Buzzmaster

  (3:02 PM)

Brandon will be here shortly to take your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (3:16 PM)

Hang on folks. We're tracking down Brandon!

Buzzmaster

  (3:27 PM)

We're still waiting for Brandon...hang on.

Buzzmaster

  (3:38 PM)

Sorry folks, but still no Brandon. We're going to wait until 4.

Buzzmaster

  (3:59 PM)

Brandon's here!

Chris (seattle)

what was the best part about those Florida-Georgia games?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:01 PM)

The best part is the atmosphere. The fans are intense. It's split right down the middle. You have Georgia on one side and Florida on the other.

Chad (Westfield)

Which QB do you most look forward to sacking this season?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:01 PM)

Not really. Hopefully I can get some sacks every Sunday, in a perfect world. I'm just looking forward to playing my old teammate twice this season. That should be fun.

Josh (Maine)

What is the moment in your life that you realized, I could actually play pro ball?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:02 PM)

It was right before college. Maybe freshman year in high school. I was able to make the varsity squad and I had a chance to play. I felt that any coach that gave me the chance, I could go out and play. I believed in myself. My mom always told me if you don't believe in yourself, then who will. I just pray every day that I can keep it up.

Cody (Revere)

How do you feel about your former coach Urban Meyer going to OSU?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:03 PM)

It wasn't a surprise for me. We talked about the legendary coach Woody Hayes. I knew that was one of his dreams. He'll be able to do the same thing as he did in Florida. He'll be able to get good players and develop them.

Danny C (NY)

What do you feel is a bigger rivalry? Jets-Pats or Florida-UGA?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:04 PM)

Man! I have to go with the Florida-Georgia rivalry. The atmosphere is so crazy. It's the biggest cocktail party ever. People are getting locked up and you have the college kids. I have to go with the Florida-Georgia rivalry because of the atmosphere and the fans. It's crazy.

Conor (Manhattan Beach, CA)

Hey Brandon, you played with Aaron Hernandez and Jermaine Cunningham on the same Florida team and now all 3 of you are on the same NFL team. Were you guys good friends during your time at Florida and what's it like playing with them again in the NFL setting?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:06 PM)

The funny thing about that is I actually lived with Aaron for a year and a half and I lived with Jermaine for a year and a half. That made the process from college to the NFL a lot easier. They're not only teammates but friends. I was fortunate. When I was a younger player it was good that we were going through that together.

Brandon (UMass)

If you could play one position on offense what would it be?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:07 PM)

I would probably say QB. In elementary school, when I first started playing ball, the coach said if you want to be a QB go over here and if you want to be a LB go over here. I ran to the LB spot, but I had my chance to be a QB.

Adam Fox (Albuquerque, NM)

Brandon, what position do you find yourself most comfortable in Belichick's ever-changing hybrid defense? Do you prefer the 3-4 or the 4-3?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:08 PM)

Personally, I say 4-3. It's a defense that I know well. I played pretty well in it. But 3-4, 4-3 it's defense and it's got a lot of similarities. But the 4-3 is a one gap defense and you just run to the ball.

Dom (Chicago)

do you play video games? Like playing as yourself?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:09 PM)

I do play video games. This offseason, I've been spending time playing Call of Duty. But every once in a while I have a friend who wants to play Madden. Of course I use the Patriots. That's a dream come true as a kid to see yourself in a game.

Brian (Foxboro)

What is the one thing you wanted to improve on in your game going into this year?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:09 PM)

Actually, yes, definitely my lateral speed and quickness. Just trying to get better any way I can. That's how you make plays, moving from side to side.

Adam (Los Angeles)

From what you've seen so far, what do you think Dont'a Hightower will bring to this 2012 season?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:10 PM)

I think he's going to be a great player. He's very smart. He's a rookie and has a lot to learn. As long as he keeps developing fast and keeps growing week to week. He's played in the SEC at Alabama in a good program. It's going to be fun to watch us all fly around.

Paritosh (Delaware)

What do you think is the hardest part of training camp? And thanks for the Chat!

Brandon Spikes

  (4:11 PM)

The meetings. They're so long. It's just every day. It's good though. The fun part is the practicies. I love those to get better every day. But those meetings, they last forever. You keep looking at the clock, it reminds me of school, waiting for that bell to ring.

Chris Aufiero (Martinez, Ga)

With the defense stepping up late last season when you and Chung returned. Now that the young defense are year wiser How do you see our defense turning out this season?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:12 PM)

I think we should be ready. We went through a little adversity. We were young, but you have to be prepared for that. I'm looking forward to that first game.

Phil G (Watertown, CT)

Brandon... You play with a fire and passion that I love to watch and get your teammates motivated to play hard like you. What do you think or do pre-game to get hyped up like you do?

Brandon Spikes

  (4:14 PM)

Honestly, it's like a switch that I just turn on. It's been like that since I was a kid. It's a burning feeling inside me that I'm constantly hyped and passionate. I feel like my teammates see that. Before the game, I'm pacing around and talking. In high school, I had a teammate come up to me and say I love how hard you play I love playing with you. The same thing in college. And last year I had a teammate come up and do the same thing. It's passion. I love it. That's why I play. The love of the game. Not the fame or the money. I still feel like a kid playing.

Brandon Spikes

  (4:15 PM)

I've been working hard. I'm looking forward to the season. Follow me on Twitter. Go Pats!