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Takeo Spikes | Linebacker

Team: Unsigned Free Agent
Age / DOB:  (36) / 12/17/1976
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 242
College: Auburn
Contract: view contract details
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Latest News

Recent News

Free agent ILB Takeo Spikes, 36, confirmed he has no intentions to retire.
"I'm glad it happened early," Spikes said of his release, "before free agency, giving me a chance to get a fresh start. I'll sit down and get with someone who, No. 1, is a contender." Pro Football Focus graded Spikes poorly in coverage and mediocre in run defense last year. He may have to play for the minimum. Mar 8 - 3:14 PM

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Date:

Chargers released ILB Takeo Spikes.

New GM Tom Telesco is instilling a youth movement in San Diego, where they previously had 16 players at age-30 or older. Spikes had a base salary of $3 million and cap number of $3.7 million. The Chargers deemed that too much for a 36-year-old linebacker that had just 79 tackles in 16 starts last season. Spikes, who has played for five different teams in his 15-year career, has no intention of retiring. He'd still fit nicely as a locker room leader and reserve linebacker on a young team, preferably playing for about the league minimum.
Mar 7 - 9:09 AM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes is a candidate for a pay cut in 2013.

The Chargers are about $8 million under the cap. Spikes is entering the final season of a three-year deal with a salary progressing from $2.875 million in 2012 to now $3 million. His contract, in current form, carries a $3.7 million cap number.
Mar 2 - 12:19 PM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes "believes" he'll be back with the team in 2013.

Spikes, 36, has one year left on his contract at $3 million. Beat writer Kevin Acee said after the season that it was almost certain Spikes would be cut. With a new staff in town, though, Spikes could be viewed as a locker room leader. Plus, the Bolts don't have a shoo-in to replace Spikes in the lineup. 2011 second-rounder Jonas Mouton has been a bust to this point.
Feb 3 - 12:29 PM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes, 36, says he plans to keep playing in 2013.

However, beat writer Kevin Acee believes it's almost certain that Spikes won't be back with the Chargers. He's scheduled to make $3 million in the final year of a three-year, $9 million deal. Spikes has no more guaranteed money and is expected to be released due to the team having so many other holes to fill. Pro Football Focus gave him a positive grade again in 2012, a season in which Spikes started all 16 games and registered 78 tackles.
Mon, Dec 31, 2012 02:31:00 PM

Chargers GM A.J. Smith says ILB Takeo Spikes "isn't going anywhere."

"(Spikes) will be a Charger this season," Smith said Friday. The three-year, $9 million contract Spikes signed last July was "essentially one-year guarantee," but he'll apparently be back at his scheduled 2012 salary of $2.875 million. Asked to play far too many snaps in 2011 (947), Spikes still graded out positively in Pro Football Focus' rankings.
Sat, Feb 25, 2012 10:48:00 AM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes' roster spot is believed to be up in the air this offseason.

Spikes' three-year contract was "essentially a one-year guarantee," according to the Union-Trib. He's due $2.875 million in 2012 after turning 35 in December. Last year's second-rounder, Jonas Mouton, is healthy after missing his rookie season with a shoulder injury.
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 06:35:00 PM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday.

Spikes sustained his concussion in the second half of last Thursday's loss to the Raiders. He's already been cleared. In his eight full games played this year, Spikes is averaging 7.0 tackles.
Thu, Nov 17, 2011 08:15:00 AM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes left Thursday's game in the second half with a concussion.

Spikes was in and out of the game throughout the first half, noticeably hampered by a biceps injury. He's done of the evening after sustaining the concussion in the second half. Donald Butler moved to the strong side with Na'il Diggs taking over as the weakside linebacker.
Thu, Nov 10, 2011 09:55:00 PM

Chargers ILB Takeo Spikes registered a team-high 11 tackles in Week 1, and is sporting the green dot as San Diego's defensive playcaller.

He's got another big IDP year left in him. Spikes played every single defensive snap, and he'll be the favorite for tackles over Donald Butler going forward. Spikes finished 2010 in San Francisco with 109 stops, his most since 2003.
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 11:31:00 PM

Chargers agreed to terms with ILB Takeo Spikes on a three-year, $9 million contract with $3 million guaranteed.

Although Spikes is 34, he's coming off a 109-tackle, three-interception season as the starter in San Francisco. He played for Greg Manusky there, and will play for him again as the defensive coordinator now holds the same role in San Diego. Spikes will step right in as the starter next to rookie Jonas Mouton or free agent Kevin Burnett. Free agent Stephen Cooper is as good as gone.
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 09:37:00 PM

The Chargers have reportedly entered the bidding for free agent ILB Takeo Spikes.

Spikes has a relationship with new Bolts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, who held the same role in San Francisco last year. Previous reports suggested Spikes was a "no-brainer" to re-up with the 49ers, but he has options. Though he's 34, Spikes is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career.
Tue, Jul 26, 2011 08:55:00 PM

The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows believes it's a "no-brainer" that the 49ers should re-sign free agent ILB Takeo Spikes.

Spikes is coming off his best season in years, but his situation depends almost wholly on what the Niners think of Navorro Bowman. If they believe he's ready to start at inside linebacker, Spikes' status as a team leader may not be enough of a reason for the Niners to keep him.
Sat, Jun 25, 2011 02:37:00 PM

Free agent ILB Takeo Spikes is not participating in 49ers player-organized offseason workouts.

"I’m not under contract, so no I’m not coming and since I’m not under contract, I never was given a playbook," said Spikes. "Don’t know how much to read into it or not at all." Spikes' return is very much up in the air because the 49ers have a ready-made replacement in 2010 third-round pick Navorro Bowman.
Wed, Jun 8, 2011 01:48:00 PM

The 49ers are considered "likely" to re-sign free agent ILB Takeo Spikes for a 14th NFL season.

Veterans like Spikes have the most to gain from an extended lockout, threatening to cutting into training camp. The 34-year-old graded out as Pro Football Focus' seventh-rated inside linebacker last season, but he'll have to hold off NaVorro Bowman throughout the season if he returns to San Fran.
Wed, Jun 1, 2011 11:05:00 AM

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