Alles Andere » It was his first tweet since Aug. 21 when

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- After a falling out with the New England Patriots, linebacker Brandon Spikes is embracing his fresh start with the Buffalo Bills. Spikes joined the Bills late Friday night on a one-year contract. The Bills have been active in free agency thus far, signing six free agents. The middle linebacker is easily Buffalos most intriguing addition. The 26-year-old Spikes is an aggressive, hard-hitting defender. A second-round pick of the Patriots in 2010, Spikes started 39 of 53 games in New England, with 286 tackles and five forced fumbles. He was third on the Patriots in tackles in 2013 with 86. "I was excited the whole time to get going with a new start in a new beginning in a new place," Spikes said on a conference call Monday. "I feel like its going to be fun and Im down for a challenge. I want to help change the culture there." Spikes is known for the physical nature of his play. "All the old-school, throwback backers, I just moulded my game after them and it just stuck with me this whole time," Spikes said. "I wouldnt call it intimidating, Im just playing and going hard and relentless and play every play like its your last." The addition of Spikes is one of many moves the Bills hope will fix their porous run defence. With Spikes taking over middle linebacker duties, the Bills plan on moving young standout Kiko Alonso to the weak side after spending his rookie season in the middle. The Bills also signed former New York Giants linebacker Keith Rivers to a two-year contract on March 12. The Bills finished 28th against the run in 2013, allowing an average of 128.9 yards per game. "I actually think it was like seven games where they gave up 150 yards on the ground. I just want to come and help them out," Spikes said. "Thats one of my strengths, stopping the run, and I feel like I can help. Whatever they need me to do, Im willing to do and do it at a high level." Spikes joins a defence that has its fourth co-ordinator in four seasons. Former Detroit head coach Jim Schwartz is installing a base 4-3 following the departure of Mike Pettine, who left Buffalo after one year to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Spikes is set to reunite with his former linebackers coach, Pepper Johnson, now Buffalos defensive line coach. Johnson made the move from New England in January and Spikes said his presence was one of the reasons he decided to come to Buffalo. "A great coach, a great inspiration to the game," Spikes said. "He loves the game and hes definitely what I want to be down the road; hes a legendary ball player and coach." After playing with a knee injury for several weeks in New England, Spikes was placed on injured reserve on Jan. 6. An ESPN report later said Spikes was placed on IR after being late to a team meeting during a Boston snow storm. On Saturday, after the contract was official, Spikes tweeted: "Free at last, free at last. I thank God Im free at last. Free at last, Free at last !!!!!! #LetsGetIt #PoWwWwW." "I just want to kind of close that chapter," Spikes said. "I just want to put that all behind me. Its great just to have a new beginning. Im excited. The past is the past. Im happy now and Im ready to get to work and Im just ready to help." Spikes is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his cousin, Takeo Spikes. Takeo Spikes was a standout linebacker with the Bills from 2003-06. After wearing number 55 in New England, Spikes is returning to the number 51, which he wore earlier in his career, in honour of his cousin. "He inspired me to be great," Spikes said. "He inspired me to have a dream and chase it. ... Watching him in Buffalo growing up inspired me to wear the number 51 ... hes just somebody I look to be like." Wholesale NBA Jerseys . -- Two nights after losing to the Eastern Conferences worst team, the Phoenix Coyotes handled the best. NBA Jerseys Stitched .C. -- Unable to get much lift off his sore right ankle, Bobcats centre Al Jefferson figured it was time to make an adjustment. http://www.stitchednbajerseys.com/ .twitter.com/TeZD3KOvlA — Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 24, 2014 Sorry for the delay, we just got back from lunch at Papa Vons #NBAFastFood pic. Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Authentic . - PGA Tour rookie Tony Finau shot a 9-under 63 at Del Monte and had a two-stroke lead over Billy Andrade and Lee Janzen of the Champions Tour after Thursdays opening round of the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping . -- The Orlando Magic finally are showing the patience in critical moments that coach Jacque Vaughn has been waiting for all season. TORONTO -- Jermain Defoe, whose future in Toronto has come into question recently, will be back training with the MLS side on Sept. 20, according to manager Greg Vanney. Toronto FC turned down a club-record transfer bid Monday for the 31-year-old England striker, amidst reports and speculation suggesting that he wants to return to England. Thats where Defoe currently is, nursing a groin injury. On Saturday, the star forward sent a message of support via Twitter to his Toronto teammates. And Vanney offered a concrete date for his return. "We know hell be back on the 20th to join our camp," Vanney said after Saturdays 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union. "And we look forward to him getting back. Clearly hes a difference-maker, a big part of the club and a big part of this team." Vanney said the team was speaking to Defoe daily or every other day and "those conversations are going well." "A lot of this is behind us," he added. Vanney said he hoped Defoe would be able to play "soon thereafter" following his return. "I know his regimen that he is supposed to be going through now is intense. So the hope is he shows up fit and ready to sharpen up within the team." Toronto (9-11-6) could use its leading scorer. It has not scored in 280 minutes. GM Tim Bezbatchenko, who was at the post-game news conference where Vanneey spoke declined comment saying Vanney had said what needed to be said.dddddddddddd Defoe broke his silence before the game, opting for the 140-character route. "Big game for boys tonight good luck cant wait to be back out there scoring," he tweeted. It was his first tweet since Aug. 21 when he excitedly noted a special delivery of custard. Earlier Saturday, the Daily Mail reported that the England striker is set to open negotiations with Toronto about exiting before the January transfer window. Toronto officials have denied reports that their star acquisition, signed from Tottenham in January, wanted to leave. Defoe was linked to deadline day moves Monday to Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City. Harry Redknapp, manager of Queens Park Rangers, said Monday his team tried hard to pry Defoe free but was told Toronto would not give him up ahead of the MLS playoffs. Redknapp, who worked with Defoe at West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham, also said Defoe wants to return to England. The Daily Telegraph reported earlier this week that Defoe is believed to be concerned he made a mistake by moving to MLS and that the standard of soccer is not as good as he had hoped. The paper added that Defoe has struggled to adapt to his new life and was upset at last weekends firing of manager Ryan Nelsen and five members of his coaching staff. 17:09ET 06-09-14 ' ' '