I'm curious what you guys think about the enigma of Spikes, especially in the Pats organization.

 

Second to Wilfork, he arguably has been the primary difference-maker on the defense ( especially in 2012 tournament and early this year).  

 

There are obviously the character concerns (  4-game suspension as rookie, porn film, his awesomely eccentric twitter account, etc) and the need for more consistency on the playing field.

 

Will Spikes be elevated to Mayo/Gronk/Hernando?

 

Personally, I feel that the Pats would like to next annoint Vollmer and McCourty.

You have to make him a core player

Mayo, Hightower, Spikes that's this generation of players version of McGinest, Bruschi, Vrable

 

Then you add in Jones, Wilfork and get either a player to put next to Wilfork or bookend Jones and you got a tough front 7 like back in 03' and 04'

Like to see him stay healthy.  

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In response to PatsEng's comment:

Just need to find a Ty Law or Milloy/Harrison now

In response to patsfan76's comment:

This is one of the things I thought this D was missing for a while. Just a plain nasty mean tempered player that you don't want to line up against. Mayo is more of a thinker and I thought Hightower would bring some, but he hasn't been allowed to really hit people yet. This past week though Spikes was just nasty in a good way. He's a player that will make other players hesitate and take an extra step before crossing infront of him. Get a couple more players like him and we're good.

Jones I don't think can bring that nastiness (great player but seems more like a happy go lucky thinker) but I think Hightower could get that in him as well as when I see Ebner make a hit he brings it but I want another opposite Jones with the same attitude then we'd have something between Wilfork, Spikes, Hightower, and player X. It would be similar to Pitts feared line, then you toss in intelligent players like Jones and Mayo and that's a scary front 7 no team would want to face

He's improving all the time, impact player. The defense is clearly better when he's out there. I'd think that he's next on the list to extend.

Love Spikes against the run, but he was exposed over the middle last week being unable to cover a faster TE, the safeties were cheating to the outside and gave up big yardage down the middle...me thinks Peyton will try to exploit this.

In response to harleyroadking12's comment:

That's why they brought in Carpenter. Carpenter is good-great coverage LB, just don't ask him to apply pressure

I wonder if they brought in Carpenter because Hightower may be out a while.

In response to ma6dragon9's comment:

he was back at practice this week. It might be because they wanted a better coverage option at LB then Spikes and Hightower with a hammy issue and a nice side benefit is they can give Hightower more rest to prevent this hammy from being a nagging injury

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I hope so.  Kid can thump.  Gives the D a little bit of attitude.  Obviously a difference maker on the goal line.

I'm gonna bet that Peyton will audible to a pass over the middle every time  Spikes is there....why wouldn't he, Spikes cant cover, why try and run it when you can beat him over the middle all day, we might see Spikes on the sideline more than on the field.

While I was not in favor of drafting Hightower, I believe the situation plays out that he, not Spikes, is the 10 year Patriot. I dont think Spikes is resigned unless it is to a team friendly deal.(which he wont accept)

While I was not in favor of drafting Hightower, I believe the situation plays out that he, not Spikes, is the 10 year Patriot. I dont think Spikes is resigned unless it is to a team friendly deal.(which he wont accept)

 

Agree with this. Hightower will be the core player. I think if Spikes wants to stay a Pat he might not get the money he'll command on the open market. He has that history of missing games due to injury and his personal stuff.

I like Spikes, I hope he doesn't have any injuries this season, the D seems to be better when he is in there. 

I think so.  I think it helps NE that imo a lot of other teams are not going to be that interested in Spikes because they run a scheme where you need more raw athleticism at the LB position.  I think Spikes is great for what we do here, but since he doesn't fit everywhere imo his price won't get bid up prohibitively high.  It would be nice if he could stay healthy for a full season, but even if he doesn't I'd be surprised if we got outbid on him.

I think it is going to get harder and harder to keep Spikes and Hightower on the field together if both are healthy..both a liability in the passing downs. As they age and over come injury, they will lose a half to full step, which neither can afford to lose.

Mr half empty strikes again.

I think Spikes will not be consistent enough to warrant an extension here, not because he's not a good player, but because he will get a stupid contract from another team that falls in love with his big hits and swagger.  I can't see the Pats making him a franchise player and I can't see them investing big money in a guy who has yet to put it all together.  I think the same thing about Chung.  He is inconsistent and will have to take a team friendy deal to remain here.  

In response to PatsEng's comment:

"and get either a player to put next to Wilfork or bookend Jones "

yup, been advocating for both next offseason.

and need a top cb on this team as well. to have a good defense in the nfl, you have to have good corners.

 

In response to CaptainZdeno33's comment:

+1

In response to PatsEng's comment:

"He's a player that will make other players hesitate and take an extra step before crossing infront of him. Get a couple more players like him and we're good."

point!

" It would be similar to Pitts feared line, then you toss in intelligent players like Jones and Mayo and that's a scary front 7 no team would want to face"

exciting to contemplate.

lets hope bb makes it so.

He's not a complete player.  He does some things well and some things, not so much.