Spikes - Florida - ILB?

[cstjohn17]

Random thought... what if the Pats load up at ILB and take a hard look at Spikes from Florida to run side by side with Mayo?

From National Football Post
The National Football Post | NFL Draft: Top 10 Linebackers

"1. MLB Brandon Spikes, Florida
THE BUZZ: He’s the kind of athlete you can build an entire defense around. Spikes is a long-limbed, rangy athlete who does an excellent job at quickly reading and reacting to plays. He finds the ball instantly, takes good angles and reads gap assignments well. He displays excellent closing speed and power in pursuit of the ball while making a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage. He not only has sideline-to-sideline range but also has the power to take on blocks. He is fluid and flexible in his hips and does a nice job getting a deep drop into zone coverage. He covers a lot of ground in coverage and displays the range needed to stay with tight ends down the seam. At times he gets caught watching the ball and will get cut off by blockers at the second level. Spikes isn’t as instinctive making his way through traffic and needs to do a better job protecting his legs. He plays with a lot of emotion and has a great motor. His passion really seems to rub off on his teammates. "

 

[Seneschal2]

Paired with Mayo, IMO, they'd be among the top ILBs in the game. Maintaining the strength of the front seven is wise, and more specifically, improving the coverage D is even wiser.

Spikes has crossed my mind often, wondering if he'd be within reach -- not whether or not BB would want him.

 

[Boston Boxer]

Paired with Mayo, IMO, they'd be among the top ILBs in the game. Maintaining the strength of the front seven is wise, and more specifically, improving the coverage D is even wiser.

Spikes has crossed my mind often, wondering if he'd be within reach -- not whether or not BB would want him.

BB has strong ties to the Florida program, so i am sure he would be talking to Urban Myers about a few guy on the squad. Spikes is a stud and would be a great first round choice.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Spikes is interesting and would give BB three fast ILBs for the future, though I'm looking for someone can split wigs with OL like Ted Johnson could.

 

[BritPat]

Jasper Brinkley perhaps?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Jasper Brinkley perhaps?

I've watched him several times and I'm not sold. If he's there late on Day Two I'd consider him.

 

[cstjohn17]

I've watched him several times and I'm not sold. If he's there late on Day Two I'd consider him.

I am right there with you, he has looked very slow, likely due to his injury.

Forgive my arrogance but I am looking for an impact player at LB or no LB. There are enough JAGs on the roster, especially if you include the practice squad.

OLB - Thomas, Vrabel, Crable, Woods, Robertson, Craig
ILB - Mayo, Guyton, Alexander, Ruud... Bruschi

Plus Colvin and Seau.

 

[BritPat]

So what do you mean by 'impact player'?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I am right there with you, he has looked very slow, likely due to his injury.

Forgive my arrogance but I am looking for an impact player at LB or no LB. There are enough JAGs on the roster, especially if you include the practice squad.

OLB - Thomas, Vrabel, Crable, Woods, Robertson, Craig
ILB - Mayo, Guyton, Alexander, Ruud... Bruschi

Plus Colvin and Seau.

Sad to say, but I actually thought he looked faster after coming back from the injury - he just doesn't seem to have any instinct for finding the ball. Though I'd love to see his teammate Norwood in a Pats' uniform alongside Mayo.

 

[JSn]

I was looking at that article too. How about the FS listed at #1, Taylor Mays?

THE BUZZ: Mays has the build of an outside linebacker (6 feet 3/230 pounds) and runs like a cornerback. Mays is a ballhawk in the secondary and also does a great job being a physical force in attacking the line of scrimmage.

Maybe he's related Willie Mays Hayes? Plays like Mays, Runs like Hayes...

 

[mmasterkillah]

I'm not sold on Spikes as a first round lock or anything, but he reminds me of Jets MLB David Harris a bit.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm not sold on Spikes as a first round lock or anything, but he reminds me of Jets MLB David Harris a bit.

I like him in the second round...but I'd like Connor Barwin even more. Spikes looks promising taking on OL and in coverage, with the limited looks I've had to date I'm not sure about his run reads/stuffing yet.

 

[Lockdown06]

this isn't a question about Spikes, more about ILB in general,

but where does Rey Mualaga stand currently in terms of draft status?

I know he would have been a top 10 pick last year, didn't know if his stock had fallen any throughout the year - he would be a nasty SILB in this defense I think - he would complement Mayo really well.

if he fell to the teens, does anyone think he'd be worth a modest trade up?

 

[DaBruinz]

this isn't a question about Spikes, more about ILB in general,

but where does Rey Mualaga stand currently in terms of draft status?

I know he would have been a top 10 pick last year, didn't know if his stock had fallen any throughout the year - he would be a nasty SILB in this defense I think - he would complement Mayo really well.

if he fell to the teens, does anyone think he'd be worth a modest trade up?

Maualuga is a senior this year. And he's projected as a 1st round pick currently. He does seem to be a good mix of all the qualities we liked in Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson. I've not had a chance to watch USC closely this year, but I'd definitely like to hear from Box and Ochmed on him and his play.

 

[cstjohn17]

Maualuga is a senior this year. And he's projected as a 1st round pick currently. He does seem to be a good mix of all the qualities we liked in Tedy Bruschi and Ted Johnson. I've not had a chance to watch USC closely this year, but I'd definitely like to hear from Box and Ochmed on him and his play.

One of Box or Ochmed is not a fan, honestly I can't tell these two guys apart anymore...

I have seen a few USC over the past two years, their defense is absolutely stacked. Maybe one of the best of all time. Even with their star studded line up Maualuga stands out. He is big, fast, mean and a playmaker. He shows coverage skills, blitz skills and has ideal 3-4 ILB size (6'2, 250+).

I have been wrong a lot more than I have been right but in a LB oriented system (Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England, etc.) the kid has multiple pro-bowls written all over him (if he stays healthy).

My bet is that he is a top 15 pick so the point is mute.

 

[BritPat]

I think both BOR and Ochmed have concerns about him.

I agree with you though, I see nothing but a passionate, big-hitting Pro-Bowler. He looks like a young Junior Seau/Ray Lewis. Which is a hell of a comparison I know.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

One of Box or Ochmed is not a fan, honestly I can't tell these two guys apart anymore...

I have seen a few USC over the past two years, their defense is absolutely stacked. Maybe one of the best of all time. Even with their star studded line up Maualuga stands out. He is big, fast, mean and a playmaker. He shows coverage skills, blitz skills and has ideal 3-4 ILB size (6'2, 250+).

I have been wrong a lot more than I have been right but in a LB oriented system (Pittsburgh, Baltimore, New England, etc.) the kid has multiple pro-bowls written all over him (if he stays healthy).

My bet is that he is a top 15 pick so the point is mute.

I'm the sexy one, Ochmed is the FB. :snob:

I've not been that impressed with him on the occasions I've watched a USC game. At this time draftnik sites seem to see him as a Top 15 pick.

 

[dryheat44]

so the point is mute.

We're reading words on the internet....all points are mute.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

We're reading words on the internet....all points are mute.

Naughty.

 

[cstjohn17]

We're reading words on the internet....all points are mute.

The internet takes the guess work out of who is an idiot versus who is not... guilty as charged.