Brandon Spikes and Dane Fletcher visit with the Patriots

[Corsi]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter  12s12 seconds ago
Non-Deflate-Gate Patriots' news: former New England and Buffalo LB Brandon Spikes is in Foxboro today for visit with Patriots, per source.
 
Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss  20s20 seconds ago
Free-agent LB Dane Fletcher, who played for the Patriots from 2010-2013 and was with Buccaneers last year, visited New England today.

 

[Jettisoned]

I guess he left his umbrella there when he left after 2013.

 

[DourDoerr]

Who knew the bridge was built of bricks?

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

LOL what? This is hilarious. I can't think of a circumstance where Spikes comes back here. He seemed thrilled to get out of NE.

 

[tims4wins]

LOL what? This is hilarious. I can't think of a circumstance where Spikes comes back here. He seemed thrilled to get out of NE.

 
$$$ speak

 

[NickEsasky]

 
$$$ speak

Are they providing reparations for his time as a slave there?

 

[tims4wins]

Are they providing reparations for his time as a slave there?

 

[lexrageorge]

LOL what? This is hilarious. I can't think of a circumstance where Spikes comes back here. He seemed thrilled to get out of NE.

And, his other options are....what again?  

 

[RedOctober3829]

It's insurance in case Hightower isn't back on time for the season.

 

[GraysonGrandeGonads]

Like today needed any more icing on the cake

 

[Corsi]

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss  20s20 seconds ago
Free-agent LB Dane Fletcher, who played for the Patriots from 2010-2013 and was with Buccaneers last year, visited New England today.
 
edit: editing title to reflect this

 

[Stitch01]

Spikes back for something close to the vet minimum if he accepts that he's not going to be a three down LB anywhere in the NFL would actually be a pretty nice signing.

 

[nattysez]

Is everyone so confident that Mayo will be back at 100%?  The knee injury he sustained was pretty significant.  I don't think padding the linebacker corps a bit is a bad idea at all.  These guys can always be dumped if/when Mayo appears to be completely healthy and playing at his past level.

 

[Corsi]

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss  6m6 minutes ago
Nothing official, but told there is a "good chance" that Patriots will sign LB Dane Fletcher. Team has been seeking experienced LB depth.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss  6m6 minutes ago
Nothing official, but told there is a "good chance" that Patriots will sign LB Dane Fletcher. Team has been seeking experienced LB depth.
 

He makes a ton of sense - he's an experienced backup who knows the system and can also contribute on special teams. Spikes is probably a better fit as a bridge if Hightower's missing significant time, but he wouldn't have a role once Hightower and Mayo are healthy.

 

[AB in DC]

 
Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss  6m6 minutes ago
Nothing official, but told there is a "good chance" that Patriots will sign LB Dane Fletcher. Team has been seeking experienced LB depth.
 

 
But experienced DB depth, obviously, is completely unnecessary.

 

[bradmahn]

 
But experienced DB depth, obviously, is completely unnecessary.

Bradley Fletcher? Robert MClain? Dane Fletcher doesn't compare favorably in experience to either of them. Maybe if you took your DBery to a different, more appropriate thread, you would have been aware of their experienced DB signings this offseason.

Fletcher would be a good, inexpensive signing to provide capable depth with STs contributions. Good fit for where the Pats are in the team building phase right now.

 

[jsinger121]

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss  5m5 minutes ago
A familiar face is present at Gillette Stadium today as the Patriots begin OTAs -- linebacker Dane Fletcher.