The Future of Takeo Spikes: MLB

Much has been said this off-season about the free agent status of London Fletcher-Baker, and how his loss could have big negative effects on the defense. Those feelings aren't unfounded - London led the team with 146 tackles, and was the captain of the defense throughout 2006. He has been a great leader and community member in Buffalo, and it will be a sad day if (when?) he leaves.

Fletcher-Baker's status seems almost set in stone, however. A much more interesting question to ponder: what does the future hold for another standout Bills linebacker, Takeo Spikes (above, right)?

2006 - Rehab Year
It's common knowledge that the 2006 season marked Spikes' return from a torn Achilles' tendon that he suffered early in 2005. The lingering effects of that injury were obvious - combined with a new defensive scheme, Spikes saw his playmaking abilities and production suffer from previous seasons with the team. Spikes finished just seventh on the team with 70 tackles. In fact, early on in the season, Spikes would be taken out in nickel situations in favor of Angelo Crowell and Keith Ellison. It was only when Crowell went down with a season-ending injury that Spikes saw the field on third down.

Spikes will turn 31 at the end of the 2007 season. He will be entering the fifth year of a six-year deal he signed as a free agent in 2003. With just two years left on his deal, his career in Buffalo may fast be coming to a close.

Criticism of the Front Office
Spikes has also been openly critical of the Bills' front office this off-season. When the Bills re-signed K Rian Lindell to a five-year extension prior to the end of the season, Spikes was upset for three of his defensive teammates. Fletcher-Baker, Nate Clements and Chris Kelsay are all starters on a young defensive unit, and Spikes felt that the Lindell signing was a slight to those three players - he felt they should be hearing extension talks as well.

His frustration is understandable. Spikes left Cincinnati in 2003 and came to Buffalo to become a winner. Now the Bengals are seemingly on the verge of greatness, while Spikes has spent four more seasons toiling in relative anonymity. He has been described as "fiercely passionate" and "the heart of the defense". While the criticism may not be something fans and the Bills organization like to hear, he may have a point.

Where Does He Play?
With the combination of his heel injury, hitting the age of 30 and a new defensive scheme, it's still relatively unclear where Spikes would be most comfortable in this defense. I'll posit my idea here: put Takeo in the middle. Let him replace London.

There are three reasons I'd do this. First: Speed. Spikes, whether he or anyone else admits it, has lost a step. In Buffalo's defensive scheme, speed is absolutely essential from the outside linebacker position. Ellison and Crowell, at this point, both have more speed than Spikes - they need to stay on the outside. (Note: Crowell would still be a fantastic fit in the middle - Spikes is more prudent.) However, saying that Spikes has lost a step doesn't mean he's not fast - he's just as fast as Fletcher-Baker is. The Bills wouldn't be losing much, if any, speed on the inside.

Second: Size. Fletcher-Baker, for all he has accomplished, still is not a good fit in this defense - size at the linebacker position is a must in the Cover 2. By moving Spikes inside, the Bills would be gaining four inches of height at the position while keeping the same weight (London goes 245, Spikes 242). By comparison, the best Cover-2 middle linebacker in the game is Chicago's Brian Urlacher. He excels at his craft because of his immense size (6'4", 258). It is his size that allows him to shed blocks behind a penetrating defensive line. It is his height that makes him nearly impossible to throw over when he drops back into coverage. Spikes isn't as tall or as meaty as Urlacher, but he's closer to that mold than London is.

Third: Ease of Transition. Spikes truly is the heart and soul of the defense. With a year of playing time under his belt post-Achilles, he will likely be closer to his old self in 2007 than he was this past year. Spikes (pending Fletcher-Baker leaving) would also be the veteran of the group - it would be vital to the Bills' success to have him as their defensive captain/leader, despite him never really filling that position before. He also knows the defense, so throwing him into the middle would be easier to pull off than signing a free agent or drafting a rookie.

Most importantly, his age is a factor. He is not going to be playing in the league much longer than four or five more years. If you put him in the middle now, you're putting your defense's best linebacker at the most important position. It also allows the team time to bring in a young player (Ole Miss LB Patrick Willis?) to groom behind Spikes for the last two years of his contract.

Sound off! What would you do with Takeo Spikes? Cut him? Trade him? Leave him outside? Move him in? Leave a comment!