Brandon Spikes' Last Stand
by mlmintampa on Dec 4, 2009 5:29 PM EST
in Florida Football
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PrintTim Tebow gets most of the credit for being the Gators' leader. But do not overlook what Brandon Spikes has done the last three seasons and his impact on Saturday. He was not appointed the defensive leader in 2007; he was shoved into the role as was everyone else who had a spot to fill and failed at it. For 2008, he took the responsibility, leading his team with emotion and skill. It was Brandon Spikes who made the first "F You" move of 2008 (interception return against LSU) and the most significant play against Georgia (his tackle of Knowshon Moreno).
Anyone who has watched Florida this season knows that the defense is a different animal with Spikes in the middle. They still have skilled guys, but Spikes seems to make the unit more aggressive, more violent. The incident against Georgia, in a base sense, was Spikes taking responsibility and defending his team. Florida does not have anyone else to do that. In Saturday's game, Spikes' ability to turn the knob to 11 will be crucial against an Alabama team looking to control the line of scrimmage.
Do not overlook where Spikes is from and where he is going, either. Tebow, for all his characteristics, does not have the background of most people. He was born in a foreign country, extremely religious, homeschooled, was able to pick any high school team he wanted and has been promoted since his senior year of high school. Spikes is the opposite of Tebow. He is not clean cut, from a rural town, with a brother in prison and has become Public Enemy No. 1 for a lot of fans, including some of Florida's.
For those on the Gators who do not connect with Tebow, they connect with Spikes. When Spikes stayed for one more season, it had an impact in the sense that he felt there was unfinished business. Yes, Tebow came back too. But Tebow came from a comfortable home life and a less secure NFL future. Spikes potentially turned down being a top-15 pick and wealth that could possibly help his family, all for another chance to win.That means a lot to those who look up to him.
The game before The Game is always the hardest to win. It is not an accomplishment to win your division and that pressure can make or break a man. Brandon Spikes has been through a lot the last three years, but this game will not break him.
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Heres to him being a Miami Dolphin.
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
Love both of 'em.
And your right. Look for Spikes to set the tone early.
I dont care what people think of Spikes. I love him, in a non gay way.
That pick he returned for a TD, and punted it into the crowd was wrong…but at the same time I couldnt help but laugh.
How many Gators have turned down a 100% 1st round draft future? Especially a guy like Spikes, if he god forbid gets hurt doesnt have a rich family to lean on.
Is it just me or has anyone noticed he is #51, and flip that around what do you get #15. The are like the modern day odd couple.
"Why does bottled water have an expiration date?"
Spikes and Tebow
Spikes told Tebow he was going where Tebow was going…..He said it again when Tebow decided to come back as a senior.
Spikes is a great Gator.
Spikes
There are times in life when you find yourself dealing with people who are less than civilized. When you come from a somewhat genteel background and you find that adversaries are trying to harm you in any way they can, it can be unnerving. Brandon Spikes came from a less genteel background. He has dealt with brutal people on different levels all his life and he understands that sometimes you must respond in kind. He is no less honorable than any man on the field. He simply responds to physical challenge on an instinctive, gut level. Some look at Spikes and see a thug. I look at Spikes and see a young man that that has been conditioned to deal with people that want to violently impose their will on others. Spikes is ready to respond to them. The Gators need him, we all need people like him from time to time. I think most casual fans would be surprised if they knew the depth of love he feels for the team. He can be a mean sob but he’s our mean sob.
Good call man
Spikes is a beast, and the defense is definately a different animal with him in. He deserves alot of credit, and if he didn’t play in the shadow of Tebow he would be a much bigger national name.
I hope every day he is available in the first round for the dolphins
by Sid Bream's Moustache on Dec 4, 2009 10:54 PM EST reply actions
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