Brandon Spikes vs. Rolando McClain
by Bezekira on Oct 28, 2009 12:59 PM EDT
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PrintI'll freely admit that I'm not a scout or a draft expert but it seems like there's a general consensus that the top two middle linebackers in this year's draft are Brandon Spikes and Rolando McClain (if he come out of course). Both are expected to go somewhere in the first round and would seem to be day one starters where ever they end up. So my question to you guys is which guy would you rather have?
Brandon Spikes (6-3, 256): 32 tackles this season in six games with 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He was an All-American last year finishing with a 93/8/2 stat line and he also added four picks (two of which he returned for scores). Everything I've read/seen from him suggests that he's got a long future in the league and can do just about everything that you'd want from an inside backer, although he can get undisciplined at times. He's missed most of the past two games with a groin injury although he's expected to return this weekend.
Rolando McClain (6-4, 248): 57 tackles in eight games with 7 tackles for loss, two sacks and two picks in eight games. He was a third team All-American last year (despite being a sophomore) after posting a 95/12/3 and he added one pick. McClain plays in the Tide's 3-4 defense so his role is slightly different than Spikes but he's still a pretty complete player who seems capable of starting immediately in the NFL. McClain might also be the better athlete of the two.
So the question is if you're a GM looking for an inside backer next April, who is your first choice? Does it matter whether you run a 4-3 or 3-4 defense? What's the difference between the two?
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Both fit their scheme
as far as pro’s are concerned. I think McClain may be too big for MLB in the NFL, maybe. I know Urlacher’s a big dude like McClain, but I’m not sure if he has that sort of speed as Urlacher (who was a rover type safety in college).
For my team, I like Spikes.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
McClain plays faster than Spikes
McClain may not have Urlacher like speed, not many do. McClain is faster and more athletic than Spikes though.
by chrisclark_dfw on Oct 28, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno...
that may be true, but I think the fact that McClain plays in a 3-4 makes him look faster than he does.
Also, Florida’s defense has nothing but players who run sub 4.6’s…Of course Spikes doesn’t look all that fast.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 28, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
its probably apples and oranges tho...
both are capable of being the next Urlacher or even Ray Lewis. Definitely both athletic enough to be elite, but what’s between the helmet also matters.
..."I predict...the Giants are #1"...
...."That's not a prediction meatman, that's a FACT OF LIFE"!.
---Carl
by FreeBradshaw on Oct 28, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I think
McClain is better in coverage but Im no scout, Thats just me watching the too.
That Falcons Pick Is Looking Like It Might Be Higher Then We Thought.
I have Ronnie Brown, Micheal Turner, and Dwayne Bowe all on my fantasy team.
Spikes.
I’ve watched a lot of Brandon at UF and he’s a complete player. There isn’t much a Mike can be asked to do that he doesn’t excel at. Heck, he can even rush off the end if necessary…
"A player who conjugates a verb in the first person singular cannot be part of the squad, he has to conjugate the verb in the first person plural. We. We want to conquer. We are going to conquer. Using the word 'I' when you're in a group makes things complicated." ~ Wanderley Luxemburgo, 1999
If you run a 3-4, McClain is your guy. If you run a 4-3, Spikes is your guy.
by TheRealSlimShady on Oct 28, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions
yeah
That sums it up for me.
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The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
I think Spikes is stronger and he has to fight off Guards often when you notice he plays in a 43
Spikes also knows how to create the biig play in the passing game. he should have many more sacks this season but the Qb usually throws it away befire he gets layed out
OFFENSE- Protect the Quaterback at all costs
DEFFENSE- Get to the Quaterback at all costs
I HART DOLPHINS
Nobody dies a virgin, Life fucks us all
seems to me
that McClain would be a bit more flexible positionally than Spikes. I could see McClain fitting in pretty well as a Strongside LB on a 4-3 team, if it’s already set at MLB of course. Spikes seems a little to stiff in coverage on TEs. Just a note. I love him as a prospect, but only as an inside ’backer. McClain does play faster, and seems to have more upside. I could see McClain going top 15, hell, even top 10. Spikes seems like a mid 20s kinda guy.
by birds'n'raiders on Oct 30, 2009 9:27 PM EDT reply actions
Spikes stock probably just dropped
if he really was a top 15 pick right now…he’s not.
Probably gonna fall like Rey Maualuga.
DO WHAT JERRY HAIRSTON DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Speaking of Spikes
Just got suspended a Quarter for gouging a player’s eyes after the play was over.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"
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