Takeo Spikes, Kelly Holcomb, Philadelphia Eagles

[Dillen]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to give a big farg you to all you slimy bastiches who are talking shtein on what is basically my hometown of Buffalo being that I grew up 20 minutes from there.


Eat a fleshpop, farg you all and may your mothers be raped by a bunch of apes coked up on speed and viagra.

I live in Rochester, which isnt all that far away from Buffalo either. Appears that we're the only two from around the area. Seems that we're pretty much the only two brothers on this board too.

[rjs246]

Apparently, only brothers from upstate new york can find their way around the internets.

[SunMo]

i couldn't care less if somebody talked shtein about a place 20 minutes from where i grew up, in fact, i would probably join in

[PhillyandBCEagles]

Why are people complaining about the WIL position??  Gaither had a pretty good year last year, especially for a 6th-round draft pick rookie, he's got nowhere to go but up

i complain about the linebackers in general...and i wont say anything bad about gaither because hes a sixth rounder and he did his best last year...but lets be real the guy isnt the answer...

i also dont think because youre a real late pick that means you have an upside...i tend to think they are limited in talent and anything they give you is a bonus rather than theres more of that to come...of course gaither could also be the next willie t...but to me upside is for ultra-talented players which imo gaither is not...his value got way overblown because mccoy was so friggin bad

In general you may be right but I think Gaither did a great job last year....especially considering that many of his mistakes were due to inexperience (ie 12 men on the field vs NO).  Even if he doesn't get any better, I felt more comfortable with him at WIL than I have with anyone else in years other than Adams' brief period of non-suckitude in the '04 playoffs.

[cj2112]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to give a big farg you to all you slimy bastiches who are talking shtein on what is basically my hometown of Buffalo being that I grew up 20 minutes from there.


Eat a fleshpop, farg you all and may your mothers be raped by a bunch of apes coked up on speed and viagra.

I live in Rochester, which isnt all that far away from Buffalo either. Appears that we're the only two from around the area. Seems that we're pretty much the only two brothers on this board too.

Gotta ask - how can you tell?

[Feva]

We just know...

[Feva]

GCobb wants Takeo to play the WIL

Takeo Spikes was on the 610-WIP Morning Show on Tuesday morning and he didn't stutter when he said that his natural position is WILL linebacker. This guy was born to play the WILL because of his combination of size, speed, quickness, instincts and aggressiveness. If he's healthy, Takeo will take the Eagles defense up a few notches with forced fumbles, sacks and interceptions. I've been impressed with him more and more as I've studied him and talked to people around the league about him. But he's got to play WILL linebacker or the Eagles will be wasting his enormous talents and therefore wasting the big dollars they're paying him.

They've got to have him in position to make the big tackle when the Cowboys Julius Jones is trying to get outside or is cutting back while trying to explode on a big play. They want him to be the guy blitzing Eli Manning and not downfield running with tight end Jeremy Shockey. They want Spikes matched up with Washington's Clinton Portis with the game on the line. This guy, Takeo is an impact player, so you've got to put him position to make plays. Running backs will have trouble picking him up on the blitz because of his combination of size and speed. Offensive linemen are no where near quick enough to stop him from penetrating. Remember, it's very easy for a team to game plan away from SAM, but it's very difficult to game plan away from WILL. Many times SAM is glued to the tight end, while WILL is flexible and able to go to the ball.

I remember how Buddy Ryan used to talk about the WILL spot and how it was the position where you get the "Kill Shots". "Kill Shots" are opportunities to hit an offensive ball carrier before he's able to react to you. The WILL linebacker is normally always off the line of scrimmage on the side away from the tight end. Many times he lined up over a tackle or guard but he's off the line of scrimmage and they have no chance of catching him unless the running play is right in that hole. Once the play starts he's normally headed to the strong side in search of his prey, which is normally the opposing running back.

Most running plays are to the strong side or the tight end side of the formation, and WILL comes from the other side or weak side and he "lays in the weeds" behind his defensive line until the running back commits to where he wants to go. Many times a running back will make the mistake of cutting back blindly into hole which he has spotted and a good WILL backer will appear out of nowhere and make him regret the decision. Quite a few times, the play will result in a fumble.
These shots may render a key player ineffective for the rest of the game unless he's very tough mentally or physically. Neither McCoy or Gaither pack the whallop of the best WILL backers, because they're just not big enough. Spikes is 6'2" in height and he weighs 242 lbs. McCoy and Gaither are in the 220's.

The WILL backer has to be aggressive and fast with great feet. A great WILL backer is just as good of an athlete as the running backs whom he pursues. WILL shuffles behind his defensive line and mirrors or shadows the running backs on running plays like an "assassin", then he pounces on the back when he hits the hole. A WILL backer with good instincts puts himself in the mind of the running back, similar to the way a hunter puts himself in the mind of his prey. From all I've heard, Takeo is a hunter and he's a great athlete who may be getting his legs back.

The WILL backer has a lot more blitz opportunities than SAM. He gets the chance to sneek up into his blitzes and utilize his speed to close on the quarterback.
Jim Johnson will have fun sending Spikes on the blitz from every alignment you can think of. I remember that great play he made while blitzing Tom Brady last year. He caused a fumble which resulted in a defensive touchdown.

Finally Spikes has great coverage skills because of his athleticism. You want him on the field all the time because he's got closing speed and great instincts. He'll be able to cover running backs, tight ends and even wide receivers for short periods of time. This guy was born to play WILL.

[Rome]

Spikes' presser is running late.  Shocking!

BTW: Is Eagles Live always this painful to listen to?  Holy christ...   

[Dillen]

Takeo cant go to the press conference because he was stabbed. In fact, that one GroupHug quote was from Takeo himself:

People always be stabbin me.

[Rome]

Someone just asked why the Eagles didn't "take" Adalius Thomas.

I think Spadaro's head is about to explode.

[Rome]

Spikes got McCoy's #51 & Holcomb's wearing neckbeard's #10.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Spikes got McCoy's #51 & Holcomb's wearing neckbeard's #10.

McCoy has to wear a picture of a penis until he earns a real number.

[BigEd76]

PE.com is selling 'em already.  Nice layout on the tile floor...

[Rome]

Someone needs to tell him that Peterson's first name is Julian, not Julius.

I will not volunteer to be that person.

[MDS]

It's not Spads fault Eagles Live sucks. He has to do the show with Chris McPherson and Bob Kent sucking on his balls.

Ba ba bum ching