Spikes: healthy scratch, injured, not yet in game shape, or ????

[aluminum seats]

Spikes?

What's the deal there, is he just not in game shape yet?

 

[reflexblue]

Re: Spikes?

What's the deal there, is he just not in game shape yet?

I think the thought was R Bush is very quick and because of Spikes lack of quickness Fletcher would be a better fit. Also Spikes may not be in tip top shape yet.

 

[Husse]

Re: Spikes?

What's the deal there, is he just not in game shape yet?

I think it was a combination of Spikes injury and the general game plan. Miami doesn't have that middle of the field run between the tackles kind of threat running game with Bush which Spikes excels at stopping. That and the strong presence of big bodies to clog up the lanes that Pats D-line has. Most of the runs will be on the outside, and then Fletchers mobility gives more to the defense.

 

[satz]

Re: Spikes?

I think the thought was R Bush is very quick and because of Spikes lack of quickness Fletcher would be a better fit. Also Spikes may not be in tip top shape yet.

Fletcher is a better blitzer too....will i be shocked if spikes becomes fletchers backup at this rate - NOPE.

 

[NEPatriot]

Re: Spikes?

I saw the Globe article. I'm hoping it's just a minor injury and not conditioning or other issues. I'm starting to get a little concerned about Spikes. Hopefully we'll see him against the 'Bolts.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Spikes?

Fletcher has simply and rightfully passed Spikes on the depth chart.
It is what it is.

 

[aluminum seats]

Re: Spikes?

Fletcher has simply and rightfully passed Spikes on the depth chart.
It is what it is.

Well, to the extent that illustrates improvement on Fletcher's part, great. I was impressed by his burst in the little time we saw him last year.

 

[Mark Morse]

Re: Spikes?

Fletcher has simply and rightfully passed Spikes on the depth chart.
It is what it is.

Spikes is a liability on the field in anything but a run stopping capacity. If an opposing team sees Spikes on1st down, they immediately move to pass to one of the backs (which he is too slow to cover). You think Guyton looks bad, Spikes wouldn't even be in the same frame as the RB.

 

[aluminum seats]

Re: Spikes?

Spikes is a liability on the field in anything but a run stopping capacity. If an opposing team sees Spikes on1st down, they immediately move to pass to one of the backs (which he is too slow to cover). You think Guyton looks bad, Spikes wouldn't even be in the same frame as the RB.

This seems more than a little overstated. The guy had a very good rookie year, let's not write him off just yet.

 

[Haley]

Re: Spikes?

WEEI reported earlier that Spikes was a healthy scratch.

Things aren't looking good for Spikes.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Spikes?

Fletcher has passed Spikes on the depth chart.
Guyton has a position as a coverage LB, which Spikes is not.
So, Spikes may inactive on many occasions.
Spikes could be activated against a team that is primarily a running team.

 

[BlueThunder]

Re: Spikes?

How many good " primarily running" teams ARE there ?

 

[NEP4Life]

Re: Spikes?

How many good " primarily running" teams ARE there ?

Exactly. Fletcher's development, and the switch to the 4-3, may have resulted in Spikes washing out.

ETA: Here are the LB snap counts from Monday's game.

LB Jerod Mayo – 76 of 76
LB Gary Guyton – 43 of 76
LB/DE Rob Ninkovich – 41 of 76
LB Dane Fletcher – 35 of 76

Who among those linebackers will Spikes bump in a 4-3 system, given that Guyton will seemingly always have a spot as a pass coverage specialist?

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Spikes?

How many good " primarily running" teams ARE there ?

They may not need to be primarily a running team, just a team that makes use of the run and has a big downhill runner. Teams like Pittsburgh, the Jets, etc would make sense.

 

[RxJock1120]

Re: Spikes?

WEEI reported earlier that Spikes was a healthy scratch.

Things aren't looking good for Spikes.

I don't think that means it wasn't a conditioning issue. Spikes missed almost all of training camp and pre-season.

Additionally, all the talk related to Dane Fletcher having passed him on the depth chart is way to premature. There is no depth chart at this point, obvious some guys are stars and will always play when healthy, and Spikes is not one of those players. Week 4 and beyond we will see who really is part of the Pats depth chart.

 

[CrazyDave]

Re: Spikes?

Wow, some of you guys are awfully quick to throw Spikes aside. I think rumors of his demise may be greatly exaggerated. jmho

 

[cupofjoe1962]

Re: Spikes?

Felger was talking about Spikes today.

He read a few of his tweets.

Something like this......

It is what it is, but it is not what you think

He has also may a few tweets about being in Hell.

I have a feeling Spikes in not a happy camper and ranger Bill
is not going to give him a pass because he was a 2nd round pick.

If I heard he got traded, I would not be suprised.

 

[Froob]

Re: Spikes?

Wow, some of you guys are awfully quick to throw Spikes aside. I think rumors of his demise may be greatly exaggerated. jmho

Yea the dude had a good rookie year and now he's the new meriweather. Will be interesting if he doesn't play his week.

 

[NEP4Life]

Re: Spikes?

Yea the dude had a good rookie year and now he's the new meriweather. Will be interesting if he doesn't play his week.

Yes, I can't help but sense that some of the anti-Meriweather sentiment has shifted to Spikes. Is he the next pantsfans.com anti-binkie?

 

[D-cleater]

Re: Spikes?

agreed with the sentiment that he's in the doghouse.

With the way BB cleaned house in the secondary, got rid of guys like Warren early on, signed MLB's like Edds and Tarpinian to the active roster (yes, I know Tarpinian was released)... I just think that BB is still shaping this team from a locker room perspective, not just by athleticism on the field. Continuing his work from last season, really. He'll have no problem sending Spikes on his way if the kid doesn't shape up.