Solidifying The Eagles Defense with Takeo Spikes

Last night a deal that was first rumored, then done, then not done, then finally finalized was a move that will help to sure up the Eagles weakest area, its defense.  Yesterday the Eagles signed former Buffalo Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes to help strengthen the Eagles' defensive line.

We all know the Eagles had a heck of a time stopping the run last season.  Spikes along with Reagor are going to help the Eagles be a lot better at that in 2007.  Hopefully this is going to quiet some of the complaints that have been very loudly voiced.

Along with Spikes, the Philadelphia Eagles also signed a third quarterback Kelly Holcomb in the deal.  The Eagles traded Darwin Walker and a late round draft pick in 2008 for the two.  Spikes is signed with the Eagles through 2008, for a contract that has a base salaries of $4.5 million and $5 million for this year and next.  The Eagles signed Holcomb through 2008, at $1.485 million and $1.535 million for the two years.

This is Spikes 10th NFL season and he is probably going to fill a starting role at any one of the 3 linebacker positions in Jim Johnson's defense.  There have been questions about his Achilles' tendon injury that happened in September of 2005, but the Eagles obviously feel that this is well past worry.  Especially looking at his performance last year - recording 70 total tackles, 43 of them being solo tackles.  Over the span of his career, Spikes has recorded 21 1/2 quarterback sacks, and 878 tackles in 126 games.