lol wut
only stat mcclain is noticeably better is sacks. spikes has 5 times as many forced fumbles, same interceptions similar tackle numbers and thats even before you count draft position into the bust equation
I just posted about 4-5 different categories that McClain was better at in the other thread a couple of weeks ago, but I suppose you're going to make me do it again...by the way, how is comparing 175 tackles to 125 "similar?" That's an enormous difference.
Keep in mind they were drafted the same year, and play the same position, which is why the comparison was started in the first place. One was drafted in the first round, the other in the second round, so their draft placement really shouldn't be that much of a factor. The bottom line is that there are plenty of other reasons that I listed in the post above yours, but if you want a clear cut comparison in some key statistics, here it is. As you said, the one category that Spikes is ahead is forced fumbles where he leads by three :
1. Games played
McClain (41) started (38)--------- Spikes (35) started (28) McClain has started 10 more games when drafted in the same year than Spikes which shows a tendency to be much less injury prone
2. Sacks
McClain (6.5) Spikes (1) McClain has 6.5x as many sacks, unless you figure that having one sack as a 2nd round draft choice is some great accomplishment
3. Tackles
McClain (175) Spikes (125) This one was the most glaring for me...a huge difference
4. Passes defended
McClain (17) Spikes (12) For playing the same position, we clearly have seen Spikes' lack of speed and tendency to be only a 2 down player in this stat too
You may not find games played/started, sacks, passes defended, or actual enormous difference in number of tackles as "important" stats, but I sure do....
Again, I'm not saying that Spikes won't be here due to not living up to the great bar set by jack *** McClain, but I am including the comparison as one more
on the field aspect for comparitive measures only. Spikes has given the team plenty of other reasons
off the field. As I said, I chose McClain due to their same drafting class, their ILB designation, their similarity in draft round position, and most importantly....the fact that so many here feel McClain sucks.
I think he's rather overrated on this forum by many fans due to a ton of reasons, but we'll have to see how Belichick feels in the offseason.
Until then, we can enjoy what Spikes brings to the field as far as being a great run stopper, and a physical presence for our defense (although hitting the opposing player "hard" is kind of something that you're
supposed to do when playing defense, Spikes seems to do it better than most)