Brandon Spikes Suspended: How The New England Patriots Will Adjust To The Loss

Breakout rookie inside linebacker Brandon Spikes has been suspended by the NFL for four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy, according to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald. He will not appeal the suspension, which will last throughout the regular season, so he can be active for the team in the playoffs.

Whether he was suspended for steroids, a recreational drug, or a "natural male enhancement" per his sex tape scandal is unknown, but it doesn't matter much right now. The Patriots have to find a solution to the loss.

Guess it's time to call up Junior Seau for one last go-'round, huh?

Not exactly.

This may not be as detrimental as you may think. Spikes has been plenty effective when he plays, but this chart from Mike Dussault at PatsPropaganda.com actually shows that Spikes has seen less playing time over the past four weeks, and saw the bulk of his playing time against run-heavy teams.

A look at the Patriots' remaining schedule shows a lack of smash-mouth powerhouse running teams. None of their remaining opponents rank in the top half of the league in rushing.

It's safe to say, as well, that the Bears won't be running very much behind their soft offensive line. With that in mind, the Patriots have at least a week to adjust to their new defensive game plan sans Spikes.

It won't be easy to replace his production against the run. As Dussault points out, he recorded seven tackles in his 23 snaps last week against the Jets, including a great read, followed by an athletic interception against a play action pass.

So what exactly will the Patriots do?

Gary Guyton and Dane Fletcher will both move up the depth chart by one spot, though Guyton will probably see the majority of the snaps. After starting much of last year at strongside linebacker and filling in for Jerod Mayo last season during an injury, Guyton has replaced Spikes in sub packages this year, mainly against the pass.

Neither Guyton nor Fletcher, though, brings what Spikes does against the run.

It will be tough to replace his production as the second-leading tackler on the team, but the Patriots' mantra has always been "next man up" and that's exactly what they'll need from both Guyton and Fletcher.