Eagles Trade for Takeo Spikes, Kelly Holcomb

Filling perhaps their biggest need—outside linebacker—the Eagles have traded DT Darwin Walker and a 2008 late-round pick to the Bills for Takeo Spikes and backup QB Kelly Holcomb. Spikes is a two-time Pro Bowler, who despite some injuries, is an immediate upgrade at linebacker for the Birds, pushing Dhani Jones out of the starting lineup.

Spikes' past injuries include an Achilles tear that ended his 2005 season and hamstring and ankle injuries last year. Most people believe he'll be healthy when the season starts, and if so, the Eagles have really pulled off a nice deal here, since Darwin Walker became expendable when Montae Reagor was signed last week. Holcomb didn't play last year, and I'm not sure he makes the team if Donovan McNabb recovers from the ACL in time for the season. If not, Holcomb will be a decent backup to AJ, unless he has a great preseason and challenges AJ for the interim starting job.

Comments

[the Krisheim]

peace out dhani.

[Cole]

why can't we just have koy as our thrid string and let him hold. If your third string is playing your screwed anyway at least we won't lose a game on a poor hold.

[Cole]

why can't we just have koy as our thrid string and let him hold. If your third string is playing your screwed anyway at least we won't lose a game on a poor hold.

[enrico]

I wouldn't be surprised if Holcomb never suits up in a regular season game for the Birds. They could maybe package him in a deal for *something* they could use or simply cut him and not take a huge cap hit.

[sly]

With Takeo Spikes, we have the chance for another great name chant. Everytime he makes a play we should yell T-K-OOOOOOOOO

[sid]

not that i am a bills fan, but what the hell are they doing, their best players were either traded or lost to free agency. they are going to be the worst team in the league next year.

[gootman]

Great deal if he's healthy, even if he's not back to his old form; Darwin Walker and a draft pick aren't a big loss.

Let's all give a moment of silence so we can hear Dhani strum that guitar one last time. TKO, TKO, TKO (I like it!)

[depressedfan]

I'm not 100% sure of this, but I think if Koy is going to be the holder, he has to be the backup. Once the third string QB comes into the game, the starter can't come back in. Anyone know if that's correct?

Anyway, great, great move by the Eagles. And if they do use a first-day pick on a DT, let's just hope it's a big DT.

[Scrapple and Iggs]

Great idea with the intentionally bad MS paint job. Really terrific.

[the Krisheim]

i defend michael lewis and i get killed, yet i need to put up with multiple posts about who is going to hold this year?

were you guys this worried about the holding situation for the first 15 games?

seriously?

[Walklett]

Did you watch that Dallas game by any chance when their entire season came to a screeching halt because of a botched hold? Akers missed his first field goal ever inside of 30 yards last season because of a botched hold. It's not an easy job. Teams give players $100,000+ contracts to be long snappers. Is that not important? Games are won and lost constantly in the NFL as a result of the kicking game.

[Joe Manning]

Yes.

[the Krisheim]

i called kelly holocomb and he said that neck beard can suck it and he is a better holder.

problem solved!

[david.schaeffer]

They bring us players who were hurt and we"re supposed to jump for joy here. Give me a break, get me a safety who is not holding on to a running back for 5 yards and a decent linebacker who is healthy.

[david.schaeffer]

They bring us players who were hurt and we"re supposed to jump for joy here. Give me a break, get me a safety who is not holding on to a running back for 5 yards and a decent linebacker who is healthy.

[All Philadelphia Sports]

Now that the Eagles filled their need for a linebacker, do you think the Eagles would draft Reggie Nelson if he's available at the 26th spot?