PHILADELPHIA (March 26, 2007) -- The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb from the Buffalo Bills for defensive tackle Darwin Walker and a conditional draft pick in 2008.
"This is something that has been brewing," Bills general manager Marv Levy said. "Takeo is a good person, but we wanted to strengthen our defensive tackles. They've been looking for a linebacker and I think they wanted an experienced backup quarterback."
A nine-year NFL veteran, Spikes was slow recovering last year from a right Achilles' tendon torn in Week 3 of the 2005 season.
Spikes played his first five seasons with Cincinnati and had been seeking a contract extension with Buffalo. But he grew increasingly frustrated playing for a Bills team that's constantly shuffling its roster and coaching staff, and has gone seven seasons since last making the playoffs.
Spikes, a former first-round pick, is a big upgrade at linebacker for the Eagles, who have struggled at that spot the past few seasons.
Holcomb has made 21 starts over an 11-year career. He joins A.J. Feeley on the quarterback depth chart behind Donovan McNabb.
This has the potential to be a steal for the Eagles. The hamstring injury is common for players who are recovering from an achilles injury. He's at least an upgrade over Dhani Jones.
Walker is decent but terribly inconsistent. He's one of the strongest men in the NFL but you wouldn't know it with the way he gets pushed around in the middle during a run play.
Holcomb has no real value to the Eagles and might even be flipped for a pick come draft day.
Spikes is well into 'the back nine' of his playing career.... especially for an OLB. He's definitely lost a step playing a position that demands speed.
If this was 2004, it'd be a steal of epic proportions. However, it's the year 2007 and dude's turning 31 in December. If he stays healthy and regains that step, he'll be a major force for a couple of years.
ucantdoitdoggieSTyle2 wrote:Spikes is well into 'the back nine' of his playing career.... especially for an OLB. He's definitely lost a step playing a position that demands speed.
If this was 2004, it'd be a steal of epic proportions. However, it's the year 2007 and dude's turning 31 in December. If he stays healthy and regains that step, he'll be a major force for a couple of years.
Good luck, Philly.
My feeling too- he had a decent last couple games of 2006 so I wonder how an offseason of just conditioning instead of rehab will do for a guy like this..
Headhunter wrote:Taking sloppy seconds from Buffalo is almost as stupid as signing a Boo-Boo bear wannabe from the Giants. But hey, Philly would never do that, Right?
Dhani Jones was clearly a mistake by the Iggles.. he's really a pass rushing LB at best.. and terrible against the run.. Spikes has been to the pro-bowl and might be able to regain his form. Dhani either never had potential or never reached it...
Spikes is a HUGE upgrade over D. Jones. EagleFan can usually rest assured that their D will always be among the best- their track record reflects that, and I wish I could say that about MY team.
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