sacks and three interceptions for the 4-8 Hoosiers last season. In four years at Indiana, Mayberry racked up 251 total tackles.
In addition to today’s meeting with the Patriots, Mayberry is scheduled to meet with and take a physical for the Chicago Bears next week.
The Patriots have been very busy on the workout front lately as they’ve met with Cincinnati’s Tony Pike and Mardy Gilyard, Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson and BYU’s Manase Tonga, to name a few.
While the possibility exists that the abundance of workouts could help to serve as a smokescreen for their true draft day intentions, rumors have been circulating that one of the team’s top priorities is the tight end position.
Let’s turn to NFP Director of College Scouting Wes Bunting for his take on Mayberry:
A good straight-line athlete for the position who can run sideline-to-sideline and make plays in pursuit, Mayberry lacks ideal lower body control and can be easily knocked off balance on his way to the ball. He isn't physical inside and struggles to take on blocks and disengage toward the ball carrier. He's easily washed out of plays at the point of attack and isn't stout inside. Mayberry does a nice job breaking down in a phone booth and is a secure wrap-up tackler, but he isn't physical on contact. He showcases above-average instincts inside and is patient when finding the football, but he needs to do a better job protecting his legs. He's cut down too often on contact and ends up on the ground too much. ??
Grade: 5.6
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Bearhalla - yes, New England still has a void at TE. Last year they had Ben Watson and Chris Baker, both of whom signed elsewhere. Crumpler's signing replaces one of them but they still have another slot open. However, they have bigger needs at OLB, WR, and DE. I can't see them giving up a 2 and a 4 for Olsen; the TE position is not a big part of their offense. However I can see them possibly using one of their seconds, or a fourth round pick on a TE in the draft.
oh I know JT & to be honest if I were them I wouldn't dream of giving up anything more then a 5 for him because he's soft as a grape. He has skills but take it from a Bear fan he ain't nothing special. Still don't mean I wouldn't love to see him gone for a pick or 2 in this deep draft to some sucker who has a hard on for him. I don't see the Pats being stupid enough to do that. I like some of the TE's in this draft actually who I think could do the job for you guys.
ontinued interest is a good sign. Get these rough hewn mauler types and let Cable coach them up and play to their strengths in his scheme.
Mar 19, 2010
12:47 PM
So even signing Crumpler didn't change that TE priority? Hopefully Belicheck is in love w/Olsen because a 2 or a 3 & a 4 would be nice for him since he's useless on our team anyway. Can you say Draft day trade? Well I hope anyway. I want that high two beacuse i don't think Owusu-Ansah who I love makes it out of the 2nd w/that 4.31 40 at his pro day. especially at his size. I think he's got a chance to make a great FS too. Very fluid athlete to go along w/that straight line speed. Please fall to the Bears & Bears pick him!