Published: January 20th, 2011 | Tags: 2011 NFL Draft, Andy Dalton, Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Mike Mayock, Ryan MallettNFL Network analyst Mike Mayock discusses the quarterbacks of the 2011 draft class, including why to keep an eye on seniors Jake Locker and Andy Dalton.
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Published: January 19th, 2011 | Tags: Cam Newton, Cam Newton, Mike Mayock, NFL Total AccessNFL Network analyst Mike Mayock gives a breakdown on former Auburn QB Cam Newton and his NFL future.
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Outside of fantasy football circles, it seems as though Matt Cassel’s appendix has garnered more attention than how the Chiefs quarterback has been playing over the last two months. Just goes to show what a quarterback has to do to get noticed during this current era of great quarterbacks.
The Chiefs continue to be validated in their trade for Cassel, and the six-year, $63 million contract they gave him before he ever played a down for the team.
Cassel’s numbers add up. He has a touchdown to interception ratio of 23-4, and with four games to go that projects to 31-5. Over the last eight games, he has 19 touchdowns and one interception. He’s completing 59.9 percent of his passes, and only Tom Brady, Michael Vick, Philip Rivers and Aaron Rodgers have better passer ratings.
Most importantly, though, the Chiefs are 8-4 and on the verge of the AFC West title. NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock says a big part of it is Cassel.
“The Chiefs are a ball security team and he is a major reason they are plus-seven in turnover differential,” Mayock said. “They are an inside-out team, meaning the tight ends and running backs form a critical component of their passing game as well as the running game.
“Cassel is for real, and people need to start talking about him.”
Cassel has the benefit of playing for the league’s top rushing team, but statistically he’s in very good company. Under the tutelage of offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, he appears well on his way to becoming the quarterback everyone thought he eventually would be. And when Mayock dishes out endorsements such as these, it’s a good bet it’s worth paying attention to.
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Posted in: NFL Network
Published: November 23rd, 2010 | Tags: Brad Childress, Brett Favre, Joe Webb, Leslie Frazier, Mike Mayock, Minnesota Vikings, Tarvaris Jackson, Vic CarucciLeslie Frazier left little doubt when he was introduced as the interim coach of the Vikings this week that Brett Favre is his guy.
Maybe he should have included the phrase ”for better or worse.”
While benching Favre is unfathomable for some, many on the outside are clamoring for the Vikings, at 3-7 and with little reasonable hope for the playoffs, to turn the page from No. 4. There was some reason to believe that process would be expedited with Frazier at the helm, but for now the Vikings’ plan doesn’t include an extended look at whether Tarvaris Jackson or Joe Webb are the future.
NFL.com senior columnist Vic Carucci has called out that it’s time for Favre to step aside, and NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock is also now on the record that it’s time for the Vikings to cut ties with Favre. Right now.
“At this point, you fired your coach,” Mayock said. “It would be a crime if you don’t find out in the remainder of the season whether or not either one of your backup quarterbacks can play.
“If I was there, I’d like to see a uniform situation within the organization where the owner, the new head coach and head of personnel Rick Spielman sit down and say, ‘It’s time to release Favre. We need to get a clean look at these two young quarterbacks, and find out if either of them is our quarterback of the future.’ If that’s the case, then you know what you have to do in the draft.”
Maybe the Vikings’ brass has already made up their collective minds on Jackson and Webb. A school of thought also exists that had Frazier been the one to bench Favre, he would have lost the credibility and respect that Brad Childress seemed to lack in a locker room that was pro-Favre.
Nevertheless, Mayock is the latest to make a compelling point that it’s in the Vikings’ best interest to move ahead. By no stretch of the imagination does this story feel like it’s over.
Posted in: NFL Network
Published: November 17th, 2010 | | Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Brett Favre, Tarvaris Jackson, Mike MayockThe window on the Minnesota Vikings’ season, and the final chapter of Brett Favre’s career, has yet to be shut. Not … quite … yet.
But it’s worth considering whether a 3-7 record, a bleak shot at the NFC playoffs and a banged-up Favre would prompt a change at quarterback by Vikings coach Brad Childress. That scenario could become reality by the end of the week, leaving us to consider at what point — if there is one — the Vikings could decide to see what they have in former starter-turned backup Tarvaris Jackson.
Stands to reason. If Favre .. ahem … stands by his word that this season is indeed his last, then it’s presumable to believe Sunday’s game — against the Packers — could be Favre’s last if the Vikings lose. Analyst Mike Mayock believes the above is a distinct possibility.
“I think you’re looking at Brett’s last stand,” Mayock told fans during his weekly chat. “If the Vikings can win, they continue to hope for a playoff spot. If they lose, I think you’re looking at Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback, because they have to find out if he’s the quarterback for the future.”
Surely very few, including Favre, imagined it all ending like this. At some point, the Vikings will have to move on and soon the question at hand could become more about “when,” and less about “if.” It only goes to show that NFL magic like last season doesn’t repeat itself just because all the pieces are in the same places.
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Posted in: NFL Network
