Mayo isn't lightening load

Since the Patriots' season ended with a 13-0 victory over the Buffalo Bills Dec. 28, Mayo has been to Virginia just once. Not content to bask in the glow of a season in which he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Patriots inside linebacker has spent his offseason working out and watching film.

Just like the Patriots couldn't get Mayo, who started all 16 games last season, off the field during his rookie year, they can't get him out of Gillette, not unless they plan on changing the locks.

"I don't think I'll ever be satisfied," said Mayo, who led the Patriots and all rookies in tackles last season, credited by coaches with 139. "I'll always feel like I can get better. I play with a chip on my shoulders and that's how I live my life as well, wanting to prove the doubters wrong. You'll have to force me out of here. Lock the doors or something."

Taken with the 10th pick in the 2008 draft, Mayo made an instant impact, leading the team in tackles six times, including a 23-tackle effort against the Jets in November, and tying for the team lead one other time.

The scary thought for opponents is that the 23-year-old Mayo said he didn't fully grasp the Patriots' defensive scheme last season. He said he was thinking, not reacting, and using his athleticism to cover up mistakes.

"To be honest, I feel like I can get so much better," Mayo said. "Last year I felt like the season I had was OK, but I felt like I could have made so many more plays, big plays especially. I've just been watching the games from last year and [working] in the weight room, just trying to get better and learn from these vets."

Making more game-changing plays is something Mayo is intent on doing in 2009.

Despite being around the football a lot last year, as evidenced by his tackle totals, Mayo had only one forced fumble, which came against the Arizona Cardinals in the season's penultimate game, one fumble recovery, and no interceptions or sacks. (The lack of sacks is more attributable to the position he plays than a lack of production.)

"Playing linebacker, those are the types of things that you're expected to do - make interceptions, force fumbles and things like that," Mayo said. "That's one aspect of my game that I'm looking forward to improving this year. The expectations I have for myself are to do those things, and that's what I expect to do this year. "

While the outside linebackers in a 3-4 defense are put in position to be pass rushers, Mayo said that with a greater understanding of the Patriots' scheme he's prepared to be more active as a blitzer going after quarterbacks.

"To be honest, I didn't do as much blitzing last year, but hopefully this year my role will expand in that aspect," he said.

What he's not prepared to do is rest on his rookie season. It's just not in his DNA.

"I spend most of my time here," said Mayo. "Even in college, I did the same thing. They would have to give me, 'Get out of here. Get out of the weight room. Give your body a rest.' It hasn't really changed that much."

The only person who spends more time at Gillette Stadium than Mayo may be his boss, coach Bill Belichick, who has to listen to Mayo's vows of vast improvement and crack a smile.

But Mayo has to take a break at some point, doesn't he?

"I'll probably not stay here through training camp. I'll probably get down to some hot weather," said Mayo. "But in the meantime, I'll be up here."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.