What We've Learned: Brandon Spikes

[Ian]

Guyton is one of the better coverage linebackers on this team.

That's the impression I had. No one in the media talked about how Spikes looked in coverage, but considering most scouts said that Spikes wasn't good in coverage (Kontradiction may be able to answer this since he watched him play in Florida), I thought maybe that was behind the suggestion that Jeff Howe of NESN had regarding moving Spikes inside and Guyton outside, which was to better utilize Guyton's speed.

 

[Kontradiction]

That's the impression I had. No one in the media talked about how Spikes looked in coverage, but considering most scouts said that Spikes wasn't good in coverage (Kontradiction may be able to answer this since he watched him play in Florida), I thought maybe that was behind the suggestion that Jeff Howe of NESN had regarding moving Spikes inside and Guyton outside, which was to better utilize Guyton's speed.

Spikes could improve in coverage, but he certainly isn't bad at it. He had his fair share of interceptions for TD's at Florida. I also disagreed with the scouts about Hernandez's route running (they said it was a flaw, I disagreed) and so far in mini-camp, it's been his strength.

 

[Professor Frink]

McKenzie and Spikes have zero NFL snaps between the two of them which means one thing - it's Guyton's job to lose. It'll be his third year in the system as a young player that's received a considerably large amount of playing time for an undrafted rookie. Guyton has been thrown into literally the perfect situation to succeed and make a name for himself. If he can't step up within the first few games and show some signs of vast improvement, you go to a rotation. Until then, keep him out there with Mayo as much as possible. Unless of course MK and Spikes are LB gods that just haven't had the opportunity to play yet, but I doubt that at this moment. Hopefully in the near future though.

While I appreciate the uneasiness you have relying on unproven players, I think you are overstating it when you say McKenzie or Spikes would have to be "LB gods".

When Guyton is in the lineup he is at WILB, with Mayo playing SILB. McKenzie and Spikes offer the opportunity to slide Mayo over to the weak side, and enable him to use his athleticism to make more of an impact.

I believe the Patriots are fully expecting to reduce Guyton's playing time to around 40-45% of the snaps.