Marvin talking about Taylor Mays

[icehole3]

Marvin Lewis Press Conference Transcript

How much progress is Taylor Mays making?
ML: “Taylor, since he has come back from his injury, is really learning how to do things in the way of (defensive coordinator) Mike Zimmer and (defensive backs) coach (Kevin) Coyle and myself. You’re kind of breaking a wild bronco at times, but he’s getting broke, and pretty soon he’ll be ready for prime time totally. He works at it hard and he hears what the coaches are asking him to do better and better, so he’s getting more opportunities. He’s made plays on special teams, and is getting a chance to play. He got some defensive snaps again yesterday. He’s hearing the message and he’s getting rewarded with more opportunity. I think that’s a good thing for him. He’s obviously very young, but he’s a very talented player.”

 

[BKBroiler9000]

I can only pray he's "broke" soon. Cause i would much rather give him a chance to prove his worth than continue to watch Crocker get toasted weekly

 

[vancelot23]

Agreed. If Mays isn't the answer, they HAVE to address safety in the offseason.

 

[Brasky]

I have no idea why he's not absolutely dominant. He's got all the physical tools. It must be between the ears.

 

[vancelot23]

He has unheard of speed for a guy his size, but from what I've heard, he's not very fluid. It's all straigh-line speed, and he can't make cuts or move laterally very well.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Yeah but Crocker can't move at all. Time to get Mays in the game. I say take out Nelson and put Miles in too. Give us 2 new Safeties against Cle. They can't throw the ball farther than 20 yards anyways.

 

[vancelot23]

Nelson has played well when he doesn't have to cover somebody. He can play centerfield well, but if left to cover somebody, he's screwed.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Too bad with these CB's he is gonna have to cover someone.

 

[vancelot23]

Yeah, that's my worry about the rest of the year.

 

[Tubbs1518]

Put Miles and Mays in....see what they got.

 

[vancelot23]

I don't think there would be any significant upgrade, but I'm all for Mays getting a shot.

 

[Tubbs1518]

I mean if Zimmer can do what he did with Williams I see no reason he can't with Mays.

 

[flamingrey]

We're in the thick of a playoff run, we don't need to swap any position, let alone 2, especially all of a sudden.

 

[DanBengalfan]

our safeties seem to find themselves on the field at some point, even if they are second string.

 

[Servo]

It's time to see what we got with both Mays and Boling. This coaching staff always seems reluctant to take PT from the incumbent guys. Remember how long it took for Dunlap to even sniff the field last year? I'd start to ease those guys in. I mean honeslty they cant be worse than Livings and Crocker, can they?

 

[Cincyfan78]

The problem with Mays boils down to the 9ers not doing a damn thing with him to help him correct his mistakes once he was drafted. It's no wonder why the guy failed out there. He's got to un-learn a lot of stuff.

But, if you keep a few plays simple enough...let him be a hawk in CF playing in a Cover 3 or Cover 2 package...or have him coming on a run-blitz. Take what he does well right now and integrate it into the defense instead of waiting for him to be able to do "everything" and then playing him.

 

[flamingrey]

There is no reason to believe Mays is anything but horrible. He's done nothing here nor San Francisco.

And how do we know SF did nothing to help him correct his mistakes? That's a cop-out.

 

[kramer1]

There is no reason to believe Mays is anything but horrible. He's done nothing here nor San Francisco.

And how do we know SF did nothing to help him correct his mistakes? That's a cop-out.

Agreed and rep'd (puke). Mays is terrible and will most likely always be terrible.

 

[Cincyfan78]

There is no reason to believe Mays is anything but horrible. He's done nothing here nor San Francisco.

And how do we know SF did nothing to help him correct his mistakes? That's a cop-out.

Just going by what the coaches have said.

Also, the same thing was said about him when he came out for the draft. He has all the physical tools...but his technique was terrible.

Also, I think he has some strengths that can be utilized in a small way, but it seems that they are intent on keeping him pretty much out until he is fluid enough to be out there every down...which of course may be never

 

[Servo]

The point is that we dont know with Mays. Yeah, the dude is a stiff in coverage (that much we know) but he was coveted by a lot of teams (Bengals included). If he'd of opted out of his Junior year he'd of been a top 10 overall pick. Seeing that Crocker is weak in all areas of the game and just seems really to take up space I'd like to see what Mays is capable of. If nothing else he'd be the fastest guy on defense and is a beast in the run game. I gotta think that Mays woulda made that tackle on Ray Rice (the 80+ yarder). Plus, people said the same thing about LaRon Landry as they're saying about Mays till he got into a scheme that let him play to his strengths. I dont think Mays will ever be a ball hawk but I could see him making some plays and being a very physical AFCN safety.