After weeks of inactivity and ho hum signings, the Birds went out and finally made a move that will get Eagles fans a little excited. The Eagles website has the details:The team acquired linebacker Takeo Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb from the Bills in exchange for defensive tackle Darwin Walker and a conditional draft pick in 2008.The Eagles had a good deal of depth at the defensive line position and were severely lacking at linebacker. Darwin Walker was unremarkable this past season and won't be missed all that much.
As for Spikes, he fills one of the biggest holes in the Eagles defense and if healthy could be a huge addition. Spikes will be a full season away from his Achilles tear and should be back to the top of his game. Holcomb seems to have been thrown in just for the Bills to dump him.
Darwin Walker for a former Pro Bowl linebacker seems to good to be true. Granted, Spikes is 30, but I have faith he has a few good seasons left. This move shows the Eagles, rightfully so, aren't very high on Dhani Jones and may be thinking Jeremiah Trotter is on the decline. One notable point about the trade, with Spikes being thirty, I hope the Birds still address the LB position on day 1 to bring in some youth.
Spikes is a much needed addition and the Eagles get high marks for this move.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nice Aquistions in Reagor & Spikes. The birds still need help on the D-line. I'm not drinking the kool aid on Broderick Bunlkley. A high first round pick
who can't get on the field his rookie season is not a good sign. Another Jerome McDougle!
well phillie i wish you well , hopefully Spikes will fulling recover . Bills fans have already gone tru this with Sam Cowert , he was never the same .
It is "enjoyable" seeing the front office making moves, any kind of moves!, but other than the condition of Spikes achilles tendon at this time, my question is, CAN HE TACKLE?? or does he come with only the ability to "be seen" on the field??? If anything pissed me off more this passed season about Andys' defense, it was seeing these PRO football players, who have been playing this game since "Pop Warner" days, look like it was "WELCOME TO DAY ONE" when it came to stopping the run, after the "point of attack" or in the secondary.
I happened to stumble accross this article and I thought I would give you guys my thoughts on Spikes. It is sad to see him go, he was a fan favorite. He was that player that you wanted on your team. But, I might be afraid to say that he won't make it back from the injury he suffered a couple years ago. Last year was an indication. There were times when you had to look to make sure he was on the field. It would be nice to see if he can make it back more after year two, I would rather see that because of his character. But, I am afraid that he will never be the same TKO that he was when the Bills brought him to Buffalo.
I still say and will continue to say that the Eagles need to get themselves a good, tough, quality runningback either through the draft, trade or free agency. They need a big bruiser, somebody who can get the tough yards on short-yardage downs and who can take some of the heat off Brian WestBrook. Corey Dillon might be a good pick up. they don't need anymore linebackers or defensive linemen. Add to list of needs, a #1 receiver, not a bunch of clutch receivers.
Ya know what PinceQueBamaStU, I've been stating the same thing. The Eagles NEED to find a "MULE" because "throughbreds" are nice on a "dry track" but when you need some plowing to be done, that "fancy-shmancy" race horse just "AIN'T GONNA DO IT!"
The Spikes trade is an excellent move for the Eagles. Achillies injuries take a full year from the beginning of rehab to fully heal. Philly scouts their additions well, if TKO wasn't 100%, He'd not have been brought in. Factor in the cost was Darwin Walker and a conditional 2008 pick. Great move!
Do the people making comments about the Eagles wide-outs actually watch the game? Curtis-Brown-Baskett-Avant-Lewis make up a very talented corps.
And about the need for a big back? Do the words "West Coast Offense" mean anything? By definition, the big slogging back isn't a requirement. I'd love to see Dillon, no doubt. Only problem, would Dillon accept second-billing to Westbrook? There's also the tantilizing thought of Brian Leonard in the draft.
Stopping the run was the biggest weakness last season, followed closely by linebacker play, especially in 3rd-and-long situations on the pass. Reagor might not be of the Gilbert Brown mold, but he is a solid, high-energy guy with experience to mentor Bunkley and Ramsey.
"TKO" solidifies the LB unit, far better than an unproven Ryan Fowler would have. in addition to that experience issue to help developing Gocong...
Philly's extended success this decade is through building this team through smart aquisitions and developing players in house. This year's additions have all addressed needs and have positioned the team to continue that philosophy.
The Eagles are positioned to enter the draft with their biggest current need (defensive back) being addressed in a draft that is very deep in said backs.
Seriously, what's not to like about this offseason?
eagles suck