Brandon Spikes

The first fumble, which was recovered by LB Brandon Spikes, was negated by a too many players on the field penalty against the defense. The drive continued and the Giants scored on a touchdown pass to WR Victor Cruz two plays later.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Super Bowl XLVI"

LB Brandon Spikes and S Patrick Chung were lost to injury. They will play in Super Bowl LXVI, but not DE Andre Carter and DT Albert Haynesworth. Carter is on injured reserve while Haynesworth was released.

Continue reading "A Lot Has Changed Since the Regular Season Game"

Nice try, Brandon Spikes. Apparently the emotional linebacker has a little fŭtbol background we never knew about. In the first half Spikes was in the middle of a shoving match with Baltimore players. In the second half, while enganging a Ravens player after the whistle, Spikes took a shove and fell to the ground with his arms out, a sad attempt to draw a personal foul on the Ravens. A big, physical linebacker isn’t fooling anyone with those histrionics.

Continue reading "Pick Six: AFC Championship"

Good to see safety Patrick Chung and LB Brandon Spikes back in action. They last played November sixth against the New York Giants. With the defense having the problems they’ve had all year, the return of these two veterans for the playoffs should be huge.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 17"

Head coach Bill Belichick has his connections. Belichick relies on his network of college coaches to give him honest evaluations of players that fit the Patriots’ system.

And it’s hard to argue with the results. Using this reliable inside information, New England effectively mined great players from well respected programs in Miami, Florida, Boston College, and Alabama.

Continue reading "Brand Name Draft Prospects"

As good as CB Devin McCourty, LBs Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham, TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, DLs Brandon Deaderick and Kyle Love, and punter Zoltan Mesko were, there is a lot of room for improvement.

Continue reading "A Fueled Off-season"

CB Devin McCourty’s play improved throughout the season. ILB Brandon Spikes was still sharp until his four game suspension. As TE Rob Gronkowski’s involvement with the passing game increased, so did his production. And punter Zoltan Mesko’s consistency improved.

Continue reading "Walls and Winds"

Until his four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s banned substance policy, ILB Brandon Spikes started from day one. OLB Jermaine Cunningham became a starter three games into the season. Brandon Deaderick worked his way into the D-line rotation. Heck even rookie free agents Dane Fletcher and Kyle Love are making contributions this season.

Continue reading "Never the Patriots Turn(over)"

While at the University of Florida, LB Brandon Spikes chose 51 as his number because he wanted to be like Hall of Fame LB Dick Butkus: tough, intimidating, physical, relentless, intense. A leader. 

Continue reading "Spikes Becoming the Next "55""

Jerod Mayo leads the league in tackles and is an every down player. Brandon Spikes hasn’t played like a rookie all year long. Gary Guyton is very good in coverage and is still improving. And Dane Fletcher, a rookie free agent that rose from a long shot to playing defensive snaps deserves a lot of credit. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 13"

McCourty has taken his lumps but has started every game. LB Brandon Spikes is playing like an established veteran since day one. OLB Jermaine Cunningham missed training camp but played his way into the starting lineup. He was at his best Sunday with a sack and Cunningham drew a holding penalty. And DL Brandon Deaderick, a seventh round pick, worked his way into the rotation and was awarded a sack. 

Continue reading "Stepping Up, Step Forward"

CB Devin McCourty and LB Brandon Spikes could be starters. TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez likely will surpass the contribution of the duo they are replacing, Benjamin Watson and Chris Baker. Zoltan Mesko is the new punter. And DL Brandon Deaderick made the active roster as a seventh round selection. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

Time to earn the starting role. 

Remember Me? Everyone ooo-ed and ah-ed over ILB Brandon Spikes’ debut. But it’s Gary Guyton’s job to lose. The incumbent makes his case. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Preseason Three"

My favorite rookie wasn’t ILB Brandon Spikes, but P Zoltan Mesko. Three punts landed inside the 20 and the Saints gained just one punt return yard on two attempts. Mesko will tilt the field during the season if he keeps this up. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game 1"

Will ILB Gary Guyton play alongside Jerod Mayo or has Brandon Spikes already nudged the Georgia Tech product aside? We’ll see if S Pat Chung can take the first step toward warding off challengers James Sanders and Brandon McGowan. And if WR Wes Welker sits this one out, who is the back-up plan? 

Continue reading "First Look"

It could be his only season as a starter if Guyton can’t repel the challengers McKenzie and Brandon Spikes. Spikes is intriguing because he was so productive during his Florida Gator days and has a solid reputation as a leader. Brandon seems like the bigger threat and could demote Guyton. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

Most of the rookies might already be in attendance, but training camp doesn't officially begin until the veterans show up on Thursday. In anticipation, I spoke with FootballOutsiders.com creator Aaron Schatz and got his take on what to look for during camp:

Continue reading "Training Camp Preview"

The two tight ends will contribute almost immediately. Brandon Spikes will become a two-down run-stuffing ILB. Zoltan Mesko will win the punting job. 

Of the early picks, the only guy I don’t know what to expect from is Jermaine Cunningham. Even though the former University of Florida defensive end is practicing with the first team defense during OTAs, it’s not a guarantee that he will stay there when the season starts. Making the switch from 4-3 DE to a 3-4 OLB doesn’t happen overnight. 

Continue reading "Projecting Cunningham"

E Rob Gronkowski, Arizona

 

DE/LB Jermaine Cunningham, Florida

 

LB Brandon Spikes, Florida

Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com

Continue reading "See For Yourself Part 1"

Hopefully history doesn’t repeat. 

ILB Brandon Spikes, Florida – Spikes has “Belichick kind of Player” written all over him. Huge, physical, and intelligent, he’s the thumper the ILBs lack. So what that Spikes didn’t time well in the 40? He can play football. And like Mayo, Spikes will play early and often. Two University of Florida players in one draft. Will Urban Meyer become an assistant coach next? 

Continue reading "Quick Glance"

LB Brandon Spikes – Florida

 

The former second rated inside linebacker in the draft. He fell out of the first round after clocking a 5.0 in the 40. But with his size and production, Spikes will likely go in the second round. He’s a football player, not a sprinter. That’s what coaches care about. 

Continue reading "The Visitors Part 5"