Takeo Me Out

If you listened closely this morning, a distand chorus of "ohhhhs" could be heard being uttered under the breath of football junkies everywhere.

When the Eagles signed DT Reagor on the roster, it didn't seem to make sense. Defensive Tackle wasn't the most pressing need on defense, the Linebacking Corps was. Plus, this was the team that drafted Broderick Bunkley right after Mike Patterson; why would they need another DT? Because the trade market is all about using excess to compensate for your needs.

The Reagor singing made Darwin Walker, who tended to only show flashes of greatness in Philly and was at best a rotational player, expendable. This worked out very well for the Buffalo Bills, who were looking to deal slightly disgruntled veteran LB Takeo Spikes.

The deal involved the Bills dealing both Spikes and quarterback Kelly Holcomb (who will be the veteran influence on the QB roster) for Darwin Walker and a conditional 2008 pick. The conditional pick is based on whether Spikes (who has one year left on his contract) and the Eagles work out an extension.

You've got to hand it to the Eagles brass on this one, they're willing to take risks, but only very miniscule ones. They don't just give away draft picks - thanks to the conditional policy we didnt have to give up any for Donte Stallworth. Spikes will bolster the Linebacking corps immediately, and will give the Eagles more options in the draft. Chances are, Philly will take a raw Linebacking talent that will take a year or two to develop behind Spikes and Trotter, or focus on the secondary, which has been hit in free agency.

The only part of this deal I don't love is Holcomb. While it is good to have an 11-year player on the QB roster to offer his influence, I believe the Eagles should draft a young quarterback to groom for a few seasons very soon. McNabb is a great player - but given his injury history, the position becomes a bigger risk each draft the Birds pass up on a young buck to make their next franchise player.