Brandon Spikes Thread

[MrNathanDrake]

Okay, I called Cunningham a future bust, but on a more positive note: Brandon Spikes will beast in our system.

He's good in coverage, has good hands, smart, Great size, leader with a winning mentality.

Spikes will take over Guyton's eventually.

So he ran a 5.00 40. Big deal. That never stopped him from decleating Knowsean Moreno. And even though he's not a sideline to sideline LB. Mayo is. That will be Mayos role on our D. Spikes is however bigger, more vocal, and better at reading Qbs. I expect him to be a better LEADER than any of our recent picks (meriweather, mayo, butler, etc.)

What do you guys think of this pick?

[wilfork is beastin']

I thought he was a great pick. I was getting nervous during the 2nd round when the run on LBs started and was thrilled when we got him. He has the leadeship skills and production that you want in a LB and can bring that nasty edge to the defense that we've been looking for for years. Hopefully he can make an impact his rookie year.

[MaineMan]

Synopsis/paraphrase of observations from various sources:

POSITIVES:

Generally good, patient, high-instinct read/react guy with good play recognition/coverage skills. Covers screens and TEs well and is okay covering slot guys.

Early play recognition/instincts, especially against the pass, helps compensate for his relative lack of raw speed by allowing him to anticipate where to be (good "football speed").

Aggressive with some explosiveness to the LoS despite lack of long speed. Has a few moves to get by guards and tackles.

A thumper who never gives up on a play.

Very high-character/hard-working team player with a high football IQ. Excellent, vocal defensive leader.


NEGATIVES:

Sometimes takes on blockers pre-maturely and plays high/off-balance, but notably improved his leverage and hand techniques as a Senior allowing him to disengage with better consistency.

Sometimes takes false steps, gambles, over-pursues and takes bad angles, resulting in many attempts to make arm tackles.

OVERALL:

Solid inside guy who is also capable of playing outside on passing downs and setting the edge on running plays and squashing screens. Playing outside may also mediate his over-pursuit/bad angle tendencies and leverage his pass-rush.

[Ochmed Jones]

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

This may be true but how many times a game does he have to run 40 yards to make a play?? He has instincts which you can not teach just like speed so I am ecstatic to have a great player who will make a difference right away for our defense with this pick.

Yes he is going to start as a two down LB but after watching the playoff game last year his presence would improve our defense from day one. How fast did Ted Johnson run?? When we had a sick defense during our SB run we needed a thumper in the middle and I hope we got our man in Spikes....in the middle of the draft for little money made this pick a no brainer for me.

[MaineMan]

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

Not sure where you're getting that. The majority of numerous different observers was that he's very good in coverage and has a little pass rush. His weaknesses appear to be sideline-to-sideline play and engaging too soon (also one of Guyton's issues). IIRC, he didn't run at the Combine to avoid re-aggravating an injury and it was still bothering him at his Pro Day, so he may be a bit faster than the 5.05 he ran in mid-March. He certainly plays faster than that on tape.

I'm no huge Spikes fan and had several other guys ranked ahead of him on my board (most of whom ended up going to the Iggles, damn them!). But, I think Spikes at least fits the scheme well and has some distinctive value and upside.

[AzPatsFan]

Originally Posted by Ochmed Jones

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

It obvious. He was thinking 4.4 Yards per Carry, by the opponents, in 2009. Time for a big SILB.

It might have been a problem, but the rebuilt ILB crew is now complete with youngsters Mayo, Guyton, MacKenzie and Spikes; and you can afford to carry a two-down run stuffer specialist, as the final piece. I always recall Tedy's observation that it wasn't hard for him to move inside and play ILB. " He said: "... You just go to where the hole IS GOING TO BE, and tackle the runner when he gets there....". simple isn't it?

[stinkypete]

Spikes was my favorite pick of the draft. We've waited 5 years for the team to replace Ted Johnson, how he has been replaced.

I think Spikes is what the defense has most sorely needed, a big, tough LB that opponents will hesitate before running at, a physical hitter and a character guy. Potentially, the void of toughness and leadership in this defense has been filled.

[MaineMan]

Originally Posted by AzPatsFan

It obvious. He was thinking 4.4 Yards per Carry, by the opponents, in 2009. Time for a big SILB.

It might have been a problem, but the rebuilt ILB crew is now complete with youngsters Mayo, Guyton, MacKenzie and Spikes; and you can afford to carry a two-down run stuffer specialist, as the final piece. I always recall Tedy's observation that it wasn't hard for him to move inside and play ILB. " He said: "... You just go to where the hole IS GOING TO BE, and tackle the runner when he gets there....". simple isn't it?

That's the way Seau did it. And it kept him among the top LBs until well after he'd lost anything even approaching 5.05 speed.

There were a couple of times in '08 that I saw him stand perfectly still for a half-second after the snap and then practically walk toward the LoS, which parted like the Red Sea before Moses, and, ultimately, nail the RB two yards deep in the backfield without ever having even been brushed by a blocker.

[PatsCanDoIt]

Based on seeing him play on TV I think he can run about as well as McKenzie but with better quickness.