Brandon Spikes #55?

[PATSNUTme]

One week from today TC starts and I'm getting excited.

During the months leading up to the the draft, I said that Spikes could be the most important player that the Patriots could draft this year. I believed that and I believe now that Spikes will give the Patriots that Ted Johnson type player that we have been missing for a while. He will help the other backers out to flow to the ball better.

No disrespect to Guyton or McKenzie but I was thrilled when the Patriots called Skies name on draft day.

So, do you think I'm wrong and if so why? Do you think he is worthy to wear #55 that Willie and Junior have worn and deserved?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I am looking for some pressure on the QB from Spikes and would like to see some of his skills in that department,Its been quite some time where we had some severe pressure to the QB from an ILB or at least decrease the pocket quicker.

A Ted Johnson type would be great but we need some interior pass rush as well to better this defense.

 

[PATSNUTme]

I am looking for some pressure on the QB from Spikes and would like to see some of his skills in that department,Its been quite some time where we had some severe pressure to the QB from an ILB or at least decrease the pocket quicker.

A Ted Johnson type would be great but we need some interior pass rush as well to better this defense.

I think that he can do that as TJ did on occasion. But I also think that he could help free up Mayo to blitz more form the inside and outside.

 

[Calciumee]

Spikes taking the #55 means he has big shoes to fill, but I think that he can very easily show he is worth wearing that number, just need to wait and see.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

You're not wrong. Spikes is going to show the "experts" that 40 times are overrated. I predicted the Pats would draft him (or at least try to draft him) way before the draft.

 

[Kontradiction]

The one thing that this defense has been missing since the days of Ted Johnson was a pass rushing presence up the gut. Spikes should be able to provide that. I'm only so "confident" because he took on opposing guards and centers in college. He's also good at reading the quarterback and getting in on shorter range passes (sometimes picking them off).

 

[NSPF]

There's only so many numbers out there. Plus, I don't have any problem taking the numbers of great former players. I think it should inspire them to live up to their number.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Spikes will be the spy ... like Bruschi was at times.

 

[FredFromDartmouth]

You're not wrong. Spikes is going to show the "experts" that 40 times are overrated. I predicted the Pats would draft him (or at least try to draft him) way before the draft.

Ah but he was the Patriots second choice at that position; they wanted to draft Montario Hardesty. However I have no faith in the Patriots ability to draft RBs; I suspect that they will be better off with Spikes.

If you look at the tape you can see that Spikes has tremendous instincts but I do not know if he can shed blocks like Ted Johnson but then NOBODY can shed bocks like Johnson. Guards would just fall off Ted (after being stunned by shot to the head).

However I do not like the matchup of Spikes verses C. J. Spiller.

 

[townes]

I thought McKenzie would start inside this year with Guyton moving outside, now i'm starting to think Belichik is going to try and use rotations and scheme changes to get a pass rush, and despite concerns about his speed I think Spikes could end up moving around alot. this is a big year for most of their young defensive players and they can step up or not, the opportunities will be there. I like the young players they have added on defense and the weapons added on offense, and i think we'll see big contributions this year.

 

[Deus Irae]

People are starting to hype Spikes the way Chung got hyped last season. Let's give him a chance to show something on the field before we start wondering if Chuck Norris should fear him.

 

[patsfan-1982]

People are starting to hype Spikes the way Chung got hyped last season. Let's give him a chance to show something on the field before we start wondering if Chuck Norris should fear him.

im a big fan of spikes, but i do agree guyton played pretty good last year it will take a lot for a rookie to crack the starting line up and take a vets job in this system.


but i would be lieing if i did not say im realy looking forward to see him play.

 

[stinkypete]

I'm not sure if we can label him just a two down run stuffer type ILB. What does a 40 time really mean when we're talking about linemen and linebackers? Dwight Freeney ran a freaking 4.9, and he's a borderline HOF.

 

[Kontradiction]

People are starting to hype Spikes the way Chung got hyped last season. Let's give him a chance to show something on the field before we start wondering if Chuck Norris should fear him.

I'm not overhyping him. I was just talking about what I saw him do at Florida.

 

[Deus Irae]

I'm not overhyping him. I was just talking about what I saw him do at Florida.

I wasn't trying to single you out, so I'm sorry if you got that impression. I was referring to the general flow. It's not just on this site, either. I heard one of the radio clowns pimping him today, based upon a few drills in OTAs, too.

I'd love him to be a game 1 starter who gets the job done for 10 years. I just don't know if the world is ready for another "chungisms" thread yet.

 

[Kasmir]

I'm not overhyping him. I was just talking about what I saw him do at Florida.

I watched most of this year's Florida games on the video link that was posted recently. I skipped the gimme games against the weaker competition. Wasn't much impressed by Spikes, albeit he seemed to be playing through various injuries much of the year (Cunningham, on the other hand, was quite impressive, as I've posted elsewhere).

My question to you: is Spike's Florida rep based on prior years play? And if you agree his play fell off this year, to what do you attribute that to?

 

[Kontradiction]

I watched most of this year's Florida games on the video link that was posted recently. I skipped the gimme games against the weaker competition. Wasn't much impressed by Spikes, albeit he seemed to be playing through various injuries much of the year (Cunningham, on the other hand, was quite impressive, as I've posted elsewhere).

My question to you: is Spike's Florida rep based on prior years play? And if you agree his play fell off this year, to what do you attribute that to?

I've noted that Spikes was much more impressive in 2008 than 2009. I've attributed that to the various injuries he's had as have others. Not sure which games you watched, but I didn't consider Cunningham "quite impressive". Just solid. I thought Dunlap was "quite impressive" in Charlie Strong's defense.

 

[Sicilian]

I'm not going to say that Spikes is the answer just yet, but I think he's an important piece to the rebuilding of this defense. With Him, Mayo, Mckenzie, and Guyton, we really have a good mix of styles (some speed, some size) in our ILBs. It all depends on how kids turn out, but having variety on the inside really helps BB scheme in creative ways.