Inside The Bills

Choice takes issue with Spikes actions

Bad enough that Patriots LB Brandon Spikes had an illegal helmet to helmet hit on Ryan Fitzpatrick that drew a flag and a likely fine from the league. Spikes also showboated after his hit on Fred Jackson that have him a concussion. That didn’t sit well with Tashard Choice.

“I don’t like to see anybody get hurt and then on top of that (Spikes) making fun of him while he’s on the ground. That really got me stirred up,” said Tashard Choice of the Patriot linebacker’s actions, “He’ll get his though. When players go down from concussions they’re serious. He wasn’t moving. It’s cool to make a big hit, but it’s not cool when somebody is down like that. He’s a good player, but you don’t do that.”

Fitz calls Pats LB Spikes “a punk”

Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had his helmet knocked clean off his head by Patriots LB Brandon Spikes on an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit that was flagged by officials in the fourth quarter. When Fitzpatrick got back up minus his helmet he went and confronted Spikes face to face. He also had some choice words to describe the type of player he thinks Spikes is after the game.

“I think the biggest thing is we’re not going to back down from anybody,” said Fitzpatrick. “Spikes is an emotional player. I think he’s a punk at times and took a cheap shot at Scott in the first game and was doing a lot of jabbering and talking and hitting out there. Not one of my favorite players. Not high on my list. I think that’s our mentality and I think it’s important that you make sure you don’t back down from anybody.”

Spikes was fined $21 thousand for the cheap shot he took on Scott Chandler in the first meeting between the two teams. He’s likely to draw another fine from the league for his latest dirty hit, which could be even more money being a repeat offender. 

Jerod Mayo was also flagged for unnecessary roughness when he body slammed C.J. Spiller to the ground out of bounds later in the fourth quarter. The penalty led to a Donald Jones touchdown.

Pats LB Spikes fined for Chandler hit

New England Patriots LB Brandon Spikes, who forced a pair of fumbles in the Pats’ Week 4 win over Buffalo, also cold-cocked Scott Chandler after a second half interception play. The NFL caught up with him Friday as he was slapped with a sizable fine.

According to ESPNBoston.com Spikes confirmed he was hit with a $21 thousand fine for an illegal blindside block. Spikes made helmet to helmet contact on the play and forced Chandler from the game with a head injury. He did not return to the game, but did pass concussion tests conducted by the team’s medical staff. He’s listed as probable for Sunday’s game against San Francisco.

Bills GM Buddy Nix didn’t appreciate the hit. When asked in his weekly radio appearance on WGR Sportsradio 550 if Chandler said anything to coach Gailey or him about the hit Nix said there was a reason Chandler didn’t.

“Chandler didn’t say anything because he was out of the game. He went to the dressing room after that lick. We turn something into the league every week and we get a response every week. That was done and normally publicly nothing ever comes of it, but it was a flagrant late hit.”

Pats LB a game time decision?

Patriots ILB Brandon Spikes was added to the injury report on Friday as probable with a calf injury might be more iffy than some might think.

ESPNBoston.com’s Mike Reiss is reporting that several New England assistants just watched Spikes trying to warm up on the field.

New England just promoted LB Shawn Crable from their practice squad to the 53-man roster late this week, but Spikes’ fellow rookie might be the player that dresses here this afternoon per Reiss.