Re: Lofa Tatupu is about to be released.
I like Spikes as a player, but he has his weaknesses. I like the physicality, leadership, emotion, and swagger he brings to the defense, and he's pretty good at taking on lineman, but he's more suited for a 3-4 defense in the NFL.
If we are going to play more 4-3 this year, Spikes will be exposed. Playing MLB in a 4-3 in college is way different than the NFL, even if he played in the SEC.
I don't know about Tatupu's injury status/history or how he played last year, but I remember him being an absolute force a few years ago in a few games I saw. He had a ton of tackles and seemed like a really smart player.
I remember the announcers talking about how he was very studious and disciplined in preparation for games and how he often knew what play the opponent was running based on the down/distance and the formation they came out with. Seemed like he was the QB of that defense because I remember him calling a lot of audibles based on what the offense was doing.
Always thought he'd be a great fit in NE. Seems like a Belichick-type of LB. A guy that sees the game in ways other LB's don't. A guy that can read and react better than most. A guy Belichick can rely on to be a coach-on-the-field like Bruschi/Vrabel/McGinest were.
There's no reason to not take a shot on this guy. He's probably not going to get a huge deal from anyone. Give him a one year deal like Bodden and see how it goes. Low risk, high reward. If it doesn't work out, no big deal. When healthy, he's probably better than all of our LB's besides Mayo.
A front 7 with Wilfork, Haynesworth, Cunningham, Mayo, Spikes, and a healthy Tatupu would be the best front 7 we've had since the core front 7 from the championship years broke up after 08.
