Brandon Spikes on roids

[AtlantaFalconPokerPro]

New England Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the team announced on Friday.

"The substance was a medication that I should have gotten clarification on before taking," Spikes said in a statement. "It was not a performance enhancer or an illegal drug. The integrity of the game is very important to me. I understand the league's ruling and apologize to my teammates, the fans and the Patriots organization for this mistake."

The suspension begins immediately with Spikes eligible to return after the Patriots final regular-season game on Jan. 2.

Spikes does not plan to appeal the suspension. He will serve it immediately to return in time for the playoffs.

The rookie from Florida is a first- and second-down player in the team's 3-4 alignment, a strong downhill player against the run. The second leading tackler on the team, his presence will be missed against teams that feature a physical running game.

In his absence, the Patriots are likely to turn to third-year player Gary Guyton, who was a starter at strongside inside linebacker in 2009. Guyton has been the team's top sub linebacker this year, replacing Spikes in passing situations.

Rookie free agent Dane Fletcher would also move one spot up the depth chart.

With the Patriots playing more sub defenses in recent weeks, Spikes' playing time has dipped a bit. But his production per play was evidenced against the Jets on Monday night when he finished with seven tackles in 23 snaps.

Spikes does not play on special teams units, so there is limited impact in that area.

The Patriots also announced that they signed defensive back Chevis Jackson on Friday. A third-round pick of the Falcons in 2008, the Louisiana State product was released by Atlanta in September, caught on with Jacksonville and played two games before being cut Nov. 17.

[Paulitik]

Good for Chevis.

Man, the Roids didn't work too well for Spikes, didn't he have a +5 40 time?

[FireDawg85]

Really? Beat me by 1 minute? Un-freak'n-believable!

[AtlantaFalconPokerPro]

(12-10-2010 08:19 PM)FireDawg85 Wrote:  Really? Beat me by 1 minute? Un-freak'n-believable!

I still hate the dude from where he eye gouged whats his name.

[FireDawg85]

(12-10-2010 08:45 PM)AtlantaFalconPokerPro Wrote:  I still hate the dude from where he eye gouged whats his name.

Ealey. Yup and Meyers harsh one quarter punishment LOL

[Jesus]

I'm not so worried about the Pats secondary now.

[nativefalcon]

Saw that earlier. Hes a fucking idiot, not like he didn't try to gouge out Washan Ealeys eyes when he played UGA, dudes a dirty player. We'll the pats won't have him down the road.