FOXBORO -- Brandon Spikes didn't need to tell reporters how ecstatic he was to be practicing again. Of course, he did
"It was just fun to get back in pads. Its been a long offseason, and Im happy to be out there running again.
"Its kind of frustrating watching from the sideline, but just to get out and get a little contact, it feels good."
But it was obvious enough on the field.
Spikes had a knee scope in February. The Patriots linebacker has consequently been limited during OTAs, minicamp, and started training camp on the PUP list. Once activated, he participated in positional drills, but not much else.
Tuesday saw him jump back into 11-on-11 and he dove headfirst. Spikes went hard after Dan Connolly on his first snap. After the play, he immediately started jumping around, high-stepping. The energy he brought to the drills -- the whooping, chest-bumping, high-fiving -- was infectious.
"Just happiness; I was excited," Spikes grinned.
He was equally enthusiastic when asked about the rookies.
"They're just relentless to the ball. A lot of guys, you can tell they're hard workers; they play hard and that's one thing I respect -- a passionate player. As long as they can just keep getting better throughout the camp, that's fine with me."
Spikes brings plenty of passion himself. As long as he's out there.