Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork Cut

[Ian]

A couple of articles that popped up, didn't see any threads on them:

Brandon Spikes feels that he and the New England Patriots could 'benefit from a fresh start'
Brandon Spikes feels that he and the New England Patriots could 'benefit from a fresh start' | masslive.com

Brandon Spikes would be shocked if the New England Patriots release Vince Wilfork
Brandon Spikes would be shocked if the New England Patriots release Vince Wilfork | masslive.com

This at least more or less confirms he's done here.

 

[Brady6]

Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wil...

A couple of articles that popped up, didn't see any threads on them:



Brandon Spikes feels that he and the New England Patriots could 'benefit from a fresh start'

Brandon Spikes feels that he and the New England Patriots could 'benefit from a fresh start' | masslive.com



Brandon Spikes would be shocked if the New England Patriots release Vince Wilfork

Brandon Spikes would be shocked if the New England Patriots release Vince Wilfork | masslive.com



This at least more or less confirms he's done here.

Brandon Spikes should play for a team in the south, he struggles against the snow.

Good luck to the big fella. If he matures his next team could end up with a stud.

 

[PatsFans.com Article]

Spikes and Patriots Seemingly Ready to Part Ways, Says Both Will Benefit from 'Fresh

Spikes and Patriots Seemingly Ready to Part Ways, Says Both Will Benefit from 'Fresh Start'
By:

After recent reports that neither he or the Patriots have been speaking to one another on a new contract, Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes sounds like he's ready to make a change this offseason....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[OhExaulted1]

Re: Spikes and Patriots Seemingly Ready to Part Ways, Says Both Will Benefit from 'Fr

Spikes and Patriots Seemingly Ready to Part Ways, Says Both Will Benefit from 'Fresh Start'
By:

After recent reports that neither he or the Patriots have been speaking to one another on a new contract, Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes sounds like he's ready to make a change this offseason....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

He also touts himself as a captain and a team leader. Last I checked you don't elect yourself, you get elected by your peers. I prefer captains and team leaders that are a little more humble.

Good luck to him wherever he goes, unless it's an AFC East team.

 

[Hael]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

He's a great player, and its sad to see him go. I think our combo of Mayo, Spikes, Hightower and Collins was right up there with the best lb cores in the NFL. Versatile, mean and stout. I just wish we had been a little less banged up to see it in full gear (some of the early games last season were just downright dominant, like 49er level dominant)

We just can't afford him, and while he's underrated on third down, his speed will always be a problem in coverage.

 

[SalemPats]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I think Spikes improved his play over the years, i could see him being a good fit for a team that needs a phsyical LB who can play the run well. Unfortunately Collins and his contract made him expendable.

I hope he's right about Wilfork

 

[RobAllan]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

He's one of my favorite current players and I think it's a huge loss. I do wish him luck, though. I hope he doesn't land in AFCE.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

We all knew after the whole injury fiasco..he wouldn't be back. Just don't go to the jets or broncos..thanks

 

[hwc]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

Unfortunately Collins and his contract made him expendable.

Blowing off the Patriots off-season conditioning program last year made him expendable.

 

[Deus Irae]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I think Spikes improved his play over the years, i could see him being a good fit for a team that needs a phsyical LB who can play the run well. Unfortunately Collins and his contract made him expendable.

I hope he's right about Wilfork

Collins made Spikes so expendable that they had Spikes playing 44 snaps on one leg in dangerous snow conditions.

Seriously, the Collins stuff has to got stop, or at least come down to somewhere nearing reality. Collins was getting Mayo's time, because Mayo was on the shelf. Spikes ended up playing just under 60% of the snaps, and Collins played just under 26% of the snaps. Even with all the time Mayo missed, he ended up having played more snaps (35%) than Collins.

Spikes is "expendable" because he's not great in coverage and because there's something between him and the Patriots. He's not expendable because Collins had a good game against the Colts.

 

[Joker]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

Collins had coverage responsibilities as well as some gap coverage when he was in there at the end of the season...comparing him to Spikes is apples/oranges.

 

[fnordcircle]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I just loathe the idea of Spikes going to Baltimore and being a less murdery version of Ray Lewis.

 

[Sciz]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

My guess is that he'll end up in Buffalo. Alonso played really well at MLB, but there's been talk that he could be better at WLB with a thumper next to him. Then there's also the Pepper Johnson connection. Sounds like he was one of Spikes' few supporters with the Pats recently.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I just loathe the idea of Spikes going to Baltimore and being a less murdery version of Ray Lewis.

he was not even half as good as Mayo he would never be as good a Lewis, but I could see him having a few good seasons in Houston. Romeo Crennel could use a ILB for his 3-4 defense

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

Spikes said "You never want to burn a bridge............But I just feel like both sides could benefit from a fresh start.". Considering, at least according to the media, there was a significant level of Team Spikes vs Team Patriots contention surrounding Spikes being IR'd and all but being given his walking papers by the media, it's nice to see him be professional about the parting of ways.

Some may say it's not genuine, that it's rehearsed-Agent inspired PR speak. Eh, I don't see the need to view it dubiously. So he earns kudo-respect points for making the 'divorce' public in the right way. And when he isn't playing the Patriots or in a game that has meaning for the Patriots, I wish him the best on and off the field (unless he signs with the Jets -- in which case I hope he trips over his friggin shoelaces on every play he is involved in )

 

[goheels22002]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I just loathe the idea of Spikes going to Baltimore and being a less murdery version of Ray Lewis.

Spikes doesn't have Lewis' or Mayo's ability to read an offense, nor drop into coverage. He's a terrific thumper when healthy but is not going to be the leader of a linebacking corps.

Spikes also hasn't shown the discipline to stay off social media and be the veteran you want mentoring the new guys. That can change, of course, with a new environment.

I wish him well in his travels, but am not worried that he's going to turn into an all-pro linebacker.

He's replaceable. Brandon Spikes: 6'2" 255, Michael Sam: 6'2" 260. (Prediction: Sam will be selected by the Pats in the 2nd round.)

 

[MassPats38]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I just loathe the idea of Spikes going to Baltimore and being a less murdery version of Ray Lewis.

I like Spikes for his physical play, but I view him as a lesser version of Ted Johnson. Lewis could run all over the field with speed and didn't miss tackles. Unless Spikes suddenly finds speed, I wouldn't worry about comparisons to Lewis.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

Spikes doesn't have Lewis' or Mayo's ability to read an offense, nor drop into coverage. He's a terrific thumper when healthy but is not going to be the leader of a linebacking corps.

Spikes also hasn't shown the discipline to stay off social media and be the veteran you want mentoring the new guys. That can change, of course, with a new environment.

I wish him well in his travels, but am not worried that he's going to turn into an all-pro linebacker.

He's replaceable. Brandon Spikes: 6'2" 255, Michael Sam: 6'2" 260. (Prediction: Sam will be selected by the Pats in the 2nd round.)

You haven't been following the combine and the draft much, have you? Sam was being projected as a third or fourth rounder before his absolutely miserable combine. I wouldn't take Sam because there was nothing about him from a football standpoint that impressed me.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Re: Spikes feels that he & Pats could 'benefit from a fresh start', Can't see Wilfork

I just loathe the idea of Spikes going to Baltimore and being a less murdery version of Ray Lewis.

Rationalize it this way. Maybe we just don't know...