PatsBoy12

It looks like Spikes is a go . . .

Spikes cleared to play; McDonald placed on PUP list

Reckedtrek

Awesome news! Let's hope he provides the boost that he and Chung gave the D late last season.

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mayoclinic

Great to have Hightower signed and Spikes cleared for training camp. Mayo, Hightower, Spikes, Ninkovich, Fletcher and Carpenter should be the most versatile group of LBs in the NFL. This should really be a position of strength for the team.

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PatsBoy12

The talk last training camp was how he was lighting things up before he got injured. I knew he was injury prone because we attended UF at the same time, but some argued with me when I posted that. That's really his main issue, IMHO. He has the tools, albeit lacking in speed. Mentally, he's always been a bit of a loose cannon, but I think that's what makes him the kind of player he is on the field. Also, I think you want controlled chaos from your linebackers. I think all the greats had/have the right amount of "unstable."

Efstratios

Excellent, I loved this guy's play during the SB and I really hope he continues to improve and emerge as a leader on the D. Now the sooner Mankins and Vollmer are back in playing condition the better.

Rob0729

Except Spikes hasn't been really injury prone. He had injuries last year, but he was fine his rookie season.

Yeah, there were the unsubstantiated rumors that he suffered a major injury playing basketball last offseason, but the rumors were never confirmed and he was in camp last year.

PatsBoy12

Yeah, Rob, but remember he didn't finish camp. He started strong but was held out quite a bit during the the second half of it due to some undisclosed injury (and that, IIRC, was confirmed). We'll see what's up this season, but don't be surprised if he misses time.

Walpole Pats Fan

I'm pretty pumped that he's been cleared to practice. If the team can make it through training camp relatively healthy up the middle of the defense I think we can expect a much improved D to start the season. Building the lines of communication and trust is huge early on and that was lacking last year with so many of the players in the middle of the defense in and out of the lineup. Spikes provides the firey emotion for the D while Mayo is more of the field general I think. Throw in Hightower and I'm excited to see what the group can do.

KontradictioN

This should make the LB battles all the more interesting to watch. In order of interest, here are the TC battles that everyone should be watching (IMO, of course)...

1. WR
2. C
3. CB
4. LB
5. LG (with Mankins' injury)

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PatsBoy12

Mine list looks more like this:

1. WR (Will Branch hold on? What about Stallworth?)
2. LB (So many bodies, so much competition. Does Hightower look the part and where does he line up?)
3. CB (How does McC look? How does Dowling look? Will Sterling Moore stick?)
4. S (Depth. Does Tavon Wilson silence the critics early on?)
5. The whole offensive line (Color me a bit nervous about this group.)