Spikes Contingency Plan at ILB?

[Water Boy]

I love Spikes as a player, but can't say I have the utmost confidence that he won't continue to have off-field issues that are deleterious to the TEAM. Given the number of picks the Pats have in 2011, In your opinion should they use a pick for a run stuffing SILB as a contingency?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Following McKenzie's departure, I noted NE should be shopping the late rounds/UDFA pool for ILB depth. Spikes' error doesn't add much urgency to those thoughts, NE's current depth is adequate, I just see competition as good for Fletcher and White.

 

[A_Ghost_In_The_Machine]

I think as far as off-field issues go this was a pretty small blip on the radar (albeit one that had relatively big consequences). He wasn't taking steroids of any kind of PED. He wasn't smoking dope. He took medicine for his ADHD that happened to contain a substance banned by the NFL. Maybe I'm being naive but I honestly think this was just a simple mistake on his part and one I'm sure won't happen again. Don't think there's any need to call his character into question over this.

 

[andrewgarrr]

I think as far as off-field issues go this was a pretty small blip on the radar (albeit one that had relatively big consequences). He wasn't taking steroids of any kind of PED. He wasn't smoking dope. He took medicine for his ADHD that happened to contain a substance banned by the NFL. Maybe I'm being naive but I honestly think this was just a simple mistake on his part and one I'm sure won't happen again. Don't think there's any need to call his character into question over this.

Agreed. He made a mistake. This is not attributable to his character, work-ethic, or performance -- it's a result of inexperience, youth, and ignorance. These things will hopefully get fixed.

As far as drafting depth at ILB, I'm all for it. I'm not sure if White has had a single snap on defense, so that leaves the Pats at 4 ILB (Guyton, Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher). Some late round depth could induce competition, and if the Pats can find someone with lateral quickness and knowledge - I'm all for a 2nd/3rd/4th at the position.

 

[Off The Grid]

I think as far as off-field issues go this was a pretty small blip on the radar (albeit one that had relatively big consequences). He wasn't taking steroids of any kind of PED. He wasn't smoking dope. He took medicine for his ADHD that happened to contain a substance banned by the NFL. Maybe I'm being naive but I honestly think this was just a simple mistake on his part and one I'm sure won't happen again. Don't think there's any need to call his character into question over this.

This Post has been flagged for excessive application of reasonable thought and general level-headedness.

What're you...British??

 

[sg14]

I have been wanting to see Fletcher, so guess now I get to see his play,,
He seems to have "Tedy Bruschi like" athletic ability,

Agreed. He made a mistake. This is not attributable to his character, work-ethic, or performance -- it's a result of inexperience, youth, and ignorance. These things will hopefully get fixed.

As far as drafting depth at ILB, I'm all for it. I'm not sure if White has had a single snap on defense, so that leaves the Pats at 4 ILB (Guyton, Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher). Some late round depth could induce competition, and if the Pats can find someone with lateral quickness and knowledge - I'm all for a 2nd/3rd/4th at the position.

 

[patchick]

I'm afraid think it's wishful thinking to call the Adderall an "innocent mistake." It's widely used as a recreational drug and short-term performance enhancer, it obviously wasn't prescribed to him, and everybody in the NFL knows you're not allowed to take it. Dumb, Brandon.

All in all, the guy has been a pretty big doofus off the field over the past year. OTOH, he seems to be a super-hard worker and a leader in the locker room and on the field. Long term, that bodes better for a football player than being a choir boy at home and half-assing it at work. The real problem children of the league -- the Haynesworths, TOs, Pacmans, etc. -- either run afoul of teammates and coaches or consistently put fun ahead of work.

So I don't think a "contingency plan" is needed. But Mr. Spikes, now would be an awesome time to get your #%&! in order.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm afraid think it's wishful thinking to call the Adderall an "innocent mistake." It's widely used as a recreational drug and short-term performance enhancer, it obviously wasn't prescribed to him, and everybody in the NFL knows you're not allowed to take it. Dumb, Brandon.

All in all, the guy has been a pretty big doofus off the field over the past year. OTOH, he seems to be a super-hard worker and a leader in the locker room and on the field. Long term, that bodes better for a football player than being a choir boy at home and half-assing it at work. The real problem children of the league -- the Haynesworths, TOs, Pacmans, etc. -- either run afoul of teammates and coaches or consistently put fun ahead of work.

So I don't think a "contingency plan" is needed. But Mr. Spikes, now would be an awesome time to get your #%&! in order.

I agree, there is not one person in the NFL that does not know what meds are legit and not legit for the most part. This was just a rookie looking for an edge. Very poor decision making.

BC's Herzlich might be an excellent contingent draft plan at ILB.

 

[reflexblue]

I'm afraid think it's wishful thinking to call the Adderall an "innocent mistake." It's widely used as a recreational drug and short-term performance enhancer, it obviously wasn't prescribed to him, and everybody in the NFL knows you're not allowed to take it. Dumb, Brandon.

All in all, the guy has been a pretty big doofus off the field over the past year. OTOH, he seems to be a super-hard worker and a leader in the locker room and on the field. Long term, that bodes better for a football player than being a choir boy at home and half-assing it at work. The real problem children of the league -- the Haynesworths, TOs, Pacmans, etc. -- either run afoul of teammates and coaches or consistently put fun ahead of work.

So I don't think a "contingency plan" is needed. But Mr. Spikes, now would be an awesome time to get your #%&! in order.

How do you know it wasn't prescribed to him. From what ive read is that he has ADD I'm not trying to be confrontational, but i haven't heard what you posted before.

 

[patchick]

How do you know it wasn't prescribed to him. From what ive read is that he has ADD I'm not trying to be confrontational, but i haven't heard what you posted before.

Sorry, I should have said he didn't inform the NFL of any prescription. And enough players have been suspended for it in the past that no "clarification" should have been needed.

 

[BelizePats]

YOung talented and dumb is how you have to describe Spikes in his first year in the league. He's learning how to be a professional and that he is accountable for his actions. Given that he's spent much of his life not having to be accountable for his actions, it's not surprising that these situations have occured this year. Hopefully he is learning the realities of life in the NFL and can move forward with what looks like a solid pro career.

 

[Water Boy]

He took medicine for his ADHD that happened to contain a substance banned by the NFL. Maybe I'm being naive but I honestly think this was just a simple mistake on his part and one I'm sure won't happen again. Don't think there's any need to call his character into question over this.

The substance was for ADHD it should have been perscribed by a doctor and the Patriots and NFL should have been aware of it. The drug adderall is also used recreationally as a poor man's cocaine. So he's either self medicating his ADHD with out a perscription or using the drug recreationally. I'm guessing its the 2nd.

He's risked being in violation of the league substance abuse policy to the detriment to not only himself, but the team. If that isn't enough to call a player's character into question, what is?

 

[Off The Grid]

Why would we need a contingency plan, when we've got a brutal savage like McKenzie around, who should finally be 100% and ready to be an invaluable part of our Mid Fielder Rotation, next year??
























OH.

RIGHT.

Nice of him to collect a couple years of juicy paychecks, wait until he was feeling ready to rock and roll, and THEN beg to go elsewhere.

#$%& him.

Seriously: I wish that kid Utter Failure.

 

[Off The Grid]

As for Brandon Spikes, I was pounding the table with BOTH fists on that kid, 9 months ago, and I'm STILL pounding. He IS a donkey, but I ~ being a donkey, myself ~ find forgiveness in my heart for him ~ if not for Tyrone McKenzie ~ and I expect he will learn from this foolishness, contribute to this year's Super Bowl Run, and EXPLODE into Glory, next year...whenever "next year" is.

 

[sbpatfan]

OH.

RIGHT.

Nice of him to collect a couple years of juicy paychecks, wait until he was feeling ready to rock and roll, and THEN beg to go elsewhere.

#$%& him.

Seriously: I wish that kid Utter Failure.

Are you serious? He left to be closer to his family. He's been taking care of his mother since college.

 

[Off The Grid]

Are you serious? He left to be closer to his family. He's been taking care of his mother since college.

That is the VERY first I've ever heard of that, and I waded through the entire Thread when this happened, as well as my usual investigating.

If that is indeed the case, obviously I would rescind all ill wishes, and reverse them.

 

[Off The Grid]

He just got called up, today, by the way.

 

[DarrylS]

I think as far as off-field issues go this was a pretty small blip on the radar (albeit one that had relatively big consequences). He wasn't taking steroids of any kind of PED. He wasn't smoking dope. He took medicine for his ADHD that happened to contain a substance banned by the NFL. Maybe I'm being naive but I honestly think this was just a simple mistake on his part and one I'm sure won't happen again. Don't think there's any need to call his character into question over this.

Agree completely, in the Jets Game looked like he was finally starting to pick up the play action.. he seems like the type of kid who will learn from his mistakes..

Lot of discussion about how he used this as a "poor man's cocaine", but in reality there is conjecture on both sides of the aisle.. we do not really know?? We do not nor will be privy to his medical history.. young and foolish is probably the best description.

Been wrong before though, but this kid has a lot of upside..