49ers’ defense gets boost with addition of LB Takeo Spikes
The San Francisco 49ers signed inside linebacker Takeo Spikes, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles. To make room for the signing, the team also released LB Brandon Moore.
Spikes, 31, and the 49ers had been talking since March after he was released by Philadelphia after just one season. He was due to make $5 million in 2008, and the Eagles felt they could use that money elsewhere since they liked their younger linebackers.
Spikes started 14 games for them last year before tearing a rotator cuff and having surgery. The 49ers’ doctors had to check out his shoulder Sunday before the club would agree to a deal. When Spikes visited their headquarters in March, he was rehabbing the shoulder and couldn’t pass a physical.
Spikes has lost a step over the years, but playing inside linebacker in Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense doesn’t require sideline-to-sideline ability. This move solidifies the run defense a bit, but the question remains if whether or not the 49ers will get enough of a pass rush from their front seven. Either way, Spikes is a terrific leader and it brings a lot of experience to San Fran’s defense.
Even though it didn’t transfer to wins, the 49ers had a very productive offseason in 2007 and did so again this year. With the additions of Nate Clements, Michael Lewis, Tully Banta-Cain, Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes and DROY Patrick Willis (photo), San Fran has vastly improved its defense over the past two offseasons.
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The signing of Spikes is very significant. He will bring leadership to their defense that was lacking last season. The Forty-Niners are moving in the right direction.
That pic is not Spikes, but Patrick Willis, dumbass
Hey Erick – it clearly says (“photo”) next to Patrick Willis in the article. When it says “photo” next to a name, it means that that’s the person in the photo.
Signed,
“dumbass” (Which is two words, by the way.)
P.S. Falcons 45, 49ers 10.
Hahahaha
Man I almost put this exact thing in after reading the awesome response.
Dude, this article is a year old.
How would you put a picture of a NEWLY traded
guy in the teams NEW uniform? And yes (photo)<–
generally refers to the term photograph or picture
for our slower readers
Ha! Good call, John – didn’t even think of that.
Chances are we won’t hear back from Erik. He’s feeling pretty good about life right now since he let someone have it on a sports site.
I think TSR should start a “Bonner Comment of the Week” award and nominate Erik as its first participate.
“That pic is not Spikes, but Patrick Willis, dumbass”
Hahaha! No kidding genius! And then the dude came back and tried to stick it to me again! Oh man, that’s awesome! How do you come back twice and not realize that you made the mistake?!