Brandon Spikes

[xlcjw72]

Anybody who doesn't say wilfork is crazy. People talk about him not being as good as Sapp well maybe but Sapp had a better defensive hands down.

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[randomk1]

Anybody who doesn't say wilfork is crazy. People talk about him not being as good as Sapp well maybe but Sapp had a better defensive hands down.

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They are completely different players so i don't really see a point in comparing those two.

Sapp was a beast. It's amazing how well he moved for his size.

 

[Avenger]

Wilfork gets tired quickly and becomes ineffective, but Mayo is having a solid season for sure.

Wilfork is double teamed on more than 75% of all plays

 

[everlong]

If only Spikes had Mayo's speed. Would be one of the greats. But, I think Wilfork is the best player on d. Takes up a lot of blockers.

He also would have been draft ahead of McClain by another team.

 

[Danger Zone]

Anyone that Bruschi loves, I love. Chat: Chat with Tedy Bruschi - SportsNation - ESPN Boston

That said, here is a must-read article about Wilfork. Bill Belichick, Vince Wilfork, and the New England Patriots defense - Grantland

 

[jnug]

It is probably Vince at this point. This is a tough topic though with the defense playing like it is right now. This is simply not a very talented defense. I wish we had more appreciation for what BB and the coaches are doing with these guys. It would be so so easy for their record to be worse than 6-3 even with that offense.

 

[Salva135]

Big Vince is by far the best defensive player, but Spikes brings an intensity that is much needed on this squad. And if you follow his Twitter, he's bat-***** insane, which is I think is a good thing. We have enough model citizens who speak well for the franchise, I don't mind a defense full of crazy mofos. I'd take Cromartie in an instant.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Does anyone else think he's the best player on our defense (and by far?). I love the way he plays and for a while he's been the only player that I can appreciate on D.

Wilfork, Mayo, Jones. Spikes is almost on their level, but his lack of speed means that you have to gameplan around his weaknesses in coverage, which is a significant part of why the Pats' pass defense is so vulnerable over the middle (the other reason being that our safeties don't have much range, with the exception of Wilson and McCourty if he stays there).

 

[BradyFTW!]

Can somebody explain to me why is Mayo our best player exactly? Tell me one thing he is spectacular at? He is a step behind in pass coverage like everybody else, he isn't some monster that you can't run at. At least Spikes brings that nastiness to compensate for whatever faults he has.

Mayo is more of a janitor. He cleans up negative plays and racks up the tackles.

He is not a potential blue chip player like a Wilfork or Chandler and no OC will look at the game tape and say - this guy is going to be a problem

Not hating on Mayo i think he is a starter on every team outside of SF i just don't think he is all that special.

He covers well for a linebacker, he doesn't miss tackles, he's always where he's supposed to be, and he has range. He doesn't produce highlight-reel, game-changing plays like Spikes does, but that doesn't mean that his value should be understated under any circumstances. He's an elite linebacker.

 

[manxman2601]

Does anyone else think he's the best player on our defense (and by far?). I love the way he plays and for a while he's been the only player that I can appreciate on D.

I'm going to predict that McCourty, should he stay full time at safety, will be in the running for best defensive player in a couple of years.

 

[Bobs My Uncle]

Wilfork by a long shot. Then lump Mayo, Spikes and Jones together for next best.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I'm going to predict that McCourty, should he stay full time at safety, will be in the running for best defensive player in a couple of years.

If McCourty stays at safety, it will be interesting to see what happens when he's a FA. Given the large salary discrepancy between safeties and CBs, a team that wishes to convert him back to CB might be willing to pay him substantially more than the Pats would be willing to pay a starting safety.

 

[Jose]

If McCourty stays at safety, it will be interesting to see what happens when he's a FA. Given the large salary discrepancy between safeties and CBs, a team that wishes to convert him back to CB might be willing to pay him substantially more than the Pats would be willing to pay a starting safety.

McCourty shouldn't cost much more than a bag of peanuts.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

Wilfork is double teamed on more than 75% of all plays

Wilfork also played every snap of the 2nd half of the last game they just played, and 77/81 for the whole game...

"Wilfork gets tired" is a truly terrible criticism. It betrays a nearly complete lack of understanding of how physically difficult it is to be an effective DT, especially if being double teamed. But, yeah, let's criticize the guy. Sure.


source on Wilfork's playing time:
Defensive snaps: Wilson slides back - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Vince Wilfork’s competitiveness shined through at the end of the game. As the Bills were driving for a potential game-winning touchdown and extra point, the coaching staff sent Brandon Deaderick to replace Wilfork, but Wilfork waved him off. After the game, Wilfork explained that he was tired but felt like if he came off the field, he would have been letting the team down. He ended up playing every snap in the second half.

 

[Claremonster]

Honestly, when he was a rookie, I didn't think that he was going to amount to much.

Fast forward to now...I think that he is a stud that is similar to Rodney Harrison. He is a concussion creator! :rocker:

 

[BradyFTW!]

Wilfork also played every snap of the 2nd half of the last game they just played, and 77/81 for the whole game...

"Wilfork gets tired" is a truly terrible criticism. It betrays a nearly complete lack of understanding of how physically difficult it is to be an effective DT, especially if being double teamed. But, yeah, let's criticize the guy. Sure.


source on Wilfork's playing time:
Defensive snaps: Wilson slides back - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Well, we all know that the very best DTs can play 80 snaps in a game without their performance noticeably deteriorating by the end.

The funny thing is, he actually holds up much, much better than most. It's pretty funny, because I'd do a complete 180 on that statement and list it as one of Wilfork's biggest strengths.

 

[patfanken]

JMHO, but Spikes isn't close to being the best defensive player on the team. His skills are far too limited. He's a liability to pass coverage, and has limited range. I'd guess (and I'm sure someone can find out) he on the field no more than 50% of the snaps.

That's not to say that he isn't an important asset to the defense within his role. He's a huge hitter and in that is one of the more impactful players on the defense creating fumbles and in those too rare occasions when he is allowed to rush the passer.

I could also do less with his Leron Landry impressions when he makes a big hit. He should leave that crap to the Jets Brandon here's a tip. Make the big hit. Celebrate with your teammates and then get back to the huddle and do it again the next play. You make about 4 big hits in a game that has about 70 defensive plays. When you make a spectacle of yourself on those 4 big plays, it makes everyone wonder where the F you are the other 66. Be a pro.

 

[The Gr8est]

Does anyone else think he's the best player on our defense (and by far?). I love the way he plays and for a while he's been the only player that I can appreciate on D.

Best?


No.


Most intimidating?


Absolutely!

:rocker:

 

[grux]

1. Wilfork - Very consistent and is usually double teamed
2. Mayo - Tackling machine and decent against the pass
3. Jones - Star in the making. Our defense was in desperate need of a player who could rush the passer.
4A. Spikes - Great playmaker and awesome against the run. He is a liability in pass coverage.
4B. Ninko - Does a great job setting the edge and has a knack for making big plays at the right time.

 

[cstjohn17]

The kid basically saved the season when he forced a fumble just before 1/2 time in the first Bills game. He talks but he walks the walk, love him as a Patriot.