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Brandon Spikes

NFL Workout Updates: 9/25/18

September 25th, 2018 at 9:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here’s the latest from the workout circuit, all links going to NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted.

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

  • C Dillon Day, T Gerhard de Beer, T Christian DiLauro, DT David Parry (link)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • T Christian DiLauro (link)

Tennessee Titans

Bills Sign Brandon Spikes

August 7th, 2016 at 2:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bills have officially reached an agreement with free agent linebacker Brandon Spikes on a one-year deal. Spikes was out of the NFL last season, but spent the 2014 campaign with Buffalo.Brandon Spikes

[RELATED: Bills sign Reggie Bush]

Spikes, 28, drew the interest of another AFC East last week, as he worked out for the Dolphins before Miami signed fellow linebacker Danny Lansanah instead. Though he didn’t appear in an NFL game in 2015, Spikes did agree to a one-year deal with the Patriots last summer, but was released following his involvement in a hit-and-run. Spikes was sentenced to one-year probation and was handed a four-game suspension by the league, but he was able to serve that ban while a free agent last year.

Buffalo’s addition of Spikes casts doubt on the status of rookie linebacker Reggie Ragland, whom the Bills are “definitely concerned” about after he suffered a knee injury — but likely avoided ligament damage — on Friday. As the club’s depth chart indicates, Buffalo is rather thin behind their top three ‘backers, so Spikes can act as depth (at the very least) while Ragland recovers.

Spikes is mostly viewed as a two-down linebacker that struggles in pass coverage, meaning he’ll likely be taken off the field in sub packages. However, on an admittedly small sample of passing downs, the advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) were actually kind to Spikes’ pass-coverage abilities in 2014, as he ranked fourth-best at his position in yards per coverage snap and coverage snaps per reception. Overall, he graded as PFF’s 13th-best inside linebacker in the league in 2014 thanks to his run-stopping ability. Spikes finished ninth against the run at his position in 2014 and ranked No. 1 against the run in both 2012 and 2013.

Spikes’ agent David Canter first announced the deal on Twitter. Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (Twitter link) reported the length. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Dolphins Work Out Brandon Spikes

August 3rd, 2016 at 10:53am CST by Zachary Links

11:09am: One of the other linebackers being worked out is Jerry Franklin, who previously spent time with the Lions (via Salguero on Twitter).

10:53am: Spikes is one of three linebackers working out for Miami today, Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald tweets.

9:58am: Linebacker Brandon Spikes worked out for the Dolphins today, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The audition marks Spikes’ first workout after a year removed from football. Brandon Spikes

[RELATED: Teams Monitoring Dolphins Defensive Ends]

Spikes signed a one-year deal to return to the Patriots in May 2015. However, Spikes was involved in a hit-and-run incident weeks later, which quickly led to his release from the team. Luckily for all parties, the three people involved in the crash only suffered minor injuries, allowing Spikes to get one year of probation rather than a maximum sentence of two years in jail. Spikes was hit with a four-game suspension in 2015 after the incident, though it didn’t mean much since he was without an NFL home.

While he’s typically taken off the field in passing downs, Spikes has proven himself to be an effective part-time player, specializing as a run defender. Before signing with New England in the summer of 2015, the Dolphins were among the teams to show interest in him.

On an admittedly small sample of passing downs, the advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) were actually kind to Spikes’ pass-coverage abilities in 2014, as he ranked fourth-best at his position in yards per coverage snap and coverage snaps per reception. Still, you can expect to see him mostly against the run if he is given another NFL shot. Overall, he graded as PFF’s 13th-best inside linebacker in the league in 2014 thanks to his run-stopping ability. Spikes finished ninth against the run at his position in 2014 and ranked No. 1 against the run in both 2012 and 2013.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Brandon Spikes, Other FAs Suspended

September 8th, 2015 at 3:53pm CST by Luke Adams

Veteran linebacker Brandon Spikes has been suspended for the first four games of the 2015 regular season, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). This news won’t hurt a particular team, since Spikes is currently a free agent, having been cut by the Patriots earlier in the year.

Spikes is serving a year of probation after pleading guilty in a hit-and-run crash. Police determined that the 28-year-old was speeding and driving negligently when he crashed his Maybach sedan into an SUV back in June. After the crash, Spikes fled the scene, a crime which calls for up to two years in jail. However, the free agent linebacker was able to avoid prison time due to the minor nature of the injuries to the three people in the crash.

Spikes wasn’t the only free agent who received a suspension from the NFL. The following players have also been suspended, according to Yates (Twitter link):

  • G Rodney Austin (six weeks)
  • LB Jermaine Cunningham (six weeks)
  • RB Jonathan Dwyer (three weeks)
  • WR Mike Williams (three weeks)

Brandon Spikes Pleads Guilty To Charges

July 1st, 2015 at 1:23pm CST by Zachary Links

Linebacker Brandon Spikes will serve a year of probation after pleading guilty Wednesday in a hit-and-run crash, as Andy Rosen of The Boston Globe writes. The June incident on Interstate 495 injured three people.

Police determined that Spikes was speeding and driving negligently when he crashed his Maybach sedan into an SUV. After the crash, Spikes fled the scene and that crime calls for up to two years in jail. However, the free agent linebacker was able to avoid prison time due to the minor nature of the injuries. Still, the case figures to negatively impact his chances of playing for an NFL team this season, since he could face discipline from the league as well.

The Patriots signed Spikes to a one-year deal back in May but dropped him almost immediately after the crash. The 27-year-old started his career with New England, spending four seasons with the team before joining the division-rival Bills a year ago. While he’s typically taken off the field in passing downs, Spikes is an effective part-time player, specializing as a run defender. He received interest from – or at least was linked to – the 49ers, Vikings, Dolphins, and Bills earlier this offseason.

On an admittedly small sample of passing downs, the advanced metrics from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) were actually kind to Spikes’ pass-coverage abilities, as he ranked fourth-best at his position in yards per coverage snap and coverage snaps per reception. Still, you can expect to see him mostly against the run. Overall, he graded as PFF’s 13th-best inside linebacker in the league last season thanks to his run-stopping ability. Spikes finished ninth against the run at his position in 2014 and ranked No. 1 against the run in both 2012 and 2013.

 

Community Tailgate: Best FA Besides Evan Mathis?

June 22nd, 2015 at 4:43pm CST by Zachary Links

We’re still a few months away from the start of battles on the NFL gridiron, but there’s no offseason when it comes to debate amongst fans. This month, we launched a new series here at PFR that will be known as the Community Tailgate. What’s the Community Tailgate all about? Well, it’s pretty simple. Every weekday, we’ll highlight one of the top stories going on in the NFL. Then, in the comment section below, we want you to weigh in and let us know what you think.

Of course, while the debate may get spirited, we ask that it all stays respectful. If you need a reminder of our rules, please check out our commenting policy. Basically, we ask that you refrain from inappropriate language, personal insults, and attacks. Speaking of commenting: we’ve made it much easier to leave a comment here at Pro Football Rumors. You are no longer required to be a registered user – simply put in your name, email address, and comment and submit.

Today, we’re asking PFR readers to weigh in on the top remaining free agents. Excluding talented players with legal troubles like linebacker Brandon Spikes and defensive end Ray McDonald, former Eagles guard Evan Mathis is universally regarded as the best player without a deal at this time. Beyond Mathis, however, there’s hardly a clear cut silver medalist.

Over the weekend, PFR’s Dallas Robinson put together his list of the best available remaining free agents. After Mathis, he ranked tackle Jake Long No. 2, citing the former No. 1 overall pick’s talent level while also acknowledging his frustrating injury history. Tight end Jermaine Gresham, who underwent back surgery in March to repair a herniated disc, comes in at No. 3 thanks to his pass-catching ability and history of solid blocking. One-time fantasy darling James Jones is ranked fourth even though he has yet to put up the kind of numbers that he did with the Packers in 2012. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, 35, has remained productive despite his age and lack of sack totals, and was ranked No. 5. Safety Dawan Landry, guard Rob Sims, defensive lineman Red Bryant, center Chris Myers, and offensive lineman Anthony Collins rounded out the top ten. Honorable mention went to notables such as defensive end Osi Umenyiora, running back Pierre Thomas, safety Bernard Pollard, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and quarterback Michael Vick.

Long could definitely pay dividends for a team willing to roll the dice on a low-cost deal and one could hardly be slammed for considering him the most intriguing free agent after Mathis. After all, in 2013, Long graded out as the seventh-best tackle in the league with a strong 22.5 overall score, based on Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required). However, he has torn his ACL in each of the past two seasons and in 2014, Pro Football Focus ranked him as just the No. 36 tackle out of 84 qualified players. Do you consider someone like Gresham, who was a focal point of the Bengals’ offense for multiple seasons, to be a better buy? Does that mantle belong to Freeney, who graded out as one of the best at his position in terms of pass-rush productivity? Or, would you cast your vote for someone else?

In the comment section below, let us know who you think is the second-best free agent on the board and why. 

Brandon Spikes Facing Multiple Charges

June 12th, 2015 at 10:31am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran linebacker Brandon Spikes is facing charges following the traffic incident that resulted in his release from the Patriots. Massachusetts State Police announced today that it has issued a citation charging Spikes with leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, among other charges.

A car registered to Spikes was found abandoned on I-495 in Foxborough, Mass., early last Sunday morning. An OnStar representative told Massachusetts State Police that the driver reported hitting a deer, but no deer was found in the vicinity and the car had front-end damage.

A short time later, police responded to a hit-and-run report nearby. The occupants of the SUV, who said they were rear-ended by a car they didn’t see, were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital and were later released. Police determined that Spikes was speeding and driving negligently when he crashed his Maybach sedan into the SUV.

While leaving the scene of a personal injury crash calls for up to two years in jail, it’s unlikely Spikes will face severe penalties, given the minor nature of the injuries. Still, the case figures to negatively impact his chances of playing for an NFL team this season, since he could face discipline from the league as well. The Pats didn’t even wait for the charges against Spikes to be confirmed before announcing earlier this week that they were cutting the inside linebacker.

Patriots Release Brandon Spikes

June 8th, 2015 at 9:14am CST by Luke Adams

Less than a month after signing a contract to return to New England, linebacker Brandon Spikes will find himself back on the open market. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Patriots are releasing Spikes. The team has since confirmed the transaction.

The move comes immediately on the heels of a weekend report about a potential run-in with the law for Spikes. A car registered to the veteran linebacker was found abandoned on I-495 in Foxborough, Mass., early Sunday morning, according to FOX 25. An OnStar representative told Massachusetts State Police that the driver reported hitting a deer, but no deer was found in the vicinity and the car had front-end damage.

A short time later, police responded to a hit-and-run report nearby. The occupants, who said they were rear-ended by a car they didn’t see, were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital. While it’s not clear yet if Spikes was driving the abandoned vehicle, or if he’ll face any sort of charges, Massachusetts law indicates that fleeing a hit-and-run scene in which human injuries occurred carries up to two years in jail, tweets Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann.

Releasing Spikes won’t cost the Patriots much, as his one-year contract included only $25K in guaranteed money, in the form of a signing bonus. The team may revisit the free agent market in an effort to find some additional veteran depth at the linebacker position, but Spikes wasn’t expected to have a huge role for the team in 2015.

As for the linebacker himself, now that he has been officially released, he’s immediately free to sign elsewhere. Considering teams weren’t exactly in a rush to add him earlier in the offseason though, I expect clubs will wait for more clarity on Spikes’ legal situation before considering pursuing him.

Connor Byrne contributed to this post.

Extra Points: Spikes, Carroll, Steelers, Rams

June 7th, 2015 at 7:35pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Just weeks after signing a one-year deal with the Patriots, linebacker Brandon Spikes may soon find himself in legal trouble.

A car registered to Spikes was found abandoned on I-495 in Foxborough, Mass., early Sunday morning, according to FOX 25. An OnStar representative told Massachusetts State Police that the driver reported hitting a deer, but no deer was found in the vicinity and the car had front-end damage. Shortly after, police responded to a hit-and-run report nearby. The occupants, who said they were rear-ended by a car they didn’t see, were treated for minor injuries at an area hospital.

Per Massachusetts law, fleeing a hit-and-run scene in which human injuries occurred carries up to two years in jail, tweeted Sports Illustrated’s Michael McCann.

When asked for comment, Patriots spokesman Stacey James said, “We are aware of the report and are looking into the matter, but I don’t have any additional comment at this time.”

Whether this will lead to serious ramifications for Spikes remains to be seen, but it’s an inauspicious start to his second stint with the Pats. The 27-year-old left the team in an acrimonious manner last offseason after four seasons and subsequently signed with AFC East rival Buffalo. Upon returning to New England, Spikes said of head coach Bill Belichick,“I just want to show him I’ve changed as an individual, as a player, as a man. I’m going to just show him; better than just saying it, I’m going to show him.”

Here’s more from around the NFL:

  • The Eagles are looking for a cornerback to start opposite the newly acquired Byron Maxwell, and they have a strong contender in five-year veteran Nolan Carroll, writes Jeff McLane of Philly.com. Carroll has fared well during spring workouts and drawn praise from head coach Chip Kelly and defensive backs coach Cory Undilin. “He’s not satisfied with where he was yesterday,” said Undilin. “So every time he comes into the building his mind-set is telling him, ‘Listen, I’m going to find a away to get better than I was yesterday.’ I believe he’s done that every single day he’s been here.” Carroll, whom Philly signed as a free agent last year, appeared in 16 games in 2014 and made 31 tackles. He has five career interceptions, including three in 2013.
  • Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant spent the first six games of 2014, his rookie season, on the inactive list and then impressed when finally given a chance, averaging over 21 yards per catch and racking up eight touchdowns in 10 games. The 23-year-old spent the offseason working hard in hopes of making an impact immediately in his second year, he told the Associated Press. “I am more prepared,” the former fourth-round pick said. “I have more confidence. I just trained and did karate and ran routes the whole offseason to get better. I worked on the whole route tree that we run so people can see that I can do more than just catch the deep ball.”
  • The Rams waived sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser earlier this week because of a heart condition that, in the team’s opinion, will prevent Sasser from playing. Sasser went unclaimed on waivers and is now on the Rams’ non-football illness list for 2015. Teams don’t have to pay players who are on the NFI list, and the Rams will take advantage of that, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Sasser will, however, keep the $113k signing bonus the Rams gave him when they signed him. There is no word on whether the team will relinquish Sasser’s rights, which would give him the opportunity to catch on with another club. Sasser would want that, it seems, given that he believes he’s physically well enough to play.

AFC Notes: Dolphins, Dalton, Mack, Spikes

May 30th, 2015 at 2:02pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

If the Eagles trade two-time Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis prior to the season, it likely won’t be to the Dolphins – who have been a rumored candidate to land the 34-year-old – according to Drew Rosenhaus, Mathis’ agent. “We thought we had a trade with another team leading up to the draft. It was not the Dolphins,” Rosenhaus told the Joe Rose Show, according to Marc Sessler of NFL.com. “We’ve never really gotten close on a trade with the Dolphins.”

Here’s more on some other AFC clubs:

  • Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has become a much-maligned figure during his four years in Cincinnati, but Coley Harvey of ESPN.com doesn’t expect him to be in another uniform in the near future. Harvey notes that releasing Dalton doesn’t become particularly favorable for the Bengals until after 2018, when the six-year, $115MM extension he signed last year won’t have any dead money left on it. Even if Dalton struggles before then, the likelihood of the team cutting the cord is low because finding a replacement would be difficult and entering a rebuild isn’t on the horizon for Cincy.
  • Browns center Alex Mack‘s contract has him in a unique situation, writes Tom Reed of Cleveland.com. The 29-year-old has both an opt-out clause in his contract, which he can take advantage of next offseason, and one that prevents the Browns from placing either the franchise or transition tag on him. Mack is mum about his future for the time being, saying that he’ll “talk about that at the end of the season,” but it might be difficult for the Browns to retain him if they don’t turn it around on the field. Since drafting Mack in 2009, the team hasn’t sniffed the playoffs. “I think I definitely want to win games,” Mack said. “It’s very important to me.”
  • Patriots linebacker Brandon Spikes left the team in acrimonious fashion last offseason and then signed a one-year contract with AFC East rival Buffalo. Back in New England after inking another one-year deal earlier this month, Spikes says he and head coach Bill Belichick are ready to put past drama behind them. “I think we’re both happy that I’m here and we were able to put things aside and let bygones be bygones,” Spikes said, according to Phil Perry of CSNNE.com. “We’re all moving forward. The 2015 season is right around the corner and we’re just trying, each and every day, to get better. I’m happy to be home.”
  • The Ravens parted with longtime defensive staple Haloti Ngata earlier this offseason, trading him to Detroit, and it’s going to take a team effort (led by Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams) to replace the five-time Pro Bowl nose tackle, writes Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. For his part, Williams is confident the Ravens won’t be adversely affected by the loss of Ngata. “It tells me I just have to step up,” said Williams. “We have to do more. I accept the challenge, willingly, to get out there and do everything I have to do to be my best player, be my best self. And that goes for everybody else on the defensive line. We don’t need anybody to be Haloti. We just need everybody to be their best selves, and we’ll be fine.”
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