PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

Brandon Spikes

Unlikely reunion with Brandon Spikes blows up on New England Patriots – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN

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Unlikely reunion with Brandon Spikes blows up on New England Patriots – New England Patriots Blog – ESPN

Well that’s that then. I was excited to have Spikes back and really thought he was a solid addition given the uncertainty of Mayo and Hightower. Still, it seems clear Spikes wasn’t quite the changed man he said he was last week and it’s probably better for this to happen now than in the middle of the season. 

In what feels like deja vu, Dane Fletcher now looks in line to get significant snaps with the top defense until Hightower and Mayo can return. Like Spikes, I always liked Fletcher, obviously he’s not the power run stopper Spikes is, but he comes downhill hard, tackles well and is definitely better in space than Spikes was.

In 2013 Fletcher found himself playing a lot of linebacker in the Pats all0coverage dime package, this time he might not come off the field early in the season.

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I needed that separation,” he said. “I needed to just go see. I have to say, I was somewhat of a spoiled brat. I hadn’t lost many games since I was in high school, college. Coming here, we saw the playoffs every year, and it just made me look at things totally different, being on the outside, watching those guys.

Brandon Spikes happy to be back with Patriots – Sports – The Boston Globe

https://www.patspropaganda.com/i-needed-that-separation-he-said-i-needed-to/

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https://www.patspropaganda.com/2187/

PatsPosits: Spikes is back

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I know Brandon Spikes is somewhat of a polarizing figure in Patriots Nation, mostly because of his “four years a slave” tweet after leaving New England last year. Personally I never really held it against him. New England is certainly not an easy place to play and isn’t for everyone. Spikes always struck me as a guy who would say what was on his mind, but also with a slightly off-center twist and I filed those comments as such.

What I’ve always been consistent on is that Spikes is a superlative run-stopping linebacker. I wanted to retain him last year because simply put, Spikes is better at one thing that just about anyone else on the defense.

Now I know the knocks on Spikes and he’s never going to be a third down linebacker, running with tight ends and running backs across the flat. But there are ways around that, especially if Collins and Mayo are healthy. Might he get exposed by some early down play action? Sure, but I’ll take the tradeoff for the attitude and heavy downhill play against the run that he does bring.

The Patriots defense want to be able to play any kind of game, to morph into whatever defense is necessary, and the one defense they didn’t quite have without Spikes is one that can make consistent plays in the run game behind the line of scrimmage.

I feel like I hit on these stats every week, but once again they were the worst team in the league on third or fourth down with two or less yards to go. 81 percent of the time they gave up a first down. That is a huge weakness when you realize those are blown chances to get a stop and get off the field.

Spikes instantly helps in that area and the impact will be significant.

Add in the attitude and the on-field presence Spikes bring and I can’t help but look forward to that edge returning. Ninkovich had this to say about Spikes’ trash talk:

“Clever, cruel, all of the above,” Ninkovich said. “It’s entertaining for me. I always enjoy it.”

Here’s the updated depth chart on defense as Chimdi Chekwa was released to make room for Spikes. Roster currently is at 90.

Brandon Spikes: Fresh start best for both sides – ESPN

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Brandon Spikes: Fresh start best for both sides – ESPN

Probably for the best and I can’t say anything bad about Spikes. I enjoyed the heck out of watching him play. He brought such a ferocity to the middle of the defense and that will not easily be replaced.

He was just what the Pats needed in 2010 after getting run all over by the Ravens in the 2009 playoff game. He made an instant impact as a rookie.

His injury issues were fairly consistent unfortunately, that’s part of the deal when you play like he does. Was he a target in the passing game? Sure. But we also can’t forget his interception in the 2011 AFC Championship game and that he had a fair number of passes defenses in 2012.

Is he an elite three-down linebacker? No, but what he does well he does better than almost anyone else in the NFL.

WIsh Spikes the best and thank him for all the huge hits and #PowWwwWs. Hopefully he doesn’t end up with Pepper in Buffalo. I know me, RIdley and Vereen don’t feel like seeing him twice a year blowing up our running game.

Without Brandon Spikes: Charting the Response of the Patriots Linebackers | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2014 NFL Draft

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Without Brandon Spikes: Charting the Response of the Patriots Linebackers | NEPatriotsDraft.com – 2014 NFL Draft

Good stuff from Oliver Thomas. I think we’ll see the Pats mostly in nickel this weekend where they can minimize the impact of losing Spikes. Still, if we thought the run defense was bad before 55 went down, I’m scared to imagine what it might look like now.