Question for all the mays haters.

We do NOT have a problem at cornerback. Last week we actually saw Goldson playing like a safety should play which is self explanatory: being a safety net for the cb's. Unless there is a Safety blitz a good safety should have the CB's back every single play. Why do you think Brees is so great at looking off safeties? Why do you think Warner looked like a fish out of water? Because Dashon actually played safety.

What makes you think the Strong Safety doesn't need ball skills either? Lewis is a Vet and he does have pretty good awareness of what is going on. Mays back at SS would be a really big fast idiot that QB's love to play with.

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by 49ersfan80:
The 49ers have the 26th ranked pass defense in the NFL. Do the 49ers upgrade their pass defense by drafting a safety who has below average ball skills? Below is a scouting report of Mays by Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly:

Taylor Mays, USC
6-3, 236, 4.45e

Had Mays declared as a junior, he likely would have been a top-10 pick and the first safety drafted, given his rare physical skill set. After deciding to return for his senior season, his warts have been magnified while playing on a bad defense, appearing to preserve his body. He has made few plays down the field with his back to the ball, too often playing a man instead of the ball, despite being in position to intercept passes. He clearly possesses the range desired to play off the hash, but similar to Redskins S LaRon Landry, Mays' downfield ball skills are very suspect. Too many missed tackles have even created questions about whether Mays might be best as a linebacker in the box.

That's my point. What makes someone have average ball skills? Do you believe it is all innate instincts or can coaching and experience help in that department? Mays' best year at USC he only had 3 INTs, yeah that doesn't scream ball hawk at me either. Polomalu's and Wilson's career high in 1 college season was also 3. We would all agree that they have gotten more efficient in pass coverage since then so why can't Mays?

BTW, Mays is bigger, heavier, and faster than Landry, so I don't think the comparisons are apples to apples and their talent upside is not even close. The only thing they have in common is they are both big hitters.

To me, being a good football is 50% physical ability and 50% intelligence. You can say the same about all sports really. There's no doubt Mays scores a perfect score on the physical ability portion, but I think he is well below average in the intelligence portion. I've seen him get juked by far inferior opponents much too often. He takes bad angles, he tries to cover the wrong player at times. I've even seen some p***y ass attempts at tackling this year. It's as if he is afraid of getting hurt. How can you trust a player like that? Like GOFD says, I'll draft him in the 2nd or later because he is a project. But I'll use the 1st rounders on better players (and there are alot of them).

All of the things you listed are coachable problems. It seems like your mind is already made up I guess we will just have to see if he can overcome those problems or not in the future.

Yes, these things can be coached up.. except for heart. The way he's been tackling this year, I question it. WOuld I take him with a 1st round (a project that needs alot of coaching up)? No. Would I take him in the 2nd or later? Yes.

That's the point. Don't gamble with your first round picks. Any more than you absolutely have to

Originally posted by Spoonerism:
We do NOT have a problem at cornerback. Last week we actually saw Goldson playing like a safety should play which is self explanatory: being a safety net for the cb's. Unless there is a Safety blitz a good safety should have the CB's back every single play. Why do you think Brees is so great at looking off safeties? Why do you think Warner looked like a fish out of water? Because Dashon actually played safety.

What makes you think the Strong Safety doesn't need ball skills either? Lewis is a Vet and he does have pretty good awareness of what is going on. Mays back at SS would be a really big fast idiot that QB's love to play with.

I don't know if I understand your safety net comment. Are you saying Goldson wasn't playing safety the rest of the year? Also, why do you think Mays is an idiot? Do you have anything to substantiate your claim that he is an "idiot?" Lewis is one head injury away from retirement if he goes down who would you have as the safety net for your safety net? Do you really want Roman to remain on the team or do you draft the heir apparent to Lewis and cut Roman loose?

All I'm saying is Mays is not that bad and I think at worst he will be a solid starter and at best a pro bowler. If he is there for our 2nd pick I think we should take him unless for some miracle Berry is there at our first pick. Some others say 2nd round. I guess because you think he is an idiot you wouldn't draft him at all.

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by 49ersfan80:
Taylor Mays total interceptions in college = 5

Mark Roman total interceptions in college = 10

Michael Lewis total interceptions in college = 9

Upgrade in ball skills from Roman/Lewis to Mays = 0

By that logic you also wouldn't want these guys to play for the Niners based on college INTs:

Bob Sanders -7
Troy Polomalu -6
Brandon Meriweather -6
Chris Hope -6
Kerry Rhodes -5
OJ Atogwe -5
Quintin Mikell -5
Adrian Wilson -3
Michael Griffin -2

I would want them on the team and I would go out on a limb and say they would upgrade our secondaries ball skills as well. But you can stick with Roman if you would like to.

You dont have to worry about getting him because the Raiders are going to take him before the 49ers first pick.

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:
The worst case scenario?

Darnell Bing

Honestly, I have never looked at this thread and that name popped into my head. Mays might be a better LB. Nothing wrong with a safety like Lewis who can hit, defend against the run and rack up tackles but we have him and Goldson for that. We need a guy who can get picks and cover.

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by Spoonerism:
We do NOT have a problem at cornerback. Last week we actually saw Goldson playing like a safety should play which is self explanatory: being a safety net for the cb's. Unless there is a Safety blitz a good safety should have the CB's back every single play. Why do you think Brees is so great at looking off safeties? Why do you think Warner looked like a fish out of water? Because Dashon actually played safety.

What makes you think the Strong Safety doesn't need ball skills either? Lewis is a Vet and he does have pretty good awareness of what is going on. Mays back at SS would be a really big fast idiot that QB's love to play with.

I don't know if I understand your safety net comment. Are you saying Goldson wasn't playing safety the rest of the year? Also, why do you think Mays is an idiot? Do you have anything to substantiate your claim that he is an "idiot?" Lewis is one head injury away from retirement if he goes down who would you have as the safety net for your safety net? Do you really want Roman to remain on the team or do you draft the heir apparent to Lewis and cut Roman loose?

All I'm saying is Mays is not that bad and I think at worst he will be a solid starter and at best a pro bowler. If he is there for our 2nd pick I think we should take him unless for some miracle Berry is there at our first pick. Some others say 2nd round. I guess because you think he is an idiot you wouldn't draft him at all.

If we don't get Mays, it doesn't mean Roman remains. There are plenty of other good safety prospects besides Berry and Mays:Earl Clark, Nate Allen, TJ Ward, etc...

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by Spoonerism:
We do NOT have a problem at cornerback. Last week we actually saw Goldson playing like a safety should play which is self explanatory: being a safety net for the cb's. Unless there is a Safety blitz a good safety should have the CB's back every single play. Why do you think Brees is so great at looking off safeties? Why do you think Warner looked like a fish out of water? Because Dashon actually played safety.

What makes you think the Strong Safety doesn't need ball skills either? Lewis is a Vet and he does have pretty good awareness of what is going on. Mays back at SS would be a really big fast idiot that QB's love to play with.

I don't know if I understand your safety net comment. Are you saying Goldson wasn't playing safety the rest of the year? Also, why do you think Mays is an idiot? Do you have anything to substantiate your claim that he is an "idiot?" Lewis is one head injury away from retirement if he goes down who would you have as the safety net for your safety net? Do you really want Roman to remain on the team or do you draft the heir apparent to Lewis and cut Roman loose?

All I'm saying is Mays is not that bad and I think at worst he will be a solid starter and at best a pro bowler. If he is there for our 2nd pick I think we should take him unless for some miracle Berry is there at our first pick. Some others say 2nd round. I guess because you think he is an idiot you wouldn't draft him at all.

If we don't get Mays, it doesn't mean Roman remains. There are plenty of other good safety prospects besides Berry and Mays:Earl Clark, Nate Allen, TJ Ward, etc...

I'm hoping for Earl Thomas myself. Berry will be long gone if he declares and Earl is pretty nifty; I am surprised not more people speak of him.

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by Spoonerism:
We do NOT have a problem at cornerback. Last week we actually saw Goldson playing like a safety should play which is self explanatory: being a safety net for the cb's. Unless there is a Safety blitz a good safety should have the CB's back every single play. Why do you think Brees is so great at looking off safeties? Why do you think Warner looked like a fish out of water? Because Dashon actually played safety.

What makes you think the Strong Safety doesn't need ball skills either? Lewis is a Vet and he does have pretty good awareness of what is going on. Mays back at SS would be a really big fast idiot that QB's love to play with.

I don't know if I understand your safety net comment. Are you saying Goldson wasn't playing safety the rest of the year? Also, why do you think Mays is an idiot? Do you have anything to substantiate your claim that he is an "idiot?" Lewis is one head injury away from retirement if he goes down who would you have as the safety net for your safety net? Do you really want Roman to remain on the team or do you draft the heir apparent to Lewis and cut Roman loose?

All I'm saying is Mays is not that bad and I think at worst he will be a solid starter and at best a pro bowler. If he is there for our 2nd pick I think we should take him unless for some miracle Berry is there at our first pick. Some others say 2nd round. I guess because you think he is an idiot you wouldn't draft him at all.

If we don't get Mays, it doesn't mean Roman remains. There are plenty of other good safety prospects besides Berry and Mays:Earl Clark, Nate Allen, TJ Ward, etc...

I'm hoping for Earl Thomas myself. Berry will be long gone if he declares and Earl is pretty nifty; I am surprised not more people speak of him.

With a 9-8 record, Thomas might be BAP when the 9ers pick in the 1st

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by genus49:

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:
The worst case scenario?

Darnell Bing

Stole what I was going to say.

Best case scenario is Roy Williams.

Oh...You want to play the game of throwing out names of Safety busts even if they have little to nothing in common with Mays? Can I play too? Ok....I'm gonna go with......Adam Archuleta!!!!! Your Turn.

You asked for an opinion and you got one. Stop with the drama.

There is nothing I like about Mays' game other than speed and the occasional big hit. However when I watch him play he tends to ease up unless he's hitting small guys. If you want to be known as a big hitter you have to do it no matter who has the ball.

The guy screams bust to me. I could be wrong but once again..you asked for an opinion so settle down. What are you related to the guy?

we need a free safety, a person who's our last line of D and can't miss tackkles and can also intercept the ball. we have both Lewis and Goldson tackling in runs upport so they're our SS

Originally posted by ptinerocket:
we need a free safety, a person who's our last line of D and can't miss tackkles and can also intercept the ball. we have both Lewis and Goldson tackling in runs upport so they're our SS

If Nate Clements could put his pride aside and move to FS he's a great option.

I also think Reggie Smith can do the job.

Just not impressive at all. Makes so many errors, it is scary.

Originally posted by LottOfDefense:

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:

Originally posted by kronik:

Originally posted by flynhayn15:

Originally posted by Spoonerism:
We do NOT have a problem at cornerback. Last week we actually saw Goldson playing like a safety should play which is self explanatory: being a safety net for the cb's. Unless there is a Safety blitz a good safety should have the CB's back every single play. Why do you think Brees is so great at looking off safeties? Why do you think Warner looked like a fish out of water? Because Dashon actually played safety.

What makes you think the Strong Safety doesn't need ball skills either? Lewis is a Vet and he does have pretty good awareness of what is going on. Mays back at SS would be a really big fast idiot that QB's love to play with.

I don't know if I understand your safety net comment. Are you saying Goldson wasn't playing safety the rest of the year? Also, why do you think Mays is an idiot? Do you have anything to substantiate your claim that he is an "idiot?" Lewis is one head injury away from retirement if he goes down who would you have as the safety net for your safety net? Do you really want Roman to remain on the team or do you draft the heir apparent to Lewis and cut Roman loose?

All I'm saying is Mays is not that bad and I think at worst he will be a solid starter and at best a pro bowler. If he is there for our 2nd pick I think we should take him unless for some miracle Berry is there at our first pick. Some others say 2nd round. I guess because you think he is an idiot you wouldn't draft him at all.

If we don't get Mays, it doesn't mean Roman remains. There are plenty of other good safety prospects besides Berry and Mays:Earl Clark, Nate Allen, TJ Ward, etc...

I'm hoping for Earl Thomas myself. Berry will be long gone if he declares and Earl is pretty nifty; I am surprised not more people speak of him.

With a 9-8 record, Thomas might be BAP when the 9ers pick in the 1st

Are we playing in a bowl game?

Originally posted by Gore_21:

Originally posted by TheFunkyChicken:
The worst case scenario?

Darnell Bing

Honestly, I have never looked at this thread and that name popped into my head. Mays might be a better LB. Nothing wrong with a safety like Lewis who can hit, defend against the run and rack up tackles but we have him and Goldson for that. We need a guy who can get picks and cover.

Nah...Mays is 10x faster than Bing. No real comparison there.

I have to say, though, as a USC fan I was leading the Mays bandwagon for the past three years or so. But I've really fallen off of him. He just made the same goddamn mistakes all year this season, and never fully realized his potential.

He made some nasty hits, but he always went for the hit rather than playing the ball. And his coverage was not up to part.

All in all, he's a great athlete and certainly has the potential to be a great safety, but at this point I don't see it happening and hope the 49ers don't draft him.