tonyto3690

Let's state the obvious. When both are on the field they are a massive liability in coverage. They also have redundant skill sets with Hightower obviously being the one with higher upside.

Can we really afford to keep both of them on the field in a 43? And if we were to switch back, which one of them sits on the bench? Does hightower attempt to play olb? I loved Hightower as a prospect but he really made zero sense for us in a schematic and roster sense. We didn't need a third ilb.


The obvious answer is keep both in 43 and stay the course but it's hard to see our defense ever be elite with such a glaring weakness that every time will be able to successfully exploit. Unless both lose ten-twenty pounds and find some newfound speed this offseason, we will continue to have a mediocre defense that will struggle to get stops when we really need.

Sicilian

People seem really quick to judge exactly what Hightower is after his rookie year. As though playing coverage as a linebacker in the NFL is just something guys come in and excel at right away. Spikes we have multiple seasons worth of data to say his coverage is a liability, but let's give Hightower a bit of time before we declare that he's done developing, shall we?

MTM558

Spikes is 6"2, 250 pounds. Hightower is 6"4, 270 pounds. Spikes is also really really really slow. It is hard to count on them being able to do much in coverage to begin with.

tonyto3690

After Seymour's rookie season did you also say he could develop into a decent cover linebacker? Maybe it was Ted Washington?

Hightower is over 270 which I believe almost as big as freeney.

He will never become an even average cover linebacker without shedding 10+ pounds which even if he could would worsen his ability to stop the run.

Ian

I wouldn't write Spikes off - he may be a liability in coverage but he's so tough inside and he forced some huge turnovers this year. 2013 should be telling for him.

__________________
--
PatsFans.com - Dedicated to the Best Fans on Earth

Facebook
Become A Fan of / I mean "Like" PatsFans.com On Facebook:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Twitter Feeds

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

SwedishPat

I don't see us keeping Spikes unless for low money when his contract is done. He can stop the run very good, but he is below average in pass coverage, in a passing league. Hightower is faster, so I could see us keeping him instead. But I still think that it was a very wierd thing to draft a 270lbs linebacker in the first round. I think both are in the wrong time, pass/run ratio looking.

SwedishPat

I don't see us keeping Spikes unless for low money when his contract is done. He can stop the run very good, but he is below average in pass coverage, in a passing league. Hightower is faster, so I could see us keeping him instead. But I still think that it was a very wierd thing to draft a 270lbs linebacker in the first round. I think both are in the wrong time, pass/run ratio looking. What we needed was a faster coverage type linebacker.

JackBauer

They make more sense in a 3-4 scheme, but I'd like to keep both around if possible. Get a coverage linebacker and better safety play and the problem fixes itself.

BradyManny

This.

Admittedly, this is an issue that has been bugging me since the moment we lost to Baltimore. You have 3 badass linebackers, but you can't play them all the time. What do you do?

If I had to grade each player in each responsibility, it would go something like this.

VS. RUN:
Spikes = A+
Hightower = A-
Mayo = A

ZONE COVERAGE:
Spikes = C
Mayo = B
Hightower = C+

MAN COVERAGE:
Spikes = C-
Mayo = B-
Hightower = C

PASS RUSH (as rush LB, not blitzing):
Spikes = N/A
Mayo = N/A
Hightower = B+

BLITZING:
Spikes = B
Mayo = B
Hightower = A

*Hightower did seem to be progressing in coverage as the year went on.

As I said in the other thread, my ideal situation is to find a way to get all these guys on the field as much as possible and keep them in situations which maximize their effectiveness, not expose weaknesses.

The solution, as you say, might be as simple as finding a nice cover LB, but then you are taking one or two of your beast LBs off the field for half the game. I'd love to see Hightower allowed to rush more as a DE or OLB, and to see all 3 blitz more altogether - to keep them on the field without asking them to cover TEs down the seam.

The longer term solution which Deus has been alluding to since Hightower was drafted is a move back to a 34; though I maintain, as I did in arguments with him at the time, it doesn't change the dynamic all that much, unless you consider Ninko a much better cover LB than any of the guys listed here.

resdubwhite

Have been thinking with the cap situation theres little hope of keeping Spikes post 2013.

Any chance they try to trade him before this years draft?