Approval Rating: Takeo Spikes
by Wonko on Feb 2, 2012 2:00 PM PST
in San Diego Chargers Approval Ratings
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When Takeo Spikes joined the Chargers most, at best, knew a few things about him: 1. He has a big neck, 2. He's a Linebacker, 3. He was on the 49ers with Greg Manusky the previous season, 4. He's never made the playoffs in his entire career, 5. He has a GIANT neck. Now that he's been a Charger for a year you've probably formed some other opinions of him. Recently, I listed him on the potential cuts list due to his age and the small cap hit that it would take to release him. Some feel that's just, especially because he was one of Greg Manusky's guys and Manusky has been shown the door. Others feel that would be throwing the baby out with the bath water. Which, in case you didn't know, throwing out babies is a bad thing. (Hey, Takeo, that might make for a good PSA campaign)
Let's get some numbers out of the way and show what sort of stats Takeo put up for the 2011 season:
One thing that stands out in those numbers is the lack of impact plays. The sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles totals are all extremely low or nonexistent. Yet, he was involved in plenty of plays as those tackles numbers would indicate. None of that is conclusive one way or another given that in any defense different players will have different roles, including leadership roles (which is a role Spikes takes on). Still, you'd feel like there'd be a few more big plays in the mix.
Other notes on Spikes are that he suffered a concussion this season, but seemingly didn't let that his ability to play and got back on the field quickly. He was also a vocal supporter of Norv Turner when the Head Coach's job status was in question. You can either see that as him foolishly backing the status quo or taking a leadership stance for someone he believes in.
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I don't think you can underestimate how much he helped Butler this year
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
Richard Wade - "I feel like me from four years ago would punch present me in the face. I like to think that's because I've grown as a person."
by John Gennaro on Feb 2, 2012 2:08 PM PST reply actions 2 recs
You really think he helped that little?
Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan
by Richard Wade on Feb 2, 2012 3:30 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I love having Spikes on the squad.
His tackle numbers are what you’d expect from your starting ILB, he adds a veteran presence, and he was able to play a full season in 2011.
The only knock on him is his lack of speed. It was painful watching him try and chase down a slot receiver or TE sometimes. Like I said in a previous post, I’d like to see the team keep Spikes, but use him in more of a Brandon Siler type role (obvious running/goal line situations).
He definitely makes a great leader
You can tell he just has that something else that this defense has lacked for a while. I love his statements to the media, and I like the way he pushes that team.
Remember that interception that Weddle got in the last play of the Chief’s game (Weddle’s first last play of the game, game saving interception)? Well in the huddle before that play Spikes called out the defense demanding who was going to make the play that would stop them. Weddle, of course, responded. I want to see more of that next year.
Love me some TKO...
…considering he played FAR more snaps than he was ever intended to due to the injuries we had in 2011. He does whatever is asked/needed of him and has a commanding presence in the huddle/locker room. I would love to keep him around and get him his first playoff appearance. I wanna see him and his dogs go hunting some more for sure :)
by Sydalish on Feb 2, 2012 2:57 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
The Chargers version of...
Ray Lewis. He’s brilliant on the field, helping to develop young guys, getting that locker room cohesion, except not a once-suspected double-murderer.
"Watch out where the huskies go, don't you eat that yellow snow."- Zappa
dude if there was ever a time you were on drugs it would be when you posted this comment
I like how society is so judgmental of another person even if what he was accused of has been cleared and dismissed by the court of law and the court of public opinion. Furthermore how does Ray Lewis’ suspicions of a double murder affect how he’s played to date? It doesn’t,and to say TKO is the same caliber player and hint that he might be better because of no suspicions of murder is ridiculous…clearly Ray Lewis is a HOF first ballot,while TKO might not even be mentioned for a probowl the remainder of his career.
by Gorditoe1 on Feb 4, 2012 8:59 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
I read your comment again I think I might have overreacted
Still comparing TKO to ray ray? Naw …he can go if needed,Even when Ray wanted to hit the FA market Baltimore wanted to keep him. There wasn’t a lot of interest in Ray at the time but I’m willing to bet if TKO gets cut there would be less if any interest in the guy by any team
by Gorditoe1 on Feb 4, 2012 9:08 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
Right now...
yeah I surely approve of job handling, but the off season hasnt started. And this team will draft a ILB pretty high for the 3rd year in a row I think. If they hit on the third guy and he doesnt ir himself IR pre season .That would leave a crowded field and a team needing to get younger offensively and defensively. A bunch of vets are going to get ejected this off season and Spikes will probably be one of them
Winning
I hope not...
I hope they draft a OLB, a SS, Olinemen even a CB but not a ILB…
by Joan.Manuel.Martinez on Feb 3, 2012 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
We have several guys who could become starters more easily than a rookie could.
Mouton and Gachkar have both spent a year on an NFL team. Gachkar has played a full season on ST, and is a very effective gunner. Mouton may have been overdrafted at 61st overall, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t turn into a decent NFL player. AJ has a pretty good track record picking ILBs.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 5, 2012 6:34 AM PST up reply actions
Gachkar is too small.
Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan
by Richard Wade on Feb 5, 2012 12:19 PM PST up reply actions
I respect tko bcuz we need leadership especially on our defense. We have nobody on defensive roster outside of tko that has leadership skills....
BCoop
by Bleu on Feb 2, 2012 7:29 PM PST via Android app reply actions
We're getting a lot younger...
… but we’re doing it on a good schedule. We’ll see a young lineman like Liuget, Cam Thomas or Jamaican Bacon emerge as the leader of the pack, to fill J-Will’s shoes. But Weddle is who they got instead of Coop, and he’s a smart guy who studied under (and played with) some of the best students of today’s game, so I’m expecting him to get better every year.
We’re really only missing one piece of the defensive puzzle, an all-around OLB who’s a killer pass-rusher, à la Merriman before Jeff Fisher ordered a dirty hit on him (I can’t believe some people wanted him over Norv). Sadly, it’s the most important piece.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 5, 2012 6:52 AM PST up reply actions
What is delocated, and why is it our sponsor?
This is worse than Geico. Get better banners.
Not changing this signature until John Gennaro eats his hat.
Second this. Hate those ads.
Bolts from the Blue // "At least when Wade is spewing vitriol he does so with an intellectual flair." - insanebolt21
Bloody Elbow // "I think we're poking fun at Leland's 'boner.'" - Michael Fagan
I don't like the choices on this list.
Personally if he were to be cut and the chargers drafted Vontaze Burfict or even just staid pat with Mouton i would like that. On the other hand he was a good player but I definitely think someone not named Weddle has to make more impact plays
We need a Pass Rusher...
Is VB a Pass rusher? no, then why draft him? Unless they get a pass rusher in FA, they need to draft one… That’s priority #1,2 and 3…
by Joan.Manuel.Martinez on Feb 3, 2012 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah
We need at LB help across the board though. Don’t worry the team drafted for their new STs coordinator last year. Two LBs in the top 4 rounds picks should go down this year for pagano. they both could be outside guys. cause yeah this team needs a ton of help off the edge
Winning
we should keep him.
No need to create any more holes in this defense. Hes good enough and thats the bottom line. Unless of course they feel mouton is an upgrade.
definitely keep him
Its a reassuring sight seeing him and Butler line up inside.
I’d prefer if he looked up the word ‘cesspit’ in the dictionary for next year though.
Def. Keeper
We’re already way thin at OLB……………..and even with Spikes we are thin at ILB. This is probably an area that should be addressed in FA.
We can ill afford to lose any productive linebackers.
Approve of the way he's handling his job...
literally though. He could do better in coverage and when blitzing, as he just kind of crashes into a lineman instead of going after the QB on blitzes. In any case, he shouldn’t be playing all 3 downs. Just 1st and 2nd.
Don't get excited when it's Wheelie time...
Bolts from the Blue
Join my 4,554 other followers on twitter. @poyzinous
by Superduperboltman on Feb 3, 2012 6:36 AM PST reply actions
Totally agree.
You cannot ask the guy to be productive if he has to play EVERY snap. I think he makes that D better. They only caveat is the “Takeo curse”, but hey, even the Red Sox broke their curse!
by Joan.Manuel.Martinez on Feb 3, 2012 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
Judging by how certain people wanted him cut
I didn’t expect the approval percentage to be this high.
"second base is the bizness." -jbox
Bolts from the Blue - San Diego Chargers Blog Created By The Fans, For The Fans
Takeo's real lasting value will come next year as a mentor.
With Butler continuing to mature, and if we draft a try-hard ILB in the mid rounds (Tank Carder out of TCU or Bobby Wagner from Utah State), he could help the franchise for YEARS by being a good leader and teacher in their formative years.
Yakety Sax: Making divisional matchups hilarious since 1963.
Gaslamp Ball: SMELLS LIKE PROSPECTS IN HERE
Please, call me StrangeBro.
Keep Him
He played well and more importantly so did Butler lets get Mouton in the mix and see what happens. Maybe get the best available LB with the first pick and now you are talking.
Spikes, Butler, Mouton, Gachkar...
I’m quite happy with our ILB squad. Keep Castillo, and we’ve got 6 of the front 7 sewn up. There’s really only one major, glaring problem: ROLB. We could use some help in the secondary too.
An autumn Sunday,
Perched in front of the big screen,
Beer in white knuckles.
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Feb 5, 2012 7:07 AM PST reply actions
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