40yrpatsfan

Guyton has many good qualities, but he's not a good open field tackler. Usually approaches the runner too hard, setting himself up to get deked. Especially when the runner needs to get 5 more yards or more for the 1st - he's just constantly blowing those types of tackles, instead of being patient and keeping the guy in front of him. Not a smart player sometimes.

robertweathers

A little overly-critical of Spikes, IMO. BB has commented that his approach is a bit unorthodox but the results are nonetheless still very good. Like any rookie, he needs to improve a ton, but I would not say that he is a poor tackler. If he was, he wouldn't be playing on 1st down or obvious running situations.

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

patsfaninpittsburgh

Not really.

It's called balance.

The Packers are way too dependent on Rogers. That's not to say he isn't an excellent QB or Flynn would be better. It's saying you still have to try to run and it happens that try met an ideal situation.

JackBauer

It's not just a question of Spikes versus Guyton. A huge factor in why the defense is so much better against the run with Spikes is that he allows Mayo to play in a position that optimizes his strengths and minimizes his weaknesses. I'd say his beasting against the run is further reflected in his superhuman tackle numbers this season.

BradyManny

I didn't say Spikes was a poor tackler - just saying the notion that he "never misses a tackle" is just not true. Jerod Mayo never misses a tackle. I've seen a share of plays this year where Spikes gets in position and then fails to convert. The good news is that he's slowed the runner down and normally the tackle is made by a teammate soon after.

I love Spikes - I think he's one of the biggest additions to this team that we have made. And he does make this run defense very different in that he meets blockers near the LOS, ties them up and lets Mayo have more room to work in.

robertweathers

My bad. Misread your sentiment. He does miss tackles no question.

__________________
“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

JFK

Guyton is an overall better LB. Wasn't Spikes playing when Hillis ran wild? Kuhn is no joke.

Synovia

Bill Bellichick disagrees. Thats why Guyton was playing 4 times as many snaps as Spikes while they were both healthy.

The_Natural_83

Kuhn is not in the same boat as Hillis, he's an average goal line rb. Also, if Grant wasn't hurt, Kuhn would barely touch the ball. The whole defense wasn't playing well vs Cleveland, not just Spikes. Even though Spikes is only a rookie I would take his instincts and leadership over Guyton. Spikes didn't have a good combine but he has shown a knack to make plays in the passing game too (Jets game.)

__________________
There was just so much trash talking, man, from guys who really hadn't done anything in the league. So basically, me being a 10-year vet and seeing those other guys out there talking smack, they haven't done nothing yet. So it was a good thing for the offense that Jabar Gaffney came up with a key catch, luckily, for six and, you know, we shut them up, and that was a good thing. I'm not a trash talker. I talk with my play, not with my mouth."- Randy Moss

Synovia

Then why was Guyton playing 80% of the snaps to Spikes 20% before Spikes got suspended?

Guyton is a better LB. That may not be true in the future, but it most certainly is right now.


I know people love to hate on "Good but not Great" players around here, but Spikes isn't even good yet. Guyton is.