Mixed Emotions On USC S Taylor Mays At The NFL Combine

by Joel Thorman on Mar 2, 2010 4:41 PM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Draft

This morning at the NFL Combine, USC safety Taylor Mays ran an unofficial 4.24 40-yard dash, which would have tied Chris Johnson with the fastest time in Combine history. Former USC coach and current Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reportedly timed him at 4.19.

However, the "official" time was 4.43.

A tad different.

Still, though, people have been excited about Mays' speed and wondering if it could have an affect on his status in the NFL draft.

According to Tony Pauline of SI.com, the Combine did have an affect on his draft status. A negative one.

During drills, Mays was in poor form. As fast as he was moving forwards, Mays was terribly slow moving in reverse. It was similar to his performance at the Senior Bowl in January. Mays looked uncomfortable backpedaling during drills and one scout called his defensive back fundamentals "just bad." When asked to change direction, Mays would come to a complete stop then start up again.

Pauline went on to say that there was a "striking" difference between Mays and Texas safety Earl Thomas when changing directions.

I wouldn't imagine the Chiefs would be interested but something says to me that Todd Haley is saying to himself, "I know I can be the one to make him a great player..." Coaches think like that.

This appears to be a classic case of looking at the numbers and not the tape.

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Comments

Earl Thomas

is hands down a better safety. Not even close

by RamX21 on Mar 2, 2010 4:49 PM CST reply actions

I concur

Earl Thomas is legit as hell. Not quite in the same category as a guy like Berry but he’s significantly above average.

Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...

by JHWK on Mar 2, 2010 5:35 PM CST up reply actions

i'm really surprised thomas hasn't gotten more love around here.... is mays worth taking in the second?

by callmesir on Mar 2, 2010 5:38 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

We got rid of Pollard...Mays is just faster.

by BAMFSpecialOps on Mar 2, 2010 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

I would stay away from him

all together, unless i had an interview with him and planned on moving him to linebacker. The only problem there is he’s so physically developed now, how much bigger can he really get. He does seem like Pollard 2.0 but moving a lot faster which means he will find himself even farther out of position.

I said in a post on another thread if we pass Berry in the first i will be upset but if we can get him at 2a i would be more than happy. The only practice he missed in 3 years was a surprise sunday practice that the coach had sprung on everyone and he asked if he could miss because he goes to church with his family every sunday.

by RamX21 on Mar 2, 2010 8:02 PM CST up reply actions

*was speaking of Earl Thomas

by RamX21 on Mar 2, 2010 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

If Berry or Haden is gone I say...

Leave Mays alone lol. Earl Thomas is way better. Mays is not a playmaker, he hits hard. Shit, Pollard is a better Safety by far!

by Pollard49 on Mar 2, 2010 4:50 PM CST reply actions

I'm not saying to draft Mays

But i can’t sit here and listen to people say he isn’t a play maker. Yes he gets beat, but this kid makes plays all over the field too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wDa7GvAgFs&NR=1 This is Berry’s highlights/lowlights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFa4aEsZzzw&feature=related This is mays
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFa4aEsZzzw&feature=related This is Earl Thomas

by CPT.Caveman on Mar 3, 2010 12:31 AM CST up reply actions

Mays could be a good pick for a team that would have the time to develop him

Let him sit for a year or two and learn from quality NFL coaching and then see what he could do

What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left.

by Aperture on Mar 2, 2010 4:54 PM CST reply actions

Perhaps...

and let him play special teams where he runs down field as fast as he can and tries to kill someone… which is what he does at safety

I don’t think he can be “fixed” – he’s a physical specimen no doubt. But is a project worth taking on day 1 (well, now day 1 or 2 with the new wonky system)? I vote no.

by Ochophosphate on Mar 3, 2010 2:31 AM CST up reply actions

Nate Allen at 2b or chancellor late

1. Are they an upgrade over what we already have?
2. Do they have high football IQ?
3. Can they make a difference from Day 1?
4. Do they have a history of leadership?
5. Sign him up.

by BJ Kissel on Mar 2, 2010 4:56 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Just switch to LB

And get it over with already

by AirNorval on Mar 2, 2010 4:59 PM CST reply actions

Agreed...

he needs to put on 10 to 15 lbs. of muscle and become a weakside linebacker. This kid was so stupid for not coming out last year. He was a top 10 prospect in a very weak safety class. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Draft prediction top 10 - 1. Bradford 2. Suh (Chiefs trade up) 3. McCoy 4. Claussen (trade Campbell to Carolina, trade for J Brown) 5. Okung (Detroit) 6. Berry 7. Haden 8. Campbell 9. Davis (Bills trade for Vick) 10. Morgan (Jags draft Tebow in 2nd round) 2/23/09

by I_Bleed_Red. on Mar 2, 2010 5:13 PM CST up reply actions

But he woulda went to the combine last year, right?

I think his flaws woud have been exposed at combine too. They should have a Junior Bowl.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Mar 2, 2010 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

He doesnt need to gain any weight

Plenty of very good LBs are about his size, especially in two deep type schemes.

by AirNorval on Mar 2, 2010 5:22 PM CST up reply actions

He can afford to though

and as a LB, an extra 10-15 lbs would be HUGE. Sure, it’s possible to be good at his weight as a LB but it’s a whole lot easier when you’ve got an extra 10-15 lbs of muscle on your frame.

Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...

by JHWK on Mar 2, 2010 5:38 PM CST up reply actions

guys like that

rely solely on their athleticism, the problem is when you get to the NFL everyone has those sort of physical talents basically. It comes down to preparation and technique, that separates the athletes from football players.

by RamX21 on Mar 2, 2010 4:59 PM CST reply actions

Agreed. If you have to stop to turn around...

Youre gonna get effen smoked son!!!

by Pollard49 on Mar 2, 2010 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

Taylor Mays reminds me of Thomas Davis

Anybody remember when the choice came down to Thomas Davis or Derrick Johnson?

by Dagda on Mar 2, 2010 5:19 PM CST reply actions

Reminds me of Boss Bailey

The path to Victory is made of losers.

by Brsrkr on Mar 2, 2010 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

It Wasn't A Choice

I remember groaning out loud when the Panthers took Thomas Davis at #14 in 2005 one pick before the Chiefs. We didn’t have the choice, it was Derrick Johnson or someone at another position with the #15 pick that year.

by bbear200 on Mar 2, 2010 10:20 PM CST up reply actions

Mays shouldn't go in the first round, but probably will

It only takes one team to tie the noose and hop off the chair for a guy like him to go way earlier than he should, and I’m pretty sure it’ll happen.

I have beat wholesale ass for a whole lot less.

by burntorangehorn on Mar 2, 2010 5:32 PM CST reply actions

Like the Raiders

As soon as Al Davis sees the unofficial 40, he’s his guy

by dustinw82 on Mar 2, 2010 5:42 PM CST up reply actions

If Mays does make the switch..

How will he fair? Does anybody have info on how Philips in Tampa, Wire in ATL, or Corto in Buffalo did w the conversion? I know archuleta was the reverse, a LB playing safety and he had a good couple of years and urlacher was originally a safety.

My question is how do you think he’ll do? No way chiefs take him. I’d rather have Stuckey from KU (that hurts coming from a MU fan)

by 8k1c6 on Mar 2, 2010 5:48 PM CST via mobile reply actions