New England Patriots After being drafted by the
New England Patriots (3rd round, 83rd selection overall), Spires played in 15 games including the
playoff appearance that the Patriots had. He recorded two sacks against the
Jacksonville Jaguars in the
postseason. During the 1999 season, he played 11 games until he suffered a hip injury against the
Buffalo Bills on November 28, 1999, and eventually was placed on
injured reserve for the remainder of the 1999 season. In 2000, Greg Spires had a great year. He played in all 16 games, and started two of them. Spires recorded a career high 6 sacks and tied
Willie McGinest for the team lead. Spires also forced three fumbles. He was re-signed by the Patriots on April 30, 2001. Because of team issues, Greg Spires was released by the Patriots towards the start of the 2001 season, on September 3, 2001. He was claimed and signed by the
Cleveland Browns the very next day.
Cleveland Browns Greg Spires' career with the
Cleveland Browns was short-lived. Despite being there for just one season, Spires played in all 16 games and started 4. He recorded four sacks that season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Greg Spires became an
unrestricted free agent after the 2001 season and was signed by the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Spires found a place with the Bucs and was their perennial starter at left defensive end from 2002 to 2007. He came at just the right time, as the Bucs sailed through the playoffs and won
Super Bowl XXXVII against the
Oakland Raiders. He totaled 47 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass defended lining up opposite right defensive end
Simeon Rice. Because of the chemistry of this defense, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the best pass defense and best overall defense in the
NFL. He played on one of the top-tier defenses in 2003, 2004, and 2005 (where they finished first again). Spires helped the Buccaneers to the playoffs, but they lost in the
Wild Card round to the
Washington Redskins. On February 27, 2008, the Buccaneers released him.
Oakland Raiders On May 10, 2008, he signed with the
Oakland Raiders. He was later released on August 25, 2008. ==NFL career statistics==