Mayo Official
The Patriots just announced that they signed their first round pick Jerod Mayo officially. Offensive lineman Lavdrim Bauta, was released to make room for Mayo on the roster allowing the Patriots to meet the 80-man roster limit.

The signing of Mayo today was widely considered a mere formality after a report surfaced earlier in the Boston Globe that the rookie linebacker agreed to terms with the team. The addition of the team’s first round pick will gladly be welcomed by the defense as they work hard to get the Tennessee product up top speed. Though Mayo is listed third on the depth chart at inside linebacker, what we’re hearing is that he could be challenging for a starting spot by the end of camp.

Veteran Tedy Bruschi weighed in on the linebacker unit earlier today.

Right now we’re incomplete,” Bruschi said describing the linebacker unit. “When Mayo gets here then our core will be complete and we’ll all be in meetings together and getting better out on the field together.”

Bruschi didn’t take exception to Mayo’s absence; he simply described it as the sooner he arrives the sooner he can start learning what to do with the rest of his teammates.

“That’s the difference between being in your 13th year (Bruschi is in his 13th season) and your first year. Veterans know what to expect, know the adjustments. That’s why I’m hoping he gets here as soon as he can so he can partake in that process.”

With Mayo’s official signing, the Patriots have all seven 2008 Draft picks in the fold on the team’s first day of camp.

What about Bauta?

Bauta was a curious signing earlier this week. The Patriots obviously felt that they needed additional depth on the offensive line with Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur on the PUP. While Bauta has no NFL experience, he was working on his masters in 2006 after he transferred from Duke to Villanova. He was also named to the ACC All-Academic Team his last year at Duke (2005). Bill Belichick loves smart players, but the timing wasn’t right for another developmental player such as Bauta. (College Bio)