PatsWickedPissah

Yah, like Wilfork he just slows down as the distance gets longer

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Sicilian

Well, technically he's still running faster over the last 30 yards than he was over the first 10, it's just that he hits his maximum speed sooner relative to other players at his position. His acceleration is good, but his top speed is low.

KontradictioN

He also has top notch technique as well. Not only is he powerful enough to bullrush the interior linemen, but he can also use his technique to get around them. As I said, this will be EXTREMELY valuable when going up against Manning. Like Brady, his achilles heel is pressure up the middle.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

pats1

1) Guyton does not struggle in coverage. This is the strong point of his game and he will be used mostly in sub packages as a linebacker.

2) Guyton does not have the size to play 3-4 OLB. He struggles against the run and would be eaten alive trying to set the edge, just like he struggled playing 3-4 ILB going against guards in 2009.

3) Brandon Spikes does not have the speed to play 3-4 OLB. He is an ILB who will most likely be counted on to stop the run.

Basically, think of Guyton as Roman Phifer and Spikes as Ted Johnson.

TheComeback

I wouldn't be so dismissive of Spikes playing OLB in certain situations. Obviously his main position would be ILB, but we all know how Belichick loves to mix things up on the field.

A linebacker like Spikes allows him to be pretty creative. Spikes has the size and strength to play OLB, even if ILB is his better position. Back in "the day," our linebackers would be all over the place, which causes big problems for centers and "cerebral" QBs like Peyton Manning who try to pick up blitzes before the snap.

BB knows his scheme is based around that kind of flexibility, though it's unlikely he will be able to fully execute it with so many rookies and young players this year. However, with more players like Spikes and Cunningham (who, like Vrabel and Bruschi, could occasionally move inside after he learns how to play like a linebacker), we should be at that place again in a few seasons.

cstjohn17

I saw several Florida games where he was used at DE in a 4-3 front, he was good enough player in college to perform in this role. It shows his versatility and he could move inside and outside, this provides depth for the LB core. Think of him as a reverse Vrabel who was mostly OLB but could move to ILB in a pinch.

spacecrime

I agree. I see him in the ILB spot rushing as Bruschi did, not from the outside like Vrabel.

I don't see why it makes a big difference where he starts his rush, as long as he gets there, and since he rushed from the middle in Florida, why not let him use his instincts there?

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“When we look at the board, based on everything we want in a football player at that particular time, we evaluate them and take the player that fits best for our football team. That’s what we always do, and I think the last nine years we’ve put a pretty competitive team out there on the field every year. I think that’s how you do it – you get good football players. Sometimes they are not always at the No. 1 position, but I don’t think you pass up good football players to get the guys who aren’t as good just because they’re at a position that somebody feels you need.”
BB on his draft philosophy, April 2010

scott99

Man, I don't care where he plays, I'm just psyched to have him on this team. He's a beast. I've seen him compared to Bryan Cox, I'll take Bryan Cox in his prime, any day of the week. Also, he reminds me a bit of Bruschi in his ability to pick-6, and his pass rush. I think we are gonna love this guy. Spikes and Gronkowski were my two favorite picks, they are both so physical, and beasts.

BradyManny

Spikes was a pretty effective blitzer at Florida, he can probably do likewise in the pro's. He's much stronger than Guyton or Mayo, so he can have an effective bullrush on interior blitzes. Of course, this presumes Spikes is on the field on 3rd downs - which he may not be. Though, for his purported lack of speed, the guy has been successful enough in coverage to be in the right place at the right time quite a bit.

I do not see him as an edge rusher option though, under any circumstances, so I'm not sure what Lombardi is specifically talking about there.

TripleOption

ILB. I suppose he could rush the passer, but he seems more instinctive dropping into coverage underneath.

Maybe Lombardi is a nitwit.

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