Spikes off crutches, not sure about Camp

[Aßßynormal]

I missed this injury surgery from February. I wonder if this will affect the draft. Maybe an additional quality LB is a priority.


Patriots | Brandon Spikes feeling good

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:01:35 -0700

New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes (knee) said he is doing well in his rehab from offseason knee surgery but does not know if he will be ready for the start of training camp. Spikes is no longer using crutches and is not walking with a limp.
Comment (0) | Share: Tweet! Share on Facebook | Source: Boston Herald - Karen Guregian

Patriots | Brandon Spikes has surgery

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:01:52 -0800

New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes (knee) underwent a medical procedure on his right knee Tuesday, Feb. 21, according to a source familiar with the procedure. No further information about the surgery was available.
Comment (0) | Share: Tweet! Share on Facebook | Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss

Read more: Brandon Spikes, LB, New England Patriots

 

[woolster22]

Yes, upgrading the Ilb spot has been steadily becoming more if an apparent need:
-Misses four games of a season for, at a minimum, a stupid oversight.
-Seemingly bipolar (twitter.).
-Was already slow to start with, and if memory serves correctly, hasn't always kept himself in the greatest shape during the off season.
-"Porngate"
-Not very good against the pass, but can bring the lumber and knows the defense.
-I have a sneaking suspicion he will want to get paid when his rookie contract is up, don't see it happening here.

I wouldn't expect us to burn a second looking for his eventual replacement, but I do see us drafting someone in the later rounds (with a pick presumably picked up from the inevitable trade out). Draft should be interesting this year. Some might expect some moving around (down) similar to years past, and part of me wants to agree based on history alone. On the other hand, the offense is pretty well stacked as is (lineman or two in the draft would be my guess, maybe a late ST type wr), and the rest is spent on the defense.

 

[Fencer]

Yes, upgrading the Ilb spot has been steadily becoming more if an apparent need:
-Misses four games of a season for, at a minimum, a stupid oversight.
-Seemingly bipolar (twitter.).
-Was already slow to start with, and if memory serves correctly, hasn't always kept himself in the greatest shape during the off season.
-"Porngate"
-Not very good against the pass, but can bring the lumber and knows the defense.
-I have a sneaking suspicion he will want to get paid when his rookie contract is up, don't see it happening here.

I wouldn't expect us to burn a second looking for his eventual replacement, but I do see us drafting someone in the later rounds (with a pick presumably picked up from the inevitable trade out). Draft should be interesting this year. Some might expect some moving around (down) similar to years past, and part of me wants to agree based on history alone. On the other hand, the offense is pretty well stacked as is (lineman or two in the draft would be my guess, maybe a late ST type wr), and the rest is spent on the defense.

If social media cleverness were an important part of the job, Rich Ohrnberger would probably still be with the Patriots.

 

[Sciz]

If social media cleverness were an important part of the job, Rich Ohrnberger would probably still be with the Patriots.

And Belichick would be a completely lost cause. We could always take back Pete Carroll

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

His tweeting is beyond strange, but I wouldnt get rid of him over twitter.

ILB needs upgrading anyway. Unless you're one of those who feels spikes is the second coming of Ray Lewis

 

[Fencer]

First, I think it's bizarre to suggest that drafting of an ILB will be affected by the need for contribution the first half of the hypothetical draftee's rookie season.

Second, I think ILB is far from being a position of need, relative to many others.

 

[supafly]

His tweeting is beyond strange, but I wouldnt get rid of him over twitter.

ILB needs upgrading anyway. Unless you're one of those who feels spikes is the second coming of Ray Lewis

No, you got it all wrong...

MAYO is the second coming of Ray Lewis, remember?

Unless you're in the majority of the board members here who actually think his body of work is more accomplished than Ray Lewis.

 

[supafly]

First, I think it's bizarre to suggest that drafting of an ILB will be affected by the need for contribution the first half of the hypothetical draftee's rookie season.

Second, I think ILB is far from being a position of need, relative to many others.

I certainly think that most will agree that ILB is nowhere near a position of need.

That said, who knows what the mad genius feels about the situation?

One would think that an ILB core consisting of Mayo, Spikes, and Fletcher (and White) would be quite promising, but they all have their weaknesses.

I wouldn't expect it to be looked at too much, but then again, I wouldn't be surprised if Belichick made some sort of addition somewhere. I suppose it all depends on Spikes' potential to miss any time.

Your bottom line is right though, there are several other positions that need immediate addressing first.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

No, you got it all wrong...

MAYO is the second coming of Ray Lewis, remember?

Unless you're in the majority of the board members here who actually think his body of work is more accomplished than Ray Lewis.

I like Mayo, but until he learns to atleast deflect a pass thats coming right at him in the endzone, He's not Ray.....

Ive often thought our LBs were below average in coverage. Which is not a good thing in the pass happy nfl. IMHO

 

[mgteich]

Mayo and Spikes start.
====================================
Please list the backups if either is injured.

Please indicate the coverage abilities of our ILB's.

Please indicate which ILB's are on the field on passing downs.

For information in our analysis, pleas indicate how many games our top 3 ILB's have lost to injury in 2010 and 2011. This might be some indicator on how important backups are at this position.

I would note that Tracey White was a starter in the SB.
======================================
CONCLUSION QUESTIONS

1) How many ILB's are carrying that we expect to get significant reps at ILB. I say this to exclude emergency LB's like Larsen.

2) If we are satisfied for now and the future, then we have little need.

 

[WhiZa]

Yes, upgrading the Ilb spot has been steadily becoming more if an apparent need:
-Misses four games of a season for, at a minimum, a stupid oversight.
-Seemingly bipolar (twitter.).
-Was already slow to start with, and if memory serves correctly, hasn't always kept himself in the greatest shape during the off season.
-"Porngate"
-Not very good against the pass, but can bring the lumber and knows the defense.
-I have a sneaking suspicion he will want to get paid when his rookie contract is up, don't see it happening here.

Most of these are common rookie mistakes when they get into the spotlight. I wouldn't expect him to have the same issues going forward. If anything he is becoming a better player and a better person so instead of looking for a replacement I would rather the team continue to grow what they already have.

 

[patsfan13]

When you ook at the number of sub pkgs that we run that removes and LB and with Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher and WHite I don't see us drafting and ILB there are areas of much greater need on the D.

 

[Hudson Pats Fan]

Yes, upgrading the Ilb spot has been steadily becoming more if an apparent need:
-Misses four games of a season for, at a minimum, a stupid oversight.
-Seemingly bipolar (twitter.).
-Was already slow to start with, and if memory serves correctly, hasn't always kept himself in the greatest shape during the off season.
-"Porngate"
-Not very good against the pass, but can bring the lumber and knows the defense.
-I have a sneaking suspicion he will want to get paid when his rookie contract is up, don't see it happening here.

I wouldn't expect us to burn a second looking for his eventual replacement, but I do see us drafting someone in the later rounds (with a pick presumably picked up from the inevitable trade out). Draft should be interesting this year. Some might expect some moving around (down) similar to years past, and part of me wants to agree based on history alone. On the other hand, the offense is pretty well stacked as is (lineman or two in the draft would be my guess, maybe a late ST type wr), and the rest is spent on the defense.

In regards to Twitter...
Spikes is actually awesome on there. He responds to most fans. I tweeted to him that I was going to buy his jersey when Nike took over(30mins to go!) and he replied to me almost right away! A lot of athletes on there don't pay attention to their fans. I also think no one really gets his sense of humor and slang.

 

[JackBauer]

ILB needs upgrading anyway. Unless you're one of those who feels spikes is the second coming of Ray Lewis

So by your logic, ILB will always need upgrading unless we somehow land one of the best ever to play the position?

ILB needs depth at this point. Nothing more.

 

[woolster22]

Out of all the stuff I say people argue with the social media bit? Spikes is about spikes from the admittedly microscopic vantage point I have. Keep in mind that finding a similar attributed (cough*measurables*cough) Ilb can probably be done with a low(er) pick. the whole defense needs work from my vantage point (mayo and big Vince excluded). Granted they played alright at points, but they never truly dominated anyone start to finish. For whatever reason, t.o.p, mental break downs, they never really took the heat off the offense for a game. They never took the field, and dominated from opening possession in a low scoring game. And from this view point I would expect the draft to be spent on the defensive BPA, with a pick or two here and there for Scar Standouts.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

[supafly]

Out of all the stuff I say people argue with the social media bit? Spikes is about spikes from the admittedly microscopic vantage point I have. Keep in mind that finding a similar attributed (cough*measurables*cough) Ilb can probably be done with a low(er) pick. the whole defense needs work from my vantage point (mayo and big Vince excluded). Granted they played alright at points, but they never truly dominated anyone start to finish. For whatever reason, t.o.p, mental break downs, they never really took the heat off the offense for a game. They never took the field, and dominated from opening possession in a low scoring game. And from this view point I would expect the draft to be spent on the defensive BPA, with a pick or two here and there for Scar Standouts.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

I think we're tough up the middle, with Wilfork, Mayo/Spikes, and Chung. All are probowl worthy in some respect, and bring a physicality to the defense, especially up the middle.

The secondary has already been improved from last yr, with the addition of Dowling, a full season from Moore, Chung (missed 8 games). These are all players who did not play many games back there, and just the fact that they will be playing is a big positive.

We've also seen McCourty's ability to play FS if needed, that only happened at the end of the season. This is definitely a positive too on some level. It's certainly not a negative that he can play both anyway.

The addition of Allen, Gregory, and most importantly...the removal of Brown, Molden, and Ihedigbo from the field.

One/Two front 7 draft picks, and this defense can be well improved for sure.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

So by your logic, ILB will always need upgrading unless we somehow land one of the best ever to play the position?

ILB needs depth at this point. Nothing more.

Dont be a smarta** Jack.

Sure, Mayo Spikes and Fletcher is pretty good. I'd be satisfied with that going into the season, being that you cant have probowlers at every position. But when the game is on the line, and they're dropping into coverage, who do you feel confident about at MLB? I'd almost pick Fletcher, who I think will have a big year. So yep, if there's a chance to upgrade, i'd say they should. Against the run? no worries. Against the pass, i'm worried

 

[mgteich]

Tracey White

I'm fine with this plan. This is the "old" system: four ILB's, including a #4 who is primarily a special teamer.

HOWEVER, please understand that we are counting on Tracey White as a position linebacker, taking then role that Guyton once had. We are counting on White to start as needed, and as a pass defender.

AS ALWAYS, we should be looking for upgrades. In the alternative, we should be signing Fletcher and White to contract extensions.

When you ook at the number of sub pkgs that we run that removes and LB and with Mayo, Spikes, Fletcher and WHite I don't see us drafting and ILB there are areas of much greater need on the D.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Hopefully he is ready to go for the start of the season. He sucks in pass..but is very good against the run

 

[Aßßynormal]

When I said an additional quality LBer, I was thinking Weak and Strong primarily. I don't assume we are playing a 3-4 more than a third of the time. I think we'll field 2 or 3 LBers on a regular basis, with some like Scott being really just a DE. Spikes isn't (or is he?) fully adequate when we play any variation on the Monster defense (2 LBers) (4-2-5).

Having only two Quality LBers to play three standard positions (not 3-4 but W, M, S 4-3) makes us under-manned BEFORE we consider injuries. That's why I asked about drafting a standard LB (not a DE/OLB or a MLB) in the draft as a priority.