Brandon Spikes Thread

[MrNathanDrake]

Okay, I called Cunningham a future bust, but on a more positive note: Brandon Spikes will beast in our system.

He's good in coverage, has good hands, smart, Great size, leader with a winning mentality.

Spikes will take over Guyton's eventually.

So he ran a 5.00 40. Big deal. That never stopped him from decleating Knowsean Moreno. And even though he's not a sideline to sideline LB. Mayo is. That will be Mayos role on our D. Spikes is however bigger, more vocal, and better at reading Qbs. I expect him to be a better LEADER than any of our recent picks (meriweather, mayo, butler, etc.)

What do you guys think of this pick?

 

[wilfork is beastin']

I thought he was a great pick. I was getting nervous during the 2nd round when the run on LBs started and was thrilled when we got him. He has the leadeship skills and production that you want in a LB and can bring that nasty edge to the defense that we've been looking for for years. Hopefully he can make an impact his rookie year.

 

[MaineMan]

Synopsis/paraphrase of observations from various sources:

POSITIVES:

Generally good, patient, high-instinct read/react guy with good play recognition/coverage skills. Covers screens and TEs well and is okay covering slot guys.

Early play recognition/instincts, especially against the pass, helps compensate for his relative lack of raw speed by allowing him to anticipate where to be (good "football speed").

Aggressive with some explosiveness to the LoS despite lack of long speed. Has a few moves to get by guards and tackles.

A thumper who never gives up on a play.

Very high-character/hard-working team player with a high football IQ. Excellent, vocal defensive leader.


NEGATIVES:

Sometimes takes on blockers pre-maturely and plays high/off-balance, but notably improved his leverage and hand techniques as a Senior allowing him to disengage with better consistency.

Sometimes takes false steps, gambles, over-pursues and takes bad angles, resulting in many attempts to make arm tackles.

OVERALL:

Solid inside guy who is also capable of playing outside on passing downs and setting the edge on running plays and squashing screens. Playing outside may also mediate his over-pursuit/bad angle tendencies and leverage his pass-rush.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

This may be true but how many times a game does he have to run 40 yards to make a play?? He has instincts which you can not teach just like speed so I am ecstatic to have a great player who will make a difference right away for our defense with this pick.

Yes he is going to start as a two down LB but after watching the playoff game last year his presence would improve our defense from day one. How fast did Ted Johnson run?? When we had a sick defense during our SB run we needed a thumper in the middle and I hope we got our man in Spikes....in the middle of the draft for little money made this pick a no brainer for me.

 

[MaineMan]

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

Not sure where you're getting that. The majority of numerous different observers was that he's very good in coverage and has a little pass rush. His weaknesses appear to be sideline-to-sideline play and engaging too soon (also one of Guyton's issues). IIRC, he didn't run at the Combine to avoid re-aggravating an injury and it was still bothering him at his Pro Day, so he may be a bit faster than the 5.05 he ran in mid-March. He certainly plays faster than that on tape.

I'm no huge Spikes fan and had several other guys ranked ahead of him on my board (most of whom ended up going to the Iggles, damn them!). But, I think Spikes at least fits the scheme well and has some distinctive value and upside.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

It obvious. He was thinking 4.4 Yards per Carry, by the opponents, in 2009. Time for a big SILB.

It might have been a problem, but the rebuilt ILB crew is now complete with youngsters Mayo, Guyton, MacKenzie and Spikes; and you can afford to carry a two-down run stuffer specialist, as the final piece. I always recall Tedy's observation that it wasn't hard for him to move inside and play ILB. " He said: "... You just go to where the hole IS GOING TO BE, and tackle the runner when he gets there....". simple isn't it?

 

[stinkypete]

Spikes was my favorite pick of the draft. We've waited 5 years for the team to replace Ted Johnson, how he has been replaced.

I think Spikes is what the defense has most sorely needed, a big, tough LB that opponents will hesitate before running at, a physical hitter and a character guy. Potentially, the void of toughness and leadership in this defense has been filled.

 

[MaineMan]

It obvious. He was thinking 4.4 Yards per Carry, by the opponents, in 2009. Time for a big SILB.

It might have been a problem, but the rebuilt ILB crew is now complete with youngsters Mayo, Guyton, MacKenzie and Spikes; and you can afford to carry a two-down run stuffer specialist, as the final piece. I always recall Tedy's observation that it wasn't hard for him to move inside and play ILB. " He said: "... You just go to where the hole IS GOING TO BE, and tackle the runner when he gets there....". simple isn't it?

That's the way Seau did it. And it kept him among the top LBs until well after he'd lost anything even approaching 5.05 speed.

There were a couple of times in '08 that I saw him stand perfectly still for a half-second after the snap and then practically walk toward the LoS, which parted like the Red Sea before Moses, and, ultimately, nail the RB two yards deep in the backfield without ever having even been brushed by a blocker.

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

Based on seeing him play on TV I think he can run about as well as McKenzie but with better quickness.

 

[Nonentity]

It's a simple job really


I'd love to know Spikes' short shuttle time, but it looks like he didn't run the drill at either the Combine or his Pro Day. Shame.

 

[Brady_Moss]

Just think last year, Brandon Spikes could have been a top 5 or top 10 player in the draft. And now we have just picked him up late in the 2nd round!!!

He's gonna be a fantastic player on our defense this year. He fits evrything that was missing in our SILB corps for the past 5 years and Mckenzie might even be a bonus, if he comes in and play well this season.

This pick also makes the McCoutry pick looks perfect. And im even gonna go all out and say that either Spikes or McCoutry will be the 2010 rookie defensive player of the year!!!

 

[State]

Spikes might have trouble pushing McKenzie out of the way. The latter guy has better athleticism and, unlike Guyton, is a very productive player. I hope McKenzie's health is good this year, it was really bad luck for him last year.

Spikes reminds me of Bryan Cox. Vocal, a leader, good instincts. One play he decleats a guy the next he can't put himself in position to cover the TE or make the tackle in the open field.

His lack of running speed will definitely show up at times.

 

[Yorkshire Patriot]

I think he's a great pick, I love how he plays, I love his passion, I love his emotion, and I love him on the Patriots. New England needed a guy like this - they don't have it anymore in Bruschi, they lost it when Rodney left, and now they have it back.

 

[bakes781]

Spikes reminds me of Bryan Cox. Vocal, a leader, good instincts. One play he decleats a guy the next he can't put himself in position to cover the TE or make the tackle in the open field.

Yeah that's exactly who I was thinking as well. I think the intangibles will far outweigh the lack of speed.

 

[JMarr]

I love this pick. With one fell swoop, BB just upgraded the entire LB problem about 100%

Spikes is the perfect guy to plug in next to Mayo. . Now Guyton can [hopefully] slide outside where he's better suited.

I totally disagree that Spike can only be a two down player. Maybe someone knowledgable like jays can set me straight, but i believe lack of 40 yard straight line speed means next to nothing for an ILB.

Granted, asking him to be able to cover TEs or RBs with blazing speed wouldn't be wise, but 99.9% of the time an ILB doesn't have to run 40 yards down the field.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Spikes might have trouble pushing McKenzie out of the way. The latter guy has better athleticism and, unlike Guyton, is a very productive player. I hope McKenzie's health is good this year, it was really bad luck for him last year.


When you describe the "latter guy" I'm assuming you mean McKenzie? How is McKenzie a more productive player than Guyton? Guyton has played far more downs and contributed much more in NFL games to McKenzie's 0 games played.

I hope for McKenzie and Crables health to be good just like every other Patriot fan, but I'm certainly not going to disrespect a player for a guy who hasn't played a down in a single NFL game.

 

[MrTibbs]

Okay, I called Cunningham a future bust, but on a more positive note: Brandon Spikes will beast in our system.

He's good in coverage, has good hands, smart, Great size, leader with a winning mentality.

Spikes will take over Guyton's eventually.

So he ran a 5.00 40. Big deal. That never stopped him from decleating Knowsean Moreno. And even though he's not a sideline to sideline LB. Mayo is. That will be Mayos role on our D. Spikes is however bigger, more vocal, and better at reading Qbs. I expect him to be a better LEADER than any of our recent picks (meriweather, mayo, butler, etc.)

What do you guys think of this pick?

Instant fan favorite..........Dayum the Patriots needed a boost like this kid. We haven't had a physical go get em guy since Harrison, Vrabel and Cox.

Watch this video and tell me this doesn't make you want to put on pads and run through a wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4KJUEdN3T8&feature=player_embedded

 

[patchick]

YouTube - Brandon Spikes

Yep. On balance, this wasn't just a draft, it was a complete attitude transfusion.

 

[MrTibbs]

Bottom line: Spikes is slower than dirt and can only be used on first and second downs, then it is back to Guyton for obvious passing situations.

Why did BB draft a kid that can barely outrun Mt. Cody? What was BB thinking?

Yeah like Bruschi, Vrabel, Ted Johnson and Rodney Harrison were all burners as well. It's about recognition and football instincts. This dude has them.