Brandon Spikes among the best defensive players left unsigned

Posted by PlexusGroupe on March 20, 2015, 10:38 PM EDT
AP

Looking for an inside linebacker in free agency?

You’re in luck.

The top three unsigned defensive players in PFT’s free agency rankings — Brandon Spikes (Buffalo), Rolando McClain (Dallas) and Mason Foster (Tampa Bay) — are all inside linebackers.

On offense, there are still some decent options left at wide receiver, with Michael Crabtree (San Francisco) and Hakeem Nicks (Indianapolis) among the best of the rest. And there are a few starter-caliber offensive linemen left, too, with center Stefen Wisniewski (Oakland) and right tackle Joe Barksdale (St. Louis) among the headliners.

As the second business week of free agency draws to a close, here are PFT’s top 10 unsigned players:

33. 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

42. Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski.

45. Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham.

66. Bills inside linebacker Brandon Spikes.

72. Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain.

82. Rams offensive tackle Joe Barksdale.

85. Buccaneers inside linebacker Mason Foster.

93. Raiders wide receiver Denarius Moore.

97. Colts wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

99. Ex-Buccaneers offensive tackle Anthony Collins.

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47 responses to “Brandon Spikes among the best defensive players left unsigned”

  4. Barksdale and Wisniewski would sure shore up the Raiders up front… provided those guys are willing to be plugged in where needed.

  9. The Patriots have had a history of producing LBs, and making them perform statistically better than they may actually be.

    Brandon Spikes is a great example of that.

  10. Id be happy if the steelers signed him and he never even played a snap, just to say we actualy tryed to do something in free agency besides sign a back up RB.

  15. Theodore Thompson-Packers GM,

    You cut 2 inside linebackers, go open your checkbook, and cut a check to one, so the one you draft early in this year’s draft has someone to learn from.

  16. As a Green Bay fan, I’m really hoping Ted opens up his wallet a bit for either Spikes or Foster. I get he doesn’t like outside free agents, but he already re-signed Cobb and Bulaga, and still has plenty of cap space to use.

  19. I would say eagles but chip doesn’t like guys who would punk his type of players… smdh my birds are dead man..

  22. Come on Bills, you’re blowing the resigning of a fan favorite and difference maker on defense who wants to return to our team.

  24. There is a reason Spikes is available. He’s a massive liability in coverage. I love the guys passion for the game. Excellent Blitzer and run stopper just doesn’t seem to possess the skill or body type of even an average pass coverage guys.

  25. There is a reason Spikes is available. He’s a massive liability in coverage. I love the guys passion for the game. Excellent Blitzer and run stopper just doesn’t seem to possess the skill or body type of even an average pass coverage guys.

  26. Makes me wonder what kind of baggage these ten players have. Are they locker room cancer? They certainly have talent. As a Packer fan, I’m wondering if TT is considering Spikes, though I know Ted isn’t typically into the FA thing.

  27. As the off season gets closer to training camps in the NFL these free agent and released veterans will lower their asking price or be sitting out next season and GMs will come calling at the reduced rates for these older players.

  28. it’s a no brainer move , the packers should pounce on denarious moore to run the 9 routes and catch the bomb from aaron rodgers . their passing game would be lethal .

  29. The Bills view Spikes as a 2 down backer. They like him, but won’t pay him what he wants. The GM says the door is always open for him if he doesn’t get a big contract.

  30. While being a liability in coverage, Spikes is elite stopping the run and he sets a tone for the team. I wonder if he’s available only because he is asking for too much money. He signed for cheap with the Bills last year and for that kind of money any team could use him.

  31. Spikes couldn’t cover a fullback … When he left the Pats and tweeted “4 years a slave” that summed up his character as well. He’s also in that dirtbag gator crew Hernandez , Harvin, the Pouncy brothers. And had a sleazy sex tape because of course he did. But if you need some one to blow up a RB going up the gut he’s your man.

  35. Makes me wonder what kind of baggage these ten players have

    Spikes didn’t buy in to the offseason program in New England and wanted to be a 3 down linebacker. And presumably paid like one.

    If he’s now realistic about his role he could be a good pick up for somebody.

  36. Spikes’ agent, Gary Uberstine of Premier Sports & Entertainment (if he’s still his agent) thought he was smarter than Belichick.

    First, he advised his client not to go to the team’s off-season training. Second, he publicly had his client say that he had the talent to be a three down linebacker and that Belichick was misusing him. Third, when the Patriots put Spikes on injured reserve his agent publicly stated that Spikes did not want to go on IR and that he wasn’t hurt (what else would explain his ineffectiveness and why would Belichick want to sit a guy that could help).

    Now, one year removed from playing with the Patriots (who won a super bowl without him) he’s without a job. Agents that bs their players and the public sometimes win in the short run but the truth catches up with them.

  37. The problem with Brandon Spikes is that he really can’t drop into coverage. He’s a big hitting, run-stopping ILB who, from time to time, shows good instincts when timing his blitzes, but he rarely gets the chance to blitz because, like I said, he’s so bad at defending the pass that you wouldn’t want him out there on passing downs.

    He’s a solid depth ILB, but not much more.

  38. As a Bills fan, I hope they bring Spikes back. They need depth at the position, and he’s pretty valuable on running downs. He fit well into the graces of the fan base, give him a 2-yr deal. The $$ is there for it.

  39. A year ago, Spikes took to Twitter to call his time with the Patriots “4 years a slave”.

    Now, looking for a job, he says: “My time [with the Patriots], I just learned how to be a true professional. It’s a first-class organization.”

    Complete clown.

  40. “Third, when the Patriots put Spikes on injured reserve his agent publicly stated that Spikes did not want to go on IR and that he wasn’t hurt ”

    Which given he was badly limping and had to be helped off the field the last game he played in for the Pats tells you everything you need to know about that. He was injured and unable to play at that point.

    However it did give the “Pats cheat on the injury report” whiners ammunition as they ignored the facts of the injury and acted like Spikes agent was telling the truth.

  41. Not a bad guy to have on the roster for a matchup vs Seattle… Contenders in the NFC would be wise to sign him to a cheap one year deal.

  42. We’re due for at least two 4th (maybe even two 3rd) round comp. picks next year for Tramon and Davon.

    Why cost us a potential 3rd round pick for a 2 down overrated linebacker?

  43. Spikes is an amazing run-stopper… Yes, he is a liability in coverage, but a good defensive minded coach would figure out a way to utilize his run-stop abilities and stay away from exploiting his weakness in defending the pass. Spikes is quicker than he looks and although his body type doesn’t fit the “Normal”Linebacker mold, he knows how to use his frame unconventionally to bring his opponents down… He is a true run-stuffer that dominates the line and is a goaline specialist. Another positive in having Spikes as a teammate is the energy he brings on gameday. There were several games last season where you would see Spikes trolling the sideline talking his teammates up and bringing a whole other level of attitude to the team. I am hoping Buffalo brings him back, If not as a 3 down LB… then a sub on known running situations.

  46. Raider fans– Whats the deal with Stefen Wisniewski? Surprised he got let go and surprised he hasn’t joined somebody yet.

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