Rodney Harrison = Takeo Spikes

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

I have been reading all the threads on why we should or should not make a run @ Takeo Spikes and they all make valid points.

As I think about this move, the one person that keeps popping into my head is Rodney Harrison.

Consider the things being said about Spikes as arguments for NOT signing him:

"What has this guy got left in the tank?"

"He was an impact player earlier in his career, but the past couple of years, he has fallen off..."

Etc. etc.

Just sounds like the same stuff people were saying about Rodney.

There is something about these older players that come to New England under Belichick and revive their careers (Harrison, Corey Dillon, Bryan Cox, Randy Moss) and I have no reason to believe Spikes could not do the same.

The guy is an impact player when he is "on his game" and with our holes at LB, why not take a shot at him?

 

[BritPat]

Agree with every word. We have nothing to lose, bar a few million $.

 

[BradyToMoss]

AT, Vrabel on the outside
Seward, Spikes, Bruschi on the inside in a rotation

Goff waiting in the wings

Our LB issue is resolved (with depth)

Not sure if TKO has scheduled any visits as of yet, but I hope his first one is here and BB doesn't let him leave the stadium.

 

[Watson's IQ]

I think and always have thought that Spikes is a great player. If they want to sign him, count me in.

That would certainly signal to me that we're likely to go CB with the #7 pick.

 

[Dfresh429]

Spikes was on Sirius NFL radio last night with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwin talking about his release and where he would like to go.

The asked him about his experience in the 3-4. He said he came into the league playing the weakside inside backer in the 3-4 under **** Lebeau back in Cincinnati and he would love to go back to that position. He also said he wants to play for not only a winner, but a team that is in serious contention for a superbowl. Ryan and Kirwin were saying how much of a perfect fit he would be for the Patriots and Spikes sounded excited at that prospect...though one thing that kind of raised a flag to me was he kept qualifying his desire to play with a winner with "though, the money has to be right".

Take that for what it is worth..

 

[upstater1]

Spikes was on Sirius NFL radio last night with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwin talking about his release and where he would like to go.

The asked him about his experience in the 3-4. He said he came into the league playing the weakside inside backer in the 3-4 under **** Lebeau back in Cincinnati and he would love to go back to that position. He also said he wants to play for not only a winner, but a team that is in serious contention for a superbowl. Ryan and Kirwin were saying how much of a perfect fit he would be for the Patriots and Spikes sounded excited at that prospect...though one thing that kind of raised a flag to me was he kept qualifying his desire to play with a winner with "though, the money has to be right".

Take that for what it is worth..

He went from a $5 million contract to being requested to take $2 million. So, we can assume that $3 million would be the ballpark for discussion.

During that interview (Ryan and Kirwan are awful by the way, horrible interview with Thomas Davis afterward, cajoling the guy to leave the Panthers and go to free agency) he mentioned he had already had a number of calls. The hosts mentioned the Patriots and Spikes said he could definitely see himself playing there, but then he kind of went out of his way to mention the Browns and Steelers in particular. I kind of guessed that those two teams had already called him.

 

[WhiZa]

I think it's a fair comparison. The fact they've seen him play a lot at buffalo would increase their interest as well. If the pats were to go after him I would expect them to wait a little while and let his value drop in hopes to pick him up for a rock bottom price.

 

[upstater1]

I think it's a fair comparison. The fact they've seen him play a lot at buffalo would increase their interest as well. If the pats were to go after him I would expect them to wait a little while and let his value drop in hopes to pick him up for a rock bottom price.

I think this is one of the guys you have to jump on here. If you're waiting for his price to drop more, you're talking about a difference in 100,000s not millions. He already said that he really likes and respects the Eagles, and he has a standing offer from them. So, you know his bottom line.

 

[WhiZa]

I think this is one of the guys you have to jump on here. If you're waiting for his price to drop more, you're talking about a difference in 100,000s not millions. He already said that he really likes and respects the Eagles, and he has a standing offer from them. So, you know his bottom line.

It really depends on how high you value you him. If we're talking about a rodney harrison comparison then you're not going to spend 5 million on a guy with question marks.

 

[Lampshade]

If the demands aren't too high, then sure, but Spikes sudden downturn in playmaking coincides a bit too nicely with his achilles problem, imo.

 

[Rob0729]

Although I would definitely be up for the Pats taking a look at Spikes and potentially getting a deal done, I hold no hopes that Spikes can be as much of an impactful player as Rodney was in 2003. He doesn't need to be. We need a solid guy who can make some plays.

Personally, I just don't think he is the same player he was prior to his achillies injury. He is still a solid player, but not an elite player. Rodney had one down year prior to coming to the Pats.

 

[NYCPatsFan]

Considering the impact that guys like Spikes, RH and Bruschi - 'old' but still having adequate speed, strength and more importantly, wisdom and experience - will have on any team's defense, it is a little bit disconcerting that their contracts are so small when compared to the astounding salaries of the top guys.

Makes it almost a no brainer just to sign them but then, I have more faith in our FO's abilities than my casual musings.

 

[Ring 6]

There is something I have a hard time being specific about that I dont like about Spikes.
I think my impression is that he thinks he is a lot better than he really is, and has made some head schratching comments along those lines.
It is only a gut instinct, but I get the feeling he is not a real good team player.

I also have reservations about the fact that he has never played on a team that won. He also has been identified as an impact guy who was supposed to be the reason he teams 'got over the top'.

Maybe he was the right guy in the wrong situation, maybe he was part of the problem rather than the answer for his underachievin gteams.

 

[Pats726]

There is something I have a hard time being specific about that I dont like about Spikes.
I think my impression is that he thinks he is a lot better than he really is, and has made some head schratching comments along those lines.
It is only a gut instinct, but I get the feeling he is not a real good team player.

I also have reservations about the fact that he has never played on a team that won. He also has been identified as an impact guy who was supposed to be the reason he teams 'got over the top'.

Maybe he was the right guy in the wrong situation, maybe he was part of the problem rather than the answer for his underachievin gteams.

You may be right..he did seem to talk about wishing to be ON a winning team..but the money was ALSO big in that mix..not sure he's the right fit..I'd rather the team go with a lesser known player..UNLESS they really believe he is the real deal...SO I will lean towards a Seward or someone like that..away from the BIG splash..leaving it up to the FO

 

[GPR11788]

I say sign him for between 3-4 million, this deal would be far better for our upcoming season than relying on young linebackers with no experience. BB has always tried to go get the smart veteran LB and he fits perfectly in the Pats defense. I am sure he would like to play for the patriots, and with him in the line up our linebacker situation would be pretty much solved.

Although I wish we had colvin, just imagine:

OLB- Roosevelt Colvin, Vrabel
ILB- Adalius Thomas, Takeo Spikes and Bruschi splitting time.

This would be a real good rotation, especially with Thomas flexibility to play outside. But even without Colvin it would be good with Bruschi and Spikes playing inside LB. Than we can just go out and add some depth through the draft.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

Has Junior Seau announced anything yet, like he's retiring or plans to come back or what?

 

[Ring 6]

You may be right..he did seem to talk about wishing to be ON a winning team..but the money was ALSO big in that mix..not sure he's the right fit..I'd rather the team go with a lesser known player..UNLESS they really believe he is the real deal...SO I will lean towards a Seward or someone like that..away from the BIG splash..leaving it up to the FO

Biggest rule of thumb in the free agency period. The bigger names you sign, the less you win.
Its obvious why. Big names have reputation, and you pay for reputation. The cardinal sin of free agency is to pay for what a player was, not what he will be for you.

 

[Fencer]

One concern about older players is injury.

It's a good thing that Rodney is way underpaid when he's healthy, because otherwise he'd be overpaid overall. Ditto Seau.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Colvin has already been cut. AD is best on the outside.
If Takeo would take a 1 year 3.5M prove it deal, and the Pats like him, I say bring in Spikes. I'm sure having a superbowl under his resume would boost his free agent stock even more the following year.

I say sign him for between 3-4 million, this deal would be far better for our upcoming season than relying on young linebackers with no experience. BB has always tried to go get the smart veteran LB and he fits perfectly in the Pats defense. I am sure he would like to play for the patriots, and with him in the line up our linebacker situation would be pretty much solved.

Although I wish we had colvin, just imagine:

OLB- Roosevelt Colvin, Vrabel
ILB- Adalius Thomas, Takeo Spikes and Bruschi splitting time.

This would be a real good rotation, especially with Thomas flexibility to play outside. But even without Colvin it would be good with Bruschi and Spikes playing inside LB. Than we can just go out and add some depth through the draft.

 

[cstjohn17]

I think it's a fair comparison. The fact they've seen him play a lot at buffalo would increase their interest as well. If the pats were to go after him I would expect them to wait a little while and let his value drop in hopes to pick him up for a rock bottom price.

I don't think it is fair, Harrison's injuries were not anywhere near as severe as Spikes. Rotator cuff surgery

means he won't be able to pitch off a mound for at least 5 months...

I put him and Kendrell Bell in the same pile, players who used to be ok but have been savaged by the constant pounding an NFL LB absorbs. Makes Seau even more of a freak. Keep both these guys and Colvin on speed dial until after the draft.

Plus 31 is way too young...


http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=2305
"his is a sudden change from their previous public stance that Spikes would return. The former Bengal and Bill is recovering from torn rotator cuff surgery and has been an average player since tearing his Achilles a few years back. Omar Gaither could move to the outside now."