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Joe Mays | Linebacker

Team: Denver Broncos
Age / DOB:  (27) / 7/6/1985
Ht / Wt:  5'11' / 250
College: North Dakota State
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah reports the Broncos have made ILB Joe Mays available via trade.
Mays, 28 in July, is due a $4 million salary in 2013, and he lost his starting job with the Broncos last season and then broke his ankle in Week 8. The two-down thumper could likely be had for a late-round pick. Mays will almost certainly be released if the Broncos can't unload him. Apr 27 - 11:47 AM
Source: Daniel Jeremiah on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

The Denver Post suggests MLB Joe Mays will likely be released if the Broncos sign free agent LB Stewart Bradley.

It makes sense. Mays lost his starting job last season, and then broke his ankle in Week 8. He's also due a prohibitive $4 million salary. Bradley's signing seems likely. Mays is a two-down thumper.
Source: Denver Post
Mar 13 - 2:18 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Broncos MLB Joe Mays (ankle) recently had his boot removed and is aiming for a return to the field for OTAs.

"I should be just about there (for) OTAs," Mays said. "But definitely training camp." Mays broke his ankle in Week 8. He's due a $4 million salary in 2013 after losing his starting middle linebacker job to now-free agent Keith Brooking.
Source: denverbroncos.com
Feb 16 - 3:11 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Broncos placed LB Joe Mays (ankle) on injured reserve, ending his season.

Mays sustained a fracture while blocking on a punt return in Sunday night's win over the Saints. The $12 million middle linebacker had been relegated to special teams since losing his starting job to veteran Keith Brooking. Mays' third season in Denver ends with 20 tackles and a half-sack.
Tue, Oct 30, 2012 11:27:00 AM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Broncos MLB Joe Mays is out for the season after breaking his leg against the Saints in Week 8.

Mays went down while blocking on a punt return in the fourth quarter. He's been diagnosed with a fractured fibula near his ankle. After opening the season as the Broncos' starting middle linebacker, he fell behind Keith Brooking and was relegated to special teams in the last two games. Mays' season ends with 20 tackles and a half-sack.
Source: Denver Post
Mon, Oct 29, 2012 12:29:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

The NFL has upheld Broncos MLB Joe Mays' one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Matt Schaub.

Mays will miss this week's game against Oakland, which is welcome news for Darren McFadden. Wesley Woodyard and Keith Brooking, previously splitting time at weak-side linebacker could be stretched into three-down players along with Von Miller. Top reserve Nate Irving sustained a concussion in Week 3, leaving Danny Trevathan and Steven Johnson as the alternatives.
Related: Keith Brooking, Wesley Woodyard
Source: Andrew Mason on Twitter
Thu, Sep 27, 2012 03:32:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Broncos MLB Joe Mays has been suspended one game for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Matt Schaub in Week 3.

Although Mays is appealing the suspension, the process is expected to be expedited. He's not allowed at the Broncos' facility this week or in the stadium on Sunday. Keith Brooking figures to pick up snaps in his place. Schaub ended up losing part of his earlobe when his helmet was knocked clean off by the vicious hit. Cracking down on helmet-to-helmet shots -- especially on quarterbacks -- the NFL is making an example out of Mays.
Related: Keith Brooking
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Tue, Sep 25, 2012 02:19:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

The NFL is considering suspending Broncos MLB Joe Mays one game for a helmet-to-helmet hit of Matt Schaub in Week 3.

Mays will "at the very least" receive a fine for the illegal shot. Schaub suffered a mild shoulder injury and lost part of his earlobe in Sunday's victory, but emerged fine to play in Week 4. If Mays had to miss Week 4 against the Raiders, the Broncos might turn to UDFA Steve Johnson at middle linebacker.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 06:19:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

MLB Joe Mays' new deal with the Broncos is worth $12 million over three seasons, and includes $4 million guaranteed.

It's essentially a one-year deal. A run-stopping specialist, Mays played 653 snaps in 2011, making 75 tackles. He'll compete for playing time with 2011 third-round pick Nate Irving this season, and won't be a particularly strong option in IDP leagues.
Source: Mike Klis on Twitter
Mon, Mar 19, 2012 09:50:00 AM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Broncos re-signed MLB Joe Mays.

A two-down inside linebacker, Mays ranked third on the Broncos in tackles last season. While he can't cover a lick and possesses little value outside of thumping versus the run, Mays' return should be a plus if Denver can find capable defensive tackles to keep blockers off him at the second level. Mays will also have to compete with 2011 third-round pick Nate Irving for playing time. Expect that to be a heated camp battle in Denver.
Sun, Mar 18, 2012 06:55:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Free agent MLB Joe Mays will meet with the Colts after his visit with the Saints.

Mays appears to be on his way out of Denver. The Colts have a big hole at middle linebacker after releasing Gary Brackett.
Related: Colts, Saints
Source: Mike Klis on Twitter
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 06:38:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Free agent MLB Joe Mays will reportedly visit the Saints.

Mays joins David Hawthorne, who also has plenty of experience at middle linebacker, in visiting the Big Easy. The Saints need depth with Jonathan Vilma looking at an NFL suspension or Saints release.
Related: Saints, Jonathan Vilma
Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 10:33:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Joe Mays is locked in as the Broncos' starting middle linebacker.

Mays is a two-down thumper that figures to see plenty of chances behind the Broncos' leaky interior line. With third-round rookie Nate Irving missing time due to an ankle injury, Mays has some leash. He had 35 tackles in five starts a year ago.
Source: Denver Post
Wed, Aug 31, 2011 12:09:00 PM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

The Denver Post calls holdover LB Joe Mays the "odds-on favorite" to open this season as the Broncos' starting middle linebacker.

The Post's theory is that rookie Nate Irving won't have enough time to beat out Mays without offseason workouts. Mays has been in the league, but it isn't like he has a great grasp on the Broncos' new defense, either. Irving was hand-picked by the new regime in Denver and should win the job sooner than later.
Related: Nate Irving
Source: Denver Post
Tue, Jun 7, 2011 10:38:00 AM
Joe Mays - LB - Broncos

Coach John Fox said on a conference call with fans Monday that Joe Mays is the Broncos' starting middle linebacker as of this moment.

Fox confirmed that top-70 pick Nate Irving is Mays' competition, and there's little doubt the rookie will win. Fox has long been an advocate of highly athletic middle 'backers, from Will Witherspoon to Dan Morgan to Jon Beason. Irving fits that mold much better than Mays, who's a slow-moving thumper.
Related: Nate Irving
Source: Lindsay Jones on Twitter
Mon, May 2, 2011 05:39:00 PM

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