Sign the Beast IV: Brandon Spikes?

Rob0729 · Feb 23, 2015

He is a run down specialist. The Pats don't need him. I don't think they even need him for setting the ton for aggressiveness anymore either.

I think Buffalo will go hard after David Harris, but if they don't get him, Rex may have him back.

hwc · Feb 23, 2015

I don't think signing one-dimensional run stopping free agent LBs is really high on BB's to-do list right now. He seems to be moving towards faster, more athletic LBs who can play in the passing game in what is really a 4-2-5 defense as the base package.

fnordcircle · Feb 23, 2015

Rob0729 said:
I think Buffalo will go hard after David Harris, but if they don't get him, Rex may have him back.

Mind your pronouns son!

BelizePats · Feb 23, 2015

rookBoston said:
I suspect BB was secretly glad to see him leave. Played well on the field, but his leadership intangibles weren't the best. And, frankly, our LB unit flourished after Spikes left. I don't think he's missed in Foxboro.

These last two years, Belichick has been effusive about his team, the way they prepare, the way they study, the way they take coaching. I always felt that Spikes was on the wrong side of that conversation, with regard to playing the Patriots' Way. He was productive on the field, but he always chafed against the culture. Plugging Hightower into the "Ted Johnson" run stuffer role and watching Spikes walk away solved a lot of problems for the D, in my opinion.

The matter of "culture fit" is also an important consideration for fans who are hoping to see Mayo cut or traded. I just don't see that as likely, given that Mayo is an important vehicle for teaching the Patriots' Way. Hell, Mayo was still leading the D at the SB in street clothes. BB will pay a lot of money to have that guy in his locker room.

This is one of the best posts I have read in a long time. Thank you!

Hael · Feb 23, 2015

He definitely isn't a culture fit, but lets be clear, he's a heck of a football player. Lack of speed made for a few embarrasing mismatches, but he made plays in the passing game b/c of his great instincts and ball handling skills even if he could be exposed at times.

As for his run stuffing abilities. Yea, he's not Luke Kuechly but he is upper echelon level run stuffer in the NFL. Definitely in the top 15 ILB in the league in that regard.

We couldn't afford him as a backup lb, he's way too good for that role.

Steve102 · Feb 23, 2015

No way he comes back.

mgteich · Feb 23, 2015

cstjohn17 said:
Sorry, another obligatory this guy is a free agent sign this guy now thread...

I always liked this guy in a limited role, he is likely the best run stuffing ILB in the league. Lets hope he doesn't have to cover anyone. With injuries to Mayo and Hightower I would give him a shot (if the money was right).

From ESPN Boston
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4778403/following-up-on-brandon-spikes

To paraphrase another ex-patriot, there are 31 teams that Spikes might sign for and the list does not include the patriots.

meatface · Feb 23, 2015

varjao said:
I thought signed a 2 year deal with the Bills.

nope, 1 year deal and they already said they probably wont bring him back

meatface · Feb 23, 2015

Considering he would likely be cheap it wouldn't be the worst signing, but he wont want to come here if just for the lack of playing time.

patsfan-1982 · Feb 23, 2015

16 games 10 starts 54 tackles 0 sacks 0 INT's his stat line is not good a nuff to get him a big contract and the bills have a ton of cap space so I don't see way he would not be back with them unless they don't want him but he will never be a patriot again

blackglass3 · Feb 23, 2015

I liked Spikes, but its a pass happy league and he's a run stuffer. Its just not a good fit.

But hey, Chung seemed highly unlikely to come back. He did, and he flourished. Maybe surrounded with Hightower, Collins, and Mayo will make Spikes look a lot better like McCourty, Revis, and Browner did for Chung.

Schmo · Feb 24, 2015

We would have to start playing a lot of 3-3-5 nickel, so he can sit in the middle of the field and we can have 5 corners to make up for his lack of coverage. With the guys we have to sign, signing spikes would be a huge f'up.

hwc · Feb 24, 2015

Hael said:
He definitely isn't a culture fit, but lets be clear, he's a heck of a football player. Lack of speed made for a few embarrasing mismatches, but he made plays in the passing game b/c of his great instincts and ball handling skills even if he could be exposed at times.

As for his run stuffing abilities. Yea, he's not Luke Kuechly but he is upper echelon level run stuffer in the NFL. Definitely in the top 15 ILB in the league in that regard.

We couldn't afford him as a backup lb, he's way too good for that role.

It's funny. If he's so great, you'd think he'd be able to get on the field a little more in New England and then Buffalo.

ausbacker · Feb 24, 2015

I've seen statues move faster than Brandon Spikes.

During his time with the Patriots, I personally loved his physicality but he's a one trick pony and doesn't strike me as an elite, football brain. I'm comfortable with the pairing of Collins and Hightower with a returning Mayo.

The 4-2-5 formations etc. place a premium on the LBers being incredible players and the Super Bowl showed us the importance of the DL and 3rd, 4th and 5th DBs. I say it's more critical to continue to build low cost, impact depth on all three levels.

rochrist · Feb 24, 2015

Do not want.

rochrist · Feb 24, 2015

Hael said:
He definitely isn't a culture fit, but lets be clear, he's a heck of a football player. Lack of speed made for a few embarrasing mismatches, but he made plays in the passing game b/c of his great instincts and ball handling skills even if he could be exposed at times.

As for his run stuffing abilities. Yea, he's not Luke Kuechly but he is upper echelon level run stuffer in the NFL. Definitely in the top 15 ILB in the league in that regard.

We couldn't afford him as a backup lb, he's way too good for that role.

If he's so great, why couldn't he get on the field anywhere near as often as he did in his last year here (when he was, in fact, injured). He didn't even play half the snaps in Buffalo.

rochrist · Feb 24, 2015

patsfan-1982 said:
16 games 10 starts 54 tackles 0 sacks 0 INT's his stat line is not good a nuff to get him a big contract and the bills have a ton of cap space so I don't see way he would not be back with them unless they don't want him but he will never be a patriot again

They don't want him.

Wheelman · Feb 24, 2015

Spikes was nice until teams started baiting him up field on running plays and clearing him out of the play. On passing plays he was susceptible to anything where the player he's covering was moving laterally. If it was vertical his instincts and size often helped him and he was able to break up passes. It's a shame because he has great instincts. His lack of speed is a real killer.

It's a no for me.

DarrylS · Feb 24, 2015

I do not want him back, he is too slow for this very fast defense, his limited skills are difficult to justify the amount of money he wants.. in Buffalo he only played on 46% of the defensive snaps... so how many would he get here.

He would be a better fit on a team that has really weak LB's.... imo even that is risky.

Steve102 · Feb 24, 2015

DarrylS said:
I do not want him back, he is too slow for this very fast defense, his limited skills are difficult to justify the amount of money he wants.. in Buffalo he only played on 46% of the defensive snaps... so how many would he get here.

He would be a better fit on a team that has really weak LB's.... imo even that is risky.

I will wager he'll find a limited market for his services. He couldn't latch on in Buffalo. I'm going to suspect the word is out that he's limited by lack of speed and smarts to even the teams that don't scout personnel to the levels they do NE. *cough cough chatroroullette or whatever cough cough* Too bad, really, I loved the guys swagger and 'tude he brought here.

He's probably a good fit for some knucklehead like Dan Snyder.

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