Spikes Traded to Eagles...

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On Monday, March 26, 2007, the Philadelphia Eagles sent veteran DT Darwin Walker and an undisclosed conditional draft choice to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for former All-Pro OLB Takeo Spikes and 11-year veteran backup QB Kelly Holcomb.

The move made sense for both the Eagles and the Bills. The Eagles have invested a mountain of money and draft picks in the DT position, especially in the last two years. They spent first round draft picks on DT in each of the last two years, drafted another in the seventh round, picked up a veteran this offseason and re-signed a backup in 2004. Now, instead of stockpiling DTs, Andy Reid has finally made the decision to start investing in some much needed help at OLB. Although Spikes' production waned in the past two seasons due to an Achilles tendon injury, he is healthy again and is poised to make a great return to the field.

For the Bills, the time to strike a deal was now - before Spikes's contract skyrocketed in the next two years. Why not get something they need while getting rid of something they can live without? Since Sam Adams' departure over a year ago, the Bills defense has been struggling to get a push up the middle. In this trade, the Bills rid themselves of two things: (1) a big salary for an aging veteran and (2) a possible QB controversy that has been brewing since 2005. In turn, they acquired a solid DT that is still in his pass-rushing prime.

Spikes' Impact
Spikes is 6'2" and 242 lbs. He will provide a dominant force from the outside linebacker position. He knows how to make plays and is always around the ball. Spikes will most likely replace strongside linebacker Dhani Jones.

In Dhani Jones's 7 year career, he has made 446 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 INTs, 1
FF and 4 FR. In the first 7 years of Spikes's career, he has made 791 tackles, 19.5 sacks, 12 INTs, 10 FF and 15 FR. Spikes is just a hands-down playmaker, and the upgrade the Eagles have made is very obvious.

Kelly Holcomb's Impact
With only McNabb and Feeley on the roster for QB, the Eagles needed a veteran presence in the backup position. Ideally, teams like to have three QBs on the roster: a starter who is in his prime, a young backup QB who is waiting in the wings and learning, and a veteran QB to give some good advice and serve as a sounding board for the starter. Donovan is the unquestioned leader and starting QB of this team. However, there are times (unfortunately many times) when he gets that unmistakable look of loss on his face. These are the moments when a veteran like Holcomb can have a calming influence. With all of the different offensive systems Holcomb has seen over his career, he should have no problem picking up the Eagles' version of the West Coast Offense.

Darwin Walker's Impact.
The Bills DT position has not been its strongpoint. But this new coaching staff is starting to make the necessary changes. It began with drafting John McCargo in the first round last year. He played in 5 games, where he registered 6 tackles and 1 pass defended. The other DTs for the Bills are forgettable and once Walker steps into the lineup, then will be even more so.

This trade makes sense for both sides. It will be exciting to see how it plays out on the field next season.