Posts in this topic

[mcnabbulous]

Anthony Gargano of 610-WIP just reported that the Eagles have released veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes. That frees up $5 million dollars and could be a preliminary move to something positive. This doesn't surprise me at all and was something I was expecting.

I'm not too surprised from all the bradley talk this offseason

Here's the GCobb linkity

[Pila]

There was no other reason to release TKO now unless it's prep work for a pending deal.

THis is extremely encouraging!!! I think I just pissed in my pants a little.

[xsv]

I guess we now know what Spadaro had such a fit over some fans noticing that Spikes wasn't on the 'un-official' depth chart the other day. Looks like he might have accidentally leaked some information.

[xsv]

There was no other reason to release TKO now unless it's prep work for a pending deal.

THis is extremely encouraging!!! I think I just pissed in my pants a little.

Well, I think it probably clears up a little space, but more than anything it means that Gaither is going back to Wil and Bradley is going to play in the middle this year.

Can't say I'm thrilled about our depth at LB now though. I know we have the unimpressive Jordan, but who's out 5th and 6th LBers now?

[igglesblogman]

I guess we now know what Spadaro had such a fit over some fans noticing that Spikes wasn't on the 'un-official' depth chart the other day. Looks like he might have accidentally leaked some information.

They removed TKO last year after he got hurt. I remember thinking it was weird at the time.

There was no other reason to release TKO now unless it's prep work for a pending deal.

Unless they thought the younger, cheaper players were better alternatives anyway. He's a class guy and this gives him some time to get another job before the money dries up.

[Pila]

Well, I think it probably clears up a little space, but more than anything it means that Gaither is going back to Wil and Bradley is going to play in the middle this year.

Can't say I'm thrilled about our depth at LB now though. I know we have the unimpressive Jordan, but who's out 5th and 6th LBers now?

5th and 6th LBers are easy to find. In fact, that what makes it a case of prep work for a bigger signing - there was no reason to thin out our roster at LBer for the sake of establishing the depth chart now almost half a year from training camp. They still have enough salary room to carry on, so the only thing that makes sense is that they needed to free up moiney to sign someone and still keep their buffer margin for rookies and unforseen events.

[mcnabbulous]

Unless they thought the younger, cheaper players were better alternatives anyway. He's a class guy and this gives him some time to get another job before the money dries up.

Why ya gotta be such a downer man. Are you implying that Pila peed himself for no reason.

[igglesblogman]

Why ya gotta be such a downer man. Are you implying that Pila peed himself for no reason.

I mean, hopefully it's a good sign ... I just think the timing had a little more to do with Reid and Co. doing right by a veteran guy they all respect.

Given the way I've been so good at predicting things this free agent season, however, that probably means Fitz will be an Eagle by midnight.

[Eyrie]

It's on the official site now. http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Sto...?story_id=15199

As regards our depth at LB, the fifth and sixth guys are primarily STers anyway. One of those spots is Jordan and we can draft the other on day 2. Which means we need a fourth LB, and I doubt it's Togafau.

Frankly I'd rather have kept Spikes, unless they need the cap room for an immediate trade. If they didn't, why release him? Surely we'd get a late draft pick for him if we held off? Or could add him to the offer for Fitzgerald?

[Pila]

Why ya gotta be such a downer man. Are you implying that Pila peed himself for no reason.

For the record, I often pee myself for no good reason. It'd be nice to have a good reason this time around though.

[Commish]

It's on the official site now. http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Sto...?story_id=15199

As regards our depth at LB, the fifth and sixth guys are primarily STers anyway. One of those spots is Jordan and we can draft the other on day 2. Which means we need a fourth LB, and I doubt it's Togafau.

Frankly I'd rather have kept Spikes, unless they need the cap room for an immediate trade. If they didn't, why release him? Surely we'd get a late draft pick for him if we held off? Or could add him to the offer for Fitzgerald?

Apparently, they like their high draft pick in Bradley to play MLB. So, why release TKO? Maybe he wasn't happy with being a back-up? Maybe they didn't want to pay a back-up $5,000,000? Maybe they were worried about him coming back from injury? Could be any of or a combination of those reasons.

Of course, my favorite answer is they are freeing up cap space to make a big move.

[TGryn]

I would like to see them bring back TKO if at all possible - he was our most versatile LB, able to fill in at all three spots- but I expect they approached Spikes about renegotiating the $5 million before releasing him...so the release might be a signal that they couldn't reach an agreement, which would make resigning unlikely (same as with Kearse).

[Commish]

I would like to see them bring back TKO if at all possible - he was our most versatile LB, able to fill in at all three spots- but I expect they approached Spikes about renegotiating the $5 million before releasing him...so the release might be a signal that they couldn't reach an agreement, which would make resigning unlikely (same as with Kearse).

TKO was interviewed around 6:15pm EST on Sirius radio. He said he wasn't surprised he was let go because right when FA started, the Eagles asked him to take a paycut. He said he was open to it but was a little surprised by the low number. He wasn't completely shocked, because of his late season shoulder injury last year and the Eagles history of not paying high dollars for the LB position. When asked if he would go back, he said there is no bad blood and respects the organization very much but figures he will get more money elsewhere and it is highly unlikely he would be back.

He said he kept in contact with Reid a lot. He might have meant during the FA period, I'm not sure. Reid told him that if they couldn't trade him, they would let him go, so he could try to catch on with another team. TKO said he appreciated that.

When asked if he thought Lito would be gone, he guessed he would. Last he heard, he said, Lito was on the trading block. He doesn't think Lito would be a distraction for the team but, TKO said, knowing the team, he would be traded because the organization does not tolerate cancers.

They might replay the 10 minute interview later tonight (or early tomorrow morning). It was on the "Moving the Chains" show with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan.

[nephillymike]

I have a problem with this move right now.

IF the team is trying to make a trade for a WR, I would think that it would be better to have TKO in your inventory of tradeable assets just in case the team you're talking to would also like a MLB in addition to a CB and a pick. could maybe get a WR for Lito, a third round pick and Spikes instead of Lito and the first round pick. As far as being fair to TKO, I'm all for that, but really with the cap situation league wide, teams have plenty of money to sign him and really if you keep him until two weeks before the draft, you are still gigving him and teams ample time to adjust draft boards if they intend to sign him.

From a talent standpoint, I'mnot crazy about the move but I understand if they think the others are better he can't be paid that kind of cash for backup. I expected him to play better.

Stupid move right now though. He had potential trade value ina Lito deal IMO.

[Commish]

I have a problem with this move right now.

IF the team is trying to make a trade for a WR, I would think that it would be better to have TKO in your inventory of tradeable assets just in case the team you're talking to would also like a MLB in addition to a CB and a pick. could maybe get a WR for Lito, a third round pick and Spikes instead of Lito and the first round pick. As far as being fair to TKO, I'm all for that, but really with the cap situation league wide, teams have plenty of money to sign him and really if you keep him until two weeks before the draft, you are still gigving him and teams ample time to adjust draft boards if they intend to sign him.

From a talent standpoint, I'mnot crazy about the move but I understand if they think the others are better he can't be paid that kind of cash for backup. I expected him to play better.

Stupid move right now though. He had potential trade value ina Lito deal IMO.

Who knows for sure if his name wasn't mentioned in possible Lito trades? TKO admitted Reid said they were going to try to trade him first. Do you really think the Eagles FO would cut an asset if they thought he could help them in any way? My guess no one was interested in a 31 year old LB with a $5,000,000 salary and an injury history. The Eagles couldn't get any interest from the teams with players they are targeting, so they did the right thing and cut him. Players respect that. I give the FO a heckuva lot more credit than you, I guess.

[nephillymike]

I heard TKO live on two radio stations today with in depth interviews and I didn't hear him or the interviewers mention anything about an attempted trade. I may have missed it but I didn't hear it.

[BgBry44]

I wished they would have been able to work something out to keep him around. While everyone will admit that he didn't do for us what we thought he would, he was still a good guy to have around.

Hopefully he is able to do better elsewhere.

[Reality Fan]

I have a problem with this move right now.

IF the team is trying to make a trade for a WR, I would think that it would be better to have TKO in your inventory of tradeable assets just in case the team you're talking to would also like a MLB in addition to a CB and a pick. could maybe get a WR for Lito, a third round pick and Spikes instead of Lito and the first round pick. As far as being fair to TKO, I'm all for that, but really with the cap situation league wide, teams have plenty of money to sign him and really if you keep him until two weeks before the draft, you are still gigving him and teams ample time to adjust draft boards if they intend to sign him.

From a talent standpoint, I'mnot crazy about the move but I understand if they think the others are better he can't be paid that kind of cash for backup. I expected him to play better.

Stupid move right now though. He had potential trade value ina Lito deal IMO.

Not stupid at all. I have to laugh because folks kill Mcnabb for his injury history but first Sheppard and now Spikes get passes on injury histories. Who is going to take a back-up, often injured 31 year old LB with $5 million dollar salary in a trade? Just what value do you think you would get for him? Maybe a ham sandwich.

The bottom line is that he had a cap # that was nearly quadruple his worth to this team. They have a plan for his cap space and there may be as many as 3 more moves coming but expect one more on each side of the ball. I am almost giddy.

[Zero]

I heard TKO live on two radio stations today with in depth interviews and I didn't hear him or the interviewers mention anything about an attempted trade. I may have missed it but I didn't hear it.

I heard almost the entire interview by Eskin and they did talk about it. Apparently Reid approached him about taking a pay cut, TKO gracefully declined and Reid spent the ensuing four or five days trying to trade him with no success. Reid was in touch with TKO daily and finally asked him if he would prefer to hang around to see what happens, potentially stay with the team for the lower offer or be released now so he could catch on with another team. TKO was extremely appreciative and thought he could play for a contender now.

It wasn't said, but I was left with the impression that if nothing else works out the "contender" could still be the Eagles. TKO feels the Eagles are ready to do it, thinks the LBs are good enough and "5" is definitely there.

[Commish]

I heard almost the entire interview by Eskin and they did talk about it. Apparently Reid approached him about taking a pay cut, TKO gracefully declined and Reid spent the ensuing four or five days trying to trade him with no success. Reid was in touch with TKO daily and finally asked him if he would prefer to hang around to see what happens, potentially stay with the team for the lower offer or be released now so he could catch on with another team. TKO was extremely appreciative and thought he could play for a contender now.

It wasn't said, but I was left with the impression that if nothing else works out the "contender" could still be the Eagles. TKO feels the Eagles are ready to do it, thinks the LBs are good enough and "5" is definitely there.

Yep. He said the same thing on Sirius (about the Eagles attempting to trade him). However, when asked if he thought he would be back with the Eagles, he hesitated and replied he doubted it. Simply for the fact he thinks he will get a better offer than the number the Eagles wanted him to play for. Yeah, he said he wanted to play for a contender but, he had the sound of desperation on him. He wouldn't say what team interests him - keeping his options open. When asked who his favorite position coach has been over the years, he said the next one. Sounded like a man who knows his desirability isn't what it once was. I wish him the best. He was a warrior and a class act.

[Commish]

They have a plan for his cap space and there may be as many as 3 more moves coming but expect one more on each side of the ball. I am almost giddy.

Of course, I am very, very curious what you have heard. Having a plan is fantastic but, it takes two to dance. Are the other parties interested?

My guess continues to be Roy Williams. As for the defense, my guess is either a DT or LB.

[nephillymike]

I heard TKO live on two radio stations today with in depth interviews and I didn't hear him or the interviewers mention anything about an attempted trade. I may have missed it but I didn't hear it.

I heard the rebroadcasts today and yes they did talk about a trade. I must have been busy with work calls and I missed it!

Still, we have no deal for Lito yet and we haven't released him have we? I think the same approach would have been prudent for Spikes for a few weeks. There are ways to work around the $5M salary in a trade.