Combined and solo tackles leader; First-Team All-Pro
Remember back to the start of the decade, Jerod Mayo had emerged as one of Tennessee football’s best players in the NFL. He left early after his junior season in 2007, when his move to inside linebacker spiked his draft stock, and he immediately thrived in Bill Belichick’s system with the New England Patriots, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2008.
However, 2010 was the standout year of his career. Mayo became the captain of the defense this year and did not disappoint with his new expectations. He helped the Pats to an NFL best 14-2 record and made sure the defense stayed elite all season.
Mayo started all 16 games, deflected five passes, recovered three fumbles and forced one. However, he really stood out in tackles, leading the league with 174 combined tackles and 113 solo tackles. Included in that were two sacks, five tackles for a loss and five quarterback hits. Simply put, Mayo was all over the field this season.
In the process, he was named First-Team All-Pro despite, unfairly, just being named a Pro Bowl reserve. Mayo’s play was a big reason Tom Brady set the record for single-season touchdown to interception ratio with 36 touchdowns to four interceptions en route to winning his second MVP. He knew he didn’t have to take too many risks with that defense.