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April 26, 2008

Pats' top pick has had surgery on both knees

BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Tennessee LB Jerod Mayo, selected by the Patriots with the 10th overall pick in the first round, has had surgery on both knees.

Redshirted as a freshman after he was recruited out of Kecoughtan HS in Hampton, VA, where he was an all-state selection, the 6-1, 242-pound Mayo was hampered by problems with his right knee in the 2005 season. Following offseason surgery, he was a standout at weakside LB in 2006, when he had five sacks and 12.5 tackles for losses. But he again required surgery after the season, this time on his left knee.

The good news is that he clearly was healthy in 2007 when, having been moved to middle linebacker, he racked up 140 tackles. He had 1.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, and also intercepted a pass, which he returned for a touchdown.

"I wish my good knees were as good as his 'bad' ones," Pats coach Bill Belichick said.

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 4:25 PM | Permalink