Brettlax3434

"NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell calls Patriots ILB Brandon Spikes "arguably the most physical and violent inside linebacker" in the NFL.
The competition wasn't that stiff against the Broncos' afraid-to-throw offense, but the returns of Spikes and SS Patrick Chung have revitalized New England's defense for the playoffs. Spikes recorded six tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery versus Denver."
Source: Boston Glob via Rotoworld.com

I have been under the belief that the defense has been greatly improved with their returns from injury. I think the defense is going to shock the "experts" who have been knocking it all week. It's interesting to see analysis like this on Spikes. My brother, known as Billdog3484 on Patsfans had mentioned to me a few weeks back that he thought Spikes was the most important player on the defense. I wouldn't go as far as him but maybe he was right and I was wrong.

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Bill Belichick on being introduced as a team (2001): "The players wanted to do it that way; they wanted to come out as a team. We've been doing it since October. ... That's the reason we won. Because we played the game as a team."

WeezyFbaby

I think Spikes has become my favorite Patriots player, the guy puts it all on the line and his intensity is matched only by TB. Love watching the guy thump i really hope he is a patriot for life.

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"I don't want records. I want a Super Bowl ring." - Randy Moss (The Real 81)

JackBauer

And some around here were writing off Spikes in the beginning of the year.

Too bad he'll never work out in our system 'cause he's too damn slow.

AzPatsFan

Tedy Bruschi identified all you have to know about ILB play when he said: "Its simple. I just go to Where the hole WILL BE, and tackle the RB when he gets there."

BelichickFan

One thing I know for sure is Belichick has been accumulating all the talk, print about how the Ravens are more physical and making sure Vince, Love, Spikes, Chung, Mankins, etc, have heard it until they're sick of it. We're starting to get a fairly good group of physical players ourselves.

ay-yo

^^^ I thought last week was the most physical defense we've seen all season. Lots of guys swarming to the ball.

shmessy

I don't think it was the players so much (although it works better when you have Chung/Spikes there).

It was one of the only times this season (other than Tampa Bay pre-season and the 2nd half of the 2nd Jets game) when the coaches allowed the D to pin it's ears back and make jail breaks into the backfield. Most of the season has been as recent seasons - - minding gaps and coverage. Last week was - - "here's some meat, boys, go get it!"

It was a vastly different gameplan - - and I like that.

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"They (Patriots) may be the greatest team ever" - Chris Mortenson, January 18, 2005 on espn.com

vuudu

I hear that, but I want to hear it from BB. Has anyone noticed that he is reluctant to praise Spikes? He will shower praises on Chung, Mayo, but when it comes to Spikes, he is careful with his words.

IllegalContact

the ravens are the perfect opponent for spikes.....I'd be more worried about the pass-happy offenses

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“ I think good coaches will coach with the personnel they have, and if you only have one (good) linebacker, you’re not going to play a 3–4. ”
—Hank Bullough, who installed one of the first 3–4 defenses with the New England Patriots.

TruthSeeker

I fully expect that if the Patriots defense does play well (which I'm expecting) that there will be a general dismissing of Flacco and the Ravens offense as opposed to giving the defense much credit.