After a second consecutive one-and-done postseason, there may be some cause for concern for Patriots fans who have grown accustomed to playoff dominance in the past decade but are now asking: is the championship window closing? What has softened that concern is the success of recent Patriot rookies.
In many ways, the 2010 team was playing beyond expectations. After trading Randy Moss in one of the most shocking stories of the season (maybe only second to his release a few weeks later,) many – including Patriots’ fans – thought it was a move conceding defeat.
With a lackluster roster full of youth and inexperience, what followed was one of the most improbable runs imaginable. After trading away Moss, the Patriots went 11-1, beating opponents by an average of 17 points. Included in that span were six playoff teams, including both Superbowl participants. But, just when everything seemed to be going so right, a blunderous postseason loss to the bitter rival Jets shattered high expectations and dreams of another championship.
With a new season on the way (hopefully) and the sting of last season fading, Patriots fans can cling to hope that last year’s rookies continue to progress. With a special look at one of those rookies whose future shines bright, we introduce our Secret Superstar for the New England Patriots, Brandon Spikes.
Good, Bad and Ugly
Coming out of Florida, Spikes was one of the most productive linebackers the school had ever seen. In his four-year career at Florida he amassed 307 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and had six interceptions. He was a two-time BCS National Champion, two-time All-American, team captain, and considered by many to be the best linebacker heading in to his senior season.
Despite his many collegiate accolades, a team suspension for an on-field eye-gouging incident and lackluster offseason workout measurables pushed him down many draft boards. Of major concern was his 5.05 second 40 yard dash time, which caused many to question whether he had the athleticism to compete in the NFL despite excelling at the highest level in college football. After being considered the best linebacker going in to his senior season, he ended up being the fifth linebacker taken in the draft; selected by the Patriots at the end of the second round.
In 2010, Spikes proved two things. His superior on-field instincts have shown teams may have overreacted to his slow forty time and that his off-the-field instincts could still use some work. Before the 2010 season began, a racy internet video from Spikes’ college days emerged. He was then suspended for the last four games after testing positive for a banned substance (an ADHD medication he failed to report to the league.) More egregious to Belichick, however, was that once he returned from suspension he had “a ways to go” before being physically ready to play in the playoffs. The fact that Belichick was upset about Spikes’ unpreparedness to play, however, can only be taken as a sign of how valuable the defensive guru believes Spikes to be.
Football Player
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.
The fact that Spikes’ grade is so high in such a limited number of snaps highlights how well he has played when he has been on the field. The important caveat being when he is on the field. His aforementioned off-the-field troubles remain a concern and could result in 1) Spikes not being a secret for the wrong reasons or 2) him becoming a player for a team that doesn’t have Bill Belichick as the head coach.
Patriots’ fans should hope that he gets it straightened out because early indications are that he is a Superstar in the making.