Brandon Spikes or David Harris?

[BillsImpossible]

Harris just turned 31. He had six sacks and 124 tackles last year, plus he's a Rex Ryan guy.

Spikes turns 28 in September and is about 4 years younger than Harris. His production was limited in 2014, but he was outstanding against the run.

The Return of Kiko is a factor. Which player will Alonso be better suited to play with?

I'm in favor of keeping Brandon Spikes for two reasons.

Spikes is 3 years away from 30 and he's a guaranteed lock to stop the run.

I don't want to lose a young run stopping specialist in Spikes in favor of a linebacker that is 1 injury away from the end of his career due to his age.

[Mace]

Spikes, he's a brutal hitter, and relishes contact more than any current lb in the NFL.

Thing is though, I think Harris and Spikes are both 2 down LB's. I think the guy you pair with Alonso is Preston Brown. Alonso and Brown are both sure 3 down LB's, fast and mean hitters, well suited for the role in the Ryan defense.

It's just a feeling, but I can see Harris in Cleveland and Spikes in Atlanta.

[Night Train]

Eventually, Preston Brown should be in the middle so I'm fine with whatever they decide. Kiko is strictly OLB. I sure like Spikes for 2 downs and Harris is like a player/coach.

[BillsImpossible]

Eventually, Preston Brown should be in the middle so I'm fine with whatever they decide. Kiko is strictly OLB. I sure like Spikes for 2 downs and Harris is like a player/coach.

Spikes on 4th and short?

Good for 2 downs, and possibly 3.

If they run it, cough.

[The Jokeman]

Both will be backups if brought in so we might want to look for cheaper alternatives. Josh Maugua has some Rexory so could be a thought. To me a bigger debate is to re-sign Da'norris Searcy or go after Dawan Landry.

[BillsImpossible]

Both will be backups if brought in so we might want to look for cheaper alternatives. Josh Maugua has some Rexory so could be a thought. To me a bigger debate is to re-sign Da'norris Searcy or go after Dawan Landry.

Dawan Landry is 32 years old.

End of debate ;-)

[The Jokeman]

Dawan Landry is 32 years old.

End of debate ;-)

If we're looking at a one or two year option it is a debate as we have other young Safeties like Duke Williams and Rambo who could be long time answers and cheaper than Searcy.

[Mace]

Eventually, Preston Brown should be in the middle so I'm fine with whatever they decide. Kiko is strictly OLB. I sure like Spikes for 2 downs and Harris is like a player/coach.

I'm not really sure about that. That's old time 3-4 or 4-3, coverage guys. Modern hybrid has standup ends/tweeners at OLB, and your two inside 3 down guys are fast flowing hitting playmakers. Shifting looks with Alonso is not going to help him fool anyone at end. He belongs in the middle, inside, able to roam, not necessarily mlb, though you have to figure who can see and call best defensive signals (Alonso did very well at that), mlb is your defensive QB, not that mlb in a Ryan D is mlb traditionally.

I don't really understand why the anointed splendiferous Kuechly is not the LB model for Alonso. People don't seem to notice both are 6'3/238, and Alonso's stats when available are comparable.

But I don't see why anyone can say Alonso is strictly OLB, unless you say Kuechly should be too and he's lighting up the league in the middle of the field.

[coastal]

Spikes. Thx.

[better days]

Spikes, he's a brutal hitter, and relishes contact more than any current lb in the NFL.

Thing is though, I think Harris and Spikes are both 2 down LB's. I think the guy you pair with Alonso is Preston Brown. Alonso and Brown are both sure 3 down LB's, fast and mean hitters, well suited for the role in the Ryan defense.

It's just a feeling, but I can see Harris in Cleveland and Spikes in Atlanta.

My prediction is one or the other, Spikes or Harris is a Bill next year.

[swiper]

Wasn't this thread done already?

Spikes/Hughes/Alonso/Brown/Lawson is a pretty good set of LBs. For 3-4 or 4-3.

[jamze132]

I would rather have Spikes than Hughes if it came down to it.

[X-Era]

Spikes and I think it's highly likely that he returns actually. Maybe even over Hughes (on whos more likely to be back).

[YardRat]

Spikes. Considering how the coaching staff was handled, however, it certainly wouldn't surprise me if he and others (Searcy, Hughes) were just allowed to walk and Rex brought in a few of 'his' guys.