Brandon Spikes looking towards free-agency, trying to become three-down linebacker

Brandon Spikes has been a notable absence at OTAs.

Mainly because he's the only player that's not there that doesn't have a solid excuse like, say an injury or surgery.

The story has been much much overblown, as many are this time of year. The craziest of reactions has been that maybe the Patriots would trade him or release him. Hold on a second here.

A report came out yesterday from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com that Spikes is actually undergoing his own training regimen down in Florida with Pete Bommarito. Credit to Andy Hart of PFW for being the first to speculate on that being the reason for Spike's absence from OTAs, not a contract dispute.

Spikes goal apparently is to work on his speed. The reason? One would assume so that he can be better suited to cover tight ends and running backs on the field.

NFL.com:
"It's basically strength and conditioning work," Pete Bommarito, president of Bommarito Performance Systems, recently told me. "Just speed work, conditioning, that kind of stuff that we know he responds to. Just trying to basically build and work on overall athleticism. With him, it's not really anything that's truly position-specific or sport-specific. The majority of it is just speed, overall joint alignment, making sure he's as healthy as possible, as lean as possible and as strong as possible."

Spikes is a free-agent after this year, so he has some extra motivation to become a more versatile player. Right now, you think of Spikes as a guy that is a beast in the middle knocking guys out and stopping the run. However, when he has to cover someone in space? Not so beastly.

Apparently that's something Spikes has taken note of himself and something he aims to change. That will not only help the Patriots this year, but if he has a big year and can get some interceptions, he might be in for a big pay day.

Spikes first worked with Bommarito last year, after which he stayed consistently healthy and had his breakout season. Hopefully some extra time with Bommarito works out well for him, though I do hope he re-signs with the Patriots.