Archives for February 1, 2012

While traditional thinking dictates that on third down and other passing situations, you need to remove one of your linebackers in favor of an extra defensive back (or a speedy linebacker), Johnson believes Spikes is doing a great job discrediting the idea that a big thumper can’t be on the field in those situations. “He takes away from that stereotype of that big inside linebacker who can’t play on third down. He plays on third down,” Johnson said. “If you want a football player on the field, you’re going to find a way to keep him on the field. “I remember one day just in joking, [Bill] Parcells really was messing with me when I was with the Jets,” he added. “He knew I was mad that he was taking me off the field on third down. He said ‘If Dick Butkus played today, he wouldn’t play on third down.’ I said ‘BS. You’d figure out a way to keep Butkus on the field.’ He smirked. He laughed and kind of agreed, and said, ‘It’s just so hard.’ I said ‘It’s not hard. You have a guy who is a field general out on the field, you’re going to keep him out there.’ “Not to get on that for a long time, but that’s what Brandon brings to the field. He’s a field general you want out there, and it’s our job to figure out ways to keep him out there.”

https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-brandon-spikes-8/