Free Agency: Should the Green Bay Packers move on Brandon Spikes?
December 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz (right) instructs middle linebacker Brandon Spikes (51) during the third quarter against the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Bills 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Spikes is far from an elite player at the position, and he is regarded as a two-down player. Last season, he recorded 29 tackles and four stuffs on first down plays, with another 18 tackles and one stuff on second downs.
In contrast, he combined for just seven tackles all season on third and fourth down plays. Spikes is primarily used in stopping the run.
But that wouldn’t be such a bad thing for the Packers. Spikes is a solid run-stopper and would help improve the defense up front on first and second down.
Teams don't like that Brandon Spikes is a "two down" LB, but he's really good on those two downs. IMO there's still value in run-stopping LB
— Chris Trapasso (@ChrisTrapasso) March 6, 2015
Spikes has good size at 6-2, 255 pounds and is a thumping tackler. Pro Football Focus gave him a plus-7.1 grade in 2014, following a plus-13.1 grade in 2013.
They added:
"“Born in the wrong era, this two-down terror is as good as it gets disrupting the run game. Limited value, though, because he’s not a guy you’re likely to leave on the field on passing downs.”"
For the right price, that would be ideal for the Packers. A dominant run-stopper is exactly what the defense needs.
The longer he remains a free agent, the more likely it will be that Thompson makes a move. If the Packers can strike a short-term, risk-free deal with Spikes similar to the one he signed with the Bills a year ago, he could be a good signing.
There aren’t a whole lot of options at inside linebacker in free agency for the Packers.
Cleveland’s Craig Robertson and New York’s David Harris have both been re-signed by their 2014 teams.
Rolando McClain of the Dallas Cowboys could be a target, though there are a number of questions about his consistency. He had an impressive year in Dallas but had an up-and-down career up to that point.
If Spikes remains on the market, the Packers may be able to sign him to a low-cost deal that could really help improve the run defense.
If he doesn’t play well, it wouldn’t have a negative bearing on the Packers’ finances. But if it works out in Green Bay, Thompson will have found himself a steal.
| Games | Def Interceptions | Fumbles | Sacks & Tackles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Tm | Pos | G | GS | Sk | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | Fmb | FR | Yds | TD | Tkl | Ast | AV |
| 2010 | NWE | 12 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 36 | 23 | 4 | |||||||
| 2011 | NWE | olb | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 22 | 3 | ||||||
| 2012 | NWE | LB | 15 | 14 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 | 35 | 6 |
| 2013 | NWE | LB | 16 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 38 | 6 | |
| 2014 | BUF | MLB | 16 | 10 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 22 | 5 |
| Career | 67 | 49 | 2.0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 206 | 140 | 24 | ||
| 4 yrs | NWE | 51 | 39 | 1.0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 174 | 118 | 19 | |
| 1 yr | BUF | 16 | 10 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 22 | 5 |
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/13/2015.
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