Pats worked out LB Brandon Spikes

[slash83]

Extra Points - New England Patriots News and Analysis - Boston.com

 

[Marqui]

Can't see them drafting him with Mckenzie in the pipeline.

 

[tombonneau]

Can't see them drafting him with Mckenzie in the pipeline.

Why not? What else is the ILB depth chart? Seau is gone. They need another body in there. And given Spikes horrendous 40 time, people have him dropping to the 3rd or 4th. Certainly if he's there in the fourth the Pats take a look. And wouldn't shock me to see them trade down in the second and grab him in the third.

And I have high hopes for McKenzie, but penciling him in for any significant time in the defense is wishful thinking.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Spikes will be a good NFL player. He will be better next to Mayo. McKenzie could be just as good and I would be happy to have them both. You could mix them with one of them OLB on a 3-4 or a 4-3 or even a 2 -5 at times.

Still need to draft an OLB but having Guyton, Mayo, McKenzie, and/or Spikes/Lee would be better than throwing in Eric Alexander or making a call to Junior.

 

[slash83]

Can't see them drafting him with Mckenzie in the pipeline.

McKenzie at this point might be a bigger unknown then Crable, at least Crable has played in a couple of preseason games.

 

[Kontradiction]

Spikes will be a good NFL player. He will be better next to Mayo. McKenzie could be just as good and I would be happy to have them both. You could mix them with one of them OLB on a 3-4 or a 4-3 or even a 2 -5 at times.

Still need to draft an OLB but having Guyton, Mayo, McKenzie, and/or Spikes/Lee would be better than throwing in Eric Alexander or making a call to Junior.

I'm as big of a Gator fan as there is on this board, and I'm not high on Spikes at all. He's either flat out dominant or he disappears for huge stretches of time. In 2007, Meyer had to constantly get on him about his work ethic and desire to be a leader on the defense. In 2008, he stepped up. In 2009, he more or less took a step back. He's got the physical tools, but his heart isn't fully in it 100% of the time.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I'm as big of a Gator fan as there is on this board, and I'm not high on Spikes at all. He's either flat out dominant or he disappears for huge stretches of time. In 2007, Meyer had to constantly get on him about his work ethic and desire to be a leader on the defense. In 2008, he stepped up. In 2009, he more or less took a step back. He's got the physical tools, but his heart isn't fully in it 100% of the time.

Cant get much more inconsistent than spikes

 

[VJCPatriot]

I wouldn't be mad about taking Spikes... with a 4th round or later pick.
I really don't know what happened to this kid. He looked like a sure fire first rounder in 2008. But now he has just seemed to step backwards in 2009 and the pre-draft period leading up to the 2010 draft.

 

[Gator Mike]

He's either flat out dominant or he disappears for huge stretches of time. In 2007, Meyer had to constantly get on him about his work ethic and desire to be a leader on the defense.

I don't think anyone questions his work ethic or his leadership ability at this point. He was the heart and soul of the Gator defense the last two years.

In 2008, he stepped up. In 2009, he more or less took a step back.

I agree that he took a step back in 2009, but I don't think he was dogging it. I think he tried to play hurt most of the year, and that eventually took it's toll.

 

[patman52]

No way he last until the 4th rd. The guy is a two down run stuffing ILB in a 3-4.
which is a big need on this team.

Sure his 40 time will keep him out of the nickel and when you play the colts he might only play 20% of the snaps, but he will play 75% against the jets.

 

[Nonentity]

We're working him out to try to understand what's going on with him. Nothing better than a private workout to get a really good look at what a player can and can't do.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Extra Points - New England Patriots News and Analysis - Boston.com

I really can't see BB drafting a 5.0 ILB for his defense. I would rather have Eaddes of Iowa than Spikes.

 

[Kontradiction]

I don't think anyone questions his work ethic or his leadership ability at this point. He was the heart and soul of the Gator defense the last two years.

In 2008 he was. I didn't see that in 2009. However, that defense was talented enough that it could survive without Spikes being the true heart and soul in 2009.

I agree that he took a step back in 2009, but I don't think he was dogging it. I think he tried to play hurt most of the year, and that eventually took it's toll.

Proof?

 

[TheComeback]

I couldn't care less about his 40 time. It might be the most overrated measurable in any sport. However, if there are questions about his work ethic or heart, then I'd stay away. We need guys with some intensity on defense. I think McKenzie could provide that better than Spikes if he is able to develop into a good player.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I actually like the idea of Weatherspoon as an inside linebacker. He has the sideline to sideline range that NFL teams covet. The problem is that he would be a WILB in the Pats system, and we've already got Mayo for that. Spoon is a really talented kid though who should make some NFL defensive coordinator really happy to have.

Back to the Pats. Maybe we could get Edds in the 4th?

 

[PATSNUTme]

I'm as big of a Gator fan as there is on this board, and I'm not high on Spikes at all. He's either flat out dominant or he disappears for huge stretches of time. In 2007, Meyer had to constantly get on him about his work ethic and desire to be a leader on the defense. In 2008, he stepped up. In 2009, he more or less took a step back. He's got the physical tools, but his heart isn't fully in it 100% of the time.

From several sources I have been getting the following from Spikes. He is a better football player than he is a athlete. He is dedicated to the game,an emotional leader on the field and plays until until the the whistle blows and will run through brick walls. They compare is on field play demeanor to Brian Cox.

Now Spikes by himself may not be an answer at ILB but next to Mayo he could be what we need for the middle of the defense. I would certainly use pick #53 on him if he is there.

I would prefer to get McClain but I would not move up more than 2 or 3 spots to get him.

In fact I have a whole trade scenario worked out with the Falcons to move up to get McClain giving them our 22 and 53 for their 19, first 3rd rounder and first 5th rounder. I would love to have a 3rd and 5th in this draft.

 

[jefmblrd]

I can't see BB drafting an ILB with the first four picks. Too much need in other places and value at other positions in this draft.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

From several sources I have been getting the following from Spikes. He is a better football player than he is a athlete. He is dedicated to the game,an emotional leader on the field and plays until until the the whistle blows and will run through brick walls. They compare is on field play demeanor to Brian Cox.

Now Spikes by himself may not be an answer at ILB but next to Mayo he could be what we need for the middle of the defense. I would certainly use pick #53 on him if he is there.

I would prefer to get McClain but I would not move up more than 2 or 3 spots to get him.

In fact I have a whole trade scenario worked out with the Falcons to move up to get McClain giving them our 22 and 53 for their 19, first 3rd rounder and first 5th rounder. I would love to have a 3rd and 5th in this draft.

mclain is top 15 - probably top 10.

 

[crowell33]

No way he last until the 4th rd. The guy is a two down run stuffing ILB in a 3-4.
which is a big need on this team.

Sure his 40 time will keep him out of the nickel and when you play the colts he might only play 20% of the snaps, but he will play 75% against the jets.

I know thats his rep, the two down guy, but if I am not mistaken, he returned interceptions for touchdowns twice in his junior season and twice in his senior season. Much like Tedy Bruschi, this guy has anticipation, reads the QB, and has some short area quickness. ( actually had a total of 6 interceptions the last two seasons )

 

[upstater1]

I agree that 40 times are overrated.

But this kid ran a 5.1 40.

That means he's as fast as OLineman.