The dreaded "source": Spikes and Pats ain't sayin' **** to each other

[Kontradiction]

The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

This shouldn't be a surprise, but there's little reason to believe Brandon Spikes will ever play again for the Patriots.

The two sides haven't spoken about a new deal this offseason, according to a source. So, unless something drastically changes, Spikes' days with the Patriots are over. He'll hit free agency March 11.

Spikes' tenacity made him a popular player in the locker room, and his physicality boosted the defense. However, a bizarre story leaked during the playoffs insisting Spikes was placed on injured reserve because he was either late or a no-show for a meeting during the bye week. Regardless of the validity of the story -- there were enough twists and turns in the following days to spin heads -- it was obvious it originated when someone within the organization wanted Spikes' reputation to take a hit before he became a free agent.

Not totally unexpected, given the strange way last season ended. I'll miss Spikes as that physical presence in the LB corps. Hopefully he enjoys his career with the Jets or Ravens (when not playing the Pats) and hopefully the Pats pick up a physical guy who is not a liability in coverage.

 

[Keyser Söze]

#Powwwwwwwwww

 

[Brady6]

The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald







Not totally unexpected, given the strange way last season ended. I'll miss Spikes as that physical presence in the LB corps. Hopefully he enjoys his career with the Jets or Ravens (when not playing the Pats) and hopefully the Pats pick up a physical guy who is not a liability in coverage.

Some call it not speaking. I call it improving our pass defense.

 

[everlong]

I'm sure where he's going he'll be a good foot soldier.

 

[Ivan]

The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald



Not totally unexpected, given the strange way last season ended. I'll miss Spikes as that physical presence in the LB corps. Hopefully he enjoys his career with the Jets or Ravens (when not playing the Pats) and hopefully the Pats pick up a physical guy who is not a liability in coverage.

This is exactly how i see it. If CJ Mosely continues to fall in draft projections and is on the board when they pick in the first I would hope they seriously consider him. They have a good LB corps but Mosely would be an excellent addition and would give them flexibility and depth as well as helping them replace Spikes.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm not surprised. With the emergence of Collins and Hightower last season, there's no room at the inn for a slow-footed albeit physical LBer at the inn. I see Mayo, Hightower, and Collins as our starters for the new season. We might need to draft LB depth. But I don't think a 1st round pick is necessary. Particularly if we sign a guy like D'Qwell Jackson from free agency.

 

[dales804]

Not surprising whatsoever. I liked his attitude on defense and his big hits. I don't really have an issue with him but it's been known for a while he was a goner.

 

[RayClay]

Meh. I don't know if they're really at odds, but I would expect they offer nothing until they see what he could get elsewhere.

Could be Price is Right, could be don't let it hit you on the way out. I'd love to have him personally, but I don't know the behind the scenes. Seems to me he's mostly a character, not a bad apple.

And...I've been watching football a long time and have never seen players look like they hit a brick wall in a roadrunner cartoon until Spikes. Played with a debilitating injury too.

 

[TonyTucker]

I'll miss his big plays (something Jerod Mayo is allergic to), but I won't miss watching him in coverage.

 

[Kontradiction]

This is exactly how i see it. If CJ Mosely continues to fall in draft projections and is on the board when they pick in the first I would hope they seriously consider him. They have a good LB corps but Mosely would be an excellent addition and would give them flexibility and depth as well as helping them replace Spikes.

I have my eye on Jordan Tripp later on in the draft myself. The first round should be used on the DL or at TE. There are some big, quality, athletic prospects later on. Read up on Tripp. That's a Patriot if I've ever heard one.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

watch the jets go after him hard

 

[BradyManny]

Not totally unexpected, given the strange way last season ended. I'll miss Spikes as that physical presence in the LB corps. Hopefully he enjoys his career with the Jets or Ravens (when not playing the Pats) and hopefully the Pats pick up a physical guy who is not a liability in coverage.

My feelings exactly. He was one of my favorite players on the team from a rooting standpoint, but we've moved on. We need guys who can cover.

 

[RobAllan]

I think this is too bad. There's definitely a need for a player like that, and he was certainly willing to play tough when other players just weren't at times the last couple of years. I think this is a bigger loss than people think... He was even getting into the backfield this season before he got hurt. And then he played hurt on top of everything else...

I'm going to hold out hope he comes back until he signs elsewhere.

 

[Dagg]

Way to slow, see you around Spikes!#cementshoes#runninginsand

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Thank you Spikes for your hard physical play which I enjoyed watching. Good luck with your career!

I am in the camp that says we need to upgrade our short field LB pass coverage.

 

[Bourne Again Christian]

Jet Raven or Titan.

 

[hwc]

Spikes was finished as a Patriot when he made the decision to skip the offseason conditioning program in Foxboro last spring.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I’m glad he’s gone, he was absolutely putrid in pass coverage.

 

[mayoclinic]

I have my eye on Jordan Tripp later on in the draft myself. The first round should be used on the DL or at TE. There are some big, quality, athletic prospects later on. Read up on Tripp. That's a Patriot if I've ever heard one.

Christian Jones and Tripp are my guys.

 

[PP2]

Some call it not speaking. I call it improving our pass defense.

At a great expense to our run game, ability to intimidate, and enthusiasm for the game. Nobody fires up the D as much as he does.

Holding Spikes responsible for our pass D woes is way overrated.

I will not be happy to see him go.