New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo has been named the AP defensive rookie of the year.

“I knew when they first called my name at the draft I was going to an organization that knew how to win,” Mayo said. “They knew how to prepare for games and things like that. So I pretty much came in trying to learn as much as I could.”

Mayo received 49 of 50 votes from a group of sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL.

“Jerod’s done a lot for us,” coach Bill Belichick said. “We’ve asked a lot of him and from Day 1 he’s really been a well-prepared, very mature player who can do a lot of things: play the running game, play in the passing game, blitz, helps us in the kicking game.”

“He’s smart, makes a lot of defensive adjustments and calls for us there. He runs well. He’s tough. He’s a good all-around football player, very mature, very professional. For a rookie, he’s probably as professional as anybody I’ve coached.”

I don’t know who voted for Rivers but they should lose their right to vote. Rivers only played 6 games and spent the rest of the season on IR. He didn’t deserve any consideration at all.

Congrats Mayo.