MVN - Most Valuable Network

Pats interested in LB Spikes

According to the rumor section of Sports Illustrated, the Patriots are one of four teams interested in LB Takeo Spikes. Previously, I figured that Spikes wouldn’t be on their radar due to the fact that he has played in the 4-3 his entire career and is coming off an injury that shortened his only season in Philadelphia. However, if this rumor is true, Belichick must feel that Spikes has the ability to make the switch to the 3-4. If Takeo is fully recovered from his injury, he certainly has the athletic talent to make an impact and fill the linebacker void in New England. Spikes hasn’t played a full season since 2004 with the Buffalo Bills. He likely would play outside, which would free up Adalius Thomas or Mike Vrabel to move inside with Tedy Bruschi. I also wouldn’t rule out Spikes playing inside, though he is better suited to play OLB due to his size and pass rushing ability.

On a separate matter, Fox Sports posted an article giving a side-by-side comparison of Chris Long and Vernon Gholston, the top two DE/OLBs in the draft. While I would be ecstatic for the Pats to land either one, if given the preference I would take Chris Long. He has great character and intelligence, is an excellent pass rusher, and plays the run better than Gholston. He also has the benefit of working with one of Belichick’s friends and a former Parcells staff member along with Belichick, Al Groh. I feel that gives him a leg up on Gholston as far as the Patriots go.

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pm and is filed under NFL Mock Draft, NFL Free Agency, New England Patriots, Patriots Roster, Patriots Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.