Fencer

If BB were planning to move away from a classic 3-4 alignment, how would the Spikes pick make any sense?

1. We already have a starting ILB.

2. Spikes seems too slow, all his reaction quickness notwithstanding, to be the only ILB/MLB, even if flanked by speedsters like Mayo and Guyton. If that were the plan, wouldn't the Pats have gone w/ somebody faster?

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jeffbiologist

We are not moving away from the 3-4, we do play it on occasion. Football speed is much different from track speed. Show me one play where the ILB runs 40 yards without touching anyone.....MOOT, you make no sense

DaBruinz

First off, there were plenty of circumstances behind Spike's 40 number (wet field, actual grass vs. Field turf). One of the things that should be telling in regards to his 40 is that his 3 cone shuttle was a 6.97 at the combine. That's WR ability.

As the SILB, Spikes is responsible for, roughly, 75% of the field. Mayo, at WILB, is also responsible for 75% of the field.

It's unlikely that Spikes is going to be asked to play a lot of MAN coverage, but he can do so. He also can play in the zone coverage schemes. Not only that, he's got the ability to take on guards and not get pushed around.

Spikes also has the ability to read and react the way Bruschi used to. So, he doesn't need ELITE speed inside.

That being said, I believe you are correct in that the Patriots are going to be using more 30 fronts than 40 fronts this year.

BelichickFan

In his press conference Belichick said Mayo is about as fast Tackle to Tackle as Mayo. I understood that the 40 wasn't wholly relevant but that was still interesting - and surprising.

mcgraw_wv

Against all my instincts to agree with you, In this I have to agree... Mayo is as fast as himself between the tackles, which is interesting, but not so surprising...

NEGoldenAge

I dunno, Mayo looked a little slower than Mayo this past season.

xmarkd400x

I don't follow...

BelichickFan

Ooopsy

That was meant to be SPIKES is about as fast between the tackles as Mayo; so said Belichick.

BritPat

Spikes = 3-4. It has to. Mayo's not coming off the field on any down or in any allignment. That means if Spikes is on the field he's at SILB, SLB, or in some funky blitzing/run stopping package.

He's not in anyway a 4-3 SLB, so you can discount option 2, and pretty much discard option 3 because those types of formations are seen only a couple of times a game. That means it has to be option 1.

I've been sure we would approach 2010 as a 4-3 team, but now I'm certain it's back with the 3-4.

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Creator of the Pats must draft Jason Verrett in 2014 no matter the cost fanclub.

Reckedtrek

I believe you are correct, Sir! I hear they are identical in almost every way possible.

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