Brandon Spikes
Much like the Redskins’ Albert Haynesworth, a suspension will keep Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes from playing in the remainder of the regular season.
Per the Boston Herald’s Ian R. Rapoport, the NFL has suspended Spikes for four games; he’ll miss the last quarter of the season, though he hopes to return for the team’s playoff run.
It’s not clear just what triggered the suspension, but it’s assumed to be for a violation of the league’s banned substances policy. He wasn’t suspected of ingesting a steroid or any other performance-enhancer.
Spikes, the team’s second-round pick out of the University Of Florida, has proved to be a nice asset for the Pats’ defense. In 12 games, Spikes has racked up 61 tackles and an interception as one of the starting inside linebackers.
It’s a pretty big blow to a defense that’s already statistically one of the worst in the NFL. This leaves a hole next to the other inside ‘backer, Jerod Mayo, meaning another rookie, Dane Fletcher, might be cast into action.
Coach Bill Belichick, the defensive guru that he is, will predictably adjust with what he’s got, though teams might find some more success on the ground against them with one of their best run-stuffers out of the mix.
The Patriots travel to Chicago to take on the division-leading Bears this Sunday. There’s no doubt Chicago will try to establish the ground game early and often with Matt Forte in hopes of making life easier on quarterback Jay Cutler. In the NFL’s game of the week, this is just another storyline to keep an eye on.
