Sabertooth
Footballguy
How does Spikes project as a backer in the 3-4? Is he an inside backer or an outside in a 3-4 system?
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Brandon Spikes (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Sabertooth
- Start date
Sabertooth
Footballguy
I don't follow any of the defensive prospects. But he sure seems like he'd be a nice pick for Green Bay. They got killed in coverage over the middle last season.
Is he able to get a good drop in coverage. He made plays all over the field in the highlight reels on youtube.
Is he able to get a good drop in coverage. He made plays all over the field in the highlight reels on youtube.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I think 40 times are a little overrated for linebackers. The 5.0 time should probably prompt a second review of the tape by the teams that liked him, but every scouting report I've read praises him highly for well above-average football instincts. That translates to much better playing speed than the 40 time would suggest. Even if his speed ends up hurting him in coverage, I think Spikes could survive as a 4-3 MLB in a thumping, base defensive role. In the 3-4, he's a good fit at SILB and possibly WILB in the right scheme. He's got a little pass rushing upside, but probably not enough to fit as an OLB in the 3-4.
Happy Ragnarok
Footballguy
I like Spikes a lot. But obviously there are question marks at this point.
Can he drop and play the pass? I think he has the skills to do so, and could probably do so in limited fashion if called to. But there has to be some question whether he's athletic enough to cover real NFL pass targets at this point. I don't think it's a deal breaker, but unless there proves to be some hidden reason he ran so slow, he's probably looking at a career as a two down backer.
As long as you have the personnel to cover that deficiency, I still think he's not only a viable ILB in this league, but probably a better value now, to boot. Skill and instinct can make up for a lot of athleticism in that two-down ILB role. Some all-time greats have been mediocre athletes.
Can he drop and play the pass? I think he has the skills to do so, and could probably do so in limited fashion if called to. But there has to be some question whether he's athletic enough to cover real NFL pass targets at this point. I don't think it's a deal breaker, but unless there proves to be some hidden reason he ran so slow, he's probably looking at a career as a two down backer.
As long as you have the personnel to cover that deficiency, I still think he's not only a viable ILB in this league, but probably a better value now, to boot. Skill and instinct can make up for a lot of athleticism in that two-down ILB role. Some all-time greats have been mediocre athletes.
PlasmaDogPlasma
Footballguy
Aren't 3-4 LBs generally asked to play zone rather than man when they drop into coverage? This is something he excelled at while at Florida.
