Linebackers

Mack Herron said:

I love the attitude and toughness Spikes brings and his strength inside. His lack of speed in coverage is part of the package though, and his overall value (and contract offer) will depend in part on the ability of the coaches to leverage his strengths while masking his limitations.

Click to expand...

A man's got to know his limitations.
But this never happens when a player wants a new contract.

I'm on the fence about our linebackers. They're very good, but to be a top unit, they have to make the leap I think they can make this year (particularly with Kelly next to Wilfork in front of them).

There are lots of good LB corps in the league - Denver's group looked pretty good the other night, for example. But I think Mayo is a top linebacker, Hightower WILL BE a top linebacker, Spikes is a beast (I've heard "insiders" say opposing offensive lines hate him because of how hard he brings his charge - he wears them out), and Collins has a chance to be very good as the missing piece.

Proof is in the pie. Let's see what they bring to the field this year. I'm optimistic - thought Hightower looked very good in PS.

I think I should expand on my snarky comment from before:

I am one of the people who think Mayo is overrated. It could just be because he has played in a bad defense for a few years, but I've never seen him as a game changer. I have a suspicion that his career may end up being reminiscent of London Fletcher: a guy who is pretty solid, racks up a lot of tackles, but not a guy who the offense has to design a game plan around.

I actually think Spikes is really underrated for just how devastating he is between the tackles, but he is useless in coverage. It is painful to watch him stagger after TEs and backs in the flats.

I think Hightower has the chance to be the best of all our linebackers, if he continues to develop. He is more athletic than Spikes, while retaining Spikes' high motor and intensity.

If Collins can be the sub-package coverage guy that we all hope he can be, to cover up Spikes' liabilities in that area, then we shall see.

(Of course this is all for nothing if the secondary is continued to be made of four slices of buttered toast, and the line can't get a pass rush)

Bills may be a test of our cover LBs ability if they have the rookie QB take the easy throw (OK, except for Bledsoe) short passes and dumps to the talented RB. We'll see how they do. Some defensive plays will not be pretty.