Has Spikes become our best linebacker?

tonyto3690 · Joined: 29 Jan 2010 Posts: 5506

Week after week he not only does a great job stuffing the run, he has developed as a blitzer. The best of him though is his intangibles. He is a mauler in the middle who seems to always be making game saving (or should be game saving) plays for us. Like welker, it's awesome how he always has monster games for us in big games. He never disappears and is always forcing the issue.

The flip side of this is obviously where does he rank compared to mayo. Mayo has been a leader and really good for us, but while he is superior in coverage, he never seems to make those game alternating plays. He is good against the run but I personally dont get the feel of gamechanger when I watch him.

Who do you got?
_________________

Canadian_Patriot · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 8701 Location: Halifax

They all have different skill sets. But he's becoming my fav. Definitely developing into a play maker in the backfield.
_________________

Deadpulse on the sig!

finn54 · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 11820

I would say no, because his pass coverage is pretty poor. He's definitely my favorite though, and he's an extremely valuable member of the defense. The amount of TFL's he racks up is staggering, and he's probably the #1 playmaker on the team.
_________________

TKOhitter8737 · Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Posts: 231 Location: northeast

Yes, He might not be good in coverage but really their LB's cant cover. Mayo agian just watches the ball go right past his head, while lookin right at the QB.

nextsuperstar · Joined: 25 Nov 2010 Posts: 1641

I agree with Finn. Spikes is a great playmaker, but his below average coverage skills (something which this team desperately needs) make him less valuable than Mayo.

Spikes has also had five penalties called on him, which also decreases his value.

24isthelaw · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 4:23 pm Post subject:

NextBigThing · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 15886 Location: Tuck Rule FTW

It is discouraging to think that I run a significantly faster 40 than him, but I think he is. He is a beast.
_________________

The King Does As He Pleases

FakingInjuries · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 255

I don't think there is a "best" linebacker on our team.

They are all good at different things. They all have their strengths and weaknesses.

Mayo is the best all around linebacker.

Spikes is the best at making clutch plays, big hits, and stuffs.

Hightower will probably be the best blitzing linebacker.
_________________

Tzimisce · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 3:48 pm Post subject:

Spikes has been a liability in coverage, but his value as a run defender is so high that you have to take the bad with the good. He's probably slightly better at the old Ted Johnson 'Jack' role than Ted Johnson was. Great instincts and great strength at the POA, but he's not going to get any faster, so expecting him to cover TEs down the seam will always be a losing proposition.
_________________

https://twitter.com/Zealotry_Metal

mcmurtry86 · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 16193

Tzimisce · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 4:00 pm Post subject:

24isthelaw · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

TomRalph · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 5816 Location: Leeds, England

As my AAP I am very proud of Spikes and his all-around game has been one of the few bright spots on the D.

Check out his stats in my sig Laughing

_________________

FakingInjuries · Joined: 06 Feb 2012 Posts: 255

Spikes may not technically be the "best" Linebacker on our team....

But I think he is the most IMPORTANT linebacker on our team. His personality and attitude is the polar opposite of Wilfork and Mayo. Spikes is fiery, energetic, vocal.

He's an intimidator who won't get pushed around or bullied.
_________________

_Oypus · Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Posts: 201

You say that like Mayo or Wilfork would let themselves get "pushed around and bullied". Assuming you mean on the field, I can't remember the last time Wilfork was invisible for a game. He's always doing something. Mayo too, maybe less so though.