Not that all announcer’s clichés for players are correct, but for Brandon Spikes it is dead on. He is simply a great “football player”. Any lack of athleticism is made up for (and then some) by his ability to understand what is happening on the field. The tape on him consistently shows him moving to the right spot steps ahead of other linebackers. Plus, once he gets there he has enough strength and skill to shed blockers and stop a play in its tracks.

In just 364 snaps, Spikes registered 24 stops, percentage-wise the best on the Patriots and near the best in the league. His overall grade for 2010 was +18.6 (11th among all inside linebackers) and his grade against the run was +15.9 (8th best ILB.) He was at his best against Baltimore and Minnesota – two of his highest snap-count games – collecting 15 tackles, three assists, and eight stops in the two contests combined.

Spikes definitely excels against the run, but that isn’t necessarily to say that he struggles against the pass. His overall coverage grade was +2.7, with two passes defensed and a red zone interception against the Jets so there were bright spots in the 119 coverage snaps he saw. The Patriots don’t aim to use Spikes in passing situations, but he has shown himself as a passable option if needed. With that said, don’t expect to see him covering anyone man-to-man anytime soon.