Sounds Like Spikes Is Coming Back

I'm beginning to get the feeling the Eagles are going to try to be very aggressive with player acquisition this offseason.  You never know how these things will work out, since other teams can mess with even the best-laid plans by snatching up your top free agent priority with a massive contract, but I think the organization realizes this team is on the cusp of contention.  A couple of smart acquisitions could be all that's needed to get to the next level.

Of course, some times the best moves are the ones you don't make.  In this case, I think it's starting to look like Takeo Spikes will be back in green next year, based on a few things that came out of Reid's press conference on Wednesday:

On whether the fact that the game has playoff implications for other teams affects the way he approaches the game: ... "I'd add that same thing to Takeo's situation. I wanted to make it very clear that whether we were in the playoff hunt or not, that Takeo Spikes was going to have the surgery, as much as he was opposed to it. Both doctors were in agreement that he needed to have it immediately. That's how we proceeded."

On who will fill in for Spikes at linebacker: "We will work the two young guys in there (LBs Akeem Jordan and Stewart Bradley), Bradley a little bit at MIKE."

On whether Bradley or Jordan will get the start: "We haven't made up our mind on that yet. It might come down to something where Stewart plays in the nickel situations and Akeem plays in base situations. Again, we're going to give them both opportunities to work in there. (LB) Omar Gaither is doing such a good job at MIKE linebacker right now that we want to make sure that we keep that continuity there."

On where Bradley will play: "He won't play WILL. If he goes in, he'll go in as a MIKE linebacker."

On how he would sum up Spikes' season: "I think he had a pretty good year. As you saw him continue to get familiar with the defense, playing next to Omar, he was playing at a tremendous level here over the last half of the season."

Reid never gives anything away, but it sounds to me like:

• Giving Jordan playing time means they're looking to hold Spikes' place open for him, rather than commencing a move of Gaither to the outside.
• Reid thinks Spikes is a gamer ("as much as he was opposed to it").
• The Eagles are happy with Spikes' performance this year (as well they should be).

One thing we've never completely figured out is how Spikes' contract is structured.  We know he's set to make about $5 million next year in base salary, but the 2008 season is always described as an "option" year.  Whose option under what conditions has never really been explained.  But at least for now, Takeo isn't talking like a guy who wants to skip town: 

People are disappointed. That's understandable with the way things have gone. But there are still two games left and I know the guys aren't going to go down easy. I think we have great character guys here and I think that part of that is laying it on the line even though you can't go to the playoffs. You want to enter the offseason on a roll. That gives you momentum, and as close as we were this year, that means next year could be something special.

Next season, I expect greatness.

And the best news is that D--- R-------- isn't his agent.